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 it comes to trade wars, there’s a reality that Canada needs to face: no matter how many tariffs we throw at the United States, it’s like tossing a grain of sand into the ocean. Canada, with our population of roughly 41 million, is smaller than just the state of California. Hell, New York alone has half our population! So let’s do the math. Who do you think holds the leverage in this economic scuffle?

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is hitting back at Trump’s latest round of tariffs, pulling American booze off LCBO shelves, cutting ties with Star-link, and even floating the idea of slapping tariffs on critical minerals and electricity. On top of that, Ontario is shutting out U.S. companies from government procurement deals, cutting them off from a $30 billion revenue stream. And if things escalate, there’s talk of adding surcharges on the electricity we export south. But let’s be real here—do these moves actually hurt the U.S.? Not really.

Trump is already ahead of the game, striking deals with other countries who are more than happy to sell him everything he needs. Minerals? Energy? Fuel? There’s no shortage of nations willing to supply the U.S., often at competitive prices. Meanwhile, we risk making things more expensive and inconvenient for ourselves in an attempt to land a punch that barely registers.

Now, I’m not saying Trump’s trade tactics are a good thing, far from it. But I do hope this situation forces Canada to wake up. Instead of playing tit-for-tat, we need to focus on strengthening our own industries, investing in manufacturing, and encouraging Canadians to buy local. Because… the only real way to stand up to economic bullying is to be independent enough that it doesn’t hurt when the big players push back.

We need more than just reactionary politics, we need long-term vision. Cutting off American liquor won’t make a dent in their economy, banning Star-link won’t put a dent in Musk’s fortune, and hitting them with surcharges won’t have them scrambling. But… investing in Canadian businesses? Now that will make a difference for us.

One has to really take a close look at things as what we say we can do is one thing; what can really happen is another.

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.

You know, folks seem to think that just because I’ve written about Trump, Musk, and the whole tariff situation, I’m all for it. Well, let me clear that up., The truth is I’ve never been a fan of tariffs. Never have, never will. What I am saying, and what I’ve been saying for a long time, is that both sides need to play fair. That’s the key. It’s not about taking sides, it’s about making sure Canada is standing strong, not just reacting to what the U.S. or anyone else does.

Now, here’s the silver lining in all of this. These tariffs have forced Canadians to take a hard look at how we do things. We’re waking up to the reality that we should be supporting our own, buying Canadian-made goods, backing our farmers, and making sure our industries thrive. And from what I can see, that shift is starting to happen. People are now starting to look for that “Product of Canada” label, and that’s a step in the right direction. But here’s the thing: “Made in Canada” only means a certain percentage of the product was made here, while “Product of Canada” means nearly all of it was sourced and produced right here at home.

That’s the one we should be aiming for.

But here’s what concerns me, we go against the U.S. on this, then turn around and start relying on other countries like China/India along with others. If that happens, then we’ve learned nothing. The whole point of this is to make sure we’re not just jumping from one foreign dependency to another. We should be building a system that supports Canadian businesses first and foremost, without being taken advantage of by countries that give less than they take. And let’s be honest… there are plenty of those out there, not just the U.S.

It all ties into something else I wrote about a few months back…our borders. It looks like we’re finally moving in the right direction on that front, and I hope it continues. We need a Canada where every province has a fair shot at selling their goods without being buried under outdated regulations and bureaucracy. It’s embarrassing that our own businesses struggle to sell within Canada while foreign goods flow in without issue.

Any way at the end of the day, I want Canada to stand on its own two feet, not just in response to tariffs, not just to make a political statement, but because it’s the right thing to do for our economy, our workers, and our future. We have the resources, the talent, and the innovation to be strong on our own, we just need to make sure we’re heading in the right direction.

Let’s see how this plays out, but for now, let’s keep supporting our own. Not because we’re forced to, but because it just makes sense.

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.

Lately, there’s been a lot of noise about a petition calling for Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship to be revoked. They say, over 230,000 people have supposedly signed it, but let’s put that number into perspective. Here’s the thing… Canada has a population of around 40 million, meaning this petition represents only a tiny fraction of the people in this country. That’s not exactly a national outcry.

Now, it’s no secret that Musk supports Trump, and in today’s world, that alone is enough to make some folks see red. But here’s the thing… Musk is actually following through on what Trump and many others in his circle have promised: pushing back against government overreach, encouraging innovation, and shaking up industries that have been stagnant for decades. So whether people like him or not, Musk is undeniably changing the world in ways, most politicians could only dream of.

And it should be noted that no leader, be it Trump, Trudeau, or anyone else… comes without their share of controversy. Hell, every government, no matter where it is, has missteps and growing pains. That’s just the reality of leadership. But let’s be real: this petition, while making headlines, doesn’t reflect the voice of Canada as a whole and most people here have bigger things to worry about, like the economy, healthcare, and the challenges we face right here at home.

At the end of the day, it’s easy to get caught up in political tribalism and social media outrage, but taking a step back, we have to ask: “Is this really the most pressing issue facing Canada right now? Or is it just another case of people blowing things way out of proportion?”

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.

As I sit here on this snowy old day, I can’t help but wonder where our country is headed. It’s an old man’s habit, I suppose… watching, thinking, shaking my head at the way things are unfolding in this old world of ours. And right now, what’s on my mind is the way our money moves, the way decisions are made, and the way we’re told that “Canada is giving” this or that to another country while things right here at home seem to slip through the cracks.

But let’s be real for a moment. Canada… the land itself, the people who live and work and raise families here…. isn’t making these choices. It’s not as if your neighbor, the truck driver, the farmer, or the retiree down the street was consulted before the headlines rolled out. It’s not Canada opening its wallet… it’s a handful of individuals in power, making decisions as if they carry the will of an entire nation in their briefcase.

“Canada is sending millions to X country.” “Canada is providing aid to Y nation.”

No, Canada isn’t. A select few in government are. And they sure don’t ask the rest of us first.

Now, before someone gets their wires crossed, this isn’t about turning our backs on those in need. There’s a place for helping others, sure enough. But what gets me is how we’re all swept up into these decisions without so much as a whisper of consultation. They don’t say, “The ruling party has decided to send X amount to Y country.” That would be more honest, wouldn’t it? Instead, they drape the whole nation in the act, whether we agree or not.

And it’s not just here in Canada... it’s happening all over. Governments throwing money around like confetti at a parade, while the folks footing the bill… everyday people… are left wondering why their own backyard is being neglected. You don’t have to look far, to see the cracks forming: struggling healthcare, infrastructure that’s falling apart, veterans left in the cold, and families stretching every dollar just to get by.

So maybe it’s time for a shift in language, a little truth in advertising. When a government decides to spend billions elsewhere, let them own it. Let them say, “This party is sending your money here.” Because then, maybe… just maybe—people will start paying attention to who’s making these choices, and what it really means for the country they call home.

Until 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.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I ain’t saying help ain’t needed in Ukraine. War’s an ugly thing, and folks caught in the middle of it sure as hell don’t deserve to suffer. But five billion dollars? That ain’t pocket change. That kind of money could go a long way right here in Canada—health care, education, infrastructure, you name it.

Funny how when Canadians need a hospital bed, we’re told there’s no funding. When folks are struggling to get life-saving treatments, they face long waits, rationed care, and doctors who are stretched thin. But somehow, when it comes to sending aid elsewhere, the checkbook flies open like magic.

And here’s another thing that don’t sit right with me—where exactly is all this money going? Every time another massive aid package gets announced, I can’t help but wonder: Who’s handling it? Who’s keeping track? Corruption ain’t exactly unheard of in war zones, and yet, we send billions with barely a whisper about oversight. Are we really sure it’s going where it’s supposed to, helping the people who need it most?

Leaders make big speeches about doing the right thing, but when’s the last time they did the right thing for the people who put them in office? Canadians are out here working their tails off, paying taxes, watching prices go through the roof, and yet, they’re the last ones in line when it comes to getting help.

Now, I ain’t saying Canada should turn its back on those in need. But maybe—just maybe—it’s time we took a harder look at where our money’s going and whether we’re taking care of our own before handing out billions elsewhere.

Something to think about. GW