This past week in Huntsville has certainly been an interesting one with every provincial and territorial premier, along with the Prime Minister of Canada, here to discuss Canada’s future at a time when that is filled with uncertainty because of steps being taken by the Trump Administration in the United States, to ruin our economy and bring Canada to its knees.
The question that must now be asked is what was actually accomplished?
Ironically, this summit brought into clear focus the greatest gift that U.S. President Donald Trump has given to this nation. He has woken us up. We are no longer lethargic.
Traditionally, provinces and territories within Canada have experienced tensions that have led to protectionism and, at times, serious disagreements. However, what the Muskoka summit demonstrated is that when push comes to shove, internal issues are either resolved or set aside for another time, and a united Team Canada emerges to deal with a common enemy.
This new sense of collaboration and resolve was palpable, and all provinces and territories recognized the need to set aside partisan politics, at least for the time being, to address serious threats to our economy and sovereignty. For that, we can thank American President Donald Trump.
That is not to say that discussions between the premiers themselves, as well as between the premiers and the prime minister while in Huntsville, were either easy or fully resolved, because they were not. However, a framework for nation-building in Canada was established, along with a determination to find solutions that would offer prosperity to all Canadians and unite them, rather than divide them.
It was refreshing to watch premier after premier, including those from Quebec and Alberta, standing together to protect Canadian interests.
As a result of the Muskoka summit, inter-provincial cooperation, although already heading in that direction, has been strengthened. Rethinking who our trading partners should be, investing in Canadian talent to address badly needed infrastructure projects, and finding ways to reduce our dependence on the United States were all part of discussions that garnered bipartisan support.
The rubber is really going to hit the road, however, when beyond talking and planning, we begin to see progress in practical terms, projects being undertaken to protect and strengthen our national interest, and moving beyond familiar trading roles with the United States.
One of the realities we face in dealing with the Trump Administration in the United States is that no one can be certain about what is going to happen from one moment to the next. One moment, we are told we will have a trade deal by August 1st, and the next moment, we hear that it is not going to happen and that the tariffs are going to keep piling on.
We don’t know if the threats of even more tariffs on Canadian goods are a negotiating tactic on Trump’s part or if they are really going to happen. Even more concerning is whether Trump would actually honour any trade agreement made between our two countries.
Certainly, we should wait to see what comes about related to a trade agreement and the imposition of new tariffs in early August. But if things fall apart again, as many who are involved anticipate, if tariffs continue to be increased by the United States, I am beginning to think we should call their bluff and just walk away.
I understand why many people would disagree with that, but there must come a time when Canada needs to decide how much uncertainty it is willing and indeed capable of enduring and at what cost. If we are not at that point now, we will be in the foreseeable future as a full-scale trade War ramps up between our two countries.
I believe that time is drawing closer, and Canada must be prepared to assert its independence not just in words, but in decisive action. Lopsided negotiations never work. If that is the best we can hope for, we should walk away, seek better and more dependable partnerships, and invest heavily in our strengths, of which there is an abundance.
Will it hurt? Oh yes. If the unpredictability of our relationship with the United States becomes too great, the ultimate act of sovereignty may be to define our own way forward. That will not be easy, but it may be necessary.
What we must remember, in my view, is that Canada does have the ability and the resources to move ahead positively without being held hostage by the United States.
In a recent statement, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, “For too long, Canada’s natural resources have been hindered from development, adversely affecting our country’s economy and opportunities.”
Another political pundit opined, “It’s time to get back to our nation-building roots and get things built in our country again, providing long-term economic opportunities for Canadians while also providing our trade partners with the resources they need.”
Both of them are right. Canada must contribute to nation-building by finding ways to bring what we have to offer to the rest of the world without unnecessary regulations or loopholes. We can do that with adequate and safe infrastructure, and if we do, when the United States comes to us looking for oil, aluminum, steel, or whatever they need, as they surely will in due course, we can politely tell them to stand in line.
To reach a point where Canada is capable of standing on its own, there are, of course, a number of tough decisions that need to be grappled with. Canada needs an oil and gas pipeline that can bring those natural resources to market and sold where they are needed.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been reported to have implied that First Nations peoples must approve any major infrastructure projects proposed to help Canada thrive. I have not been able to verify this, and I hope that is not correct.
While consultations must be thorough with all stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples, what is ultimately planned to preserve Canada’s sovereignty and economic health must be timely and cannot be subject to a veto by any one province, territory, or First Nations community. We are very close to the point where time is of the essence.
As well, although it is a hot potato, Canada’s immigration laws must be updated. People who want to come to this country must do so because they want to be Canadian and have some skills and interests that will help move Canada forward at a time when those attributes are important.
In summary, Canada’s prime minister, the provincial and territorial premiers, and First Nations communities have a lot still to do to present a united front to the maximum extent possible, as Team Canada, in confronting the life-changing challenges Canada now faces, and to turn these challenges into opportunities for every person who calls Canada their home.
IT CAN BE DONE!
We have the resources. We have, or we can develop, the skills to build the required infrastructure to get our products to market, and we have a proven record of having the determination and the backbone in the face of adversity to do what needs to be done to defend our ability to survive as a nation.
The True North Strong and Free.
Indeed.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Trump’s tariffs are mostly bluster, so far.
“The effective tariff rate for Canada is down in the single digits, noticeably lower than the rate for any other major trading partner.
That’s because despite Trump’s bluster, he’s allowing the vast majority of Canada’s exports into the country with zero tariff under the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).”
Sorry for miss spelling place and days. What took PLACE in Montreal a few DAYS ago.
Maybe part of our standing strong and free has a spiritual component. What took ace in Montreal a few dsys ago is a issue. Permits must not be required for worship in a church. Cancelled venues is wrong. God keep our land glorious and free. That is in question in this nation.