Oh Canada...
Oh Canada, it's been quite the week hasn't it?
I won't pretend like I'm not a bit emotional still, after all that has happened. Two days ago everything was relatively normal, and today I'm now scrambling with clients, attempting to figure out how to prepare for an ever escalating trade war.
There's a lot of worry, panic, anger. I can understand those emotions. I feel them too, as anyone who follows me on X will tell you! It's been a Rollercoaster of a week, staring down at looming 25% tariff (10% if you're into energy!) that might be only the first hit in a wider back and forth retaliation race.
The previous checks and balances, the system that has been lauded as the iron guard against authoritarianism has been shattered, broken to a rounding cry of cheers and applause from those who at one point had been her biggest defenders.
The anchors of the first administration, that kept things in balance and helped to stave off this threat have been dragged through the mud and branded as heretics.
They, and those like them are no longer around to safeguard from a revitalized, vengeful Trump who now sees this second run as vindication of his goals and ideals.
The America that we once knew is gone, amd likely never to return. The foundation is rotten, and it seems no one will be coming to fix it anytime soon, across both spectrums of the political establishment.
We are alone yet again, pushed into a corner by a man whom wished to not only punish us, but destroy the very country we call home. There is little more than silence around us, meek disapprovals from our allies that sound more like condolences than support in our time of need.
But hidden underneath all the surface-level talks on trade, the economy, our soverignty, is a resounding, growing cry from across the spectrum. Canada is strong. Canada is free and the Maple Leaf is forever.
I won't lie that the last two days have been a bit sombering and heartwarming, both on the online space and those I have been with in person. The same message rings out, one of pride, one of patriotism and brotherhood.
It is a call to do better, to step up. It is a call to be better than what we have accepted. It is a call to our nation, far and wide. I, in my twenty-four years, have never seen such an outpouring, such a display of ferver as this one has caused.
It makes me happy, it makes me proud. The last month has been one full of division, surrender and complacency. It hit me hard in my heart, to see so many seemingly ready to give up, to throw everything away so easy before it even began.
Last night changed that feeling. I allowed the negativity and doomers to get to me, and to try to drag me down as I'm sure they have done to many of you. I allowed them to put doubt in my head on if we could stand United against the threats to our soverignty.
That isn't what I saw last night. That isn't what I'm seeing today. I see a people prepared for the hardship, prepared to soldier on and stand together. There is no doubt it will be hard. There is no doubt that it will hurt, and many of us will suffer in some way.
There is no easy solution here, no magical fix to mitigate the effect this will have in its entirety. We can repeal Bill C-69, build out pipelines and mines to our hearts content but it won't solve everything as many believe.
And while I'm supportive of it, the fact remains that focusing on mitigation, or a few key industries won't get out of this hole, and certainly won't help in recovering from these tariffs and removing our dependence.
Canada needs a new National Policy, one that is unilaterally supported by the major parties. It needs a policy that bring together every section of the country, economy, work, defence, life...
It's not just about building roads and finding new markets. It can't be fixed with bailouts and a second CERB payout. What is the optimal plan? I can't say, that isn't my place.
I know there are undoubtedly things I would want to see, a national blue seal system, an Arctic infustructure policy, federal commitment to High-Speef Rail.
On the side of defence, I look at this as a chance to pivot, to finally have an excuse to take risk and push ourselves in ways that we traditionally have avoided.
I spoke about it briefly in my piece on production, how we need to explore manufacturers willing to set up production and internal supply. I still stand by all of that, more so now.
I also want to take a moment to say, I don't support ripping up contracts. Those whom follow me on X know that. The fact is that certain platforms such as the P8 are nearly impossible to replace in the current timeframe.
We've commited, production has started and option either don't exist, such as previous concepts from Airbus and Bombardier, or would require extensive reworking like the P1.
The F-35 is in a similar boat. They're paid, the first in in production, and any sort replacement won't come easy, either limited to still being tied to American parts or, in the best case, delaying delivery beyond what the Air Force is capable of handling.
That doesn't mean though that we need to be tied to future deals. If an alternate exists, there is no reason we shouldn't prioritize and diversify from the American supply chain.
Platforms like GlobalEye might be a step down from E7 but provide an Indigenous capability not tied to American firms. There are also strategic assets, such as LRPF that I no longer feel comfortable relying on American supply.
Other options like PULS and Chunmoo exist, and while the Army might not be keen on a larger, double-pod system, the freedom from American control and munitions is becoming very attractive.
There are many such things we can do, and incremental steps we can take to be less contained to the American system. I plan to do a larger piece on this and defence later.
For now, we wait. The Prime Minister will be meeting with Trump today, and Tariffs are still a days out from coming into effect. I truely wish everyone the best. I know many here who's work is tied to American export, and who are now staring down the barrel, awaiting the ramifications to hit.
Canada is Strong. Canada is Free. Tough times are temporary, but the Maple Leaf is Forever.
Vive Le Canada!