Why Canada had to say NO to the U.S. trade deal

 

"They asked too much and offered too little."

- Prime Minister Mark Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney

"The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries ... would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the 51st state." 

David Eby

Premier of British Columbia

Premier David Eby

Canada was absolutely right to suspend trade talks with the United States under the Trump regime.  No deal is better than a bad deal.  The time has come for Canadians to draw a line in the sand.  Canada is being asked to relinquish its sovereignty.  We can never do that.  We cannot sell our soul.  We cannot be bullied any long.  This situation  is highly regrettable, a real tragedy.  Most Americans do not have ill feelings toward Canada.  Canadians and Americans live in close proximity to each other and most of us have friends and relatives who reside on either side of the border.

Until Trump came along, American and Canadians supported each other, and we were infinitely better for it.  This September 11th will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  During that terrible time, Canadians in Gander, Newfoundland showed hospitality to stranded American travellers.

Donald Trump and his supporters do not regard Canada as not a real country.  Well, I've got news for them.  Canada is real country with many differences from the United States.  We are a proud nation with our own history and our own political and social customs.  

The Trump administration has treated its northern neighbour with contempt and disrespect.  It wants to control us.  How can we make a deal with an unstable leader such as Donald Trump.  He is erratic and volatile.  He enjoys causing chaos.  He can change his mind at the drop of a hat.  That's why Prime Minister Carney stated that sometimes the U.S. signature is written in pencil.  

Donald Trump claimed on his social platform Truth Social (actually Lies Social) that "Canada wants the benefit of being a State, without being one!!!"  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Canadians don't want to be swallowed up by the United States.  We believe we should have a say in our own destiny and our own future.  Has Trump ever thought to ask the people of Canada what they want?  No, he has not!  Why!  Because he is a tinpot dictator who wants to stomp over anyone who stands in the way of his desires.  

As someone who has lived in Canada all my life, I can confidently guarantee that the vast majority of Canadian do not wish to live in Trump's so-called 51st state.  Here's a sample of what Trump would do to Canada if he had the opportunity.  He would abolish the Canada Health Act.  There would be no more universal health care.  The French language in Quebec would also be abolished.  That would really sit well with  francophones in that province, wouldn't it?  He'd also weaken gun laws and there would be more mass shootings  Then he'd persecute undocumented immigrants.  Of course, there would be more tax breaks for the wealthiest Canadians.  Forget about social programs and environmental protections.

No, Donald Trump.  Canada cannot make any more concessions.  Canadians will have to face hardships due to your infernal tariffs, but you have given us no real choice.  It is sad that Americans will also pay a price for Trump's tariff folly.  Fortunately, the U.S. midterm elections are coming up in November.  It will be a great opportunity for Americans to demonstrate how unhappy they are with inflation, ICE, and the war in Iran.  Democratic victories in the House of Representatives and the Senate will weaken Trump's position.

The more Canada concedes, the more Trump will demand.  That is why we cannot accept his unfair deal.  That is why we will remain the true north strong and free.

- Joanne

Your tax dollars paying for "Protect Ontario" ads

Enough is enough!  I've had it with those "Protect Ontario" ads  It's disgusting that taxpayers' money is being used to pay for them. The ads are not informative. They simply put forth Doug Ford propaganda. They promote his policies and his agenda. If the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario wants to run those ads, the party should pay for them. They have every right in a democracy to express their views, but not at public expense.  

Why is Premier Ford getting away with this?  His ubiquitous "Protect Ontario" campaign includes television, radio and social media placements.  The ads can't be avoided.  I feel livid when I think how that tax money should have been spent on health, education and combatting climate change.  Those "Protect Ontario ads are self-promotional and they cost taxpayers millions. Their full cost remains under wraps.  However, according to Trillium (using the freedom information system), the full cost for just one ministry to produce and run them was almost $10 million.  The Ministry of Energy spent a whopping $9,932,437.20 during the 2025-26 fiscal year.  What s waste!  It is truly unconscionable.  The Ford government should be held accountable for this.  Talk about a gravy trains.  This is a scandal of epic proportions

So, how did Ford defend his "Protect Ontario' ads from criticism.  He compared the "Protect Ontario" ads to federal Liberal government advertising on cutting taxes and making life more affordable. "I think that it's great that we're informing people.  And I love the federal ads, too," Ford stated.  He then put forth that his government's ads offer an alternative view to what voters may encounter in the media.

The premier's defence does not hold water.  Firstly, why does Ford use the Trumpian tactic of mentioning what federal Liberals have done?  He sounds like Donald 'Trump, who when criticized, always points to Democrats, in order to deflect the pressure from himself.  Secondly, the federal ads do not appear as often.  Thirdly, much of the media is right wing and supports cutting taxes, even at the expense of much-need social programs.  Finally, the ads promote such controversial Ford policies such as building Highway 413. How is this informative?

The "Protect Ontario" ads should cease immediately unless the PC Party of Ontario is willing to pay for them.  You should not have to pay for them at a time when so many people are struggling to get by.

- Joanne

Trump's Priorities

How is this happening?  Why is this happening?  The world is crazy right now, first and foremost because the United States is being led by a man who is mentally and physically ill.  One doesn't need to be a doctor to determine that Donald Trump is not well.  Just look at him.  Just read his deranged social media posts.  He is totally unhinged.

This madman has gotten the U.S. involved in an illegal war, without the consent of the U.S. Congress.  The war against Iran is costing lives and making everyday life miserable for Americans. He entered the war with no clear plan and he has no clear plan to get out of it.  The United States is trapped in ignominious defeat.  It is mired in a military conflict that is more unpopular than Vietnam was in its final days.  Pathological liar that he is, Trump promised that he would not involve the U.S, in foreign wars.  

Everything would be much different had Kamala Harris won the 2024 U.S. election.  This nightmare would have been avoided.  It's such a tragedy that on the 250th anniversary of its birth as a nation, America's president is an authoritarian, a war criminal, who has no respect for the rule of law.  He is consumed by vanity projects while Americans suffer from high prices and the burden of unnecessary tariffs.  There is also the murderous and  disgusting behaviour of ICE.  Immigrants, women, people of colour, the poor and the disabled are dishonoured and vilified in Trump's America.

Follow the money and you will understand who benefits from Trump's follies - and it's not the American people.  It's Big Tech and Big Oil.  It's billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and various gas and oil magnates and corporate leaders.  They know that Trump is unfit and cruel, but they want him in power because it serves their selfish purposes.  They happily enjoy tax cuts for billionaires.  As for lower income Americans, their Medicaid has been lowered.  They can't afford rent and groceries.  Yet, Trump's wealthy cohorts refuse to call out that the emperor wears no clothes because it is not in their interests.  He helps them maintain their wealth and power.

The midterms are approaching.  If democracy is to survive in the United States, if the U.S. is to regain the respect of the world, Democrats must win a majority in the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.  Decent Americans cannot miss this opportunity to restore some semblance of sanity before it is too late.  Trump has gotten away with far too much for far too long.  It's about time that he be held accountable for his crimes and his corruption.  He has used the office of the presidency as a means of enriching himself and his family.

As a Canadian, I have seen Donald Trump insult my own country.  I have seen him attack Canada's sovereignty.  I have seen his vindictiveness and lack of empathy.  This is a very sick, deluded man who should not be anywhere near the nuclear button.  

Trump does not care about the American people or people in other countries.  His priorities are the following (This is only a small sample in no particular order).

* Enriching himself and his family through graft and corruption

*Getting the support of billionaires

* Attacking his enemies, especially Barack Obama and Joe Biden

* His vanity projects, such as his ridiculous ballroom

* Bullying

* Bragging

* Being the centre of attention

* Appearing tough and macho and powerful

* Doing whatever he wants

* Being flattered 

* Giving himself awards he hasn't earned

* Lying and cheating

* Hurting the American economy and the world economy by imposing tariffs

* Having delusions of grandeur about himself

Ordinary Americans are not Donald Trump's priority.  Low income Americans are not on Trump's radar. Yesterday he said, "The economy is doing unbelievably well from the standpoint of Wall Street."  The struggles of Main Street don't matter to Trump.  He told Americans to accept high gas prices (He might as well have said, "Let them eat cake!").  Has Donald Trump ever known poverty or homelessness?  Has he ever been unable to pay for health care, rent or groceries?  Has he ever been reliant on food stamps or food banks?  I don't think so.  Not everyone has had a rich daddy who provided them with millions.

The price of gas has risen because of Trump's war.  The Strait of Hormuz was open before Trump decided unilaterally to attack Iran.  He caused the price of oil and gas to rise, to the delight of the oil barons.  Barack Obama and his Secretary of State, John Kerry, had a deal in place with Iran.  But that wasn't good enough for Trump.  He was determined not to let Obama's achievement stand, so he tore it up.  

By the way, there wouldn't be so much dependence on oil and gas if Trump and his supporters didn't oppose green energy.  Forests are burning, but they still think climate change is a hoax.  There aren't words to describe how disgusting and disgraceful Trump and his minions are.

- Joanne

The problem with Vladdy

What the heck is the matter with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?  He's definitely not himself.  Is it physical?  Is it psychological?  Probably a combination of both.  It's certainly not age.  He's only 27 years old.  However, he has experienced back problems this season, and has been plagued by tight, tired hamstrings recently.  After resting for two games, he hit his seventh home run of the season on Saturday, August 8th in Philadelphia against the Phillies.

Guerrero has obviously been hurt and fatigued this season.  Why wasn't he placed on the Injured List earlier in the season earlier this year.  He might have returned to the lineup refreshed and rested, able to contribute more , especially in terms of power hitting.

Vladdy is supposed to be a superstar, the face of the franchise, but he hasn't been playing like one.  He's still an excellent defensive first baseman.  He still hits singles and doubles, but his batting average has gone down, and his power hitting is just a shadow of what it once was.  Where is the player who in 2021 led Major League Baseball in home runs (48, tied with Salvador Perez), runs scored (123), batting 311/401/601. Where is the player who on July 10, 2023 won the MLB Home Run Derby in Seattle and hit a final round record of 25 home runs?            

Players have slumps.  That's not unusual.  But slumps eventually come to an end.  Everybody thought Vladdy would snap out of his.  It should have happened by now, but it hasn't.  It's August 11th and he only has seven home runs to date.  Not only that, but he hasn't even hit a home run in the dome yet this year.  

Vladdy is under more pressure than other Blue Jays because he signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Jays, one of the largest in MLB history.  He is expected to produce, but sometimes his mind and his body just can't do it.

- Joanne

Summer reading in August

Although the back-to-school commercials have started, summer is not yet over.  There is still plenty of time to relax with some summer reading.  Why not curl up on your patio or backyard with a good book,  or if you prefer, read it in ebook form.  Check out my author's page by clicking on the link below.

Joanne Madden – Author

Are you looking for some mysteries, thrills and suspense?  Then read my latest novel, The Roving Reporter: Spanning the Globe in the 1990s, and follow the adventures of Sandra McKay, the intrepid reporter from Prince Edward Island.  In the first “Reporter” novel, The Missing Reporter, which takes place in 1989, Sandra is kidnapped while working as a crime reporter for the CBC.  

The Roving Reporter is the second installment of my “Reporter Trilogy” featuring the spunky Maritime journalist.  The Riving Reporter covers the years 1990 to 1997, when Sandra becomes a foreign correspondent at the London bureau of the Canadian Press.  She covers major stories in Britain, France, Italy, South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, Egypt, Mexico and South Africa, while being pursued by the mob  She is accompanied by Colin Purcell, a crusty English photographer.

I am currently working on The Return of the Reporter, the third and final novel of the series.  In The Return of the Reporter, Sandra returns to Canada and works as an investigative journalist at the Toronto Star.  The novel will focus on the time period leading up to the Millennium and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  It should be noted that all of the “Reporter” novels stand on their own.  However, it is advisable to read the complete series in sequence so that you will have a better understanding of the characters and circumstances.

- Joanne