Only On The Walters Post

Why Are We Letting China Build Our Ferries?

I’ve been giving this a lot of thought lately, and I have to say, I’m totally against these new ferries for British Columbia being built in China. These are four electric-diesel vessels meant for BC Ferries, and frankly, it’s something we Canadians should be doing ourselves. If we don’t have the facilities to build ships like these right here at home, then it’s high time we created them. Let’s put our own people to work instead of shipping jobs overseas to the Chinese, who already seem to have a foothold in just about everything sold in Canada. Just take a look at the tags, it’s “Made in China” more often than not, and that has to stop.

This all came to mind after hearing about Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s comments in Vancouver. He’s been urging Ottawa to cancel a billion-dollar loan from the Canada Infrastructure Bank to BC Ferries. That money would help pay for these new ships, which are set to be built by China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards. Poilievre called it a “terrible decision,” and I have to agree.

He pointed out something we should all be paying attention to: “We shouldn’t be giving federal tax dollars to subsidize jobs overseas. The federal government should only be funding job creation in Canada.” Hard to argue with that. Why should our hard-earned money be helping build ships in China when it could be supporting Canadian workers, Canadian shipyards, and Canadian families?

Of course, some will say the loan makes these ships cheaper. Cancel it, and taxpayers in B.C. might pay more. But sometimes you have to look beyond the sticker price. The long-term benefits of building up our own industries, training our own people, and keeping those skills and dollars in Canada are worth far more.

Poilievre also talked about needing to “unleash a free enterprise system” that makes things affordable again, and how high taxes and endless red tape drive businesses away. He’s got a point. If we keep sending work elsewhere because it’s cheaper, we’re going to lose even more of our own capabilities. That’s a dangerous road.

Now, some folks might say Carney isn’t Trudeau, or his father, and that he’s promised to do things differently. But in my opinion, that could very well be just another ploy to get elected. I might be wrong, but from what I’ve seen over the years, I doubt it. The Liberals have a habit of saying what people want to hear and then slowly sliding back into the same old ways.

The House of Commons transport committee has agreed to launch a study into this billion-dollar loan deal. Let’s hope they take a hard look and start thinking about Canadian jobs first. We have the talent and the resources in this country. All we need is the leadership and the will to make it happen.

Because in the end, if we keep handing over our industries piece by piece, there might not be much left that’s truly ours.

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Click On Image to Enlarge

Good morning, and yes, the world is still spinning… a touch slower, or so the scientists say if you believe them.

Port Loring, Ontario, Canada Weather:

Today (Tuesday, August 19): The skies are mostly cloudy with a 40% chance of showers. Expect a high of 67°F (20°C) and a low of 56°F (13°C) tonight. A perfect day to do some indoor work.

Tonight: Cloudy skies with a low of 56°F (13°C). Ideal for a warm cup of tea on the porch as the evening settles in.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, August 20): The clouds will part by morning, giving way to plenty of sunshine. Highs will reach 74°F (23°C), with a low of 53°F (12°C) at night. A great day to tend to the garden or take a canoe ride on the lake.

Only On The Walters Post

From my memories growing up on a dairy farm in Ontario, 1950s–1960s

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You know, back when I was a boy, life on the farm started before the sun and ended when the chores were done, usually well after dark. The kitchen was the heart of our home, and some of my clearest memories are of sitting in the wood box by the wood cook-stove,, watching Laura, the woman who raised me, cook supper while she talked.

The one thing i remember was that she never made cooking feel like a lesson.

Meat didn’t come easy in those days, even for farm families but Laura knew how to make the most of what we had.
“George,” she’d say, “if we add a few potatoes and some vegetables from the garden, we’ll have a meal that fills everyone without wasting anything.”

Her Meat and Potato Patties began as a way to make ends meet, as they were good and they brought everyone to the table.

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Ingredients (makes about 4 patties)

• Three-quarters of a pound of ground beef, whatever we had on hand
• A handful of grated potatoes, white or Yukon Gold worked best
• A small onion, chopped fine
• A couple of tablespoons of green pepper, chopped small (or whatever was plentiful in the garden)
• One egg, beaten
• A pinch of salt
• A splash of oil for frying
• About a cup of tomato juice or thin tomato sauce
• A spoonful of flour
• A little water to mix with the flour

Optional extras Laura sometimes added:

• A small carrot, grated
• A spoonful of breadcrumbs, for firmer patties
• A sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme, if it was growing by the back door

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Directions

Mixing

She’d start by putting the beef, potatoes, onion, green pepper, egg, and salt in a big bowl.
“Mix it gently, George,” she’d tell me, “just enough to hold it together. If you mash it too much, the patties will be tough.”
That was her secret to tender patties.

Shaping and Browning

She shaped the mixture into four patties and flattened each one a little.
“Heat your pan,” she’d say, “and brown them on both sides. You want a bit of crust, but don’t let them burn.”
Once browned, she’d pour off any extra fat. Getting that golden crust brought out the flavor.

Simmering

Next, she’d pour the tomato juice over the patties, put the lid on, and let them simmer.
“About twenty minutes or so,” she said. “You’ll know they’re done when they look plump and the aroma fills the kitchen.”
Simmering made them tender and gave the sauce that rich, tangy flavor.

Gravy

She took the patties out and kept them warm on a plate.
Then, she whisked the flour into a bit of water and stirred it into the pan juices.
“Keep it moving, George, don’t rush it,” she’d remind me.
As the gravy thickened, it filled the kitchen with the smell of supper almost ready.

Serving

She spooned the tomato gravy over the patties and slid a plate my way.
“Here, try it with some mashed potatoes or fresh bread, whatever’s ready,” she’d say with a smile.
That first bite was always the best—simple, filling, and full of home.

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Why This Recipe Still Matters

Laura’s Meat and Potato Patties were more than just supper. They were part of the rhythm of our days and a reminder of how far a little could go with care and patience.

Every time I hear of someone making them, I’m right back in that farmhouse kitchen, watching Laura’s hands and hearing her voice.

I hope this recipe brings a bit of that warmth and comfort to your table, just as it did to ours.

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

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Only On The Walters Post

By GW

I can’t help but notice how, every time there’s a big meeting down south or some high-stakes deal being made, Quebec somehow ends up sitting closer to the front of the table. This latest run to Washington is no different. There’s Dominic LeBlanc right in the thick of it, smiling for the cameras and talking trade like he’s running the whole country.

But here’s the thing — LeBlanc doesn’t even represent Quebec. He’s from New Brunswick. Yet somehow, he’s always the one keeping Quebec happy. You’d think the rest of the provinces might get a little say, seeing as how we all share the same flag and pay the same taxes.

It’s the same old political dance: Quebec gets the spotlight, the rest of us get the speech about “national unity.” Meanwhile, the West, the North, and the Atlantic provinces get to sit on the sidelines and hope someone remembers they’re part of Canada, too.

Seems to me the Liberals are so worried about losing votes in Quebec, they forget the rest of the country has a heartbeat. I guess that’s politics these days — keep the big province smiling, and the rest can wait their turn.

But I’ll tell you something: folks out here are watching. And they’re not as quiet as they used to be.