Happy New Year.
January is the month of beginnings, of looking ahead. It’s also a time to look back. Usually I start my New Year’s column hoping the new year will be better than the old one. 2025 should have an easy time being better because 2024 wasn’t great, what with worldwide political struggles, horrible wars and climate disasters, but we aren’t getting off to a very good start.
Last year I wrote that the U.S. elections could have a big impact on us should ex-president Donald Trump get elected (I hoped he wouldn’t). I also thought Canada wouldn’t have an election until it was mandatory in October, 2025, as that would give Justin Trudeau time to mend fences and Pierre Poilievre time to tell us what his plans really are. What we have is 2024’s leftover concerns plus new ones. Trudeau’s fences are collapsing. Trump won’t be easy to deal with. Climate change won’t go away.
How will our federal politicians (whoever they may be) respond? For starters, they could Do Something to protect Canada’s interests. The Liberals, Conservatives and other parties could start by putting their differences aside along with their egos, treating each other with respect, and working together to find ways to deal with the issues.
Too often politicians are so busy huffing and puffing they forget their job is to serve Canada and Canadians. The Liberals need to get their act together, and Poilievre needs to quit blaming others for every problem and be specific on how he would save the country. The provinces have a part to play too. It’s a rocky road for sure but let’s hope for the best.
Meantime, I want a copy of Canada’s version of Donald Trump’s MAGA hat. It says “Canada Already Great, Eh?”
