PLATTSBURGH -- The troubled U.S. economy will have more to do with relations with Canada than the results of the elections in both countries.

Dr. Christopher Kirkey, director of the Center for the Study of Canada at Plattsburgh State University, said what is unfolding politically in Canada takes a back seat to what is unfolding economically. The Canadian dollar has been sliding this week, valued by the Bank of Canada at 90 cents U.S. on Tuesday and 87 cents U.S. at noon on Thursday.

For the North Country, there should be concerns about that decline. Local retailers have benefited from the tremendous boom in the number of Quebec residents, especially those from the Montreal area, who have traveled to the region.

"If the dollar keeps sputtering, some people may reconsider that trip to Plattsburgh," Kirkey said.

He said top Canadian economists are nearly unanimous in the belief that if Canada is not already in the midst of a significant recession, it will be soon.

It will be even more important to market this region in Canada, and Quebec in particular, Kirkey said.

A failing economy could also make it more difficult to get orders for things like transit authority buses or railcars, he said. On the other hand, people may look to increase use of public transportation if money is tight.

The Canadian General Election is set for Tuesday, Oct. 15. Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister Stephen Harper called for the election Sept. 7.

MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Canada has had a minority government since the last election in January 2006. The Conservative party doesn't have enough seats in the House of Commons to pass legislation without votes from members of other parties.

Kirkey said the Conservatives are the party of center-right wing ideology, the Liberals are more center-left and the NDP is left of the Liberal Party.

Bloc Quebecois promotes a pro-Quebec agenda, but is only represented in Quebec. That party stands to benefit from a minority government, Kirkey said.

Kirkey said the Conservative party's foreign policy is overwhelmingly focused on the United States. Unfortunately, whoever wins the U.S. election is going to be preoccupied with solving domestic economic problems.

Harper's numbers in public-opinion polls at the time he called for the election were at an all-time high, he said.

"It looked like they had a good shot at getting a majority government," Kirkey said.