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

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