American politics are a train wreck, but Canadians need to watch.
In many ways, this perfectly summarizes life neighbouring the US. As a country, it’s consistently divisive and no stranger to political, social, and economic disagreements, both internally and worldwide. Canadians should care about American politics because like it or not, their business affects our business. Unfortunately, their drama is part of the equation.
Being neighbours, Canada and the US trade everything from steel to tourists. A positive relationship between the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States has always been necessary, but not always a reality.
Consider the most recent G7 summit held in La Malbaie, Quebec. President Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the future of relations between their respective countries. After the summit, Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, defending his actions as “a matter of national security.” Trudeau retaliated by threatening to impose his own tariffs if the US followed through, as expected. President Trump ultimately took
No matter how rude the President may be, Canada relies on the US for trade. According to the Office of the US Trade Rep. 2018 Report, Canada was the United States’ third largest supplier of goods imports in 2018. With heavy supply chains going both ways, the US arguably acts as Canada’s most valuable trade partner. President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs directly affects revenue, jobs, and the economy.
The upcoming Presidential election could be problematic for Canada. President Trump has taken the last few weeks to vehemently condemn mail-in ballots. If Republicans ultimately find a way to delay the election outcome, Trump could monopolize this uncertainty into a prolonged stay in power, an outcome that must be prepared for by World leaders. Even if a Joe Biden win banishes Trump to the history books, the election winner will undeniably influence the world economy.
Furthermore, being a world superpower means the US has dozens of news outlets, TV channels, and newspapers reporting on its affairs. Its media presence is simply more global than our own. Every Trump quote and blunder is seen on news stations everywhere from South Korea to Mexico. The unavoidable nature of American politics allows its influence to extend beyond economics.
In many ways, American politics inadvertently force Canadians to analyze their own values. Each controversial headline offers Canadians an opportunity to think, but little opportunity to reprimand the wrongs of their imposing ally. Relevant American politics remain inseparable from the US’ daily stream of controversy.
The domineering example set by the US is powerful, yet often negative. In Canada, American precedent for handling social issues continually dominates our conversations. Despite being much less controversial, Canadians are consistently caught up in the American strife over the Black Lives Matter movement, anti-mask protests, and
Trump himself.
Canadians should care what happens south of the border; doing so is easier when we recognize American politics as being a double-edged sword. For every economic boon, there’s a disastrous Presidential Debate. While it may be rational concerns that draw Canadians into American politics, their ridiculousness ultimately keeps our attention.
In the end, Canadians must draw the line between fixation and repulsion.
Dante Caloia is a second-year Arts & Science student.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the NDP is caving to political pressure from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre when it comes to their stance on the consumer carbon price.
Trudeau says he believes Jagmeet Singh and the NDP care about the environment, but it’s “increasingly obvious” that they have “no idea” what to do about climate change.
On Thursday, Singh said the NDP is working on a plan that wouldn’t put the burden of fighting climate change on the backs of workers, but wouldn’t say if that plan would include a consumer carbon price.
Singh’s noncommittal position comes as the NDP tries to frame itself as a credible alternative to the Conservatives in the next federal election.
Poilievre responded to that by releasing a video, pointing out that the NDP has voted time and again in favour of the Liberals’ carbon price.
British Columbia Premier David Eby also changed his tune on Thursday, promising that a re-elected NDP government would scrap the long-standing carbon tax and shift the burden to “big polluters,” if the federal government dropped its requirements.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
Simon Jolin-Barrette, minister responsible for consumer protection, has tabled a bill to force merchants to calculate tips based on the price before tax.
That means on a restaurant bill of $100, suggested tips would be calculated based on $100, not on $114.98 after provincial and federal sales taxes are added.
The bill would also increase the rebate offered to consumers when the price of an item at the cash register is higher than the shelf price, to $15 from $10.
And it would force grocery stores offering a discounted price for several items to clearly list the unit price as well.
Businesses would also have to indicate whether taxes will be added to the price of food products.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
Quebec legislature member Youri Chassin has announced he’s leaving the Coalition Avenir Québec government to sit as an Independent.
He announced the decision shortly after writing an open letter criticizing Premier François Legault’s government for abandoning its principles of smaller government.
In the letter published in Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec, Chassin accused the party of falling back on what he called the old formula of throwing money at problems instead of looking to do things differently.
Chassin says public services are more fragile than ever, despite rising spending that pushed the province to a record $11-billion deficit projected in the last budget.
He is the second CAQ member to leave the party in a little more than one week, after economy and energy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon announced Sept. 4 he would leave because he lost motivation to do his job.
Chassin says he has no intention of joining another party and will instead sit as an Independent until the end of his term.
He has represented the Saint-Jérôme riding since the CAQ rose to power in 2018, but has not served in cabinet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
