While waiting for the shoe to drop on tariffs, we got thinking about people.
How is everyone doing?
We wondered about all the employees involved in products that export south of the border. The “just in time” concept of building cars means vehicle manufacturing could come to a halt in short order.
Going on unemployment insurance for a fraction of regular pay is little consolation to families already feeling the pain of high prices in today’s world.
While likely an unpopular observation, there will be managers and business owners pulling their hair out at the prospect of laying off workers.
Idle plants produce nothing and without production there is no business. These looming hours are reminiscent of the pandemic days, in that uncertainty makes it difficult to plan, let alone forge a prosperous future. Canadians from all walks of life will be impacted negatively.
It brings to mind the famous Einstein quote about change: “In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.” The trade war started by the Trump administration must be viewed with that lens.
The signs are there already, with efforts made by premiers to eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers. What once was, needs to be rethought, which makes room for an opportunity coming from a crisis. Complacency with trade partners has brought the country to this precipice. Reliance on one big customer is a mistake many companies make.
Canada, now in the midst of an election, will have a month to choose who best to represent our interests on the international stage. There is that point, but just as important is getting Canada moving again.
We have the natural resources, wealth and land mass to do great things for the people – like housing, improvements in the health care system and a better focus on senior care.
The pettiness that comes with partisan politics needs to stop and we need the new government to work in everyone’s best long-term interests. Canadians will make that choice by month end.
In the meantime, as the extent of the trade war becomes more apparent, let’s not forget about neighbours and friends who might be struggling. We recall the early days of the pandemic and similar messaging then, where we talked at length about watching out for others and working together.
With negative news bombarding us at every turn, it is understandable that some may feel anxiety these days. Just remember not all bad news comes to pass and much of it is beyond our control anyway.
Keep it cool Canada – we will get through this together.
