Only On The Walters Post

Have you noticed how the talk between Canada and the States has turned kind of sour lately? Seems like every headline’s about tariffs, boycotts, or somebody saying something they shouldn’t. You know, I’ve been around a long while, and I can’t recall a time when folks on both sides of the border took things so personal.

Now don’t get me wrong. I believe Canada needs to stand on its own two feet. We’ve leaned too much on others for too long, and somewhere along the line we stopped making things ourselves. That’s a shame, plain and simple as we’ve got the people and the resources; what we’ve been missing is the will.

But here’s the thing… standing up for Canada doesn’t mean turning your back on your neighbors. There’s a difference between being proud and being spiteful. You can dislike what a politician says or does without blaming the fella making whisky in Virginia or the woman running a ferry out of Seattle. Those people aren’t the problem. They’re just trying to keep food on the table like the rest of us.

I read a story the other day about Canadian shelves being cleared of American spirits. Some folks felt good about it, said it was a way to show pride. Maybe it was. But I couldn’t help thinking about the small business owner down there, the one who lost his biggest market overnight because of something he didn’t say or do. It’s the little folks that always get squeezed in these big political standoffs.

You know… for most of my life I have found that, the U.S. has treated us pretty fair. Sure, there’s been the odd squabble regarding softwood lumber, dairy, and all that, but the people? They’ve been good neighbors. I’ve driven through plenty of small towns south of the line, stopped for coffee, swapped stories, and I’ve always felt welcome. Respect goes both ways.

So maybe the answer isn’t to boycott or blame, but to build. Buy Canadian, sure, but build Canadian too. Make our own goods, grow what we can, support local. But don’t slam the door on friendship while you’re doing it. Borders may mark the land, but they don’t have to divide the people.

Anyway, that’s how I see it. We can stand tall without standing apart.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW