In the face of economic uncertainty, Canada and Canadian premiers need to focus on what they control. Since U.S. Donald Trump\u2019s 51st State tweets back in February, Prime Minister Carney and the premiers have done their best to chest thump and keep their \u201celbows up\u201d to show Canadians that we got this. Well, we don\u2019t got this and we have so far done nothing. At best, things are no better, and they might be getting worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Thursday night Donald Trump unleashed a massive broadside to Canada<\/a>, indicating that due to ads made by the Ontario Government which \u201cfraudulently\u201d showed \u201cRonald Regan speaking negatively about tariffs\u201d that \u201call trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated.\u201d That last part was in all caps in the original post in case anyone misunderstand the message.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since the post, there has been debate back and forth as to whether the reaction was justified. On the one hand there<\/a> are those addressing the right to use the Regan address and whether it misrepresents Reagan. The material can be used and it is an accurate representation, Reagan opposed tariffs. One the other hand<\/a> there are those who note that the clip has been edited and passages are presented out of order to make a point. Both are true and in the end it doesn\u2019t really matter, only the result does: trade talks cut off and Canada shooting itself in the foot again.\u00a0<\/p>\n That should bring back into focus what our leaders have accomplished in the \u201celbows up\u201d era: not much. While we have been promised a slew of interprovincial trade boosts, agreements, and big investments, the reality is far sorrier.\u00a0<\/p>\n In British Columbia, Premier David Eby is intent on refusing to allow a pipeline<\/a> from Alberta to cross the province to Pacific tidewater. The pipeline, he claims, would kill billions in investment in other resource projects such as mining, as it would necessitate a repeal of Bill C-48 \u2014 the \u201cno oil tankers\u201d bill \u2014 thereby, he claims, damaging social license with coastal First Nations for resource development of any kind. Is that a veto on Canadian prosperity? It sounds dangerously close to one, even if Eby\u2019s reasoning is false<\/a> and many First Nations are, in fact, pro-pipeline and resources development.\u00a0<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t just David Eby, of course. Prime Minister Carney can\u2019t bring himself to utter the pipeline word. In a meaningless speech<\/a> given Wednesday, Carney was going to outline what Canadians can expect in the Nov. 4 budget. No plan was presented, but rather a recap of promises Carney has made, even if he hasn\u2019t actually delivered much. Canada, said Carney, will now \u201cswing for the fences\u201d (rather than skate to the puck, presumably because the Blue Jays are in the World Series). We will \u201cspend less\u201d so we can \u201cmake big the investments\u201d<\/a> (that is we are just going to spend more). Whatever any of this actually means other than that it will be expensive \u2014 remains completely unclear. Carney is thus far the Prime Minister of Promises, and not much else.\u00a0<\/p>\n What of other provincial stalling? Provincial tax<\/a> and regulatory regimes remain unharmonized, causing friction for businesses and the government liquor monopolies refuse to die. It is still impossible for B.C. businesses to directly buy<\/a> Ontario wine, as the liquor cartels remain an vigorous as ever. And by and large, the message from provinces is that they are in it for themselves, not so much for Canada. Which brings us to Doug Ford, premier of our most populous and economically significant province.\u00a0<\/p>\n Being the biggest fish in a small pond is a great thing. You can beat up on the minnows and throw your weight around with abandon. Such privileges, however, comes with risks; the chief one being overconfidence and a swollen sense of your own importance. In the tiny pond that is Canada, this strategy works for Doug Ford. \u00a0<\/p>\n Unfortunately, when dealing with the great white shark in the White House, Ford is learning that in matters international, he is but a minnow among many and needs to act accordingly. Donald Trump\u2019s most recent ire towards Canada has been precipitated by Doug Ford taunting a man he can\u2019t control.\u00a0<\/p>\n The stark reality is Canada can\u2019t win a punch up with the U.S. and our leaders need to put the elbows down before Trump really decides escalation is warranted. Earlier this year Canada had a brief moment where the prime minister and the premiers came together to act as \u201cTeam Canada.\u201d That solidarity to do the right thing for the country even if it means standing down from what feels good or what protects a personal fiefdom is now gone as entrenched interests take over. If our leaders have any solidarity left for the good of the economy and country, now would be the time to stop playing politics and do the right thing for Canadians. \u00a0<\/p>\n Adam Pankratz is a lecturer at the University of British Columbia\u2019s Sauder School of Business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the face of economic uncertainty, Canada and Canadian premiers need to focus on what they control. 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