Only On The Walters Post
“I’m not here to tell folks what to think — just sharing what life has shown me. Take from it what makes sense, leave the rest, but maybe let it sit with you a while.”
Today, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced what’s being called a historic step forward in Canada’s relationship with the European Union (EU). Standing alongside President Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission who represents the executive leadership (Smile) of the EU, he went on to introduce a new and ambitious partnership: The New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future. It’s being pitched as a bold move rooted in shared values and a rules-based international system which is aimed at strengthening trade, economic security, digital development, and the fight against climate change.
They’re calling it a new beginning. Negotiations are about to start on all kinds of things, like digital transition, climate action, defence and security partnerships. There’s even talk of Canada taking part in SAFE, (Smile), a European defence readiness plan that promises new industrial and military procurement opportunities.
Sounds promising on paper.
But here’s the thing. In my mind, we’re heading in the wrong direction.
I think we need to stop relying on other countries and start doing things for ourselves. That means looking after our own industries, bringing businesses back home, making quality products right here in Canada, and growing our own food. It means building up our provinces, not chasing trade deals around the world that often don’t serve the average Canadian.
Why not focus on trading more between provinces? Why not fix our own house before offering to help build someone else’s?
This habit of rushing off to make deals with other countries every time we hit a rough patch, especially when the U.S., despite its flaws, has been a long-standing ally, doesn’t sit right with me. And some of these new partnerships? (Smile) Well, history shows we’d be wise to keep our distance.
We also need to ease off on immigration and focus more on who we’re bringing in. Canada should be welcoming people who truly want to contribute, build, and be part of making this country stronger. But we’ve also got to be careful, and that means putting systems in place to make sure we’re not letting in those who intend to do harm. And on top of that, if someone comes here and breaks the law, especially serious crimes, they shouldn’t stay. Send them back to where they came from.
It’s not about turning people away for the sake of it, it’s about protecting what we’ve built and making sure newcomers share the same respect for this country that so many of us have worked our whole lives to uphold.
So yes, the announcement sounds impressive. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to ask: who does it really benefit? Because if we’re not looking after our own people, then all the international handshakes in the world won’t mean much.
“Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive.” GW