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.

It seems to me that too many people today are looking for reasons to be upset. They’ll take a lifetime of achievement, a legacy that shaped a nation’s pride, and toss it aside over something as trivial as a suit color or a political preference.

So what am I talking about? Well, lately, I’ve seen folks turning on Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player this country has ever produced. Not because he did something wrong, not because he hurt anyone, but because he didn’t wear a red and white jersey at an event and because he’s been seen around Trump. And for that, some people are ready to strip him of his Canadian identity? That’s just plain dumb in my books.

Gretzky was, and always will be, a legend. If he likes Trump, big deal. That doesn’t erase what he did on the ice, or what he gave to this country. You know, we used to be able to respect people even if we didn’t agree with them. Now, if someone doesn’t fit a certain mold, they get cast aside.

I think some folks have lost their way when it comes to thinking for themselves. We don’t have to agree with everything someone says or does, but we sure don’t need to rewrite history just because we don’t like their politics.

If anything, maybe it’s time we start focusing more on what actually matters, like respect, reason, and remembering that a person is more than just the last thing they did.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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.

Well, I never thought I’d see the day, but here we are. A Liberal prime minister doing some things that actually make sense. Now, don’t go thinking I’ve gone soft or lost my way. I’m still the same old-timer with my set ways and a sharp eye for nonsense. But credit where credit is due, and this Carney fellow has been making moves that I can’t quite argue against.

First off, investing in the North with military upgrades? That’s just plain smart. We’ve got a big ol’ chunk of land up there, and we ought to be protecting it. The new defense deal with Australia? Well, that tells me someone in charge actually remembered Canada isn’t some tiny island where we can just sit back and hope for the best. Then there’s the carbon tax rollback on heating oil, propane, and gas for our cars. Now, that’s a breath of fresh air, though it should never have been a thing in the first place. Charging folks a tax on the very thing they need to get to work and heat their homes, only to give it back in bits and pieces? That’s like me borrowing your truck, running it out of gas, then giving you a cup of fuel every other week to make up for it.

Now, does all this mean I’m ready to mark my ballot for the Liberals? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. See, I’ve been around long enough to know that politicians have a habit of saying the right things to get into power and then forgetting all about them once they’re sitting pretty. Looking back, a whole lot of promises were made, but most of them got lost somewhere between the campaign trail and reality. So, while I’ll tip my hat to what’s being done right now, I’ll keep the other hand on my wallet and wait to see if it all holds up.

One thing I do know, my opinion only of course, is that our last Prime Minister did a fine job of driving us into debt and stripping us of our ability to be self-sufficient. We used to be a country that could stand on its own two feet, and now we’re stumbling around trying to remember where we left our boots. That’s something I’d like to see turned around, and if Carney keeps heading in the right direction, well… I’ll keep watching. But voting for them? Again….let’s just say, we’ll see how their agenda plays out. And again… I’ve been around long enough to know that a well-placed promise doesn’t always mean much in the end.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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.

Well, here we go again, the government is talking about reviewing Canada’s contract for F-35 fighter jets, and of course, Trump is the easy target to blame. Prime Minister Mark Carney is suggesting that maybe we should rethink our purchase from the U.S. and look at other options. But let’s be honest here—when it comes to top-tier military aircraft, the U.S. is in a league of its own. No other country produces fighter jets with the same level of technology, capability, and combat effectiveness. That’s just a fact.

So what’s really going on here? Is this a strategic move, or just another way to back out of military spending while making it look like a principled decision? Looking at Canada’s track record, it’s hard not to be skeptical,as military investments have always been more talk than action. Governments make big promises about upgrading our forces, but when it comes time to write the checks, the enthusiasm fades. The F-35 deal was already a long, drawn-out process, and now we’re talking about putting it back under review? Sounds like a way to stall, plain and simple.

But let’s play along for a moment, let’s say Canada really wants to break away from relying on the U.S. for our military hardware. If we’re serious about that, then why not take this opportunity to invest in our own defense industry? Instead of shopping around for second-best alternatives, Canada could be looking at building a real aerospace manufacturing sector right here at home. We have the talent, the resources, and the workforce. Imagine the thousands of jobs that could be created if we started producing our own high-tech military equipment instead of sending billions of dollars across the border. Not to mention, it would strengthen our economy and give us true independence when it comes to national defense.

But will the government take that kind of bold step? Not likely. It’s easier to kick the can down the road, blame Trump, and pretend like we’re making a tough decision. In the end, we’ll probably just end up right back where we started, with more delays, more excuses, and no real action. The truth is, Canada needs a strong, modern military, and that means either committing to the best available technology or stepping up and building it ourselves. Anything else is just political noise.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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.

Canadians will see a drop in gas prices soon, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed an order-in-council to eliminate the federal consumer carbon tax starting April 1, 2025. This means the extra charge on gasoline and natural gas will be gone, reducing costs by 17.6 cents per liter of gas and just over 15 cents per cubic meter of natural gas.

The move follows years of debate over carbon pricing and its impact on affordability. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have both been vocal opponents of the tax, arguing it increased the cost of living and hurt businesses. While they welcome its removal, there’s still concern about what comes next.

Carney’s government has made it clear that while the consumer levy is going away, industrial carbon pricing will increase. That means big polluters—especially in oil and gas—will face higher costs, though the exact details remain unclear. Smith has already called for a federal election, saying Albertan’s need to know “just how badly he’s going to punish the oil and gas sector.”

So, what does this really mean for everyday Canadians? Lower fuel costs, at least for now. The carbon tax portion on gas and home heating will be gone, but other taxes remain, including:

• The federal excise tax (10 cents per litre on gasoline)
• Provincial fuel taxes (which vary across the country)
• GST/HST, which is applied to fuel purchases

This change applies across the country, including Ontario. So yes, Ontarian’s will see the same price drop at the pump and on their natural gas bills. But keep in mind, the government is shifting the focus—while consumers get a break, big industries will be hit with higher levies to keep up with Canada’s climate commitments.

And let’s not forget: just because the tax is removed doesn’t mean prices won’t shift for other reasons as fuel companies and provinces could adjust pricing in different ways. And if history tells us anything, savings at the pump don’t always last.

With the April 1st timeline, some Canadians might be wondering if this is some kind of April Fools’ joke—but no, this one’s real, I think ha ha. The only question now is if we’ll see new costs creeping in under a different name.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and 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.

It seems like every time you turn on the news, there’s another economist warning about a looming recession. But let’s be honest, Canada has been in an economic downturn for years. Maybe it doesn’t fit the technical definition of a recession, where GDP shrinks for two consecutive quarters, but look around. The cost of living has skyrocketed, homelessness is on the rise, and good luck finding a family doctor. These are the real indicators of economic struggle, not just numbers on a chart.

Now, with a federal election on the horizon, the government will no doubt ramp up spending, handing out money to different groups and businesses in what looks an awful lot like vote-buying to me. But in reality this isn’t a new trick, t’s how politics works. Give out a few bucks, make people feel like they’re getting a break, and suddenly, votes come rolling in. Meanwhile, the hardworking Canadians footing the bill are taxed to the hilt.

Taxes are the silent killer of the working man’s paycheck. Half of what’s earned is taken before it even hits the bank, and then what’s left gets taxed again through endless fees, sales taxes, and hidden levies. Yet, the people in charge—the ones in expensive suits sitting in million-dollar offices—keep finding ways to take more while giving less. And people let it happen. Why? Maybe they’ve been convinced there’s no other way. Maybe they think, “What can I do?”

Now, they’re pointing fingers at Trump’s tariffs, blaming them for economic troubles, but let’s not pretend our problems started there. Hell Government spending in my mind has been out of control for years, funneling money into programs and initiatives that don’t always serve the people who need help the most. The truth is, Canada’s financial struggles run deeper than any trade dispute. It’s about priorities, accountability, and the burden placed on everyday citizens.

The thing is, economists like to talk about how to weather a recession, cut back on expenses, build an emergency fund, pay off debt. Which is all good advice, but it’s hard to do when the cost of everything from housing to groceries keeps climbing, and wages can’t keep up. The real solution? Stop overtaxing the people who actually work for a living, let them keep “all their earning” instead of funneling it into government coffers where it’s spent on who-knows-what.

The average Canadian isn’t asking for handouts, just fairness. There should be “No Tax On Wages“, more accountability on spending, and policies that support the people doing the heavy lifting in this economy. Until that happens, no amount of economic forecasting will change the reality on the ground: hard times are here, and they’ve been here for a while.

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