I accept your argument vis a vis the trade team. I’m 100% with them and Carney
This guy isn’t part of the team he’s an interloper/subverter/disrupter trying his damndest to turn us over to the US via acquisition.
He’s a traitor Fred. He may not be brandishing a gun but he’s endeavouring to radicalize and weaponize disenfranchised kids using a version of Prosperity Gospel.
I’m heartened by the teams approach to not running to make a deal.
Our strength is in waiting and negotiating. The truly tough part will be dealing with the zero sum transaction strategy of the US and the vicious remarks.
Carney has put together a good cross sectional team. He has my support.
The fact that he sees past the horizon versus the paycheque next week encourages me and tells me good things will come.
What I hate, and I make no excuses for it, are those who choose not to build and better the country for the sake of all but rather look to personal gratification and enrichment for themselves.
My Alberta is part of Canada, the whole of it.
My Alberta and Canada are made for all of us, not some of us
We need to either revamp our legal definition of Traitor, or put in place laws that require governmental approval of any opposition MP wanting to travel to any other country to “meet with their leaders”. NO ONE is supposed to be doing g any of this except elected representatives of the sitting government?
This IS going to cause trouble and I truly believe this iteration of the Conservative Party are actively working FOR THE USA and against Canada!
Alexis... I understand the instinct to tighten things up when something feels off.
But we’ve got to be careful about jumping straight to restricting travel or redefining “traitor.” In a democracy, MPs do meet with foreign officials...
that’s part of diplomacy, even from the opposition side.
The issue here isn’t that conversations happen.
It’s when and how they happen.
During a sensitive, high-stakes negotiation, there has to be discipline around messaging...
one team, one voice.
That’s how you protect leverage.
You don’t fix that by shutting everyone down.
You fix it by making sure the lines are clear… and respected.
I don't ever remember opposition MPs traveling around trying to "make deals". You have no say. Your job is to stay home and hold the government to account. You're not in the driver seat.
Eric... I get what you’re saying, but it’s a bit more nuanced than that.
Opposition MPs do travel and meet with foreign officials from time to time...
that’s not unusual, and it’s part of broader parliamentary and diplomatic engagement.
But you’ve hit on the part that actually matters…
They’re not the ones negotiating deals.
That’s the government’s job, through its appointed team.
So the issue isn’t “they should never leave the country.”
It’s that during a sensitive negotiation, those conversations need to stay aligned with the official position... or at the very least, not cut across it.
Because once mixed signals start floating around, the other side doesn’t ignore them…
There is always someone or something that will derail a good thing. For us, we have Smith and Moe and Jovani. The three stooges who can't see beyond their navels, comprehending nothing more than their own, self centered goals. Smith, the American wannabee, Moe the I only know Saskatchewan(what's Canada) and Jovani, I am JD's best friend.
But I try not to reduce it to personalities or labels.
That usually turns the whole thing into noise.
The bigger issue is structure.
When Canada’s heading into something this big, it only works if everyone sticks to the same lane... one message, one negotiating team, no side channels.
Once different voices start pulling in different directions, it doesn’t matter who’s right or wrong… it weakens the position.
I didn't like when I heard Jivani was seeing JD Couch Boy and then PP Pants making overtures that they have no place making. It smelled to me like they want to sabotage the negotiations so that Carney comes out looking bad. Carney is eating PP's lunch right now and he'll do anything to try to knock him down a notch.
Absolutely agree 100%!!! I have posted several times this exact thinking and although it seems Carney has taken this calmly by saying there is only one negotiator, my opinion is Jivani should have charges brought against him for something very close to treason. Who knows what inside information he is taking with him and either accidentally or not, divulge a negotiating position to the Americans? Canada could end up losing millions if not billions in negotiating position because of this. At the very least PP should expel him from the party since is now the second time it has happened. He should also be barred from running for public office on the simple grounds he is untrustworthy and most certainly not a team player.
Hmm someone speaking out of turn during sensitive negotiations!?!?!? Im not talking about Canada here, im talking about a certain orange bloviator who couldn't find his ass with his hands cuffed behind his back. I fully appreciate the tenets you espoused here. Negotiated settlements need to be strict and regimented and working towards a common goal. Yours is a wayward politician, ours is a wayward toddler.
Fred, just for clarity -- you did mean JJ here, right? That's not who's in the picture that heads your message, though (and to whom your arrow points). Well, unless he's had a whole bunch of reconstructive surgery and is wearing a toupee.
Agreed. In fact, PP literally said as such, when asked about Jivani’s latest “trade mission”: something along the lines of politicians, provinces, and businesses are always crossing the border to arrange deals, etc.
You should name names to help people understand what you are commenting about. Call out the individual and help him understand how to be a real Canadian.
I’m pretty sure Jivani is nowhere near source material. He is a traitorous tRunt
Bill... I get the frustration, but I try not to go down the “traitor” road.
That’s a heavy word, and once it’s out there, the conversation usually stops being useful.
The concern here isn’t motive... it’s discipline.
When you’ve got a formal negotiating team handling something this big, anyone operating outside that lane...
even with good intentions... can muddy the waters.
And in negotiations, confusion is leverage… just not for us.
That’s the part I’m focused on.
I accept your argument vis a vis the trade team. I’m 100% with them and Carney
This guy isn’t part of the team he’s an interloper/subverter/disrupter trying his damndest to turn us over to the US via acquisition.
He’s a traitor Fred. He may not be brandishing a gun but he’s endeavouring to radicalize and weaponize disenfranchised kids using a version of Prosperity Gospel.
Sorry no apologies for that.
Bill... I hear you, and I appreciate you sticking with the core point about backing the negotiating team.
Where I draw the line is the “traitor” label.
That’s a serious charge, and once we go there, the conversation usually stops being about what actually matters.
For me, this comes down to discipline and roles.
If you’re not part of the negotiating team, you shouldn’t be freelancing conversations that could be interpreted as Canada’s position... full stop.
You don’t need to assume the worst motives to see the risk.
Mixed signals alone are enough to weaken a deal this big… and that’s what I’m focused on.
I’m heartened by the teams approach to not running to make a deal.
Our strength is in waiting and negotiating. The truly tough part will be dealing with the zero sum transaction strategy of the US and the vicious remarks.
Carney has put together a good cross sectional team. He has my support.
The fact that he sees past the horizon versus the paycheque next week encourages me and tells me good things will come.
What I hate, and I make no excuses for it, are those who choose not to build and better the country for the sake of all but rather look to personal gratification and enrichment for themselves.
My Alberta is part of Canada, the whole of it.
My Alberta and Canada are made for all of us, not some of us
We need to either revamp our legal definition of Traitor, or put in place laws that require governmental approval of any opposition MP wanting to travel to any other country to “meet with their leaders”. NO ONE is supposed to be doing g any of this except elected representatives of the sitting government?
This IS going to cause trouble and I truly believe this iteration of the Conservative Party are actively working FOR THE USA and against Canada!
Alexis... I understand the instinct to tighten things up when something feels off.
But we’ve got to be careful about jumping straight to restricting travel or redefining “traitor.” In a democracy, MPs do meet with foreign officials...
that’s part of diplomacy, even from the opposition side.
The issue here isn’t that conversations happen.
It’s when and how they happen.
During a sensitive, high-stakes negotiation, there has to be discipline around messaging...
one team, one voice.
That’s how you protect leverage.
You don’t fix that by shutting everyone down.
You fix it by making sure the lines are clear… and respected.
I don't ever remember opposition MPs traveling around trying to "make deals". You have no say. Your job is to stay home and hold the government to account. You're not in the driver seat.
Eric... I get what you’re saying, but it’s a bit more nuanced than that.
Opposition MPs do travel and meet with foreign officials from time to time...
that’s not unusual, and it’s part of broader parliamentary and diplomatic engagement.
But you’ve hit on the part that actually matters…
They’re not the ones negotiating deals.
That’s the government’s job, through its appointed team.
So the issue isn’t “they should never leave the country.”
It’s that during a sensitive negotiation, those conversations need to stay aligned with the official position... or at the very least, not cut across it.
Because once mixed signals start floating around, the other side doesn’t ignore them…
they use them.
That is disgusting and I wish Carney could do something about it. I also hope Carney has very good security
Lb... I understand the reaction.
But I wouldn’t jump to thinking this is a security issue or something out of control.
There are protocols in place, and the negotiating team isn’t operating blind.
They know how this works, and they factor in noise, side comments, and political theatre on both sides.
The real concern isn’t safety... it’s clarity.
The stronger and more consistent Canada’s official position is, the harder it is for anything on the sidelines to matter.
That’s where the focus needs to stay.
There is always someone or something that will derail a good thing. For us, we have Smith and Moe and Jovani. The three stooges who can't see beyond their navels, comprehending nothing more than their own, self centered goals. Smith, the American wannabee, Moe the I only know Saskatchewan(what's Canada) and Jovani, I am JD's best friend.
Ron... I get the frustration.
But I try not to reduce it to personalities or labels.
That usually turns the whole thing into noise.
The bigger issue is structure.
When Canada’s heading into something this big, it only works if everyone sticks to the same lane... one message, one negotiating team, no side channels.
Once different voices start pulling in different directions, it doesn’t matter who’s right or wrong… it weakens the position.
That’s the part that concerns me.
Follow the money. Who will gain if Canada is weakened in the negotiations?
Joanna... “follow the money” is never a bad instinct.
There are always interests on both sides...
industries, regions, companies...
all trying to tilt outcomes their way.
But zooming out a bit…
This isn’t just about who might gain if Canada is weakened.
It’s about how easily leverage gets handed away when the message isn’t tight.
Negotiations don’t usually fall apart because of one big betrayal.
They erode through small leaks, mixed signals, and competing agendas.
That’s why the discipline matters more than the personalities.
I didn't like when I heard Jivani was seeing JD Couch Boy and then PP Pants making overtures that they have no place making. It smelled to me like they want to sabotage the negotiations so that Carney comes out looking bad. Carney is eating PP's lunch right now and he'll do anything to try to knock him down a notch.
Frank... I get why it comes across that way.
Anytime there are side conversations during something this big, people start wondering what the angle is.
I try not to jump straight to motives though.
What I do see clearly is that mixed messaging...
whatever the reason behind it...
weakens the overall position.
And in a negotiation like this, that’s the last thing you want.
If there’s one thing that matters here, it’s keeping the approach tight and coordinated.
Everything else just becomes noise the other side can use.
Absolutely agree 100%!!! I have posted several times this exact thinking and although it seems Carney has taken this calmly by saying there is only one negotiator, my opinion is Jivani should have charges brought against him for something very close to treason. Who knows what inside information he is taking with him and either accidentally or not, divulge a negotiating position to the Americans? Canada could end up losing millions if not billions in negotiating position because of this. At the very least PP should expel him from the party since is now the second time it has happened. He should also be barred from running for public office on the simple grounds he is untrustworthy and most certainly not a team player.
David... I get where the frustration is coming from.
When the stakes are this high, even the appearance of mixed messaging makes people uneasy.
And that’s the real issue here...
not just what’s said, but what the other side thinks they’re hearing.
That said, throwing around words like “treason” probably takes us off track more than it helps.
This isn’t about criminal intent...
it’s about discipline and structure during a high-stakes negotiation.
There’s a clear lane here...
If you’re on the negotiating team, you speak.
If you’re not, you don’t freelance the message.
Because like you said...
even a small slip, even an offhand comment, can get used as leverage.
That’s how these deals are won or lost…
quietly, long before anyone signs anything.
And that’s why “Team Canada” only works if everyone actually plays as a team.
Hmm someone speaking out of turn during sensitive negotiations!?!?!? Im not talking about Canada here, im talking about a certain orange bloviator who couldn't find his ass with his hands cuffed behind his back. I fully appreciate the tenets you espoused here. Negotiated settlements need to be strict and regimented and working towards a common goal. Yours is a wayward politician, ours is a wayward toddler.
I hear you... and yeah, loose lips in any country can complicate things fast.
But that’s kind of the point I’m making here…
This isn’t about who’s louder or more chaotic.
It’s about keeping your own side tight when the stakes are high.
You can’t control what the other team does.
You can control how disciplined your own team is.
And when you’re heading into a trillion-dollar negotiation, discipline isn’t optional...
it’s the whole game.
I hear you... and yeah, loose lips in any country can complicate things fast.
But that’s kind of the point I’m making here…
This isn’t about who’s louder or more chaotic.
It’s about keeping your own side tight when the stakes are high.
You can’t control what the other team does.
You can control how disciplined your own team is.
And when you’re heading into a trillion-dollar negotiation, discipline isn’t optional...
it’s the whole game.
Great post Fred!!!! The losers should stand aside, shut their mouths & let the winner do his job, that they cannot do with 1000 helpers!!!!
Patsy... appreciate that.
I wouldn’t frame it as “winners and losers,” but I do agree on the core point…
When something this big is on the table, it works best when the negotiating team has the space to do their job without extra noise.
Too many voices pulling in different directions doesn’t strengthen a position... it weakens it.
That’s the part that matters.
Absolutely Fred!!!!
Thank you for an eye opening article.
I imagine it might be Ford, Smith talking on their own but who else.
Sandi... there are always multiple players in the mix.
Premiers like Doug Ford and Danielle Smith have their own economic priorities, so they’ll naturally be active...
especially when it affects their provinces directly.
Same goes for industry groups, trade reps, and yes, even MPs having conversations.
But again, that’s not unusual.
What matters is whether all those moving parts stay aligned with the national strategy when it counts.
Because once that alignment slips, even a little…
That’s when the other side starts finding leverage.
Fred, just for clarity -- you did mean JJ here, right? That's not who's in the picture that heads your message, though (and to whom your arrow points). Well, unless he's had a whole bunch of reconstructive surgery and is wearing a toupee.
Grant... fair catch on the image.
I’m not trying to suggest that’s Jamil Jivani in the picture.
It’s a symbolic header, not a lineup photo.
The bigger point stands though…
He’s not the only Conservative who’s been heading south to meddle in Canada’s business during a sensitive negotiation window.
And that’s the part people should be paying attention to... not the haircut.
Agreed. In fact, PP literally said as such, when asked about Jivani’s latest “trade mission”: something along the lines of politicians, provinces, and businesses are always crossing the border to arrange deals, etc.
You should name names to help people understand what you are commenting about. Call out the individual and help him understand how to be a real Canadian.