Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

So here’s something most folks haven’t heard about yet, but it’s fast approaching. On May 20, Canada’s new import system (CARM) kicks in. If importers aren’t registered and bonded by then, their goods might get held up at the border. That means you and me could be the ones feeling it on the shelves and at the checkout.

Here are just a handful of things that might slow down if this rolls out rough:

🛒 Groceries

• Cereal, flour, canned goods
• Juice, soda, and bottled water
• Pet food

🥩 Fresh & Frozen Foods

• Fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood
• Dairy and eggs
• Anything perishable — delays mean spoiled loads

🛠️ Everyday Essentials

• Cleaning supplies, hygiene products
• Clothing and footwear
• Hardware, tools, light bulbs

🚗 Auto & Farm Supplies

• Car and truck parts
• Tractor and equipment pieces
• Shop supplies

🏗️ Building Materials

• Lumber, steel, drywall
• Paint, adhesives, fasteners

And here’s the kicker: when the delays hit, I can just about guarantee some folks will start bellyaching, saying “This is Trump’s tariffs again!”
Well — it ain’t.

This has nothing to do with Trump or tariffs. This is a Canadian policy rollout that importers have to comply with, or their shipments won’t clear. Period.

So before the blame train gets rolling in the wrong direction, let’s get the facts straight. It’s not politics — it’s red tape. And unless it’s smoothed out quick, working folks are going to feel it the hardest.

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

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

Honestly, I think this is a great move, as these days, most of the movies and shows coming out of other countries are just plain awful. Same plot lines, same acting style, same everything. My wife and I can usually guess what’s going to happen before the scene even finishes. There’s no real story anymore—just recycled themes with no heart.

We’ve found ourselves turning back to the old classics, shows like Becker, The Bob Newhart Show, and Gunsmoke—those had something special. The writing was sharp, the characters had personality, and even the animals seemed to have a sense of humor. And the kids? Well hell, they could really act, not just pose for the camera.

And for the record, I’m from Canada—and I’ll say this, we could use some fresh, good-quality shows and movies made here too. Truth is, most of what’s coming out of Canada these days isn’t much better. Not much substance, nothing that sticks with you.

So yeah, if this tariff brings focus back to real storytelling, solid acting, and something original for a change, I’m all for it. Hollywood used to have soul, maybe this is what it needs to find it again.

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

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

I farmed for a good portion of my life, and like many others out in the country, I believed in voting. But truth is, it’s getting harder to feel like it matters much anymore.

Canada’s set up so that each riding gets one seat in Parliament, but the ridings are based on how many people live there, not how much ground they cover. So cities, where the population is stacked in tight, end up with more ridings. That means more votes in Parliament, and more say in who forms the government.

In the federal election we just had, most of the rural areas voted one way, but the cities swung things the other. You could see it plain as day on the map—huge stretches of blue across the countryside, but that didn’t tip the scales as the cities made the call.

Now we’ve got another minority government. That means the leading party didn’t win enough seats to go it alone, so they need support from another to stay in power. Right now, the Bloc is backing them, and like always, there’s a deal involved. They’ll want something in return—funding, programs, whatever lines up with their goals.

Meanwhile, farmers—both out west and here in Ontario—just keep at it. We grow the food, mend what’s broken, and carry the load. But when it comes to shaping the future, we’re not at the table.

This isn’t about stirring things up. It’s just calling it what it is, the system’s tilted, and until that’s fixed, rural folks won’t get the voice we deserve.

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

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

Here is how I see things in the good old USA & Canada. Trump got elected and didn’t waste any time. He jumped right in, doing exactly what he said he would, with no waiting around like most politicians usually do, especially compared to ours here in Canada. And there is a reason why he is doing it so fast, as he has learned that it’s best to get things done right off the bat. As for the complainers, well they’ll either settle down or keep on fussing. That’s just how some folks are.

I only wish we had a leader here in Canada, with that kind of drive. But as much as I hate to say it… I don’t see it happening, as here in Canada, there are too many people that have short memories. They forget how things were just a few months ago, and convince themselves the next leader will somehow be better.

The truth is, the party stays the same. Their beliefs stay the same. You look back over the years, and nothing really changes—except for one thing: we just keep sinking deeper into debt and less self efficient. Now hey! I could be wrong…but I don’t think so.

Any way, that’s the way I see it.

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

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

When News Ain’t News at All
By GW

You know, I believe we’ve hit a time when folks can’t tell truth from trickery, and most don’t even realize they’ve been led off course.

It used to be, a man/woman could sit with the morning paper and a coffee, trusting what he/she read had been checked by someone with a backbone. Now, it’s mostly noise… opinions dressed as facts, or lies wearing a suit and tie. It’s not just that news is blocked on social media in Canada, it’s that something far worse has crept in to take its place.

Ones like… Canada Proud that shout louder than most politicians, twisting stories and playing on fear. Then there’s the made-up websites and fake scandals, that are spreading fast, and the worst part is that a lot of folks eat it up. They believe what fits their feelings, not what’s true.

The thing is, this isn’t about politics, and I don’t care which flag you wave. Truth should be the same for everyone, but when people stop caring about facts, we’re in trouble. Reason being you lose trust in real news, and before long, you don’t know who to believe. That’s how good folks get fooled, and how liars come out on top.

Now here’s the thing, some folks think we can fix it with laws or new tech. Maybe, but I don’t believe an app or the right politician’s gonna change things. This runs much deeper than that. It’s about people caring enough to think before they click, before they share, before passing on something that might hurt someone who never deserved it

I have always said that: Truth takes effort. Lies are easy!

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