A high-profile political commentator and former White House policy adviser says Canada is not immune to the class tensions and divisive forces that swept Donald Trump to power.

Van Jones, a CNN political contributor, says similar "hate waves" are playing out in all Western democracies, and anyone who thinks Canada will be spared is wrong.

Jones says working-class people, particular white ones, are feeling left behind and reacting in ways that are "shocking" and "sometimes xenophobic and racist."

He says everyone, no matter where they fall on the political spectrum, must remain vigilant to keep these tensions from turning into violence.

Jones is in Toronto today to speak about what a Trump presidency will mean for the U.S. and its northern neighbour.

He is set to delivery a keynote address in the city at an event organized by the Broadbent Institute.

Jones emerged as a strong voice during the U.S. election campaign that ended earlier this month with Trump's stunning victory.

After the Republican's win, Jones called the election results a "whitelash" against a changing country and, in part, against its current black president.

Jones was recently called a "Star of the 2016 Campaign" by The New York Times.

Jones is also a civil rights activist and founded multiple social enterprises including the Dream Corps, which promotes innovative policy solutions.

Trump has threatened to tear up the North American Free Trade Agreement unless he gets concessions from Canada. He has also promised to pull the U.S. from various international climate agreements.