USA

For as long as Canada and the United States have been neighbours, some people have advocated for a more open border – for fewer restrictions on the flow of goods, services and people between the two countries. I have long been one of those advocates.

No more. For the sake of our country’s survival, Canada must distance itself as much as possible from the United States: economically, culturally, militarily.

Though it breaks my heart to say it, the Canada-U.S. relationship, at least for now, must enter a period of separation.

Late last December, Canadian businessman Kevin O’Leary, affectionately known as Mr. Wonderful, re-opened a longstanding public debate over the idea of “continentalism” in North America.

Within weeks after the re-election of President Donald Trump, O’Leary pitched the merits of an EU-style economic union between Canada and USA.

“I like this idea and at least half of Canadians are interested” he said.

I don’t like anything that is said to be reminiscent of the EU and besides won’t this offend the Elbow People?

h/t DS

When Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a package of industrial supports, retooling for industries hit by tariffs and employment insurance expansions on Friday, there was a subtext: Don’t count on relief from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war any time soon.

Mr. Carney had declared in March that the old relationship with the United States is over. On Friday, he was telling Canadians it’s time to get ready for disruption.

“What’s going on is not a transition, it’s a rupture, and its effect will be profound,” the Prime Minister said in a speech at an aircraft plant in Mississauga, Ont.

I believe Carney wanted the rupture all along.

Economists estimate over 90% of Canadian goods are entering the U.S. tariff free, pushing down the overall rate

The average effective tariff that was being charged on Canadian goods going to the United States was possibly as low as 2.4 per cent to 2.5 per cent, two economic houses suggest.

New reports by Oxford Economics Ltd. and Capital Economics Ltd. suggest the average tariffs being charged on Canadian exports to the U.S. in June were as low as 2.4 per cent and 2.5 per cent, well off a previously forecasted rate from Capital of nine per cent for the month.

This can’t sit well with the Elbow People.

Saying a global company will “pay dearly” if it closes down a plant would be what they call ‘fighting words.’

When it comes to saving Ontario jobs from heading south of the border, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is in full battle mode – making it clear if “you hurt my people, I hurt you.”