Thanks for this post. Moderate Progressive Albertans have to get serious about exercising our citizenship responsibilities. We need to fight the Separatists who have infiltrated the UCP. We have to actively support Team Canada efforts to negotiate tariffs and border security from America. We need to get help in how to buy Canadian and avoid US sourced goods.
He’s a day late and a dollar short, and considering his background, I wouldn’t believe a word PP says anymore than I believe Trump doesn’t lie. He’s just as committed to the whole extremist right wing crap that the MAGA crowd are, and guaranteed if Trump hadn’t made this strategic error, PP would be pushing the same rhetoric Trump has been.
Possibly. He rounded up the far right because the CPC thinks their minor influence cost them seats in 2021. We’ll see if Canadians come back to a new liberal leader but I’m not yet convinced they will, so I’m prepared for a Poilievre win as well.
Publicly, this Donald Trump administration is particularly eager to place 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports. Once again the school bully analogy is befitting. Notably, he will look weak if he fails to unilaterally intimidate and/or exploit the relatively weak(er) nation that resists his skewed concept of equality, the one typically giving him the lion’s share.
How does this go with at least some Americans? In one survey discussed on CBC radio recently, most of the Americans polled who said they (albeit a minority opinion) support Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods suddenly change their minds if that tariff ends up costing them that much more for Canadian exports. The Only If It’s In My Own Back Yard mindset is depressingly alive and well, even between supposedly good neighbors. …
Furthermore, the school bully is especially angered by the relative weakling who in the least stands up to him. And this, unfortunately, goes beyond the U.S.
I’ve noticed a particular irritation expressed by the governments of China and (increasingly) India when Canada’s government (unlike with, say, mighty American assertiveness) dared to politically challenge them, even when on reasonable grounds.
Most recently, Canada dealt (at least somewhat) firmly with India’s government after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh separatist, was assassinated in Surrey, B.C., last year. Undoubtedly already aware of the diplomatic furor likely to come, even at Canada’s expense, an investigation nonetheless resulted in Canada charging three Indian nationals for the killing.
Besides a few other examples, China seemed particularly angered by it being the relatively weak Canada that on Dec.1, 2018, had arrested and held on house arrest Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei executive and daughter of the tech corporation’s founder. Considering that a U.S. arrest warrant obligated Canada to detain her, why didn’t Beijing publicly express similar bluster towards Washington and, most notably, Donald Trump’s first administration?
Perhaps such nations’ governments are feeling and expressing a growing sense of foreign relations and power-politics entitlement involving Canada, one that Canadians are expected to get used to?
I couldn’t say for sure. What they probably don’t like the most is that we have a big neighbour and they might see some of the decisions we make as being dependent upon that (and that may be a fair criticism, not that it changes the fact).
I don’t really think much has changed in our diplomatic relations aside from the fact that it’s played out in the public square instead of people getting mad at their TV or throwing a newspaper; now they have an audience.
She does not speak for me as an Albertan. This is a woman who, backed by would-be fascists like Conrad Black and Jordan Petersen, sat on a stage and giggled with that cowardly little right wing moron, Tucker Carlson. Smith is a disgrace. End of.
Danielle Smith (like any other morons cheering this) can freaking MOVE to the US if she likes it so much. We real and true Canadians will fight this garbage with every breath we have! I am beyond trying to deal with these idiots. I am in angry mode now, and these complete morons can f*** all the way off with this bullshit!
Danielle Smith is a looser with no back bone or sense of decency. If you don’t speak up now against Trump, PP and Danielle Smith, just go away. This is not a game for weak boned people. Speak the hell up for Canada. 🇨🇦 This demands courage, wisdom and direct speech and willingness to lay it all on the line.
Yeah, we should be treated by the US like Puerto Rico and islands in the pacific. That would ensure a continued supply of paper towels in a national emergency. Give me a break
Deborah Yedlin is right that Trump's tariff threats make no sense. He is not going to hurt his own economy and annoy his voters, by raising needlessly prices. If you read Trump's book, listen to his speeches and notice how seldom he actually goes through with anything he says, you realize that most of this is bluster. What he hates is our low defense spending and our cartels, which are indefensible.
Because she has an incredible affinity for everything America. Free speech. Pay as you go healthcare. Pardons. Stuff she doesn’t get enough of here in Canada.
As much as I am trying to avoid any US and Trump talk because it is really starting to annoy me, I have to say something here.
Danielle Smith is finding any way to separate from Canada. Her act of taking the country down with her should be treated as sedition and treason.
I mean, even, Pierre St-Pierre Plamondon hasn't even remotely suggested joining the US since Québec sovereignty has been raised again recently.
People like Danielle and Kevin O'Leary disgust me to no end.
It should be asked of every elected official. Every day.
I’d prefer to avoid it myself but we’re being asked to ignore it — and our media bubble isn’t interested in addressing it. So. Here I am stuck.
It's either we have the Rick Bells of the world or everyone else in the media who simply doesn't touch it. Cowards I say.
Ahh the "faithful scribe".
We can't mention his name but his initials are Rick Bell
Another Post Media hyper partisan hack.
Yuck.
But one who has the confidence of the premier.
Thanks for this post. Moderate Progressive Albertans have to get serious about exercising our citizenship responsibilities. We need to fight the Separatists who have infiltrated the UCP. We have to actively support Team Canada efforts to negotiate tariffs and border security from America. We need to get help in how to buy Canadian and avoid US sourced goods.
Poilievre just did a CTV spot and I much prefer his plan to Smith’s.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/video/2025/01/24/pierre-poilievre-discusses-tariffs-during-ns-trip/
He’s a day late and a dollar short, and considering his background, I wouldn’t believe a word PP says anymore than I believe Trump doesn’t lie. He’s just as committed to the whole extremist right wing crap that the MAGA crowd are, and guaranteed if Trump hadn’t made this strategic error, PP would be pushing the same rhetoric Trump has been.
Possibly. He rounded up the far right because the CPC thinks their minor influence cost them seats in 2021. We’ll see if Canadians come back to a new liberal leader but I’m not yet convinced they will, so I’m prepared for a Poilievre win as well.
Did you know that, after the gold rush, many Americans headed back to the U.S. decided to stop and settle in Alberta? Explains much.
Publicly, this Donald Trump administration is particularly eager to place 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports. Once again the school bully analogy is befitting. Notably, he will look weak if he fails to unilaterally intimidate and/or exploit the relatively weak(er) nation that resists his skewed concept of equality, the one typically giving him the lion’s share.
How does this go with at least some Americans? In one survey discussed on CBC radio recently, most of the Americans polled who said they (albeit a minority opinion) support Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods suddenly change their minds if that tariff ends up costing them that much more for Canadian exports. The Only If It’s In My Own Back Yard mindset is depressingly alive and well, even between supposedly good neighbors. …
Furthermore, the school bully is especially angered by the relative weakling who in the least stands up to him. And this, unfortunately, goes beyond the U.S.
I’ve noticed a particular irritation expressed by the governments of China and (increasingly) India when Canada’s government (unlike with, say, mighty American assertiveness) dared to politically challenge them, even when on reasonable grounds.
Most recently, Canada dealt (at least somewhat) firmly with India’s government after Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh separatist, was assassinated in Surrey, B.C., last year. Undoubtedly already aware of the diplomatic furor likely to come, even at Canada’s expense, an investigation nonetheless resulted in Canada charging three Indian nationals for the killing.
Besides a few other examples, China seemed particularly angered by it being the relatively weak Canada that on Dec.1, 2018, had arrested and held on house arrest Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei executive and daughter of the tech corporation’s founder. Considering that a U.S. arrest warrant obligated Canada to detain her, why didn’t Beijing publicly express similar bluster towards Washington and, most notably, Donald Trump’s first administration?
Perhaps such nations’ governments are feeling and expressing a growing sense of foreign relations and power-politics entitlement involving Canada, one that Canadians are expected to get used to?
I couldn’t say for sure. What they probably don’t like the most is that we have a big neighbour and they might see some of the decisions we make as being dependent upon that (and that may be a fair criticism, not that it changes the fact).
I don’t really think much has changed in our diplomatic relations aside from the fact that it’s played out in the public square instead of people getting mad at their TV or throwing a newspaper; now they have an audience.
Smith is speaking to no one but her own party, the leopards that will eat her face if she steps out of line.
Her problem.
Canada must move on.
She does not speak for me as an Albertan. This is a woman who, backed by would-be fascists like Conrad Black and Jordan Petersen, sat on a stage and giggled with that cowardly little right wing moron, Tucker Carlson. Smith is a disgrace. End of.
Danielle Smith (like any other morons cheering this) can freaking MOVE to the US if she likes it so much. We real and true Canadians will fight this garbage with every breath we have! I am beyond trying to deal with these idiots. I am in angry mode now, and these complete morons can f*** all the way off with this bullshit!
Danielle Smith is a looser with no back bone or sense of decency. If you don’t speak up now against Trump, PP and Danielle Smith, just go away. This is not a game for weak boned people. Speak the hell up for Canada. 🇨🇦 This demands courage, wisdom and direct speech and willingness to lay it all on the line.
Terrible situation.🇨🇦
Thanks Deirdre. Any idea where we can look at our NATO allies reaction to one of the members threatening another member?
Yeah, we should be treated by the US like Puerto Rico and islands in the pacific. That would ensure a continued supply of paper towels in a national emergency. Give me a break
I am ashamed that she is the Premier of my Province
Are you on street drugs? Where is your evidence of “cartels”? Post the links or don’t mention it.
Deborah Yedlin is right that Trump's tariff threats make no sense. He is not going to hurt his own economy and annoy his voters, by raising needlessly prices. If you read Trump's book, listen to his speeches and notice how seldom he actually goes through with anything he says, you realize that most of this is bluster. What he hates is our low defense spending and our cartels, which are indefensible.
The real threat is from a Liberal Trudeau/Carney reaction to a hypothetical Trump tariff that offends Central Canada. https://freditorial.substack.com/p/trumps-book-and-bluster-help-decode
Smith is basically a red state governor already - why would she care?
Because she has an incredible affinity for everything America. Free speech. Pay as you go healthcare. Pardons. Stuff she doesn’t get enough of here in Canada.