NIAGARA FALLS - Over the past 15 years, Niagara Falls, Ontario Mayor Jim Diodati has served in office as an independent, often distancing himself from party politics.

However, as Liberal Party Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans his exit, Diodati believes it's indicative of a philosophical shift in Canada.

"It's probably a real good decision. I think the market's reacted positively to it, oil prices, the Canadian dollar. It was time. I mean everyone, including myself, has their best-before date and I think it's a good move," he said.

Diodati said regardless of who is in office, as both the U.S. and Canada prepare for new administrations, good international tourism, commerce and trade relations are imperative.

"We've got a 211-year history of the world's largest unmilitarized border, 211 years of peace. I mean our history is incredible. We're each other's number one trading party by far — $1.3 trillion of two-way trade," he said.

Licensed customs broker Damon Piatek processes border entries for companies that sell a diverse set of products, from hummus to steel. He also said Trudeau's decision was not unexpected.

"I don't think it has anything to do with Trump. I don't think it has anything to do with trade policies. I think it's just the normal progression of what's going to happen with their government up there," Piatek said.

While the Canadian Conservative Party, which polls suggest could take power, may be more politically aligned with Trump, Piatek pointed out Trudeau has had a decent relationship with the president-elect that included negotiating the current U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement. He believes Trump unraveling that deal or finding other ways to institute 25% tariffs he's threatened have always been unlikely.

"I think he got what he wanted out of it. I mean honestly, I think he wanted to start negotiations. It's exactly what he did before. It was a way to start negotiations," Piatek said.

Diodati does believe Canada can do better to honor its commitment by dedicating at least 2% of its Gross Domestic Product to defense for NATO. He also said they can do better at the border when it comes to illegal crossings of people and guns.

"I really hope we take a perimeter approach, North America, versus between our countries because we're very aligned. Like I said, we're brothers, sisters, cousins," Diodati said. "We're aligned."

He said in Niagara Falls, Ontario, approximately 25% of the visitors are from the U.S. and they represent approximately half of the tourism revenue.