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’s no surprise that 83%…? of Canadians are looking to change their spending habits. The economy is shaky, prices are climbing, and people are finally waking up to the reality that a lot of what they’re spending money on just doesn’t make sense.

Take housing, for example. How many couples are living in giant houses with rooms they never use? They’re paying a fortune in taxes, heating, and security for space they don’t need. Then there’s eating out, restaurants charging outrageous prices for meals you could cook at home for a fraction of the cost. And let’s talk about clothes, as some folks are dropping hundreds of dollars on designer brands, yet the cheap and expensive clothes are probably made in the same factory, just with a different label slapped on.

But this one takes the cake… literally. My son was in Toronto the other day and stopped by a coffee shop. They were selling six cookies for $27. Twenty-seven dollars!!! For cookies! My wife could make those at home for two dollars, if that. And they’d probably taste better too.

And here’s the kicker, the place was packed. People were lining up, happily handing over their money for in my mind, overpriced cookies, meanwhile, 45% of Canadians are struggling with day-to-day expenses. It should also be noted that over 60% are spending more than a third of their income on housing, and half of young Canadians feel like they’re living beyond their means just to get by.

The good news? More and more people are stepping back and asking, “Do I really need this?” They’re cutting back, making smarter choices, and realizing that financial security is more important than keeping up with appearances. Maybe this economic uncertainty will be a wake-up call. one that helps Canadians take back control of their money instead of letting their money control them.

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, Canada has always been known as a peaceful and law-abiding nation, but lately, there’s growing concern about our ability to protect ourselves in dangerous situations. While laws are meant to maintain order and safety, they sometimes leave law-abiding citizens vulnerable.

Lets say, if someone breaks into your home and threatens your loved ones, your options are limited. Using a legally owned firearm in self-defense could lead to criminal charges and even carrying non-lethal protection, like pepper spray, is against the law. Meanwhile, criminals, who don’t follow the rules, seem to have the upper hand.

The question is: Shouldn’t responsible citizens have the right to reasonable self-defense? We’re not talking about reckless violence, just the ability to protect ourselves without fear of legal consequences.

It’s time for an open discussion about self-defense laws in Canada, as the balance between safety and personal rights needs careful consideration, and we should all have a say in shaping a system that protects both public order and individual security.

I personally think that Canadians Should have more legal options for self-defense?

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.

Well, here we go again... politics playing games with business, and the people left to deal with the mess. Canada’s pulling American liquor from store shelves in response to U.S. tariffs, but I can’t help but think we’re about to lose twice.

First, folks here love their American whiskey, bourbon, and spirits. Cutting off supply doesn’t change demand, it just pushes people to find another way to get what they want. Maybe that means heading across the border, maybe private imports, maybe the black market. Either way, our own liquor stores lose out on sales and tax revenue.

Second, what happens to all the stock already sitting in warehouses? If it doesn’t go back to suppliers, does it just sit there, gathering dust? Worse, do they destroy it? That’s a waste of good product and good money. And while they say we’ll “replace” these brands with Canadian alternatives, let’s be real, some things just don’t have an easy substitute.

In the end, we’re stuck in the middle of a trade fight, but I can’t shake the feeling that the only real losers in this move… are us.

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

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