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.”

So here’s the thing, folks. In Ontario, if you go out and buy a fresh steak, some raw chicken, maybe a pork roast to cook at home, there is no tax on it. Not a penny. But if you toss a pack of bacon or a few slices of deli ham in the cart, suddenly you are hit with thirteen percent tax.

And you would think that would be the other way around, wouldn’t you?

Turns out, we are paying more for the stuff that is worse for us, and less for the stuff that is actually real food. Now that might sound a bit backwards, but if you look a little closer, it starts to make perfect sense. Just not in the way most folks might expect.

You see, the government knows exactly what people are buying. They know folks are busy, tired, and looking for something quick. Processed meats, packaged food, ready-to-eat meals, well those are the things that fill the carts. And that is what gets taxed. Not because it is unhealthy, but because it sells.

They will tell you fresh meat is zero-rated because it is a basic grocery item. Sure, that is the reason written on paper. But do not mistake that for looking out for your health. They are not doing you a favour. They are just collecting more$ off what is already flying off the shelves. It is not about steering you toward better choices. It is about taking a cut from the ones you are already making.

And the crazy part? Most folks do not even notice. They just keep paying and moving on, figuring that is how it has always been. But take a second, next time you are at the store. Look at what is taxed and what is not. Real food, the kind you cook from scratch, gets left alone. The quick stuff, the salty stuff, the plastic-wrapped meat packed with preservatives, that is the stuff they are charging you extra for.

So what does that tell you?

It tells me someone is watching what we buy, and they are making money off it. Plain and simple.

Now, I am not saying folks should not buy what they want. That is their choice. But do not think for a second that the government is helping you make better ones. They are just following the money and getting their share along the way.

“Until the next time, keep your mind open and your stories alive.” GW

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.”

Let me ask you something. If Canada is one of the richest countries in the world, with all the brains, tools, and resources we could ever need, then why are we falling behind when it comes to defending ourselves?

The answer isn’t that we don’t care. The truth is simpler and harder to hear. Yes, we are sort of broke, deeply in debt and stretched thin. But it’s not because we ran out of money. It’s because the people in charge have been wasting what we have, dragging their feet, and putting off the tough decisions for years. They don’t want to admit it, but I will.

Right now, Canada spends about one point four per cent of our GDP on defence. That is far below the NATO goal of two per cent. Meanwhile, countries like Poland, which are nowhere near as wealthy as we are, are spending over four per cent because they know the world is not safe anymore. Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have all met or committed to meeting the two per cent mark. They stepped up. We did not.

But we could. In fact, we could do better than two per cent, that is if we stopped wasting money on things that do not help Canadians, we could be stronger, safer, and more respected. So here is where the money really goes at least from what I found out, and what needs to change.

1. Too Many Government Layers

We have too many departments, too many offices doing the same thing, and too many people pushing paper instead of doing something useful. The government spends over fifty-five billion dollars a year just to run itself. A lot of that is wasted on overlap, slow processes, and things we do not even need anymore.

2. Foreign Aid with No Follow-Up

We send out around seven billion dollars a year in foreign aid. Some of it is good and helps people who truly need it. But a big chunk of it goes to countries with poor records or no accountability. The thing is… Canadians have every right to ask why we are giving away billions, when our own military is underfunded and stretched thin.

3. Reports and Consultants

Instead of fixing problems, governments spend millions studying them. They hire consultants to write long reports and recommendations, then shelve them. That money could go toward real equipment, training, and infrastructure.

4. Travel and Perks for Politicians

While the average Canadian struggles to afford groceries, those in power fly business class, stay in luxury hotels, and collect travel pay. The cost of government travel and perks can run into the hundreds of millions every year.

5. Handouts to Big Corporations

Big companies making billions still get handouts from the government. Oil, auto, and green energy firms, media outlets, and others have all gotten taxpayer support. This adds up to between fifteen and twenty billion dollars a year. That is money going to rich CEOs while our soldiers go without basic gear.

6. Bad Purchasing Decisions

When Canada does try to spend on defence, we often mess it up. Projects take years longer than they should, and cost way more than they were supposed to. We delayed buying new fighter jets for over a decade. We pay more than we should, and get less than we need.

7. Public Sector Wages and Pensions

There are over four hundred thousand federal workers, many earning more than their private sector counterparts, with guaranteed pensions that most people in the real world do not get. Salaries and pensions cost over sixty billion a year. Now here’s the thing, I am not saying slash and burn, but we do need to trim and refocus.

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What We Could Do Instead

If we took just a third of that wasted money and put it to good use, we could not only meet the NATO target of two per cent, we could go beyond it. We could build a modern, well-equipped military. We could protect the Arctic, strengthen our cyber defences, and show the world that Canada is not just a quiet observer.

We could also use some of that money to bring back real manufacturing here at home, secure our energy supply, and invest in real education and science instead of flashy slogans and pet projects.

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Final Word

This is not about war, it’s about being ready, being smart, and being respected. It is about making sure our soldiers have what they need, and that our country can take care of itself in a dangerous world.

The truth is, we can afford it. What we cannot afford is more delay, more waste, and more excuses.

So the next time someone says we cannot afford to step up, ask them where all the money is going now, and why none of it ever seems to make a difference where it matters most.

“That’s how I see it, plain and simple” or “Just my opinion, take it or leave it”? GW

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

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.”

Here’s the thing. Trump is right when he says Europe and Canada have to meet their military spending targets. Canada, especially, has been falling behind for years. We keep hearing they’re doing their best, but honestly, that doesn’t ring true.

The truth is, instead of putting money where it’s needed, in defense, a lot of it gets lost in government red tape, or goes somewhere it shouldn’t. That’s why our military has been left behind. If Canada had kept up the funding, and looked after our forces properly, we wouldn’t be in this mess now.

Our equipment is old and worn out. While other countries upgrade their jets, and ships, or build or buy new, many of ours are decades old or barely usable. Our soldiers also deserve better gear/equipment and a fair pay raise to go with it.

The thing is, we should have one of the strongest defense systems in the world, and it’s about time we started acting like it matters. Living across the ocean used to give us some protection, but not anymore. The world has changed, and threats don’t care about borders or oceans.

Look at Europe. Some countries talk tough about their military, but most rely heavily on the United States for support. That leaves dangerous gaps only real investment can fix.

We have to do what needs to be done, and we need to do it fast. Sure, some folks will complain, hell that’s just human nature, we can never keep everyone happy. But they have had their way far too long.

Here is another thing. The United States leads the world in military technology and research. Their scientists work day and night, and their equipment, from jets to intelligence tools—is unmatched. Some claim Europe has better jets, but that’s not true from what I have seen or heard. It’s just another way to confuse people.

So how do we find the money? One way is to cut government jobs that don’t directly support our military or defense. It won’t be easy at first, but doing this would more than cover the costs. Take a good look at what I’m saying, and you’ll see the truth.

So yes... Canada and Europe need to stop fooling themselves about defense spending. The future depends on it, our future.

“Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive.” GW