I think many Canadians are from Missouri, the "show me" state. We're a very educated and aware country, but we'd like to see results. There seems to be a national impatience, on which one political party is capitalizing. While apologists say "it's only been a year," the opposition says "you've had a whole year!!"
The government promises relief of grocery expenses, maybe by June. GST relief of a housing purchase but CRA says they haven't set that up yet because they only heard about it a year ago. Lower taxes for houses between a $million or S1.5 million bucks. Are you freaking kidding?
The good news is I can get a refund on the GST paid on my sailboat if I live in it, (which I have done for 3 years) but nobody collects or pays GST in the person to person marketplace. It's good to know that approvals for major projects are capped at 2 years now. I guess that includes efforts for citizens.
Rest assured, most of us saw the investment announcements. We the people want to see shovels in the ground and job listings.
This government feels different. I’ve always believed they were all the same, but this feels like a shift.
Mark Carney seems to be working with a sense of urgency, securing trade deals and tackling issues at a pace I haven’t seen in recent memory. Where things once felt stuck in endless cycles of debate, there now appears to be real movement. You can feel a sense of unity building.
The train may not be running yet, but the tracks are being laid, and they’re being laid quickly.
I find myself cautiously optimistic. On the surface, these plans seem to be in the best interest of Canadians. Now the real question is whether the foundation is strong enough to sustain us for years to come.
But we also have to be honest about the moment we’re in. While many of our economic challenges have been long-standing, the pressure right now is being intensified externally, particularly by the United States. Its economic decisions, foreign policy, and ongoing conflicts are not just self-contained. They ripple outward, destabilizing allies, straining global systems, and contributing to humanitarian crises.
At some point, there has to be accountability. Leadership on the world stage should not come at the cost of global stability or human lives. When power is exercised without restraint, the consequences are shared by everyone.
Canada has an opportunity here, not just to strengthen itself, but to take a more principled stance in the world. Because while borders divide us politically, they do not divide our humanity. And at the very least, we owe each other dignity, accountability, and respect
I totally agree with you. My diatribe was prompted by the statement that what's happening is unnoticed. We notice, and we're aware. We'd just like to see something tangible. Putting promises on the table isn't dinner.
I at least think the kitchen is being built. Let’s hope for dinner to come sooner than later.
And let’s be honest, the United States isn’t helping. Their decisions don’t just slow things down economically it is a global tidal wave that carries real humanitarian consequences.
It's kind of selfish but I'm 80 years old. I'd like to see Canada become what I've always believed it could be, while I'm still here to see it. I admire your positive attitude and broader perspective; I'm just impatient.
The kitchen is being built? We have a different leader but the same government of the past 11 years. We can’t keep blaming the U.S. and a president who has been in power just over a year for all of Canada’s economic, and social problems.
I hear what you’re saying. I’m not saying I have all the answers, just sharing how it feels from my perspective.
You’re right that it’s still the same Liberal Party, but it does seem like Mark Carney is shifting things more toward the centre. Whether that leads to real, lasting change will depend on follow-through.
And I agree—it’s not fair or accurate to say the United States is responsible for all of Canada’s issues. But it’s hard to ignore how much global pressure and instability is coming from there right now. Decisions made by powerful countries, especially ones like the U.S., ripple outward and can intensify existing economic and humanitarian stress around the world.
I think the concern is that these pressures are accelerating challenges that were already there. Not the sole cause—but certainly adding weight to an already strained system.
So I think we’re really in agreement on the core idea: internal issues need to be addressed, while also recognizing the external forces shaping the environment we’re all operating in.
Time will tell whether any of this leads to real, tangible progress
Nor can we ignore all of the safeguards as we work as a country to become more self reliant. I do not give one iota what the leader calls their party, but slavishly supporting the US as Mr. Jivani and lately, M.Poilievre has done on their recent visits south inspires absolutely no confidence they actually represent Canadian sovereignty.
There is one big problem here in Canada that needs to be talked about.... The level of US ownership of medium to large corporations doing business in Canada. CN, for example, or many defence contractors, etc. To me, this has always been the elephant in the room and it is a dangerous one.
The foreign ownership is a very large elephant in the room. One of many.
We never did recover after the 2008 banking melt-down. Scores of Canadian businesses had been gobbled up, especially after the Recession in 2003. The main buyers were US corporations looking to skirt rules and seeing decently profitable companies in Canada that had weathered many recessions, and in some cases, the Great Depression, Canadian companies looked like a buyer’s cold hard cash dream.
In 2008, the American owners looked at their balance sheets and saw that their Canadian operations were out competing their American operations because of Free Trade and being lean and mean from the Recessions. Not the biggest profits on their balance sheets, but why compete with Canadian companies when you can close them down and increase US profits?
That is the business environment we have been dealing with for the last 50 years. We can innovate, build up business in Canada and around the rest of the world, but the US have found it more profitable to sit on high like a vulture, and watch for signs of weakness among the herd of small and medium businesses and the swoop in to add them to their collection. And instead of building products themselves, they will take the IP from the purchased companies and resell it to their Chinese manufacturers. (or just leak a copy because It Security was seen as an annoying cost center, instead of mandatory insurance)
Cynical? More than a little, but business is business, and business as usual in Canada doesn’t work anymore.
I think that we need to use the role of business in providing for National Defense to be wholly owned by Canadians where possible, but definitely to control 51% of the voting shares and the majority on Boards of Directors.
Achieving this sort of transformation will take time and allot of work, political capital and no small measure of grief. We have been maneuvered into the place we find ourselves over a very long time. So we will have to put in the hard work to rebuild so we can maintain our national sovereignty. Let’s hope we aren’t a day late and a dollar short.
If his plans play out, it may mean short-term pain for long-term gain. Perhaps this is something that should have been addressed long ago—recognizing that much of what is needed already exists at home.
In a strange way, I would even thank Donald Trump for exposing the fractures within the U.S. system so clearly. What was once easier to ignore is now impossible to overlook. That disruption has created an opening—not just domestically, but globally—for change.
But with a renewed focus at home, an important question remains: how do we also help address the humanitarian crises unfolding around the world?
And beyond awareness, how does accountability actually begin? What are the next steps in assessing war crimes in current conflicts—and who has the authority to initiate that process?
In today’s world, that responsibility often falls to institutions like the International Criminal Court or the United Nations. Investigations can be triggered by member states, referrals, independent prosecutors, or international pressure. But too often, action is slowed by politics, alliances, and competing interests.
If we are serious about justice, then accountability cannot be selective. It must be consistent, transparent, and guided by the same standards for all.
Borders may divide us politically, but they do not divide our humanity. At the very least, we owe each other dignity, restraint, and respect
I have confidence in Carny’s moves because he is leading Canada to react in positive directions based on the real situation that the USA ADMINISTRATION foisted on the rest of the world.
I’m replaying a great old song in my head and it’s even more relevant now, “WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT, NO, WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT… WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT….ANYMORE!” YouTube the title, sing along and enjoy! That song (loud and on repeat!) got me through a dark physical crisis in 1985 - and it will lift your spirits too! ). I would love to hear of upbeat, uplighting songs that helped others!
Strengthening Canada while simultaneously building alliances and trade agreements that benefit all free nations. Carney sees win/win for all as a guiding principle and has the intellect and experience to lead and to execute - completely the opposite of the predatory child rapist grinding America into the ground.
I'm not Canadian; however, I'm proud of Canada doing what it's doing! I'm proud of Ukraine and other countries refusing to be bullied by America's Monster and his accomplices! America has a very long road ahead to repair the damage and devastation that's been done to this country by Trump and a fucked up system that doesn't serve the vast majority of Americans!
I have never really paid attention to politics or who was In charge, but now I am super focused, I am so happy we have such a smart man in charge of this shit showfrom the US, he is calm, diligent and working for the Canadian people,will he get right all the time? Well he is dealing with politics, but he is the right man for this time, and I sleep easy for us Canadia n while trump is blowing up the world, it will be difficult for sure, love you my fellow Canadians 🇨🇦 🍁
I thought Canada should do that forty years ago. My brother became a Canadian citizen in Ontario and I noticed how the people in his village enhanced their lives through barter (which wasn’t subject to tax). With few exceptions the goods on store shelves had U.S. origins. Yet I was aware of all the things Canada produces but are processed in the States. The U.S. treated Canada like a handmaid. Maybe it’s time Canada took the lead.
Canada has a leader. A LEADER.
We are so fortunate to have him as our PM 🇨🇦 🍁
Aye good on ya. A real breath of fresh air!
Agreed!
I think many Canadians are from Missouri, the "show me" state. We're a very educated and aware country, but we'd like to see results. There seems to be a national impatience, on which one political party is capitalizing. While apologists say "it's only been a year," the opposition says "you've had a whole year!!"
The government promises relief of grocery expenses, maybe by June. GST relief of a housing purchase but CRA says they haven't set that up yet because they only heard about it a year ago. Lower taxes for houses between a $million or S1.5 million bucks. Are you freaking kidding?
The good news is I can get a refund on the GST paid on my sailboat if I live in it, (which I have done for 3 years) but nobody collects or pays GST in the person to person marketplace. It's good to know that approvals for major projects are capped at 2 years now. I guess that includes efforts for citizens.
Rest assured, most of us saw the investment announcements. We the people want to see shovels in the ground and job listings.
That’s the test Jim.
If we don’t start seeing projects move soon, the patience runs out fast.
This government feels different. I’ve always believed they were all the same, but this feels like a shift.
Mark Carney seems to be working with a sense of urgency, securing trade deals and tackling issues at a pace I haven’t seen in recent memory. Where things once felt stuck in endless cycles of debate, there now appears to be real movement. You can feel a sense of unity building.
The train may not be running yet, but the tracks are being laid, and they’re being laid quickly.
I find myself cautiously optimistic. On the surface, these plans seem to be in the best interest of Canadians. Now the real question is whether the foundation is strong enough to sustain us for years to come.
But we also have to be honest about the moment we’re in. While many of our economic challenges have been long-standing, the pressure right now is being intensified externally, particularly by the United States. Its economic decisions, foreign policy, and ongoing conflicts are not just self-contained. They ripple outward, destabilizing allies, straining global systems, and contributing to humanitarian crises.
At some point, there has to be accountability. Leadership on the world stage should not come at the cost of global stability or human lives. When power is exercised without restraint, the consequences are shared by everyone.
Canada has an opportunity here, not just to strengthen itself, but to take a more principled stance in the world. Because while borders divide us politically, they do not divide our humanity. And at the very least, we owe each other dignity, accountability, and respect
You’re seeing it right.
Tracks are being laid… now we see if the train actually moves.
I totally agree with you. My diatribe was prompted by the statement that what's happening is unnoticed. We notice, and we're aware. We'd just like to see something tangible. Putting promises on the table isn't dinner.
I at least think the kitchen is being built. Let’s hope for dinner to come sooner than later.
And let’s be honest, the United States isn’t helping. Their decisions don’t just slow things down economically it is a global tidal wave that carries real humanitarian consequences.
It's kind of selfish but I'm 80 years old. I'd like to see Canada become what I've always believed it could be, while I'm still here to see it. I admire your positive attitude and broader perspective; I'm just impatient.
The kitchen is being built? We have a different leader but the same government of the past 11 years. We can’t keep blaming the U.S. and a president who has been in power just over a year for all of Canada’s economic, and social problems.
Same government Mikr… different direction.
That’s what’s being tested right now.
I hear what you’re saying. I’m not saying I have all the answers, just sharing how it feels from my perspective.
You’re right that it’s still the same Liberal Party, but it does seem like Mark Carney is shifting things more toward the centre. Whether that leads to real, lasting change will depend on follow-through.
And I agree—it’s not fair or accurate to say the United States is responsible for all of Canada’s issues. But it’s hard to ignore how much global pressure and instability is coming from there right now. Decisions made by powerful countries, especially ones like the U.S., ripple outward and can intensify existing economic and humanitarian stress around the world.
I think the concern is that these pressures are accelerating challenges that were already there. Not the sole cause—but certainly adding weight to an already strained system.
So I think we’re really in agreement on the core idea: internal issues need to be addressed, while also recognizing the external forces shaping the environment we’re all operating in.
Time will tell whether any of this leads to real, tangible progress
Exactly.
Pressure didn’t create the cracks… it just exposed them.
Nor can we ignore all of the safeguards as we work as a country to become more self reliant. I do not give one iota what the leader calls their party, but slavishly supporting the US as Mr. Jivani and lately, M.Poilievre has done on their recent visits south inspires absolutely no confidence they actually represent Canadian sovereignty.
Hear, hear. Well said - Thank You
There is one big problem here in Canada that needs to be talked about.... The level of US ownership of medium to large corporations doing business in Canada. CN, for example, or many defence contractors, etc. To me, this has always been the elephant in the room and it is a dangerous one.
Exactly Steve.
Hard to be independent when the assets aren’t.
The foreign ownership is a very large elephant in the room. One of many.
We never did recover after the 2008 banking melt-down. Scores of Canadian businesses had been gobbled up, especially after the Recession in 2003. The main buyers were US corporations looking to skirt rules and seeing decently profitable companies in Canada that had weathered many recessions, and in some cases, the Great Depression, Canadian companies looked like a buyer’s cold hard cash dream.
In 2008, the American owners looked at their balance sheets and saw that their Canadian operations were out competing their American operations because of Free Trade and being lean and mean from the Recessions. Not the biggest profits on their balance sheets, but why compete with Canadian companies when you can close them down and increase US profits?
That is the business environment we have been dealing with for the last 50 years. We can innovate, build up business in Canada and around the rest of the world, but the US have found it more profitable to sit on high like a vulture, and watch for signs of weakness among the herd of small and medium businesses and the swoop in to add them to their collection. And instead of building products themselves, they will take the IP from the purchased companies and resell it to their Chinese manufacturers. (or just leak a copy because It Security was seen as an annoying cost center, instead of mandatory insurance)
Cynical? More than a little, but business is business, and business as usual in Canada doesn’t work anymore.
I think that we need to use the role of business in providing for National Defense to be wholly owned by Canadians where possible, but definitely to control 51% of the voting shares and the majority on Boards of Directors.
Achieving this sort of transformation will take time and allot of work, political capital and no small measure of grief. We have been maneuvered into the place we find ourselves over a very long time. So we will have to put in the hard work to rebuild so we can maintain our national sovereignty. Let’s hope we aren’t a day late and a dollar short.
Nous nous souviendrons.
We are Canadian.
There’s definitely some truth in what you’re saying Jim...
foreign ownership has been a long-standing issue in Canada.
The tricky part is balancing...
👉 open investment
and
👉 maintaining control over key industries
Especially now, when national security and supply chains are back in focus.
Feels like we’re entering a phase where Canada has to rethink what we should own… and what we shouldn’t give up so easily.
If his plans play out, it may mean short-term pain for long-term gain. Perhaps this is something that should have been addressed long ago—recognizing that much of what is needed already exists at home.
In a strange way, I would even thank Donald Trump for exposing the fractures within the U.S. system so clearly. What was once easier to ignore is now impossible to overlook. That disruption has created an opening—not just domestically, but globally—for change.
But with a renewed focus at home, an important question remains: how do we also help address the humanitarian crises unfolding around the world?
And beyond awareness, how does accountability actually begin? What are the next steps in assessing war crimes in current conflicts—and who has the authority to initiate that process?
In today’s world, that responsibility often falls to institutions like the International Criminal Court or the United Nations. Investigations can be triggered by member states, referrals, independent prosecutors, or international pressure. But too often, action is slowed by politics, alliances, and competing interests.
If we are serious about justice, then accountability cannot be selective. It must be consistent, transparent, and guided by the same standards for all.
Borders may divide us politically, but they do not divide our humanity. At the very least, we owe each other dignity, restraint, and respect
You’re right Rebecca... accountability should be consistent.
The problem is… geopolitics rarely plays fair.
A great strategy is playing out.
I love Prime Minister Carney! Wish for a leader like him!
Now, come back in 6 months to see if it starts working. I really hope it does.
I have confidence in Carny’s moves because he is leading Canada to react in positive directions based on the real situation that the USA ADMINISTRATION foisted on the rest of the world.
I’m replaying a great old song in my head and it’s even more relevant now, “WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT, NO, WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT… WE AIN’T GONNA TAKE IT….ANYMORE!” YouTube the title, sing along and enjoy! That song (loud and on repeat!) got me through a dark physical crisis in 1985 - and it will lift your spirits too! ). I would love to hear of upbeat, uplighting songs that helped others!
Trooper, great Canadian band. Personally I like “Raise a little hell”.
No wonder I am an incredibly proud Canadian!!!! I support each and every step!!!
Strengthening Canada while simultaneously building alliances and trade agreements that benefit all free nations. Carney sees win/win for all as a guiding principle and has the intellect and experience to lead and to execute - completely the opposite of the predatory child rapist grinding America into the ground.
Whatever people think of personalities, the contrast many Canadians are seeing right now is strategic leadership vs. grievance politics.
And in uncertain times, competence tends to matter more than theatre.
Go Canada go.🇨🇦💪
Great article! Laid it out concisely-thank You
I'm not Canadian; however, I'm proud of Canada doing what it's doing! I'm proud of Ukraine and other countries refusing to be bullied by America's Monster and his accomplices! America has a very long road ahead to repair the damage and devastation that's been done to this country by Trump and a fucked up system that doesn't serve the vast majority of Americans!
Strong feelings there… and a lot of people share that frustration.
What you’re pointing at is the bigger picture... trust and reputation.
When that takes a hit, it shows up everywhere...
trade, travel, even world hosted events.
And rebuilding that?
Takes a lot longer than breaking it.
We buy Canadian now, or Mexico 🇲🇽 or another country, US got rid of food and f
Drug administration so not trusting that whole thing a
A lot of Canadians who never paid much attention before are suddenly paying very close attention now.
That usually happens when the stakes become impossible to ignore.
Whether people agree on everything or not, many are clearly craving calm, competence, and adult leadership right now.
I have never really paid attention to politics or who was In charge, but now I am super focused, I am so happy we have such a smart man in charge of this shit showfrom the US, he is calm, diligent and working for the Canadian people,will he get right all the time? Well he is dealing with politics, but he is the right man for this time, and I sleep easy for us Canadia n while trump is blowing up the world, it will be difficult for sure, love you my fellow Canadians 🇨🇦 🍁
I thought Canada should do that forty years ago. My brother became a Canadian citizen in Ontario and I noticed how the people in his village enhanced their lives through barter (which wasn’t subject to tax). With few exceptions the goods on store shelves had U.S. origins. Yet I was aware of all the things Canada produces but are processed in the States. The U.S. treated Canada like a handmaid. Maybe it’s time Canada took the lead.
A lot of Canadians have been saying exactly that for decades...
that we’ve spent too long exporting raw value
and buying back finished goods at a premium.
If this moment forces Canada to think bigger and build smarter, it may end up being the shove we needed.