UNBC students gathered in the Winter Garden to watch the results come in  – photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – UNBC students have reacted to the surprise election of Republican Donald Trump as president of the United States.

Students shared their views during a well attended viewing party of around 100 students organized by UNBC’s Department of Political Science and the UNBC Political Science Student Association last night in the school’s Winter Garden.

Political science lecturer Jason Morris with members of UNBC’s Political Science Association

“How inevitable,” said Jessica Bagnall, a political science major and Hillary Clinton supporter. “I think he took all the support he had through his PR all through the years and it all came together for him. I’m not sure how it will play out but we need to support the American leader no matter what and to work with them.”

Micah Green, who was born in the United States but now lives in Prince George, was also hoping for a Clinton victory but was conciliatory in her defeat.

“I hope for the best, I see comfort in the fact that the president doesn’t have a whole lot of power without the rest of the Senate behind him,” he said. “And I think they aren’t so I don’t think he’ll be able to do many of the radical things he has proposed thus far and I think the next four years are going to be interesting for sure.”

However, third year student Emily Watt didn’t share his optimism.

“I don’t think Trump is even a viable candidate for the election. He has no experience; his views are almost impeachable. I think it’s crazy that this was even an option.”

Students were a little more divided on what Trump’s win will mean for Canada.

“I think it will definitely have an effect,” said Seth Jex. “Especially when you look at things like NAFTA or NATO, really big multinational agreements that are made where the US and Canada are key partners in that. I think a Trump presidency will be vastly different.
Classmate Kendra Kinsley didn’t share his pessimism though noting “Canada has always had a great relationship with the US and I don’t think the states would do a lot to affect it. They are one of our biggest trade partners.”

But regardless of who won, political science lecturer Jason Morris said it was great to see students so interested in the process.

“It’s special to see students engaged in essentially a world event. And, learning how much a foreign government’s election can impact their own country.”