Threats against Canadian sovereignty from the incoming Trump administration should, however, focus the national mind on a plan for managing...whatever it is we're facing.
I agree with your take on this situation. Life has been floating along changing daily without the needed perspective between yesterday, today and the burgeoning future. So, this economic path and now blatantly political path is coming into strong focus. Wealth buys power and the wealth divide has grown exponentially - which is the root cause of many current woes affecting many countries. Tech has been/is a large influencers on this divide. So, the Canadian Conversation - which I support - should absolutely be about economic as this touches everything. Can we get some focus on strengthening Inter-Provincial trade? (It's currently a regulatory nightmare.) Speaking of regulations - can we put strong policy in place to guard against monopolies? Can we regulate against foreign ownership of our land and resources - or do we want to? This is a large problem with our Ag sector. Can we support more innovation (including by our post secondary education institutes, extremely underfunded) as our O&G supply is running out and we need innovation to replace the 6000 products now produced from O&G. We need to stop internal petty grievances and focus on an 'all-for-one Canada strategy.
my understanding is what held Canada back from international trade deals (like EU integration) is our loose Federal system, it's actually different trade deals with every province. And power comes from sticking your hands in those flows of resources, the provincial leaders would never give that up.
I'm a bit concerned that in your list of Canadian politicians, you left out the best. Can you imagine what would happen if Canada elected the NDP? Donny would have to deal with a non-white turban wearing man that speaks far better English than he does.
I find it interesting Trump's threats have 're-ignited' these types of discussions. While I don't take his 'annexation' talk seriously, it raises an issue that has long been part of our political and intellectual history. It is, in fact, part of our national identity - what is Canada for, what is a Canadian? Scholars of nationalism still struggle with what 'defines' a nation.
Grant's, Lament for a Nation, is instructive as it details the on-going existential (and practical) challenges posed by our Southern neighbours. In short, it's not new. Trump has only spoken out loud what has essentially always defined our relationship. With globalization these questions are even more pronounced. The economic consequences of American expansionism will certainly be felt if Trump pursues an adversarial footing on trade policy - but this has always been the case regardless of who is President. Talk of a real 'merger' is bonkers and will not happen. What Trump may have done, inadvertently, is focus and strengthen our 'imagined community' named Canada. Interesting to see what emerges from this with respect to our 'identity' and if this - at all - has any practical/political consequence. What does a Canadian identity say about our social democratic traditions and how they differ from America/European variants, if at all. This is one question out of many that could be explored given Trump's absurd threats.
Maybe it's time to burn the White House down again. Who in their right mind would want to be part of a country that elected an immature clown as President, for the second time no less?
Both are autocratic narcissists. Both ignore historic conventions. Both are incompetent governors. Both spout democracy, both interpret it for their own benefit. Both govern for the benefit of friends. The main difference is Trump blusters in simpleton-like, ridiculous statements; whereas, Trudeau speaks in platitudes and word salads which are as simple as Trump’s blustering. Trump is chaotic while Trudeau is just destructive.
Trudeau at the insistence of the NDP brought in Pharmacare, Child Care and Dentalcare, all programs that benefited the less fortunate. Though not perfect it is far more than any Republican or Conservative has ever done. Trudeau isn't a convicted felon either. I contend there is no comparison.
While I agree that Canadians must do what you suggest in order to remain a sovereign nation, I’m pessimistic that we are capable of doing it. The current political climate is a disaster. I think we are fucked.
Water - the USA wants our water and have had plans to take it, one way or the other, since the 1970s. Canada likely won’t join the USA but we will become it under the Conservatives. Just read/listen to the Canada envisioned by Poilievre, everyone either the same values - his. Fascists are Fascists, their values are the same - Corporatism - the state are the service of the corporations.
The US doesn’t need permission to take our water as they have more access to the Great Lakes than we do. You call the Conservatives Fascists which tells me immediately that you are a name calling Liberal or NDP whose coalition has already taken us to being an autocratic state. A Conservative government is our last hope to throw off that autocratic cloak.
A secondary advantage of military spending is that it operates as a near-guaranteed jobs program for (very disproportionately) young men. This is actually an economic lesson we should take from the USA, who enormously outpace us in deficit spending for this reason. Getting aimless, shiftless men into meaningful, respected work is flatly valuable on it's own.
Now would I rather they be building houses and crucial infrastructure than learning how to dismember hypothetical opponents? Yes, but any port in a storm.
Except Canada, at best, has little "military spending" related industry. Much of it is dependent on a US vendor using Canadian components, which means spending the bulk of our equipment costs in the US (which I'm certain is a Trump demand).
Perhaps we would be better off going to non-US NATO suppliers and leverage that spending by asking for non-military trade goods from Canada as an offset (in addition with local CDN military supplier work.
Would be a nice 'stick in the eye' for Trump - we're meeting our 2%, why are you complaining about using EU suppliers?
Knowing everything isn't impossible, but we should listen and keep an open mind. I think it began as a joke, but after the last few years of mismanagement on both sides of the border, there is more afoot than we know.
Financial mismanagement is reflected on both sides of the border, increasing inflation and debt in both countries. Russia has made Arctic territorial claims that may encroach on Canada's and Greenland's borders. China has also declared itself a "Near-Arctic State" and is actively pursuing economic, scientific, and strategic interests in the region. Canada's military has been neglected. We are living in rather unsettled times and should all keep our eyes and ears open to really find out what is going on. There has been too much smoke and mirrors in the last few years.
Inflation is low and employment high on both sides of the border. Claiming otherwise is false. Canada’s debt is far lower per capita than in the US. Russia and China have always been threats. The US and Canada have both sanctioned Russia over its illegal invasion of Ukraine. The current federal government has invested more in the military than its predecessor.
I agree with your take on this situation. Life has been floating along changing daily without the needed perspective between yesterday, today and the burgeoning future. So, this economic path and now blatantly political path is coming into strong focus. Wealth buys power and the wealth divide has grown exponentially - which is the root cause of many current woes affecting many countries. Tech has been/is a large influencers on this divide. So, the Canadian Conversation - which I support - should absolutely be about economic as this touches everything. Can we get some focus on strengthening Inter-Provincial trade? (It's currently a regulatory nightmare.) Speaking of regulations - can we put strong policy in place to guard against monopolies? Can we regulate against foreign ownership of our land and resources - or do we want to? This is a large problem with our Ag sector. Can we support more innovation (including by our post secondary education institutes, extremely underfunded) as our O&G supply is running out and we need innovation to replace the 6000 products now produced from O&G. We need to stop internal petty grievances and focus on an 'all-for-one Canada strategy.
Question is ... are we adult enough?
I think inter-provincial trade is such a critically underappreciated -- and attended-to -- issue. Absolutely central point.
my understanding is what held Canada back from international trade deals (like EU integration) is our loose Federal system, it's actually different trade deals with every province. And power comes from sticking your hands in those flows of resources, the provincial leaders would never give that up.
I'm a bit concerned that in your list of Canadian politicians, you left out the best. Can you imagine what would happen if Canada elected the NDP? Donny would have to deal with a non-white turban wearing man that speaks far better English than he does.
I find it interesting Trump's threats have 're-ignited' these types of discussions. While I don't take his 'annexation' talk seriously, it raises an issue that has long been part of our political and intellectual history. It is, in fact, part of our national identity - what is Canada for, what is a Canadian? Scholars of nationalism still struggle with what 'defines' a nation.
Grant's, Lament for a Nation, is instructive as it details the on-going existential (and practical) challenges posed by our Southern neighbours. In short, it's not new. Trump has only spoken out loud what has essentially always defined our relationship. With globalization these questions are even more pronounced. The economic consequences of American expansionism will certainly be felt if Trump pursues an adversarial footing on trade policy - but this has always been the case regardless of who is President. Talk of a real 'merger' is bonkers and will not happen. What Trump may have done, inadvertently, is focus and strengthen our 'imagined community' named Canada. Interesting to see what emerges from this with respect to our 'identity' and if this - at all - has any practical/political consequence. What does a Canadian identity say about our social democratic traditions and how they differ from America/European variants, if at all. This is one question out of many that could be explored given Trump's absurd threats.
Maybe it's time to burn the White House down again. Who in their right mind would want to be part of a country that elected an immature clown as President, for the second time no less?
We elected Trudeau three (3) times.
Anyone who compares Trudeau to Trump knows absolutely nothing about politics or democracy
Both are autocratic narcissists. Both ignore historic conventions. Both are incompetent governors. Both spout democracy, both interpret it for their own benefit. Both govern for the benefit of friends. The main difference is Trump blusters in simpleton-like, ridiculous statements; whereas, Trudeau speaks in platitudes and word salads which are as simple as Trump’s blustering. Trump is chaotic while Trudeau is just destructive.
Canadians are likely to elect Poilievre this year!
I am aware of that and I find it positively shocking
Trudeau at the insistence of the NDP brought in Pharmacare, Child Care and Dentalcare, all programs that benefited the less fortunate. Though not perfect it is far more than any Republican or Conservative has ever done. Trudeau isn't a convicted felon either. I contend there is no comparison.
While I agree that Canadians must do what you suggest in order to remain a sovereign nation, I’m pessimistic that we are capable of doing it. The current political climate is a disaster. I think we are fucked.
I need a new bingo card.
Water - the USA wants our water and have had plans to take it, one way or the other, since the 1970s. Canada likely won’t join the USA but we will become it under the Conservatives. Just read/listen to the Canada envisioned by Poilievre, everyone either the same values - his. Fascists are Fascists, their values are the same - Corporatism - the state are the service of the corporations.
The US doesn’t need permission to take our water as they have more access to the Great Lakes than we do. You call the Conservatives Fascists which tells me immediately that you are a name calling Liberal or NDP whose coalition has already taken us to being an autocratic state. A Conservative government is our last hope to throw off that autocratic cloak.
Big, bold steps are needed in every direction.
A reasoned response. Not sure reason's going to be an effective strategy on this.
A secondary advantage of military spending is that it operates as a near-guaranteed jobs program for (very disproportionately) young men. This is actually an economic lesson we should take from the USA, who enormously outpace us in deficit spending for this reason. Getting aimless, shiftless men into meaningful, respected work is flatly valuable on it's own.
Now would I rather they be building houses and crucial infrastructure than learning how to dismember hypothetical opponents? Yes, but any port in a storm.
Except Canada, at best, has little "military spending" related industry. Much of it is dependent on a US vendor using Canadian components, which means spending the bulk of our equipment costs in the US (which I'm certain is a Trump demand).
Perhaps we would be better off going to non-US NATO suppliers and leverage that spending by asking for non-military trade goods from Canada as an offset (in addition with local CDN military supplier work.
Would be a nice 'stick in the eye' for Trump - we're meeting our 2%, why are you complaining about using EU suppliers?
Canada has the bomb.💣
This comes across more as a punch line: "having a national discussion about Canadian sovereignty"
Who's got a good idea about how this could possibly happen?
Knowing everything isn't impossible, but we should listen and keep an open mind. I think it began as a joke, but after the last few years of mismanagement on both sides of the border, there is more afoot than we know.
Mismanagement? How so?
Financial mismanagement is reflected on both sides of the border, increasing inflation and debt in both countries. Russia has made Arctic territorial claims that may encroach on Canada's and Greenland's borders. China has also declared itself a "Near-Arctic State" and is actively pursuing economic, scientific, and strategic interests in the region. Canada's military has been neglected. We are living in rather unsettled times and should all keep our eyes and ears open to really find out what is going on. There has been too much smoke and mirrors in the last few years.
Inflation is low and employment high on both sides of the border. Claiming otherwise is false. Canada’s debt is far lower per capita than in the US. Russia and China have always been threats. The US and Canada have both sanctioned Russia over its illegal invasion of Ukraine. The current federal government has invested more in the military than its predecessor.