By Terry Hughes
Normally, the holidays are a time of celebration and reflection on how positive the year gone by has been, but not so much this year. Not since 2008 have we had so many events that have upset our way of life.
Back then, the world was on the edge of a financial meltdown and the United States had to spend some 11 trillion dollars to liquify the finances of their banks that had infected all the world banking systems. Only one country’s banks had evaded this issue according to Fareed Zarkaria, noted analyst and commentator on global issues including world economies, saying that Canada was the only exception. And the governor of the Bank of Canada was Mark Carney
When Donald Trump began his second term, the United States had enjoyed being the richest, financially stable and most powerful country for the past 80 years.His approach to make America First has totally threatened that status but has also thrown the entire world into chaos. Although he probably doesn’t know it, he is exercising a theory stated in the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 that states that the U.S. is destined to become the controlling power in the western hemisphere and he has decided to throw Greenland in for good measure.
Next, he feels that the world owes his country a debt and without the Senate’s permission instituted a series of tariffs on most of the world economies. Probably in terms of defence, specifically NATO, he has a point. But in terms of our own country, he definitely wants Canada under his thumb because we have the natural resources; specifically those rare earth minerals that he does not have.
Now it’s too early to overcome these tariffs but does it not make sense that we as a nation pull together and develop strategies that will yield positive outcomes for Canada? While our prime minister was not surprised that initial negotiations have not gone as planned, he has made interested countries know that we are open for business without the red tape that has caused little investment in this country for over a decade. That is why he has been visiting many countries other than the U.S. because our existing business arrangements with them are done. We also have to re-invent our method of business between provinces, territories and indigenous people that have cluttered our national economies for so many years.
Patience is not something that we are not used to in an age where instant gratification such as fast foods, turning on and off appliances and electrical devices to name a few are the way we are used to living our lives. If we take a look at the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, for example, it took five years after the Second World War before we were able to convince the U.S. to join us. Mr. Trump is known as a deal-maker but he is impressed on how Team Canada is matching his wit. Remember, Trump’s technique of delay during his trials is what he used to overcome his adversaries and he will use it hoping that Canadians will lose patience with our team!
There is nothing wrong with questioning the approaches that our country is using and of course that is the role that the opposition takes in our Parliament. Offering positive alternatives is the best way to reach consensus and show a strong front.
Let’s close with our young character, above, introducing a new year, and here’s hoping that Canada will win the day.
Next Column; Celebrating Superman
(Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage and history His opinion column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)
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