All posts by George Walters

George Walters is a Canadian columnist and author with more than forty years of writing experience. For over twenty years he has written a weekly column for Postmedia Network — Canada's largest newspaper chain — never missing a single week, publishing fifty-two stories a year. Combined with his work in Reader's Digest Community Voices, World News, Country Living, The Country Register, and farm and rural lifestyle magazines across Canada, he has published well over two thousand stories drawn from everyday life. He writes about farm work, fishing, old trucks, and the kind of people you only find in small towns — but just as likely he'll hand a voice to a weathered telephone pole, or turn his eye on something happening in the world today and tell you exactly what he thinks about it. No subject is off limits. If there's a story in it, George will find it. He has been called a philosopher of everyday life, a description that came up more than once during his television appearances over the years — and it's not hard to see why. His writing has a way of making the ordinary feel worth sitting with. He is the author of eleven books, including yearly short story collections and the Clay Moretti Files mystery series. Clay is a fifty-year-old private investigator who drives a 1967 Ford Galaxie, smokes cigars, and operates by a code the modern world gave up on a long time ago. The cases are present day. The man handling them is not. All titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon. Together, George and his wife Ruth have also created Elmer Finds His Way, the first in what he hopes will be a long series of children's books. Ruth did all the illustrations, as she has for every one of George's books — and beyond that she designed and painted the covers as well. Her work is woven into every page of everything he has published. A few words from readers: "I pulled up a kitchen chair and read your story three times." "You have a way of making a person homesick for a place they haven't been to." "Thank you for writing things that make old people and kids feel the same way at the same time." All my titles are available in paperback and eBook on Amazon.ca here.
George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only, Old Days, Old Ways

What Ever Happened to a Fair Day’s Work and a Straight Deal?

Leave a comment

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.”


You know, I’ve been around long enough to remember a time when a man could start a business, work hard, hire a few good people, and not have to worry about someone stepping in to tell him how to run his own shop. Back then, if you wanted a job, you showed up, proved yourself, and earned your keep. Simple as that. If the boss treated you right, you stuck around. If he didn’t, you found work somewhere else. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.

Now here’s where I stand — and I know some won’t agree, but that’s fine. If I built a company from the ground up, took the risks, paid the wages, and kept the doors open, I believe I should have the right to say how it’s run. That includes saying right from the start: no unions here. If someone wants the job, they should understand that upfront. If it suits them, great. If not, no hard feelings, they move on.

You see, that’s the way things used to be. A man worked hard, kept his word, and if he did right by the boss, the boss usually did right by him. You didn’t need outside help to ask for a raise. Most times, it came because you earned it, not because someone bargained for it.

Today, though, the rules have changed, and the employers no longer have that same freedom. They’re told how much to pay, who they can hire, and when they have to bargain. It’s all tied up in laws, red tape, and outside pressure. That kind of interference takes the heart out of small business. And the sad part is, it’s not even helping like it was meant to. If anything, we’ve made it harder to hire, harder to fire, and harder to get ahead.

In my opinion, it never should have come to this. Businesses did not need this much fixing, because most of them were not broken. Truth told, we have made it so the fellow who puts everything on the line to start something no longer gets to steer the ship, and that is not right. Another thing is, I believe that over time, people’s thinking has been swayed. They have been led to believe that all these new rules and controls are good and necessary, when in reality, many of them are not. Somewhere along the way, we stopped thinking for ourselves and started accepting things that just do not make sense.

So what do we need to do? Well, if it were up to me, and I know it is not, I would say it is time we start thinking for ourselves again. Time to stop letting outside voices tell us what is fair, and start trusting in honest, face-to-face dealings between people who are willing to work and those willing to give them a chance. Hard work should still count for something, and a business owner should still have the right to run things his own way without jumping through hoops. We did it that way for a long time, and in my view, it worked just fine. Maybe it is time we gave it another look.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Canada and the EU

Leave a comment

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

Canada Need to Step Up Military Spending — Trump’s Point Is Valid

Leave a comment

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

George's Writers Corner, Health, My Opinion Only

A Little Here, A Little There and We’re Full of Poison

Leave a comment

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.”

It’s funny, in a way, how folks think the world got this sick all of a sudden. Like disease just showed up one morning and knocked on the door. Truth is, it’s been creeping in for years. Not from one big thing, but from all the little things piling up when no one’s paying attention.

They added fluoride to the water and called it progress. Sprayed chemicals on the food and said not to worry, it’s only a trace. Pumped hormones into the meat, sealed it in plastic, then stacked it on a shelf under bright lights and clever words. We eat it all every day without a second thought. The body takes it in, tries to keep up, tries to clean house, but it can’t keep pace. Not when the toxins keep coming.

Now we’ve got PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals. They don’t leave, they don’t break down, and they’ve worked their way into our blood, our soil, our water, and our homes. And the folks who made them? They knew. The reports were buried. The warnings softened. The damage was already done before most people even heard the name.

It’s not a conspiracy. It’s just business. Quiet, legal, and slow-burning.

The trouble is, it’s never just one thing. It’s the mix of it all, a trace here, a trace there, and before you know it, there’s a full cocktail running through your veins. You don’t feel it right away, it builds, and one day, you wake up feeling off. Something isn’t right. Maybe it’s your energy, maybe it’s your sleep, maybe the doctor finds something and can’t explain why.

And what do they do? They hand you a prescription, one pill to treat the symptom, then another to fix what the first one caused. Before long, you’re on a list of medications, not getting better, just managing side effects. They call them side effects, but truth be told, they’re more like hazards. Dizziness, liver damage, depression, heart trouble — it’s all right there in the fine print, that is, if anyone bothers to read it. And most folks don’t. They just trust, because what else can they do?

The signs are right in front of us, we just don’t want to see them. It’s easier to pretend everything’s fine than to admit our food, water, and air have been slowly poisoned over time. Not by accident, but by design. Not through some shadowy plot, but by decisions made for profit, not health.

And still, somehow, we keep going. Maybe it’s grit. Maybe it’s stubbornness. Maybe we haven’t quite hit the wall yet.

I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know this, we need to pay attention. We need to ask questions. We need to look at what we’re eating, drinking, and breathing, because no one else is watching out for us. Not the government, not the corporations, and for that matter, not even the labels dressed up to look like truth.

The good news is, we’re not powerless. We can start small. Read the labels, grow a bit of food ourselves, filter the water, and more importantly we need to learn what’s in the things we use every day. Because if a little here and a little there got us into this mess, then maybe a little more care, a little more awareness, can help us find our way back out.

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

George's Writers Corner, My Opinion Only

A Country Full of Oil, and Still Paying Through the Nose?

Leave a comment

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.

Every time there’s a skirmish in the Middle East, like the recent U.S. strike on Iran, the headlines jump to say oil prices will rise. And sure enough, they do. Before the dust even settles, gas prices here in Canada start climbing. It’s as if our own supply dried up overnight.

But let’s stop and think about that.

Canada isn’t short on oil. Not even close. We’re one of the top oil-producing countries in the world. Alberta alone is sitting on more reserves than some countries can dream of. We’ve got refineries, pipelines, and an entire industry built around getting that oil out of the ground. So why are we, the ones who live on top of it, paying inflated prices as if we’re importing it from halfway around the globe?

Truth is, it’s not about shortage. It’s about profit. Every time something happens overseas, oil companies see a chance to raise prices. They slap on what they call a “risk premium.” That’s just a fancy way of saying, “We think things might get worse, so we’re going to charge more—just in case.”

And guess who ends up paying for that? You and me. The everyday folks trying to fill our tanks, keep warm in the winter, or get to town.

They’ll tell you oil is traded on the global market, priced in U.S. dollars, and that’s just the way it is. And sure, technically, that part’s true. But that doesn’t explain why we, in a country full of oil, have to pay world prices like we’ve got none of our own.

We should be getting a break. We should be using our own resources to help our own people. But somewhere along the line, that stopped being the goal. Now, no matter how much oil we produce, the prices still climb every time there’s trouble somewhere else in the world.

This isn’t about politics or blame. It’s about plain old common sense.

If we’ve got the oil, and we’ve got the means to process and deliver it, then why aren’t we looking after our own first? Why are we letting big companies rake in billions while the rest of us dig deeper just to keep moving?

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

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]