Saturday, October 4, 2025
More

    Top 6 This Week

    popular+

    Canada is not an economic basket case

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    By David Suzuki

    In 1987, Canada was caught up in a debate over a free trade agreement with the United States. Economist John Crispo, an outspoken FTA supporter, warned that failing to ratify it would make Canada an “economic basket case.”

    In 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney called an election to get a mandate to sign onto the agreement. The Liberals and NDP opposed it, but the Conservatives won a majority with 40 per cent of the vote. The U.S. and Canada ratified the FTA later that year. A subsequent 1994 free trade agreement included Mexico.

    In early 1988, before the election, I met eminent economist Kenneth Boulding at a meeting in the U.S. With Crispo’s words still bugging me, I asked about Canada becoming an economic basket case if we didn’t sign on and for his opinion of the FTA.

    Boulding answered, “If you want to know how well off you are, imagine that you go to bed and wake up the next morning to find the whole world has disappeared except for Canada and an ocean around it. Would you lack for food? Not when you are one of the bread baskets, not basket cases, of the world. Would you lack for resources — minerals, energy, lumber, fish? Would you lack an educated workforce capable of making everything from clothing to refrigerators and cars?”

    That thought exercise reminds us of our true wealth. Canada is a nation rich in resources and skilled and educated people with a diversity of backgrounds and ideas and should be the envy of the world. But globalization renders us vulnerable to the consequences of war, hostilities and shifts in priorities and makes us poor — even though its initial justification was to reduce the kinds of conflicts the world had just endured in two global wars.

    I later heard Larry King interview Mulroney on CNN. King chided him for the economic slump Canada was experiencing. Mulroney replied that it wasn’t his fault, that he couldn’t control the global economy. So why do we embrace the global economy? The prime minister’s job is to protect people in Canada and our economy, not hand over control to global forces.

    Donald Trump’s election and subsequent actions reveal how vulnerable we are to the vagaries of an unruly leader who couldn’t care less for the wellbeing of people or the state of the planet. His administration during its first term negotiated the most recent North American free trade pact, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. Now he’s tearing that up, recklessly imposing tariffs, then backing off and re-imposing them — sending stock markets spinning and creating economic hardship beyond U.S. borders.

    We need global alliances, now more than ever, but we must also become more self-reliant. We need to reduce barriers to interprovincial trade and create an integrated renewable energy grid. Our governments must prioritize Indigenous rights, title and governance. We need to make sure our communities are resilient in the face of a warming climate, and we must protect our natural wealth, especially water.

    Any trade agreements we join must prioritize human and environmental rights.

    The billionaires and oligarchs who benefit most from global trade don’t care about countries or borders; those get in their way as much as regulations and public institutions. Their consumer-capitalist economic system facilitates and relies on global trade — in part to exploit low-cost labour and lax environmental and human rights standards.

    Current trade also exacerbates the climate crisis. About 40 per cent of global shipping is to transport coal, oil and gas. As Forbes reports, “Shipping emits over 1 billion tons of carbon a year, making it the sixth-largest emitter in the world after China, U.S., India, Russia and Japan” — and that’s increasing rapidly. Curtailing fossil fuel use would substantially reduce emissions from burning the fuels and from shipping, a win-win for the climate. But it would cut into enormous industry profits and, according to current economic thinking, profits are a higher priority than health and survival.

    What’s happening in the U.S. shows how quickly things can fall apart — rules and institutions, checks and balances, international agreements, governing processes that people have long taken for granted. We need to learn from it and come together to protect what we have while continuing to strive for better.

    David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation. Written with David Suzuki Foundation Senior Writer and Editor Ian Hanington.

    Learn more at davidsuzuki.org.

    REFERENCES:

    Economist John Crispo:

    https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/john-crispo-76-political-pundit-fought-for-free-trade/article_4ffce182-cd81-59d8-bfd5-00c720b4a72a.html

    U.S. and Canada ratified the FTA:

    https://www.cbc.ca/history/EPISCONTENTSE1EP17CH3PA2LE.html

    Subsequent 1994 free trade agreement:

    https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/north-american-free-trade-agreement-nafta

    Kenneth Boulding:

    Reduce the kinds of conflicts:
    https://history.state.gov/milestones/1937-1945/bretton-woods

    Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement:

    https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/cusma-aceum/index.aspx?lang=eng

    Renewable energy grid:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/science-learning-centre-article/Shifting-Power-Zero-Emissions-Electricity-Across-Canada-by-2035

    Must prioritize human and environmental rights:

    https://davidsuzuki.org/story/re-imagining-trade-for-people-and-the-planet

    Forbes reports:

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/nishandegnarain/2020/09/25/loud-calls-for-global-shipping-to-ditch-fossil-fuels-and-meet-climate-goals/?sh=49718442aaf0

    Sharing is SO MUCH APPRECIATED!

    Popular Articles

    GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM

    Popular Articles

    Two Arrested Following Execution of Search Warrant in Collingwood

    (COLLINGWOOD, ON) - As a result of an ongoing police investigation, two individuals were arrested and a quantity of items seized after members of the...

    10 Years as a Therapist—This Is What People Regret Most

    You need to know this about relationships. Therapist-approved. I’ve spent the last 10 years listening to people talk about the one thing they regret...

    Monika Schnarre presents 32 OAK Street | Commercial Space Available PLUS 5 RESIDENTIAL UNITS

    Commercial Space Available PLUS 5 RESIDENTIAL UNITS August 2025 Prime location at First and Oak Street. This highly desirable spot offers approximately , 1000 sq....

    SUSPICIOUS PERSONS INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST OF LOCAL MAN

    (SPRINGWATER TOWNSHIP, ON) - Members of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged one individual with multiple serious...

    FULL INTERVIEW: Chuck Schumer joins Chris Hayes

    New York Senator and Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joins Chris Hayes for a wide-ranging interview on Democratic strategy, the state of democracy, the...

    Marc Garneau: Soaring Beyond the Stars – A Canadian Treasure’s Incredible Journey 🚀

    Hey there, fellow Canadians! Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered about the brave souls who journey beyond our planet?...

    BARD ON THE BAY 2024 – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

    MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE SYNOPSIS Beatrice and Benedick have both sworn never to fall in love, especially not with each other! Their battles of...

    Discover Limone sul Garda (2025) 🇮🇹 The Prettiest Hidden Gem in Lake Garda Italy

    Welcome to Limone sul Garda, one of the most beautiful villages in the world, located on the stunning shores of Lake Garda, Italy! Limone sul...

    The Town of The Blue Mountains to Begin 2025 Road Surface Treatment Work

    Image is for illustrative purposes. The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to advise the public that surface treatment road work is scheduled to...

    Twelve Projects Selected For Round 2 of Youth Climate Action Fund | The Town of The Blue Mountains

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to advise the public that twelve youth-led projects have been selected to receive funding through the...

    AI supremacy: The artificial intelligence battle between China, USA and Europe

    The race for supremacy in the age of artificial intelligence has begun. China, the USA and Europe are vying for the top spot. So...

    26 Incredible Use Cases for the New GPT-4o | The AI Advantage

    The AI Advantage In this video I show you all the new use cases GPT-4o unlocks. The improved multimodal (or are we calling it 'omnimodal'...

    OPP Marine Unit Urges Mariners To Wear Your Lifejacket This Weekend

    Message Remains The Same (MIDLAND, On)-  This weekend after another week of high temperatures, the message remains the same from the OPP Marine Unit for boaters...

    Back by popular demand… Bernadette Connors Band & Freedom Train | Shipyards Amphitheatre

    A high-energy night of live music on the bay is coming this Saturday.Saturday, August 9, 2025 6:00 p.m. @bernadetteconnors performs soulful rock-folk with heartfelt lyrics 7:00 p.m. @freedomtrain -...

    Town of Collingwood Announces 2024 Shipyards Amphitheatre Concert Line-Up

    Collingwood, ON – The Town of Collingwood’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Department is excited to announce another jam-packed summer line-up of live music on...

    Refuse Alcohol Screening Demand in Penetanguishene

    (PENETANGUSHENE, ON) A driver is facing charges and other sanctions following a traffic stop in Penetanguishene, early this morning. On February 15, 2025 at about 2:30...

    Trump STUNS Military Generals With OFF THE RAILS Speech | Tennessee Brando

    Pete Hegseth & Trump embarrass America in front of our military. Support Tennessee Brando:   / tnbrando   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME2xLKr6qqo Follow Tennessee Brando on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tnbrando.bsk... Follow Tennessee Brando on...

    VIDEO’S | I Wish a Pickleball Coach Had Told Me This Sooner

    Pickleball technique is evolving faster than ever. The old tips, many of which came from tennis, aren't always what the best players in the...

    #ITSTARTS with all of us!

    Midhurst/February 26, 2025 – Kicking off ITSTARTS month across the County of Simcoe, Warden Basil Clarke, Deputy Warden Jennifer Coughlin, and County Council gathered at...

    Electric Vehicle Show returns to Simcoe County

    Midhurst/June 18, 2025 – The County of Simcoe is once again partnering with regional experts to bring the Electric Vehicle Show back to this region....

    Mudmen at Shipyard Amphitheatre | July 19th

    Enjoy an evening of Celtic Music & stories from Canada's Celtic Rock Warriors Friday, July 19 at 8 PM - Free show BYOLC or sit...

    The Amazing Sunset Sessions Showcases Talented Youth Artists

    Collingwood, ON - Collingwood’s Sunset Sessions, an unforgettable concert experience featuring talented youth performers returns this summer as part of the Collingwood Live &...

    OJHL ANNOUNCES COACHES, SUPPORT STAFF FOR SERIES WITH OUA TEAMS

    20-year-olds from the OJ to get student-athlete experience during visits to TMU, Ontario Tech this weekend December 30, 2024, Mississauga, ON – ….  Staff appointments –...

    Golf Course Closed for Maintenance on Tuesday, August 5

    The Town of The Blue Mountains would like to advise the public that the Municipal Golf Course will be closed for maintenance on Tuesday, August 5,...