resilience

Friday May 29, 2026

Canada balances diplomacy with the U.S. while diversifying trade to strengthen its sovereignty and economic resilience.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday May 29, 2026

Also published in The Toronto Star. Also, Your West Central Voice and Chronicle.

Beyond the U.S. Horizon

Canada’s cautious approach with the Trump administration leverages delay and diversification amidst unpredictability.

April 25, 2026

In the complex world of international trade, Canada is carefully managing its relationship with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney leads the effort to handle the pressures from U.S. strategies that include imposing tariffs on close allies like Canada. While maintaining diplomatic channels is crucial, it’s clear that Canada must also pursue a strategy to reduce its reliance on the U.S.

News: Carney set to deliver remarks, pitch Canada as investment hub in New York

The continuation of tariffs, as highlighted by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, emphasizes the ongoing tension in Canada–U.S. trade relations. These measures, aimed at strengthening the U.S. domestic economy, put strain on a long-standing partnership and challenge Canada’s economic sovereignty.

Canada shifts from spectacle to strategy in strengthening ties with India amidst U.S. unpredictability.

February 26, 2026

Canada’s response involves diversifying its trade partnerships beyond the U.S. This strategy is evident in recent actions such as procuring Swedish GlobalEye aircraft and considering submarine deals with Germany. These decisions are not just about enhancing military capabilities; they are strategic moves to secure economic investments and lessen dependency on a single partner.

Opinion: They’re not fighter jets, but Canada’s new Swedish surveillance planes are a message to Trump

While diversification carries risks, as noted in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce report, the greater danger lies in inaction. Regions heavily integrated with the U.S. market remain vulnerable, but failing to diversify could leave Canada exposed to unpredictable U.S. policy shifts.

Prime Minister Carney’s approach reflects a deep understanding of this delicate balance. His efforts to attract foreign investment and engage with non-U.S. suppliers demonstrate a pragmatic strategy to bolster Canadian sovereignty and economic resilience.

News: Trump’s trade czar says tariffs will remain on Canada, Mexico despite trade agreement 

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra's push to link Canada's F-35 purchase to trade talks reveals a transactional approach that risks undermining bilateral relations

November 21 2025

Canada’s strategy involves cautious optimism and strategic diversification. By expanding its global trade footprint and securing strategic investments, Canada can mitigate risks while maintaining essential ties with the U.S. Carney’s leadership illustrates a commitment to building a resilient future, where Canada stands firm as an independent and respected global player.

This careful balancing act requires deft diplomacy and bold innovation, ensuring Canada emerges stronger, more self-reliant, and well-prepared for a complex global landscape.

 

Thursday February 12, 2026

A devastating shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC, has united the nation and beyond with a community in grief, emphasizing the need for compassion and support.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 12, 2026

Also published in Your West Central Voice and Chronicle, and The Winnipeg Sun, and The Las Vegas Review-Journal 

Tumbler Ridge’s Heartfelt Response

March 17, 2021

In the wake of the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, BC, where a devastating shooting claimed ten lives and injured many more, our hearts are with the community. This is a time to come together, offering love, support, and strength to those affected. While Canada is not immune to such horrors, the immediate focus must be on compassion and healing, setting aside other concerns.

News: Ten killed, including suspect, in mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

The swift response by the RCMP and the outpouring of empathy from across the nation and beyond reflect our collective resilience. Leaders and citizens alike have expressed their grief and solidarity, emphasizing the importance of unity in the face of such unimaginable loss.

July 25, 2018

As we grieve with Tumbler Ridge, let us remember the importance of connection and support, rallying around those in need. In time, there will be space to explore the causes and prevention of such tragedies, but now, our focus must be on holding this community gently in our thoughts and actions.

As more information emerges, it’s crucial to focus on compassion and constructive dialogue. Encouraging respectful conversations and promoting understanding can help counteract divisive narratives and support healing and unity in the community and beyond.

Thursday January 29, 2026

The Trump administration’s pattern of scandal escalation and de-escalation exploits short public memory, demanding sustained accountability efforts.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator –Thursday January 29, 2026

Published at Politico. Counterpoint on Substack. 

Scandal Carousel: The Teflon Politics of Forgetfulness

Mark Carney advocates for middle-power coalitions to counter hegemonic dominance, critiquing Trump's tariff tactics for short-sighted gains.

January 27, 2026

From afar, the United States can look less like a steady republic and more like an endless reality show: scandal, spectacle, outrage — then forgetfulness. What appears as chaotic domestic politics is not merely dysfunction; it increasingly reads as a deliberate modus operandi. The recent Minneapolis ICE debacle — two people shot dead on American streets, captured on phones and broadcast across the globe — should be a turning point. Yet from this distance it risks joining a long parade of outrages that flare briefly before being eclipsed by the next provocation.

News: Trump says ‘we’re going to de-escalate a little bit’ amid Minneapolis shooting backlash

Call it “Teflon” politics: a leadership style in which controversy sticks only long enough to dominate headlines, rarely long enough to produce durable consequences. The pattern repeats: escalate to seize attention, then retreat or repackage when accountability looms, while a steady stream of fresh provocations prevents public focus from concentrating long enough for institutions to act. The consequence is cumulative impunity — a mounting ledger of offences that exhausts both critics and the mechanisms meant to constrain power.

The escalating coarseness in Donald Trump's rhetoric, characterized by insulting nicknames and baseless claims, raises concerns about declining civility among his supporters and the potential for authoritarianism, as prominent figures, including Liz Cheney and Joe Biden, warn of the dangers associated with Trump's behavior.

December 9, 2023

Seen internationally, the pattern is both striking and concerning. Reports of clandestine plots involving Nicolás Maduro, theatrical maneuvers over Greenland and trade, repeated criticisms of NATO allies, speeches alienating international partners, hostility toward Canada, and inconsistent dealings with Iran highlight a troubling trajectory. Coupled with the earlier mishandling of a pandemic that, above all other outrages, should have barred Trump from power — each episode is distinct yet follows the same arc. Despite extensive global coverage, these issues are often overshadowed by new controversies before thorough investigations can occur.

That makes Minnesota different in degree, not destiny. This was not an overseas misstep or an abstract policy failure; it was the killing of residents on U.S. soil, witnessed and recorded by neighbours. The immediacy of those images should make them harder to dismiss. Yet the same playbook applies: officials step back from the spotlight, enforcement disperses to less visible places, and global attention inevitably drifts elsewhere. The tactic is clear — move coercion into the margins where it can continue to operate with minimal scrutiny.

Progressives must vote strategically for Kamala Harris in 2024 to prevent a Trump victory that would severely set back civil rights, democracy, and progressive goals.

November 1, 2024

If outsiders are to draw any lessons, three are essential.

First, public memory is not a substitute for institutional action. International outrage or headline shock does not translate into accountability; that requires courts, legislatures, investigators, and durable civic pressure.

Second, documentation and transparency are crucial. When enforcement happens in view — filmed, named, litigated — the world notices and pressure builds. When it is diffuse and concealed, abuses persist.

Third, democratic resilience is procedural as well as moral. Elections matter, but so do the institutions that enforce limits: independent judiciaries, a free press with capacity to follow through, and local authorities empowered to resist unlawful federal overreach.

Opinion: Trump wants our attention. Let’s stop falling for his geopolitical clickbait

Donald Trump’s taunts toward Canada and Justin Trudeau reflect poorly on his diplomacy and leadership, demanding a firm but measured response to protect Canada’s sovereignty and dignity.

December 12, 2024

From abroad, the risk is not merely that Americans forget. It is that the United States normalizes a politics in which spectacle substitutes for governance and evasion replaces accountability — and that normalization reverberates globally. Democracies elsewhere should watch closely: the erosion of constraint in a country as consequential as the U.S. is not merely a domestic tragedy; it is an international one.

Weariness is part of the method. But exhaustion cannot be allowed to be the final outcome when government violence kills its own people. The images from Minneapolis demand more than passing indignation; they demand institutions that remember and act. If the world’s democracies fail to insist on that same standard, the lesson will be stark: spectacle can trump accountability everywhere.

Thursday December 11, 2025

Canada faces a diplomatic gauntlet as it navigates an increasingly unpredictable U.S. relationship under protectionist policies.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 11, 2025

From Allies to Frenemies

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra's push to link Canada's F-35 purchase to trade talks reveals a transactional approach that risks undermining bilateral relations

November 21 2025

Representing Canada in Washington has never been a walk in the park, but in recent years, it’s become more like navigating a minefield, courtesy of an unpredictable U.S. administration. Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., has borne the brunt of this diplomatic challenge with grace and resilience. As she steps down, one can only imagine the relief mingled with the pride of a job well done.

Under President Trump, the U.S. has wielded “economic force” with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop. From his rhetoric about Canada as the “51st state” to calling Justin Trudeau the “Governor of the state of Canada,” Trump has redefined what it means to be a neighbourly ally—spoiler alert: it’s not flattering. His administration’s protectionist “America First” policies have turned trade discussions into trade wars, with Canadian steel and aluminum getting caught in the crossfire.

News: Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s lead trade negotiator and ambassador to U.S., to leave post in new year

Canadian retaliation against Trump's tariffs gains traction as Hoekstra labels the nation "mean and nasty."

July 23, 2025

Hoekstra, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, has added his own flavour of discord, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant and trade officials like Jamieson Greer have played their part in making negotiations as pleasant as a root canal. Let’s not forget Howard Lutnick and other figures who seem to relish in the chaos.

The USMCA negotiations were a prime example of the tumultuous relationship. Hillman played a key role in navigating these talks, where Canada had to balance protecting its economic interests with managing an erratic U.S. stance. Trump’s threats to let the agreement expire added pressure to the already tense discussions.

Looking ahead, future USMCA talks could potentially see the end of free trade as we know it. With Trump’s administration showing little regard for established trade norms, Canada faces the daunting task of preventing protectionist measures from dismantling decades of economic cooperation.

Despite these challenges, Hillman has been the epitome of diplomatic poise. Her ability to maintain Canada’s interests amid the theatrics of the Trump administration is commendable. As she passes the baton, Mark Wiseman, if confirmed, will need all the wisdom his name suggests to engage with an administration that treats diplomacy like a reality TV show.

News: Carney protegé eyed to succeed Hillman as Canada’s U.S. ambassador: sources

January 11, 2016

Canada’s closest neighbour might still be geographically near, but the relationship feels worlds apart. The new national security strategy from the U.S., with its thinly veiled hostility, further cements this divide. For Canadian diplomats, the challenge is not just in the policies but in the personalities—a cast of characters that makes diplomacy feel more like a game of Survivor.

In this environment, the role of a diplomat extends beyond traditional negotiations. It involves managing public perception, maintaining open lines of communication, and finding ways to protect national interests even when relations are strained. Hillman’s ability to do this while navigating the turbulent waters of U.S.-Canada relations has been nothing short of remarkable.

To Kirsten Hillman, we say thank you and enjoy some well-deserved peace. To Mark Wiseman, good luck—you’re going to need it. Navigating this “friendship” is not for the faint of heart, but Canadians can rest assured that their representatives are more than up to the task.

Diplomatic Daycare

How gruelling it must be for any diplomat to represent their country against a long-standing ally that has suddenly turned hostile. Full credit goes to Kirsten Hillman for her dedicated service, and good luck to Mark Wiseman should he succeed her. The challenges posed by this unpredictable regime are immense. While Canada remains the U.S.’s closest neighbour, the friendship and trust we once shared have been seriously eroded.

It’s truly disheartening to see how one man’s “ugly American” attitude has transformed once passionate admirers, like myself, into vast swaths of people now viewing the U.S. with loathsome apprehension. The beacon of freedom and democracy that the U.S. once represented has dimmed so rapidly—it’s both sad and unbelievable. How will they ever recover from Trump’s legacy?

His rhetoric, from labeling Canada the “51st state” to calling Justin Trudeau the “Governor of the state of Canada,” has been nothing short of antagonistic. He ignited a trade war on dubious grounds, enacted emergency measures for a fabricated fentanyl crisis, and imposed economic force on Canada. Trump’s threats to dismantle the free trade deal under the guise of “America First” have further strained relations. The recently announced national security strategy only adds to the tension.

With three years of Trump still ahead, it seems inevitable that America’s decline will continue. At this rate, the USA we once knew and respected may become completely unrecognizable.

 

 

Saturday December 6, 2025

Canada's anger towards Trump's America grows as tariffs and job losses strain the economic and diplomatic ties, urging Canadians to reassess their reliance on the U.S.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday December 6, 2025

North of Fury: Canada’s Breaking Point with Trump’s America

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra's push to link Canada's F-35 purchase to trade talks reveals a transactional approach that risks undermining bilateral relations

November 21 2025

In a nation where patience and politeness are cultural hallmarks, Canadians find themselves in the throes of an unusual and powerful emotion—anger. This deep-seated fury is directed squarely at Donald Trump’s America, where policies and rhetoric have left Canadians feeling not just slighted but outright attacked.

The imposition of tariffs by the U.S. under Trump’s administration is not merely an economic maneuver. To Canadians, it feels like a betrayal from a trusted neighbour, an affront that strikes at the heart of their economic stability and national pride. The decision by many Canadians to boycott U.S. travel and goods is a clear indication of this anger—a collective shout that enough is enough.

Analysis: Not the 51st state but a vassal state: What Donald Trump’s national security strategy envisions for Canada

This anger is fuelled by real economic pain. Just this week, Algoma Steel announced significant job losses, a direct consequence of the tariffs and strained trade relations. The ripple effect of these policies threatens more Canadian livelihoods, deepening the sense of betrayal and urgency for change.

Canada must balance its economic ties with China and its longstanding alliance with the U.S., amid geopolitical tensions and trade challenges.

November 1, 2025

Adding fuel to this fire is Trump’s modern-day application of the Monroe Doctrine, which historically asserted U.S. influence over the Western Hemisphere. In its current guise, this policy appears as a crude attempt to dominate and control, rather than protect and collaborate. Where once it may have been seen as a doctrine of hemispheric solidarity, today it is viewed as a relic of imperialistic ambition, alienating neighbours rather than fostering alliances.

Opinion: When the U.S. finally comes to its senses, Canada should think twice before crawling back

The Trump presidency has become a symbol of unpredictability and disregard for international norms, which has only stoked the flames of Canadian frustration. His administration’s actions, often designed to provoke and destabilize, are viewed with disdain and disbelief. Andrew Coyne’s analysis echoes this sentiment, painting a picture of a leader whose approach is not just erratic but dangerously escalating.

Diplomatic relations have soured further under ambassadors like Pete Hoekstra, whose undiplomatic behaviour only heightens the sense of disrespect felt by Canadians. His actions underscore a broader narrative of negligence and contempt from the U.S. that Canadians find intolerable.

Canada recognizes Palestinian statehood, defying U.S. pressure, as part of a renewed commitment to global engagement and peace efforts in the Middle East.

August 1, 2025

Comments from Canadian readers underscore a widespread sentiment: a demand for Canada to reassert its independence and distance itself from a neighbour whose values and actions have become increasingly alien. The anger is palpable and justified, rooted in a profound sense of betrayal and a desire for a future where Canada charts its own course, free from the chaos and unpredictability that has come to define its southern ally.

Opinion: Donald Trump – and American democracy – is getting exponentially worse

In this new era, Canada must channel its anger into action, forging new alliances and strengthening its own economy. The message is clear: Canada is ready to stand up for itself, driven by a seething determination to protect its integrity and sovereignty against outdated doctrines and unpredictable governance.

Santa’s True North Delivery

Santa Claus is Canadian. Let’s just put it out there. He knows why the world is suffering, because his business is suffering due to one man.

But seriously, there’s no sugarcoating it—many of us are fuming with anger over the current situation between Canada and the U.S., especially with the trade tensions stirred up by the Trump administration. It’s tough seeing the impact on our businesses and communities, and the feelings of disappointment and anger are real.

But it’s also important to remember that while policies can divide, people can unite. Many Americans share our frustration and don’t support these decisions either. It’s a challenging time, and the repercussions of this trade war are going to be felt for a while, even after the tariffs are gone.

Let’s stay focused on supporting each other and our local businesses and don’t let up on the boycotts.