Today I Saved Canada. You're Welcome.

What did you do today, Debra She Who Seeks?

I voted in Alberta's Referendum of Ten Bullshit Questions posed by our Maple MAGA provincial government.

Am I correct in detecting annoyance on your part?

Yes, you most certainly are correct. This entire Referendum is a stupid exercise in wasting taxpayer dollars to appease the far-right wing of the United Conservative Party of Alberta so its reigning political dynasty won't blow apart at the seams and split the conservative vote.

I assume you voted for Alberta to remain part of Canada?

Of course I did! The far-right fringe wants an "independent Alberta" so they can get rid of pesky Canadian things like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, any advances made by minorities, treaties with indigenous people, immigration by anyone who isn't white and, oh yes, the rule of law. They want to "Make Alberta Great Again" and we all know what that means, don't we?

Are you worried about the outcome of the Referendum on remaining in Canada?

No, I'm not worried in the slightest. I'm confident that Albertans will vote overwhelmingly against separation because, although they are (it is true) a largely conservative bunch, they're not total idiots. Any child can see why it's better to remain a part of the Canadian Confederation, particularly now with a threatening and unstable American government to the south of us.

But what's up with those OTHER nine Referendum questions?

"The Nine" are all predicated on Alberta remaining a province of Canada and are the real purpose of holding the Referendum. The provincial government wants a "yes" vote on all of those questions in order to endorse its planned Maple MAGA government policies in areas like immigration, constitutional powers, and legal issues around voting, appointment of judges, social programs, healthcare, etc. However, many of these issues are under clear federal jurisdiction, not provincial, so cannot realistically be achieved.

So why seek voters' endorsement of unachievable policies?

Because our provincial government wants (and needs) a Big Stick To Beat Ottawa With. That's how a succession of Conservative governments under various party names have historically stayed in power in Alberta for generations and decades. So long as they can keep portraying the Federal Government as Alberta's implacable enemy who is Keeping Our Province Down, their dynastic rule remains intact. For some unfathomable reason, Albertans continually lap up the politics of resentment and grievance like it's mother's milk. They are unique in Canada in this regard. Other provinces routinely and regularly change which political parties are given power. Not Alberta.

 I assume you voted "No to the Nine" across the board?

You bet I did! But I do think the provincial government will get the endorsement they want on some of the policies because Albertans are, well, Albertans. Those of us who voted "No to the Nine" are just trying to keep that Stick To Beat Ottawa With as slender as possible, hoping for dynastic change.

Full-Scale Trade War ON AGAIN

Apparently, a workable Canada/USA trade deal

was imminent, but then the USA made late-breaking demands

which would compromise Canadian sovereignty.

According to British Columbia Premier David Eby,

the proposed terms of the American deal reveal the "true nature"

of what the White House really wants from Canada.

"The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries

or reduce our trade with other countries ... would reduce us

to the economic equivalent of the 51st state," Eby said.

Prime Minister Carney also revealed that the USA complained

and made demands about Canada's support of Quebec culture,

the prevalence of French-language media online and even the

requirement to have bilingual labels on products sold in Canada.

It goes without saying that such matters are within the

sole control of Canada as a sovereign nation.

Trump's response confirms this entirely

inappropriate American approach by saying

Canada wants "the benefits of being a State, without being one."

As Carney has previously said, "America is trying to break us

so that they can own us." Punitive 50% tariffs

are designed to wreck the Canadian economy,

de-industrialize our country, and force Canada

into political subservience.

Seasonal Canadian Angst

Delicate Trade Negotiations

Canada Says "Salut, Howzit Goin', Eh?"

Strategic Voting For The Win!

Because of American threats against Canadian economic and political sovereignty, the Liberal Party won in yesterday's federal election. As of this moment it is still unclear whether it will be a majority or a minority government, as some close ridings are still in play. The Liberals were able to win because the Bloc Québécois vote in Quebec and the progressive NDP vote across Canada went over in droves to the Liberals due to strategic voting.

I'm relieved that Prime Minister Mark Carney will be the one to deal with the difficult times ahead. He has an impeccable resume of calm and competent crisis management, having been Governor of the Bank of Canada during a previous recession and Governor of the Bank of England during Brexit. He has first class international contacts, connections and respect. He is not hindered by extremist ideology.

In any other set of circumstances but the current one of American aggression, Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party would have won. They may well eventually win an election which, in my opinion, would not be good news for Canada. The party is too dominated by "Maple MAGAs" enamoured of extremist right-wing views and policies. I predict an imminent internal power struggle within its ranks now that Poilievre has lost. The ugly cracks were already showing during the campaign. Before the next election, I'm also counting on everyday Canadian voters learning a valuable lesson from watching the ongoing MAGA destruction of the political, economic, and social fabric of the United States, with its inevitable catastrophic consequences.

In the meantime, Canadians and its new government need to get on with the crisis at hand.

The Mood in Canada Right Now