This past week in Huntsville has certainly been an interesting one with every provincial and territorial premier, along with the Prime Minister of Canada, here to discuss Canada’s future at a time when that is filled with uncertainty because of steps being taken by the Trump Administration in the United States, to ruin our economy and bring Canada to its knees.
The question that must now be asked is what was actually accomplished?
Ironically, this summit brought into clear focus the greatest gift that U.S. President Donald Trump has given to this nation. He has woken us up. We are no longer lethargic.
Traditionally, provinces and territories within Canada have experienced tensions that have led to protectionism and, at times, serious disagreements. However, what the Muskoka summit demonstrated is that when push comes to shove, internal issues are either resolved or set aside for another time, and a united Team Canada emerges to deal with a common enemy.
This new sense of collaboration and resolve was palpable, and all provinces and territories recognized the need to set aside partisan politics, at least for the time being, to address serious threats to our economy and sovereignty. For that, we can thank American President Donald Trump.
That is not to say that discussions between the premiers themselves, as well as between the premiers and the prime minister while in Huntsville, were either easy or fully resolved, because they were not. However, a framework for nation-building in Canada was established, along with a determination to find solutions that would offer prosperity to all Canadians and unite them, rather than divide them.
It was refreshing to watch premier after premier, including those from Quebec and Alberta, standing together to protect Canadian interests.
As a result of the Muskoka summit, inter-provincial cooperation, although already heading in that direction, has been strengthened. Rethinking who our trading partners should be, investing in Canadian talent to address badly needed infrastructure projects, and finding ways to reduce our dependence on the United States were all part of discussions that garnered bipartisan support.
The rubber is really going to hit the road, however, when beyond talking and planning, we begin to see progress in practical terms, projects being undertaken to protect and strengthen our national interest, and moving beyond familiar trading roles with the United States.
One of the realities we face in dealing with the Trump Administration in the United States is that no one can be certain about what is going to happen from one moment to the next. One moment, we are told we will have a trade deal by August 1st, and the next moment, we hear that it is not going to happen and that the tariffs are going to keep piling on.
We don’t know if the threats of even more tariffs on Canadian goods are a negotiating tactic on Trump’s part or if they are really going to happen. Even more concerning is whether Trump would actually honour any trade agreement made between our two countries.
Certainly, we should wait to see what comes about related to a trade agreement and the imposition of new tariffs in early August. But if things fall apart again, as many who are involved anticipate, if tariffs continue to be increased by the United States, I am beginning to think we should call their bluff and just walk away.
I understand why many people would disagree with that, but there must come a time when Canada needs to decide how much uncertainty it is willing and indeed capable of enduring and at what cost. If we are not at that point now, we will be in the foreseeable future as a full-scale trade War ramps up between our two countries.
I believe that time is drawing closer, and Canada must be prepared to assert its independence not just in words, but in decisive action. Lopsided negotiations never work. If that is the best we can hope for, we should walk away, seek better and more dependable partnerships, and invest heavily in our strengths, of which there is an abundance.
Will it hurt? Oh yes. If the unpredictability of our relationship with the United States becomes too great, the ultimate act of sovereignty may be to define our own way forward. That will not be easy, but it may be necessary.
What we must remember, in my view, is that Canada does have the ability and the resources to move ahead positively without being held hostage by the United States.
In a recent statement, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, “For too long, Canada’s natural resources have been hindered from development, adversely affecting our country’s economy and opportunities.”
Another political pundit opined, “It’s time to get back to our nation-building roots and get things built in our country again, providing long-term economic opportunities for Canadians while also providing our trade partners with the resources they need.”
Both of them are right. Canada must contribute to nation-building by finding ways to bring what we have to offer to the rest of the world without unnecessary regulations or loopholes. We can do that with adequate and safe infrastructure, and if we do, when the United States comes to us looking for oil, aluminum, steel, or whatever they need, as they surely will in due course, we can politely tell them to stand in line.
To reach a point where Canada is capable of standing on its own, there are, of course, a number of tough decisions that need to be grappled with. Canada needs an oil and gas pipeline that can bring those natural resources to market and sold where they are needed.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been reported to have implied that First Nations peoples must approve any major infrastructure projects proposed to help Canada thrive. I have not been able to verify this, and I hope that is not correct.
While consultations must be thorough with all stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples, what is ultimately planned to preserve Canada’s sovereignty and economic health must be timely and cannot be subject to a veto by any one province, territory, or First Nations community. We are very close to the point where time is of the essence.
As well, although it is a hot potato, Canada’s immigration laws must be updated. People who want to come to this country must do so because they want to be Canadian and have some skills and interests that will help move Canada forward at a time when those attributes are important.
In summary, Canada’s prime minister, the provincial and territorial premiers, and First Nations communities have a lot still to do to present a united front to the maximum extent possible, as Team Canada, in confronting the life-changing challenges Canada now faces, and to turn these challenges into opportunities for every person who calls Canada their home.
IT CAN BE DONE!
We have the resources. We have, or we can develop, the skills to build the required infrastructure to get our products to market, and we have a proven record of having the determination and the backbone in the face of adversity to do what needs to be done to defend our ability to survive as a nation.
The True North Strong and Free.
Indeed.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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We also have a ready pool of professionals who have been fired by the US. I hope there is a body of people within the federal government quietly working to locate these people and offer them a home and job in Canada. People such as former CDC and NIH professionals who may leap at the chance to resume their jobs – in Canada. If the federal government can’t afford to set up organizations, such as these 2, perhaps we could monetize, at least part of their value, and find Canadian investors.
These 2 organizations are just a start. Look at how many have been dismantled because Trump isn’t happy with their statistics or purpose.
This, too, is nation- building!
Trump’s tariffs are mostly bluster, so far.
“The effective tariff rate for Canada is down in the single digits, noticeably lower than the rate for any other major trading partner.
That’s because despite Trump’s bluster, he’s allowing the vast majority of Canada’s exports into the country with zero tariff under the terms of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).”
Thank you, Joanne for your comments.
From each generation, it seems obvious to say that there are historical strands of helpful growth and development in our beloved Canada. Times of hardship and resilience. And, there are other historical events that are less than honourable.
Waves of immigrants to Canada offer a picture of both the best and at times the worst of responses/reactions.
I have appreciated, over my lifetime, when our government has recognized the less than perfect treatment of others. Several Prime Ministers have done this, of each political stripe. It does not wash away the treatment, but acknowledges sectors/groups who may have experienced this.
So, thank you, Joanne.
Good comments Hugh. I have thought from the beginning no matter how difficult it will be Canada should call USA’s bluff.
This nonsense will not end with Trump , it will go on for years. Imagine trying to undo all the problems Trump has created and will create.
Young people and the newcomers barely have any idea what is going on. They should be so concerned.
Canada strong and free….we must stay that way.
Now I am going for a walk in Muskoka’s beauty.
Mr Markle, I am seventy ish and my parents both died more than fifteen years ago when they were my age. My own time is running out.And I never got to know my grandparents.I am sure we share hopes for the next generations, but I do not think we will be leaving behind a peaceful, ever bountiful planet in the next decade. In any case, you may have noticed the next generation does not want a lot of our treasured stuff and baggage.Today’s young people, whether affluent or not, will have many increasingly difficult problems and choices as leaders of their communities and families, as the liveability for everyone on the planet changes.Canada’s Boomers have been fortunate so far, mostly sheltered from war and famine and occasional catastrophic climate events. But Canadians need to change our ways of thinking. We have been awakened by the American President’s policies and also our own confrontations with the truth of our oppressive colonial extractive history. The next generations will find their own way with many advantages and fewer structural societal barriers to problem solving and creativity. Less baggage. That is my hope.
Joanne Tanaka, aside from your comment on our old colonial mentality, what ever that means, abandoning our “old industrial” mentality is quite a statement to make. Canada’s prosperity today rests on the foundation of past generations industrial successes, and Boomers, like me, contributed substantially to that success. Without a strong prosperous industrial base, Canada’s economic and freedom future is bleak, at best.
What do you believe needs to be quickly abandoned from Canada’s highly successful past, and what are the new paths you envision? My guess is it’s rooted in fighting climate change and net-zero ideology, at any cost?
Joanne Tanaka: I think you must be shuckin’ me just a bit. Not so much for the comment in general, but for your supposed value to be inherited from the demise of a generation. We are simply older people who have built and provided for ourselves, helping along the way as we could.
Maybe I’m not included in that generation you won’t miss. There is only !% of us left in this elder group, but you feel we carry such weight! Warren Buffet and I are the generation before the ‘Boomers’ so maybe we get a pass. Don’t think Warren and I are in similar tax brackets. We are known as the Silent Generation, but I hope to be anything but. Warren lets his money talk
But our generations are the ones you feel block “new paths for a future free of our old colonial, industrial mentality.” Take out the ‘colonial ‘ and ‘industrial’ and what mentality are you expounding?
Did you ever read the Harry Harrison book “Make Room! Make Room!. How to deal with the elderly, but for a different reason. I imagine your grandparents must watch you closely and smile a lot. Or else live far away. Playing it safe. The book by the way was made into a movie called ‘Soylent Green’.
But, I still think you’re shuckin’ us just a bit.
Yes, but the realities for investors, businesses and families futures will require more than slogans and encouragement to reorganize and train for different skills and priorities. Continuing economic, technological shifts and climate uncertainty, will add to the shocks from the U.S. political, foreign policy, and linked trade strategies. At the same time, community and individuals will be challenged by government spending cuts with expected reductions in revenue and shifts to increase investment in infrastructure and military and defence. Through these real everyday stresses, we will need flexibility to act creatively and to accept responsibility to build community resilience for a long term sustainable economy. Instead it looks like we are betting on large resource projects that may become stranded assets before they come to fruition. On the bright side, maybe the demise of the boomer generation will open up new paths for a future free from our old colonial industrial mentality. Then Canada will be the True North Strong and Free.
Can’t fault the intent or the aspiration I read into this piece. I guess most of us are desirous of a strong front and united stand in the face of such a serious threat to our freedom and sovereignty. Trump is a putin closer to home. There is no deal with Trump and no safety in one.
But I think it will take a total rework of the Canadian, political psyche. We always stood in the shadow of the ‘big brother’. We gave a lot away to do it. Our politicians have had some eruptions against the American at our door, but generally sold out.
There have been lots of individuals and corporations with good ideas and good products. Something to offer the populace. Our governments have always been reticent to promote from within or fund against American. pressure. Remember Pablum. The Arrow. Insulin. All are Canadian ideas that went south. “Take the money and run”. In fact our present Prime Minister did that sort of thing. Maybe not him only, and maybe a bit before the fact, but done just the same.
It wasn’t that long ago, in 2010, that the Chinese were making overtures toward Canadian potash. The pressure is somewhat lessened at present since we agreed sell potash to China. But there’s no saying they wont be back. With the money in hand. Will we have grown a set?
We have vast resources. But we sell them or let others develop them and reward us a pittance. Some will say we don’t have the money to develop these riches. Well we sure as hell wont if we keep giving them away! Oil, coal, timber, steel, even water. Big names and big producer, but generally as a subsidiary of a company from somewhere else.
And it has brought us to the present. We now hope to turn that all around. To begin to operate as a sovereign nation with our own wellbeing first and foremost. Hell yeah! But it’s going to hurt and cost.
So that’s the project Canada. Everybody in?
Well said, Hugh – accentuate the positive….
Andrea Lough Alexander
Well said Hugh.
WELL SAID HUGH !!!
Again, Hugh your editorial captures the urgency — and opportunity — of this moment. The Muskoka summit showed Canadians what real cooperation looks like when provinces, territories, and Ottawa stand together to protect our national interest.
I was especially struck by the words of Manitoba’s Premier, Wab Kinew, whose strong stance on sovereignty and support for Prime Minister Carney’s nation-building efforts reflected exactly the kind of leadership we need — grounded, hopeful, and united.
That’s why I would urge a careful rethink of one point raised in the editorial: the role of First Nations. If we’re truly building a stronger Canada, it must be with Indigenous Peoples. Consent isn’t a veto — it’s the foundation for trust, economic success, and long-term strength.
Carney and his fellow premiers understand that sovereignty isn’t just about walking away from the U.S. — it’s about walking forward together at home.
Let’s keep building — with clarity, courage, and respect for all nations within Canada.
Sincerely,
Lisa
I agree, Hugh.
It’s time for Canada to seriously consider walking away from trade negotiations with the United States. For too long, we’ve hitched our economic future to a partner that has become increasingly erratic, protectionist, and politically volatile. Why should we keep chasing fair terms from a neighbour that treats trade like an anvil held over one’s head?
Instead of clinging to an unstable relationship, Canada should embrace the opportunity to go it alone — not in isolation, but with intention. Diversifying our trade beyond the U.S. isn’t a risk; it’s a necessity. Our high-quality goods and services are in demand worldwide, and we’ve already taken important steps with agreements like the CPTPP and our trade pact with the EU. It’s time to double down.
By building stronger ties with growing markets in Asia, Africa, and South America, Canada can reduce its dangerous overreliance on one customer. We can lead with our values — environmental responsibility, ethical production, and fairness — and find global partners who respect us for it.
Walking away from U.S. negotiations doesn’t mean closing doors. It means we stop begging for stability from a neighbour in chaos and start defining our own economic future. Didn’t our Prime Minister say something to the effect that Canada is ready to lead — not follow. I say we go for it.
Agree 100% Hugh. It’s not going to be easy. We have to get the people on board that have the attitude if this doesn’t affect them directly, they don’t care. I think too many younger Canadians don’t understand how serious this is. I’m a senior big time and care about my country. My elbows are getting bruised from being up all the time.
I couldn’t agree more with this commentary.
The vast majority of Canadians want developing and getting our abundant natural resources to demanding world markets. This means not only expanded extraction, but new infrastructure to move them to coastal ports for export. Environmental special interest groups will object loudly, claiming our resources must be left in the ground to save the planet. That’s nonsense of course, as other countries will just fill that demand. Canada loses, and nothing changes globally and we remain captive to the US market. Diversifying and expanding our manufacturing export markets is critical too, which also means expanded transport infrastructure.
All Canadians and businesses can win, if this is done quickly and smartly.