Thoughts on BC Politics and More

In response to U.S. President Trump’s threats against Canada’s economy and sovereignty, we’ve seen lots of ideas put forward from all over the political spectrum on ways Canada can become more independent and self-reliant, and ways we can strengthen our relationship with other allies. One obvious idea along these lines has been to suggest Canada should seek closer relations and ties with the European Union (EU). Some voices have even suggested that we should consider joining the EU. And while Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out membership in the EU, he has stated that he believes Canada is “the most European of non-European nations.” Should Canada join the EU? No. But should we be more like the EU? In some ways, yes ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

IMAGE CREDIT:   Sky News  A few days ago, President Trump and President Ursula von der Leyen met in Scotland to announce that the EU and the US had reached a trade agreement. The three largest economies in the EU — Germany, France, and Italy — are included in this landmark deal. With the EU, the UK, and Japan working alongside the US, these nations have made major progress in reshaping global trade. Other countries will soon follow suit. What about Canada? ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

U.S. President Donald Trump's successive announcements of deals setting baseline tariffs on the European Union and Japan are prompting questions about whether they're a road map for Canada to follow in trade talks. Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the bones of an agreement on Sunday. It sets across-the-board tariffs of 15 per cent on most European Union exports to the United States, along with a commitment by Europe to invest $600 billion US in the American economy and spend $750 billion on U.S. energy products — although there's plenty of fine print still to come. That makes it broadly comparable to the deal Trump announced last week with Japan: a 15 per cent across-the-board tariff and a Japanese commitment to invest $550 billion in the US ... ... because Canada is facing the threat of 35 per cent tariffs on some goods on the same date, does that mean Canada should be aiming for a similar agreement? ... CLICK HERE for the full story

I’ve got whiplash from the speed of this government’s shifting allegiances. Canada’s 45th Parliament opened May 26, 2025. The next day, King Charles III delivered the Speech from the Throne. Prime Minister Mark Carney had invited him, hoping the symbolism would rekindle a sense of unity. A patriotic gesture, Carney hoped it might blunt the growing separatist sentiment in Western Canada. It didn’t work. But it made for a good photo op. Then within days, Carney undercut the whole thing. Speaking in Europe, he called Canada “the most European of non-European countries" .... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Mark Carney has made it clear that as part of continued net zero policies, his government will consider imposing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM.) That would be a carbon tariff applied to imports, to support Canadian products burdened by domestic carbon pricing. Proposed in 2021 and  included in  the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the Canadian CBAM is a misguided attempt to shield domestic industries. In response to America’s new tariffs, a CBAM has been proposed to pivot trade to the EU and adopt a European-style CBAM. Here we argue that any attempt to harmonize Canada with the EU’s complex regulations risks overregulation that would put Canadian companies at a competitive disadvantage ... CLICK HERE for the full story

In the United States, the Republicans can't be trusted, but neither can Joe Biden. In Canada, it'll depend on genuine conservatives holding the line in Poilievre's party ... ... For any Conservatives reading this who are going squishy about Ukraine, you may well be upset with what I have to say here. But you should pay close attention to what Shuv Majumdar (Conservative MP in Stephen Harper’s old Calgary riding) says ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Today, Canada will wrap up a two-day Canada-EU Leaders Summit in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the first such meeting since June 2021. Given the strategic importance of Canada’s relationship with the EU, Canadians should pay close attention to its outcomes. For the EU, its relationship with Canada represents a pivotal opportunity in the midst of growing global uncertainty: a stable, like-minded partner with enormous reserves of energy and critical minerals that is a friendly alternative to other authoritarian sources of these goods. One problem? Canada’s seeming inability to capitalize on this pressing demand ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Trudeau toughens stance against Trump’s ‘unacceptable’ comments on U.S. congresswoman Les Perreaux ~~ Globe and Mail   ~~ July 18, 2019 Justin Trudeau has toughened his stand against the inflammatory rhetoric of Donald Trump after the Prime Minister was criticized for his conciliatory tone in confronting racist comments ... “I think the comments made were hurtful, wrong and completely unacceptable” ... Trudeau’s response came after a Wednesday evening Trump rally where supporters shouted “send her back” when the U.S. President referred to Representative Ilhan Omar. She is one of four Democratic congresswomen Mr. Trump previously said should go back to their countries. CLICK HERE for the full story : Trudeau, Tusk take aim at Trump at close of Canada-EU summit. European Council President Donald Tusk says he’s happy that while he’s been in Montreal, no one shouted “send him back.” MONTREAL — European Council President Donald Tusk says he’s happy that...

Lessons from Brexit: The Brexit debates in the UK Parliament are surreal. It is hard to believe the current incumbents, of the UK Commons, are working in the heart of modern democracy. When the government decided to hold a referendum on Brexit, it consulted with the highest power in any democratic nation – the people. Following several months of intense political campaigning for and against, the people spoke. Leave the European Union. It is hurting us. Some politicians kept acting as if they had a choice. Initially they focused on negotiating an exit deal. The minority government did so. Opposition parties screamed: “ Not good enough !”. Nothing would have been ‘good enough’ as many were opposed leaving the EU, and this was how they could throw a wrench in the works. Opposition benches have managed to delay and stall an orderly and rational parting with the EU not because it is right, but because they can. They are not certain enough of their g...

Growing fears of the economic repercussions of the U.S. government shutdown have led smug Canadians to scoff that it couldn't happen here. But Britain's descent into even greater economic chaos and uncertainty over whether or how to leave Europe offers a timely reminder that the parliamentary system Canada shares with the U.K. is no protection against the poisonous effects of manufactured political anger. It's a warning to Canadian politicians and single-issue advocates that bitterness and division can provide short-term political gain but lead to long-term economic damage. Don Pittis ~~ CBC News ~~ Jan 17, 2019 CLICK HERE for the full CBC News story The ‘sides’ in this story are: (1) central London, home of the financial district ... and young people seeking a career in European nations ... and ... (2) the rest of the United Kingdom where negative impact decrees of the faceless and unaccountable European ...