I’m in complete agreement. I was pretty miffed at the Trudeau “caved” comments I saw here and there. Canada and Mexico are trying their best to deal with a horrible, lunatic administration headed by an insane, unpredictable bully.
Caution needs to extend beyond Trump's departure from office. It really cannot be the fraternal hope Canada once envisioned through the lens of integrated free trade. No. Canada must fully adopt the stature of sovereign national interest, recognizing that we are right next door to the most powerful economy and military entity in today's World. But those are a blunt instrument; the other half, the "world order" guided through "soft power" influence is heavily damaged and ineluctably in decline from Trump's actions. Sad. Put on your Big Girl pants, fellas.
This 100p. We need to be clear eyed that our efforts to engage with the remaining shreds of the rules based order need to be action not words but that alone will not save us. A fantasy of the UK/EU/(lol)UN riding into save us from an assault on our sovereignty is dangerous naivety which we must discard. We need to focus on what we can do to prepare.
Some thoughts:
- What sovreign security/ defense infrastructure do we need to build to replace the loss or corruption of NATO/5EYES elements.)?
-What improvements to national infrastructure to diversify and make resilient our internal lines of trade/ communications?
- what changes to foreign ownership of strategic assets must be undertaken?
I completely agree. I was not impressed with the 'Trudeau caved' comments. But not as unimpressed as my premier being a Trump fangirl that committed treason against her own country. 🤷♀️
I know for our household that we are standing with our buying canadian regardless of the tariff pause. Also, our house will never vote UCP again.... not that I ever did! 🤣🤣🤣
same here … never voted for Smith, never would; much better people exist in both provincial parties. People who would put Canada & Alberta first.
Also Yes to buying Canadian. Someone threw up a list of Canadian alternatives to USA products — not sure where got to. If anyone has a link or screenshot please post.
I am compiling a list and it is on my free access substackhttps://open.substack.com/pub/canadiansquirrel/p/my-list-of-canadiannon-canadian-owned?r=g1pg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=post%20viewer
My husband and I both paid for NDP memberships specifically to vote for Nenshi for party leader. Calgary is crucial to win provincially. We figure someone who kept crushing the opposition in the municipal elections is a great choice! Fingers crossed!
“I hope Canada has learned from this experience and doesn’t regress into complacency, assuming that everything is now fine. It isn’t—and won’t be—until Trump leaves office.”
And beyond. Trump and his acolytes have demonstrated that, regrettably, Canada can no longer trust the USA and that we must shrug off the cloak of complacency and reassert ourselves as a sovereign nation. Rebuild the army, navy and air force, impose border controls, dismantle interprovincial trade barriers, build transnational pipelines and establish new markets overseas for all our goods. We’ve put all our eggs in one basket for too long.
Of course, this will all take time and a fierce resolve but we have to start somewhere!
The sooner we get serious about other markets and trade deals than with the US, the better. Our dependence on the USA is a terrible weakness that makes us vulnerable.
I am volunteering right now for the job as Fentanyl Czar. I will get Angel trained to sniff it out and we will randomly tour border crossings looking for that 1%.
There is another theory on the tariff threats. Apparently (unverified) Trump gained by crashing crypto markets, buying ETH, then profited when the tariff threat was removed and crypto rose again.
No — but he is the master of all he does not understand. Just another thing (now virtual) to slap his name on. Take credit if it works out; walk away and blame others if it does not.
I honestly don’t know if the threat will end with Trump or not because the Republican Party has become so extreme that I fear any leader of it that becomes President will be just as aggressive, albeit probably cleverer and more effective which is a truly terrifying thought!
I made a comment just now on one of your previous posts about the changes the French military made in the 1960s for the better as Canada was moving towards the worse but along these lines I think Canada and others have to start having a serious conversation about whether the Non Proliferation Treaty is fit for purpose. I don't know why exactly Trump refuses to try to bully and pressure France(and btw a lot of the MAGA rank and file HATE France) but it would appear that nuclear weapons might have something to do with it.
A caveat to nuclear weapons. We are a nuclear capable country, and my understanding is that we could produce our own nuclear weapons within about a year, if we set our minds and resources to it. That would not provide us with any way to deliver such weapons, nor does it provide any systems for deciding when and how to use them (which is a very bad idea to begin with.)
Those are big hurdles, although not anywhere near as big as acceptance by the public. Effectively the government would need to convince the Canadian public that "We're just going to build them. We're not going to use them", while also leaving foreign governments that we can and would.
I think it needs to be brought into the conversation with the public.
Certainly we need to start thinking about what a "defence plan orange" (hell defense plan south an north) looks like and due to our geography I think nuclear capability has to enter into the considerations.
Good luck getting that conversation started. Canadian's support for the military is a mile wide and a millimeter deep... almost entirely performative. Any politician who suggested such a change in capability would lose a lot of votes and would likely be roughly mocked, regardless of party.
Traditionally I agree. But I think we all need to start disabling ourselves of quaint traditional thinking. The world is not going back to the status quo most of us came of age in. It's time to reevaluate where we want to be and how we get there.
We could we haven’t. Our CANDU reactors were likely used by India & Oakistan to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. Potentially from Oakistan to other parts of Middle East. . I’ll leave more to those with deeper understanding as to feasibility, timelines, risks .
I am very concerned that Canadians have let ourselves be put into this position . It is not one party’s or leader’s issue . We have been feeding off our American relationship too long. Canadians need to make the next election about a long term future as a truly independent nation.we need to be real though this will be challenging,. Failure may well destroy our federation. I believe the gig is up.
The Fenian invasion of Canada after the US Civil War (such a misnomer!): it all ended abruptly as I'm sure the Yankee threat today indicates. You Canadian patriotic folks need to ally with the indigenous Greenlanders, secure that big ole landmass, kick out the Yankee bases, form a True North Confederation, invite the West Coast to join and show Alaska which way is due North.
I’m in complete agreement. I was pretty miffed at the Trudeau “caved” comments I saw here and there. Canada and Mexico are trying their best to deal with a horrible, lunatic administration headed by an insane, unpredictable bully.
Turdeau did more damage to Canada than anyone else in the nation's history and you are defending this little bitch?
This is why more and more people are saying it was a huge mistake giving women the vote.
Caution needs to extend beyond Trump's departure from office. It really cannot be the fraternal hope Canada once envisioned through the lens of integrated free trade. No. Canada must fully adopt the stature of sovereign national interest, recognizing that we are right next door to the most powerful economy and military entity in today's World. But those are a blunt instrument; the other half, the "world order" guided through "soft power" influence is heavily damaged and ineluctably in decline from Trump's actions. Sad. Put on your Big Girl pants, fellas.
This 100p. We need to be clear eyed that our efforts to engage with the remaining shreds of the rules based order need to be action not words but that alone will not save us. A fantasy of the UK/EU/(lol)UN riding into save us from an assault on our sovereignty is dangerous naivety which we must discard. We need to focus on what we can do to prepare.
Some thoughts:
- What sovreign security/ defense infrastructure do we need to build to replace the loss or corruption of NATO/5EYES elements.)?
-What improvements to national infrastructure to diversify and make resilient our internal lines of trade/ communications?
- what changes to foreign ownership of strategic assets must be undertaken?
world and world order
changing, tumbling
redefine our place
our partners
opportunity & risk
think we’re done
being little brother
to any one - done & done
stand up, step up
Carpe Diem!
“WE WILL FIND A WAY”
together
I completely agree. I was not impressed with the 'Trudeau caved' comments. But not as unimpressed as my premier being a Trump fangirl that committed treason against her own country. 🤷♀️
I know for our household that we are standing with our buying canadian regardless of the tariff pause. Also, our house will never vote UCP again.... not that I ever did! 🤣🤣🤣
same here … never voted for Smith, never would; much better people exist in both provincial parties. People who would put Canada & Alberta first.
Also Yes to buying Canadian. Someone threw up a list of Canadian alternatives to USA products — not sure where got to. If anyone has a link or screenshot please post.
I am compiling a list and it is on my free access substackhttps://open.substack.com/pub/canadiansquirrel/p/my-list-of-canadiannon-canadian-owned?r=g1pg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=post%20viewer
My husband and I both paid for NDP memberships specifically to vote for Nenshi for party leader. Calgary is crucial to win provincially. We figure someone who kept crushing the opposition in the municipal elections is a great choice! Fingers crossed!
There will be plenty more coming, don’t worry
“I hope Canada has learned from this experience and doesn’t regress into complacency, assuming that everything is now fine. It isn’t—and won’t be—until Trump leaves office.”
And beyond. Trump and his acolytes have demonstrated that, regrettably, Canada can no longer trust the USA and that we must shrug off the cloak of complacency and reassert ourselves as a sovereign nation. Rebuild the army, navy and air force, impose border controls, dismantle interprovincial trade barriers, build transnational pipelines and establish new markets overseas for all our goods. We’ve put all our eggs in one basket for too long.
Of course, this will all take time and a fierce resolve but we have to start somewhere!
The sooner we get serious about other markets and trade deals than with the US, the better. Our dependence on the USA is a terrible weakness that makes us vulnerable.
I totally agree.
Yes. Change in markets and supply chains takes time. Time to start is yesterday …
I am volunteering right now for the job as Fentanyl Czar. I will get Angel trained to sniff it out and we will randomly tour border crossings looking for that 1%.
Angel can’t wait to get started!
🐶
There is another theory on the tariff threats. Apparently (unverified) Trump gained by crashing crypto markets, buying ETH, then profited when the tariff threat was removed and crypto rose again.
Again, this is unverified.
Nothing would surprise me, but remember that Trump himself can’t possibly understand crypto.
It appears to be the case according to this https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/trumps-crypto-project-appears-to-have-bought-ether-after-tariff-meltdown
No — but he is the master of all he does not understand. Just another thing (now virtual) to slap his name on. Take credit if it works out; walk away and blame others if it does not.
plausible; also Brokigarch & Cryptoklepts shorting market and profiting off crash.
Trump is increasingly looking like a puppet
whose strings are being played by others.
Follow the money ….
who benefits from tariffs, market crashes, higher costs?
I honestly don’t know if the threat will end with Trump or not because the Republican Party has become so extreme that I fear any leader of it that becomes President will be just as aggressive, albeit probably cleverer and more effective which is a truly terrifying thought!
I made a comment just now on one of your previous posts about the changes the French military made in the 1960s for the better as Canada was moving towards the worse but along these lines I think Canada and others have to start having a serious conversation about whether the Non Proliferation Treaty is fit for purpose. I don't know why exactly Trump refuses to try to bully and pressure France(and btw a lot of the MAGA rank and file HATE France) but it would appear that nuclear weapons might have something to do with it.
A caveat to nuclear weapons. We are a nuclear capable country, and my understanding is that we could produce our own nuclear weapons within about a year, if we set our minds and resources to it. That would not provide us with any way to deliver such weapons, nor does it provide any systems for deciding when and how to use them (which is a very bad idea to begin with.)
Those are big hurdles, although not anywhere near as big as acceptance by the public. Effectively the government would need to convince the Canadian public that "We're just going to build them. We're not going to use them", while also leaving foreign governments that we can and would.
I think it needs to be brought into the conversation with the public.
Certainly we need to start thinking about what a "defence plan orange" (hell defense plan south an north) looks like and due to our geography I think nuclear capability has to enter into the considerations.
Good luck getting that conversation started. Canadian's support for the military is a mile wide and a millimeter deep... almost entirely performative. Any politician who suggested such a change in capability would lose a lot of votes and would likely be roughly mocked, regardless of party.
Traditionally I agree. But I think we all need to start disabling ourselves of quaint traditional thinking. The world is not going back to the status quo most of us came of age in. It's time to reevaluate where we want to be and how we get there.
I suspect you will find that when it comes to defence spending, there is a massive gap between what we need, and what Canadians will even discuss.
Much less pay for.
We could we haven’t. Our CANDU reactors were likely used by India & Oakistan to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons. Potentially from Oakistan to other parts of Middle East. . I’ll leave more to those with deeper understanding as to feasibility, timelines, risks .
He’s trying to bully the UK too and they have nuclear weapons, so I don’t know whether it’s a consideration in his mind or not.
Worked 20 years with Canadian agriculture officials who could never come together on inter-provincial trade. Time's a wastin'. It can be done.
Well, this piece didn't age well.
At what point are we going to call it a coup of the US Government by Trump and Musk?
Trump likes diversions
I am very concerned that Canadians have let ourselves be put into this position . It is not one party’s or leader’s issue . We have been feeding off our American relationship too long. Canadians need to make the next election about a long term future as a truly independent nation.we need to be real though this will be challenging,. Failure may well destroy our federation. I believe the gig is up.
The Fenian invasion of Canada after the US Civil War (such a misnomer!): it all ended abruptly as I'm sure the Yankee threat today indicates. You Canadian patriotic folks need to ally with the indigenous Greenlanders, secure that big ole landmass, kick out the Yankee bases, form a True North Confederation, invite the West Coast to join and show Alaska which way is due North.
We need to be addressing the development of a bird flu vaccine now. The next pandemic will wipe out untold amounts of the population in the USA.