Or does he? Also, Mr. Eby goes to Washington ... along with all the others. And why we'd better figure out what our identity is going to be before we fight for it.
What scares me about the Trump bump is that it has diverted the conversation away from what it should be - reforming Canada. Now folks are rushing to preserve the same brokeness, rather than talk about repair or overhauling things. That is terrible for younger folks - our future is even more messed up.
I don’t feel any momentum with trying to restructure our country in light of the threats. Cost of living is through the roof and tariffs and carbon tax increases are looming and it seems like our elected federal leaders are treating the biggest crisis of my lifetime as a political opportunity.
Exactly. I don’t want LPC to come to power just because of all the things you’ve highlighted. The same scummy corrupt Laurentian blob is coming back, it’s depressing.
No it isn’t. It is going to be a massive defeat. I can come up with devastating attack ads against the Liberals and I’m not even in the field.
For starters, start off with carney saying I’m an outsider, then show Telford and Butts as his advisors, show him with a bunch of rich people etc. It won’t take much to pop that balloon. Then go back and show the Liberal record and say you really think these guys can fix things?
That’s going to be what the election is about. Status quo or change. The Boomers love Carney because he’s the same and they like the same. Let’s see what happens when that becomes clear to everyone.
I don't know about Boomers loving Carney, I am a Boomer and in my group there is no love for Carney, actually there is fear that Carney be worse than Justin
I mean this kindly, I am kind of lumping the boomers together, but age definitely matters. All of my older colleagues and my parents swear that Carney is exactly what we need. When I ask, why, they say because his credentials, not because of any of his ideas. It doesn’t matter to them that I point out that his policy started the real estate crisis or that his policies led to Brexit. He looks the part as far as he is concerned.
Yeh. Carney and that generationn of central bankers laid the groundwork for the past several years of excess. They acted appropriately during the GFC and during the Euro crisis of 2011. Unfortunately because zirp and qe 2 worked they thought it should continue and they continued both. . Goods Inflation was low but only due to China but everyone missed asset inflation caused by cheap money. . Print some money for covid and here we are. Carney is yesterdays thinker.
Yes it is a monolithic statement because it’s a comment board and I’m not writing a 3000 word essay. I understand that every generation is not monolithic. Can we just work with that please?
Polls consistently showed that the vast majority of liberal support is coming from people over 60. That is not in question. That is a fact. This does not mean that 100% of all people over the age of 60 is voting liberal. I’m just trying to make some understanding of what the pattern is.
I’m hoping there are some boomers who look at their legacy and understand what they are passing on to the next generation and change track. I have no hope for the last of the greatest generation - they just want peace. (They earned it)
Something the Line should look into is how is Japan and India got things right with Trump. Japan was looking at tariffs and other measures but the Japanese PM and Trump struck a deal. WRT to India, Trump offered F-35 (Wild!!) and they working on rationalizing tariffs. All three countries struck deals that was good compromise of stances. CNN called it textbook diplomacy on how to handle Trump.
Some part of me says for Trump, this is personal. He hates Justin Trudeau and what he represents and his lack of action (let’s be honest that we dropped a lot of NatSec balls). But I think there might be space for the next PM to get Trump to drop his 51st state claim. I think it’s worth looking into what Japan and India got right.
I believe Trump’s main motivation to running was an insult by Obama at one of those corespondents events. Trudeau has taken pot shots for political gain and it was strategically a mistake. I think this is a big motivator for Trump’s threats.
It is bad diplomacy even if Trump isn’t President. Commenting on domestic politics like the way Justin Trudeau did as head of govt is horrible diplomacy. It is often interpreted as the Govt policy/view rather than the personal view of the head of govt.
It also shows that Global Affairs (even media) has been hollowed out. There was no pushback on PM going to that event. Heck, it’s nonexistent now. Premiers went to see Trump and the Cdn Ambassador was not around to help.
Trudeau’s goal with the frequent pot shots wasn’t doing the job he was ejected for but getting a bump in the polls and presenting as being morally righteous.
Sad though, global affairs should have pushed back. Our intellectual and political class should have criticized it. Instead those who were critical got shut out.
I tried to point it out and folks called me a traitor and Liberal partisans told me “Go back to where you came from”.
You have my sympathy. Are not The Idiot King and the Trudeauist cult "Liberals", and the NDPers real daahhlin's ? To remember that since 2015 they have been deliberately tearing down this country, its decent national character and identity, destroying its economy, and since the tariffs they all of a sudden wrapped themselves into the Canadian flag and became "Capt'n Canada". We will see how many voter get suckered in.
Good Evening Jen and Mat. Good thoughtful presentation - getting better by the week actually.
Just some random thoughts - cost of living is going to be an issue as the carbon tax/pollution tax/unicorn fart collector is going up April 1st as is the new green fuel tax. In addition, there seems to be very few Canadians citizens or politicians that seem to realize that tariffs that we impose cost Canadians money! I don't believe that Americans have quite gotten the concept either as THEY will be paying the tariff, NOT THE EXPORTER. If the genius leadership class clamouring for dollar for dollar tariffs get that boat going we are in even worse shape than we are now - besides all the tariff relief that JT has promissed. Conclusion - cost of living WILL be an issue in the coming election.
As to Carney the mainstream media is really givng him a light ride. I've listened to him a bit and am amazed at some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth. Examples; 'steel and aluminum are not important on a day to day basis", I would use the Emergency Act to deal with tariffs, and the classic don't tell Trump I think he is a fool. This is our future PM?????? I have seen little to no coverage of the Chinese interfeerence in Freeland's campaign which seems passing strange to me. China isn't interfeering with Carney are they and why is that - oh, right he's their man! Heck there are main stream articles saying we shoudl ook to China to help us through the impending tariffs for crikey sake!
Thank you for saying that the CPC pivot to Canada first is an easy one. I hve heard several 'experts' say that the party will have a hard time shifting after spending the last year saying ax the tax. The same pundits figure it is a totally believable pivot for Carney adn Freeland to turn 180 from all the policies they ahve supported either directly or indirectly for the last 10 years. This is the level of way too much media reporting that is going on in this country right now and the sad thing is - it just might work.
One thing to remember is that good times breed weak leaders who creat hard times which breed tough leaders. Guess where we are.
Good point on the media giving Freeland a pass for turning a 180 on past Liberal policies...which she endorsed and also tried to sell to Canadians.
As for Carney's honeymoon, I have yet to hear his stance on fentanyl crisis; crime crises; homelessness; how he's is going to encourage investment in Canada, and not the mythical green transition; what would he do about armed forces; health care, foreign interference in elections; what would he do to encourage resource development....and on and on the questions go .....
The JT and Carney tariff relief will be paid by these two Idiot Kings and the "Liberals" creating more debt to add to the existing one. Then when these shysters loose the election they will be lambasting the Conservatives for paying it down.
I agree, Carney is being handled with kid gloves by the pundits, but Poilievre is being scrutinized for saying Canada First. OMG what is Poilievre thinking?
And why have none of the vaunted CBC & CTV pundits questioned exactly how will Carney use the Emergency Act re the tariffs? What does that really mean? I’m curious. But the media aren’t. Now, why is that?
Listening to this episode, I couldn’t help but think of the Dunning Kruger effect in action. The hosts rightfully critique conspiracy theorists who weave grand narratives out of incomplete data… but then turn around and do the same thing, claiming to have a foolproof strategy for the U.S. to annex Canada while refusing to share any details. We’re just supposed to trust that they’re the smartest guys in the room.
Then there’s the cultural analysis segment, where an entire country is summed up based on one visit to a Walmart. For a podcast that prides itself on sharp thinking, there’s an awful lot of overconfidence and broadstroke assumptions. Entertaining? Sure. Self-aware? Not so much.
Neither Matt nor I said we have a "foolproof strategy" for taking over Canada -- or anything like it. What we said is that we see obvious weak points in Confederation that the Americans could take advantage of if they knew they existed.
We don't think it's incredibly responsible to make a show of highlighting these weak points at the present moment. And we certainly don't feel the need to do so in order to prove that we're smart. The point of that segment was, in fact, to point out that being smart can be its own kind of trap, especially if the gift limits the imagination of what's possible.
You're free to disagree with that assessment as it serves you. JG
I get the feeling that at times Jen and Matt are trying to fill their air time and so they blather on...... I am looking forward to their interview show...as a former listener to the retired Roy Greene, I hope Jen and Matt grab Roy's guest list and brink some of those folks in.
Our whole concept of national identity is flawed. A nation is not an idea, it's not a paragraph, it is a People. This is obvious when you look at... everywhere, because no Dane ever asked "what does it meannnn to be Danish", because they are Danes!! They just *are*.
When my parents arrived via the boat, Canada clearly understood itself as a union of two "Old Stock" lines of British loyalists and the Quebecois. My mother had to become "Mary" instead of Maria. Obviously we don't want to do that anymore and we are a very pluralistic society now, but intentionally demolishing this existing identity and salting the earth where it stood was a collosal mistake. As it is now though, Canada is as Canada does - we are distinct from all other nations just by our very nature, we need to stop trying to engineer an identity and just be ourselves
The Trudeau Dynasty tried to engineer this kind of ideological nationalism and, well, just look around you - we literally don't even know what we are outside of Not American. We've welcomed people from many cultures and that's fine, you can be a nation without being an ethnostate, but we do need to stop with this idiotic form of cosmopolitan multicultural self-abnegation. It'll happen and it is happening organically. That said I don't think it will be coherent or even possible if we bring in infinity plus one new people every year from radically different parts of the world. We know that now, right?
Some cultures are just plain incompatible because they are created on incompatible ideas and incompatible perceptions of morality.
We might know it privately and quietly, but to say it in the open it has become officially a mortal sin.
Hey Liebrano wokey leftist feminists, how come you are not out in force defending the Afghan women and girls these days ha? Is just not convenient for ya you say ?
Incompatible-Like the French and English. Like the Sunni running the Shiites’ lives. When each group/tribe has its own territory things are peaceful. The worst case scenario is when a minority tribe rules over a majority. Think South Africa under Apartheid, Iraq under Saddam’s rule. English Canada under French Quebecker
and Laurentian elite rule is heading in the same direction. Woke schooling, politically incorrect speech extrajudicial/administrative tribunals, closed nominations of candidates for political offices, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised if Quebec will have separate washrooms for French and not French in my lifetime and then Ontario will follow suit in designated areas
Guys - your non-identity rant drives me mad. Despite the hiccups in our past, we have built a country on the basis of French and English working together, of Alexander Mackenzie being the first to cross the continent WITH the help of the local indigenous groups who saved him from a deadly trip down the Fraser river. A country that can build a railway across the country to bring Canadians together despite the construction across the Canadian Shield and near bankruptcy of the country. A country that honestly values a second language as something that makes you a richer person. A country that explicitly aims to help those less well off because we know they bring value and richness to our community.
We need to harness that notion that we are stronger together, that history of working together, to build national infrastructure, a 21st century trans Canadian version of the CPR or confederation bridge. We need to seriously look at the false divisions in regulations and real physical divisions of geography and systematically take them down.
We also need to realize that not everyone in the world holds those views of equality and co-operation. That our neighbours have taken on a transactional view of trade, defence, and everything else. In that context we need to radically redefine how we defend ourselves and how we prosper. Not necessarily with the worlds biggest army. But a defence service with a clear eyed view of the actual threats to Canada like the Indian death squads and missiles aimed at our southern neighbour that frankly we do not want blown up over Toronto. A trade policy that accepts the US will always be the closest trading partner, but expects nothing from them, because frankly it might change on Thursday - or Monday - who knows.
By co-operating with each other, and the rest of the world, like we have in our best times, We can continue to build the best country in the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
A history is only an identity if it’s embraced. We haven’t embraced ours. This is your point of confusion. We could! But we haven’t. So the railroad and the bilingual origin currently amounts to diddly.
Matt, I hear you and while I don’t like it, I can agree to a point. My struggle is that the identity is clear to me, but seldom voiced by any of our leaders. At the same time the fourth estate forgets that that have a role, not just in critiquing the need for better leadership, but also reflecting those parts of our history, our choices, that create an identity. At some point reflecting only the lack becomes a self fulfilling cycle. We need to walk and chew gum. We need to acknowledge a paucity of leadership and still recognize and celebrate the long history of good and unique choices Canada and Canadians have made which have created the state and home we love (without being oblivious to its faults) Because the example of our previous choices can show the way for the choices we will need to make.
Teaching our history isn’t really our job, actually. The Line does more of it than might be expected because of our personal interest in it. But the media is correctly biased toward the present. We aren’t the solution you’re looking for.
Netflix and YouTube were up for the job of sharing our history, but then the Liberals and their Montreal media handlers went after them for kickbacks and they stepped away.
The Harper Conservatives seemed to make a lot more effort to embrace and celebrate Canada’s past, and I recall that it was generally well received. Was part of the Trudeau Liberals’ turn against that perhaps driven by partisan reflex?
Bilingualism is no more part of identify than government funded healthcare. True bilingualism exists in few places outside Montreal and parts of NB. The rest is a contrived government policy, and a failed one at that.
Ask Alberta & Saskatchewan about the cohesive, inclusive country, who were up until January 20 2025, ignored & held in eye-rolling disdain by that holy center of the universe called the Ottawa,Toronto & Montreal triangle. And, for now, yes, it’s team Canada - we’ll see where this goes.
On the question of Canada’s resolve, it can only go down one of two paths. We either respond by growing up (i.e. Asshole Canada) or the virulent, smug anti-Americanism carries the day. I am rooting for path 1 but betting on path 2. This “rally-around-the-flag, buy Canadian, boo the US national anthem, boo EVERYTHING American” mindset that we are witnessing in real time is infuriating (especially when spewed forth by the former "Canada is a genocidal nation" crowd) but totally expected - it’s easy and makes us feel superior while accomplishing absolutely nothing of any value. And anyone who tells me I should not vacation in Arizona next month out of some grossly distorted and embarrassing sense of Canadian patriotism can just. FUCK. RIGHT. OFF.
So yeah, lots of efforts going into path 2. And what evidence do we have that path 1 is being embarked upon? Well, Matt’s list (can something be called a list when there is only one item on it?) has not grown since last week. Instead, we endured the spectacle of all our Premiers groveling in front of one American in the White House followed by a polite scolding from that same American on Twitter. Horrible optics arising from something that was only ever going to end in total futility. This is so exasperating, particularly when one alternative was for the Premiers to have met amongst themselves in Canada and get to work on Matt’s ice-bucket challenge. I guess they were just living up to Ms. Joly’s infamous bragging about our ability to convene. Is anybody betting on path 1 carrying the day?
This election should be a referendum on the two paths. The Conservatives need to enthusiastically seize path 1 and if (a) they don’t, or (b) they do but lose the election to the Liberals on path 2, or (c) they do and win the election but don’t follow through then we get what we deserve. Which way, Canada Man?
The Conservatives are going down path 1. Count on it. They already were prior to things blowing up.
That’s part of the reason why PP is so unpopular among the Boomers and why Carney is popular with them. The Boomers don’t want things to change. Not because they are malicious but because they are comfortable. They don’t think there is a problem even though there clearly is for everyone else. Change is scary, particularly if things are good for you. What they don’t realize if things don’t change, it won’t be comfortable for them for much longer.
Modern Canada was literally created by the boomers for the boomers if you look at Canadian history. They elected both Pierre and Justin Trudeau. They had the demographic heft to get their way for 60+ years, but now the millenials are bigger.
For the first time in their lives Canada isn't going to cater to boomers at the expense of everyone else and they hate that.
I was hoping Jen and Matt would give us 10 - 30 seconds on the hockey game anthem booing. I appreciate you bringing it up, as it really is a question of SCREW AMERICA IN GENERAL or a real-time (in my opinion, rational) response to the actions the Trump administration is taking.
An open letter written by a Florida judge about the CANADA/USA relationships & history.
By Robert Meadows (Circuit Court Judge, Florida).
Here is one American’s take on the growing trade war with the US and Canada.
"Have you ever stopped to consider how lucky we Americans are to have the neighbors we have? Look around the globe at who some folks have been stuck sharing a border with over the past half century:
North Korea / South Korea
Greece / Turkey
Iran / Iraq
Israel / Palestine
India / Pakistan
China / Russia
"We’ve got Canada! Canada. About as inoffensive a neighbor as you could ever hope for. In spite of all our boasts of “American exceptionalism” and chants of “America first,” they just smile, do their thing and go about their business. They are on average more educated, have a higher standard of living, free health care, and almost no gun problems. They treat immigrants respectfully and already took in over 35,000 Syrians in the last two years.
"They’re with us in NATO, they fought alongside us in World War I, World War II, Korea, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, Afghanistan, the Kosovo War and came to our defense after 9/11. There was that one time when Canada took a pass on one of our wars: Vietnam. Turned out to be a good call.
"They’ve been steady consumers of American imports, reliable exporters of metals and petroleum products (they are the biggest importer of U.S. products from 37 states), and partnered with NASA in our space missions.
"During 9/11 many aircraft were diverted to Newfoundland, an island province off Canada's east coast where Americans were housed in people's homes for two weeks and treated like royalty. In return for their hospitality, this administration slapped a 20% tariff on the products of Newfoundland's only paper mill, thereby threatening it's survival.
"And what do Canadians expect of us in return? To be respected for who and what they are: Canadians. That’s what I call a good neighbor.
"But the King of Chaos couldn’t leave well enough alone. Based on his delusions of perpetual victimhood, out of the clear blue, he’s declared economic war on Canada. On CANADA! And he did it based on Canada being a national security risk to the US! For no good reason, other than the voices in his head that told him it was a war he could win. So why not do it, then?
"Again, we’re talking about Canada. Our closest ally, friend and neighbor.
"On behalf of an embarrassed nation, people of Canada, I apologize for this idiotic and wholly unnecessary attack. Please leave the back channels open. We the People of progressive persuasion stand with you."
The bump for the Liberals is mostly a 50+ and Central Canada phenomenon according to the data. Why is everyone so shy to admit that? It's their version of Canada and their preconceived notions they are defending. Meanwhile the under 35 crowd are wondering why they are so patriotic. (Canada was better for their generation and the hard right boomers all left already)
Nevertheless, I don't think Trump and his people are competent or smart enough to take advantage of the huge cleavages in our society, by region and generations. If they were they would split us like a twig.
Having experienced the Balkan Wars in the early 90s and the ongoing "crazy culture" of the Balkans, I don't think Canadians have a clue how far and how fast things can go sideways. The culture here values "peace, order and good government" above all else and that is being put to the test right now. The problem is, Canada isn't set up to deal with any change to the order so people are still in denial.
As for the Americans if they invaded, you can count Southern Alberta up to at least Calgary gone without a shot. Ontario through Windsor up to past Chatham, not coincidentally up to where the Americans made it in the War of 1812 (when Chief Tecumseh was felled) as gone without a shot. Windsor is utterly dependant on the US for everything including employment and food. After that, I can see resistance. That my many years of working and travelling in those regions.
Yes, definitely most are in denial. The big thing on msm TV was that there’s an uptick in Canadian flag sales!!
The fact is that there’s no contingency plan. Ottawa truly doesn’t know what to do. Period. They’re lost. So the job is to keep the focus on Carney, the savior. That’s all they can talk about. Meanwhile, what has emerged from those hallowed halls in Ottawa. Exactly nothing.
“Just to remind all my followers of the main conclusion of the Dunning-Kruger effect: Very intelligent people assume that they are rather less intelligent than they actually are. Very stupid people believe that they are much more intelligent than they are, because they have absolutely no idea what it would feel like to be intelligent.” ~ John Cleese
Canadian Liberal Government (Prorogue) is waiting,maddeningly normal,and react. No plans,no ideas,(taffiffs),no savings(Huge Deficit) no announcements. Crickets! Oh wai! Supports for citizens and businesses! What money? More debt? Throwing our tax dollars at problems is the best idea they can come up with. Sigh. And all this verbal diarrhea on social media. Most will tilt their heads and change their minds. How many actually get out and vote? At all elections. My dad used to say when at social gathering you might want to avoid discussing your Religion,Politics. Its like spitting in the wind.
You know what I find nauseating? Seeing Olivia Chow wrap herself in the flag and saying we will never be the 51st state. It’s in the Star today. Talk about hypocrites. I wish all of these people would disappear off into the sunset.
In the first 50 days, the King and his Fool (you pick) have weakened Western economies and alliances, which has me wondering...
Has XI/Pewtin ever had a spy or agency produce this much success, ever?
Has there ever been a spy or agency anywhere, ever to have this much success?
Why try, LOL?!?
It's MY fucked up country. The Premiers and our PM should stop appeasement; it's not strategic, and will not succeed. They should be focused on improving things at home, including dismantling every interprovincial trade barrier.
Today the U.S. government are false friends, and should be treated as such.
We should play the transaction game cold, and look for new customers.
We should bar the US Ambassador until the 51st state fever dream goes quiet.
I agree. There is no point negotiating or conceding anything because the USA won’t follow the contract anyways. We still need to grow up but it’s a losing cause to try and maintain what the current arrangement is.
Jen, those of us who support Trump do not support him for Trump’s sake. We are completely cognizant that he is an American. We support someone who will put Canadians first, who will stop our steady decline, both economically and from a freedom perspective. Who will trust us, who will cut government waste, who will address our deficit. Who will take the hard actions required to make us into asshole nation. You are questioning those who you consider « trump supporters », but you don’t seem to understand that it is only an asshole who will be able to do this and Trump is an Asshole.
And yes, what we see right now is anti Trump. That is it. Very little Canadian patriotism existed before Trump, it cannot exist now, it would be impossible.
What scares me about the Trump bump is that it has diverted the conversation away from what it should be - reforming Canada. Now folks are rushing to preserve the same brokeness, rather than talk about repair or overhauling things. That is terrible for younger folks - our future is even more messed up.
I don’t feel any momentum with trying to restructure our country in light of the threats. Cost of living is through the roof and tariffs and carbon tax increases are looming and it seems like our elected federal leaders are treating the biggest crisis of my lifetime as a political opportunity.
Exactly. I don’t want LPC to come to power just because of all the things you’ve highlighted. The same scummy corrupt Laurentian blob is coming back, it’s depressing.
No it isn’t. It is going to be a massive defeat. I can come up with devastating attack ads against the Liberals and I’m not even in the field.
For starters, start off with carney saying I’m an outsider, then show Telford and Butts as his advisors, show him with a bunch of rich people etc. It won’t take much to pop that balloon. Then go back and show the Liberal record and say you really think these guys can fix things?
That’s going to be what the election is about. Status quo or change. The Boomers love Carney because he’s the same and they like the same. Let’s see what happens when that becomes clear to everyone.
I don't know about Boomers loving Carney, I am a Boomer and in my group there is no love for Carney, actually there is fear that Carney be worse than Justin
I mean this kindly, I am kind of lumping the boomers together, but age definitely matters. All of my older colleagues and my parents swear that Carney is exactly what we need. When I ask, why, they say because his credentials, not because of any of his ideas. It doesn’t matter to them that I point out that his policy started the real estate crisis or that his policies led to Brexit. He looks the part as far as he is concerned.
Yeh. Carney and that generationn of central bankers laid the groundwork for the past several years of excess. They acted appropriately during the GFC and during the Euro crisis of 2011. Unfortunately because zirp and qe 2 worked they thought it should continue and they continued both. . Goods Inflation was low but only due to China but everyone missed asset inflation caused by cheap money. . Print some money for covid and here we are. Carney is yesterdays thinker.
And im a boomer. Seen lots of bad policy in my day.
Boomers were born on 3rd base in Canada and think they hit a home run. Then they wonder why the youth in Canada don't like the status quo.
Don't presume you know how everyone of that era thinks just to advance a questionable opinion.
Yes it is a monolithic statement because it’s a comment board and I’m not writing a 3000 word essay. I understand that every generation is not monolithic. Can we just work with that please?
Polls consistently showed that the vast majority of liberal support is coming from people over 60. That is not in question. That is a fact. This does not mean that 100% of all people over the age of 60 is voting liberal. I’m just trying to make some understanding of what the pattern is.
I’m hoping there are some boomers who look at their legacy and understand what they are passing on to the next generation and change track. I have no hope for the last of the greatest generation - they just want peace. (They earned it)
Since over 99% of we the members of the greatest generation have already died, you are pretty safe in your comment.
Yeah seems to be driving a regression back towards even greater scope for the federal government and more protection of the Laurentian Oligarchs
Something the Line should look into is how is Japan and India got things right with Trump. Japan was looking at tariffs and other measures but the Japanese PM and Trump struck a deal. WRT to India, Trump offered F-35 (Wild!!) and they working on rationalizing tariffs. All three countries struck deals that was good compromise of stances. CNN called it textbook diplomacy on how to handle Trump.
Some part of me says for Trump, this is personal. He hates Justin Trudeau and what he represents and his lack of action (let’s be honest that we dropped a lot of NatSec balls). But I think there might be space for the next PM to get Trump to drop his 51st state claim. I think it’s worth looking into what Japan and India got right.
I believe Trump’s main motivation to running was an insult by Obama at one of those corespondents events. Trudeau has taken pot shots for political gain and it was strategically a mistake. I think this is a big motivator for Trump’s threats.
It is bad diplomacy even if Trump isn’t President. Commenting on domestic politics like the way Justin Trudeau did as head of govt is horrible diplomacy. It is often interpreted as the Govt policy/view rather than the personal view of the head of govt.
It also shows that Global Affairs (even media) has been hollowed out. There was no pushback on PM going to that event. Heck, it’s nonexistent now. Premiers went to see Trump and the Cdn Ambassador was not around to help.
Trudeau’s goal with the frequent pot shots wasn’t doing the job he was ejected for but getting a bump in the polls and presenting as being morally righteous.
Yup.
Sad though, global affairs should have pushed back. Our intellectual and political class should have criticized it. Instead those who were critical got shut out.
I tried to point it out and folks called me a traitor and Liberal partisans told me “Go back to where you came from”.
You have my sympathy. Are not The Idiot King and the Trudeauist cult "Liberals", and the NDPers real daahhlin's ? To remember that since 2015 they have been deliberately tearing down this country, its decent national character and identity, destroying its economy, and since the tariffs they all of a sudden wrapped themselves into the Canadian flag and became "Capt'n Canada". We will see how many voter get suckered in.
India is a world power. You can’t pull off this shit with them. We aren’t.
Japan has less strategic autonomy than Canada but they managed to pull it off.
Japan is still more of an economic powerhouse than we are, despite being super old.
Good Evening Jen and Mat. Good thoughtful presentation - getting better by the week actually.
Just some random thoughts - cost of living is going to be an issue as the carbon tax/pollution tax/unicorn fart collector is going up April 1st as is the new green fuel tax. In addition, there seems to be very few Canadians citizens or politicians that seem to realize that tariffs that we impose cost Canadians money! I don't believe that Americans have quite gotten the concept either as THEY will be paying the tariff, NOT THE EXPORTER. If the genius leadership class clamouring for dollar for dollar tariffs get that boat going we are in even worse shape than we are now - besides all the tariff relief that JT has promissed. Conclusion - cost of living WILL be an issue in the coming election.
As to Carney the mainstream media is really givng him a light ride. I've listened to him a bit and am amazed at some of the stuff that comes out of his mouth. Examples; 'steel and aluminum are not important on a day to day basis", I would use the Emergency Act to deal with tariffs, and the classic don't tell Trump I think he is a fool. This is our future PM?????? I have seen little to no coverage of the Chinese interfeerence in Freeland's campaign which seems passing strange to me. China isn't interfeering with Carney are they and why is that - oh, right he's their man! Heck there are main stream articles saying we shoudl ook to China to help us through the impending tariffs for crikey sake!
Thank you for saying that the CPC pivot to Canada first is an easy one. I hve heard several 'experts' say that the party will have a hard time shifting after spending the last year saying ax the tax. The same pundits figure it is a totally believable pivot for Carney adn Freeland to turn 180 from all the policies they ahve supported either directly or indirectly for the last 10 years. This is the level of way too much media reporting that is going on in this country right now and the sad thing is - it just might work.
One thing to remember is that good times breed weak leaders who creat hard times which breed tough leaders. Guess where we are.
Good point on the media giving Freeland a pass for turning a 180 on past Liberal policies...which she endorsed and also tried to sell to Canadians.
As for Carney's honeymoon, I have yet to hear his stance on fentanyl crisis; crime crises; homelessness; how he's is going to encourage investment in Canada, and not the mythical green transition; what would he do about armed forces; health care, foreign interference in elections; what would he do to encourage resource development....and on and on the questions go .....
Ronald, I believe he said that fentanyl is a 'crisis' in the US but a 'challenge' here - nothing to see, move along
The JT and Carney tariff relief will be paid by these two Idiot Kings and the "Liberals" creating more debt to add to the existing one. Then when these shysters loose the election they will be lambasting the Conservatives for paying it down.
I agree, Carney is being handled with kid gloves by the pundits, but Poilievre is being scrutinized for saying Canada First. OMG what is Poilievre thinking?
And why have none of the vaunted CBC & CTV pundits questioned exactly how will Carney use the Emergency Act re the tariffs? What does that really mean? I’m curious. But the media aren’t. Now, why is that?
Thoughts and prayers to the random American who is assigned to sit next to Jen tonight.
Listening to this episode, I couldn’t help but think of the Dunning Kruger effect in action. The hosts rightfully critique conspiracy theorists who weave grand narratives out of incomplete data… but then turn around and do the same thing, claiming to have a foolproof strategy for the U.S. to annex Canada while refusing to share any details. We’re just supposed to trust that they’re the smartest guys in the room.
Then there’s the cultural analysis segment, where an entire country is summed up based on one visit to a Walmart. For a podcast that prides itself on sharp thinking, there’s an awful lot of overconfidence and broadstroke assumptions. Entertaining? Sure. Self-aware? Not so much.
Respectfully, this is an unfair comment.
Neither Matt nor I said we have a "foolproof strategy" for taking over Canada -- or anything like it. What we said is that we see obvious weak points in Confederation that the Americans could take advantage of if they knew they existed.
We don't think it's incredibly responsible to make a show of highlighting these weak points at the present moment. And we certainly don't feel the need to do so in order to prove that we're smart. The point of that segment was, in fact, to point out that being smart can be its own kind of trap, especially if the gift limits the imagination of what's possible.
You're free to disagree with that assessment as it serves you. JG
I get the feeling that at times Jen and Matt are trying to fill their air time and so they blather on...... I am looking forward to their interview show...as a former listener to the retired Roy Greene, I hope Jen and Matt grab Roy's guest list and brink some of those folks in.
This is a rather shallow comment. Not worth more that these words.
Our whole concept of national identity is flawed. A nation is not an idea, it's not a paragraph, it is a People. This is obvious when you look at... everywhere, because no Dane ever asked "what does it meannnn to be Danish", because they are Danes!! They just *are*.
When my parents arrived via the boat, Canada clearly understood itself as a union of two "Old Stock" lines of British loyalists and the Quebecois. My mother had to become "Mary" instead of Maria. Obviously we don't want to do that anymore and we are a very pluralistic society now, but intentionally demolishing this existing identity and salting the earth where it stood was a collosal mistake. As it is now though, Canada is as Canada does - we are distinct from all other nations just by our very nature, we need to stop trying to engineer an identity and just be ourselves
The Trudeau Dynasty tried to engineer this kind of ideological nationalism and, well, just look around you - we literally don't even know what we are outside of Not American. We've welcomed people from many cultures and that's fine, you can be a nation without being an ethnostate, but we do need to stop with this idiotic form of cosmopolitan multicultural self-abnegation. It'll happen and it is happening organically. That said I don't think it will be coherent or even possible if we bring in infinity plus one new people every year from radically different parts of the world. We know that now, right?
Some cultures are just plain incompatible because they are created on incompatible ideas and incompatible perceptions of morality.
We might know it privately and quietly, but to say it in the open it has become officially a mortal sin.
Hey Liebrano wokey leftist feminists, how come you are not out in force defending the Afghan women and girls these days ha? Is just not convenient for ya you say ?
Incompatible-Like the French and English. Like the Sunni running the Shiites’ lives. When each group/tribe has its own territory things are peaceful. The worst case scenario is when a minority tribe rules over a majority. Think South Africa under Apartheid, Iraq under Saddam’s rule. English Canada under French Quebecker
and Laurentian elite rule is heading in the same direction. Woke schooling, politically incorrect speech extrajudicial/administrative tribunals, closed nominations of candidates for political offices, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised if Quebec will have separate washrooms for French and not French in my lifetime and then Ontario will follow suit in designated areas
Guys - your non-identity rant drives me mad. Despite the hiccups in our past, we have built a country on the basis of French and English working together, of Alexander Mackenzie being the first to cross the continent WITH the help of the local indigenous groups who saved him from a deadly trip down the Fraser river. A country that can build a railway across the country to bring Canadians together despite the construction across the Canadian Shield and near bankruptcy of the country. A country that honestly values a second language as something that makes you a richer person. A country that explicitly aims to help those less well off because we know they bring value and richness to our community.
We need to harness that notion that we are stronger together, that history of working together, to build national infrastructure, a 21st century trans Canadian version of the CPR or confederation bridge. We need to seriously look at the false divisions in regulations and real physical divisions of geography and systematically take them down.
We also need to realize that not everyone in the world holds those views of equality and co-operation. That our neighbours have taken on a transactional view of trade, defence, and everything else. In that context we need to radically redefine how we defend ourselves and how we prosper. Not necessarily with the worlds biggest army. But a defence service with a clear eyed view of the actual threats to Canada like the Indian death squads and missiles aimed at our southern neighbour that frankly we do not want blown up over Toronto. A trade policy that accepts the US will always be the closest trading partner, but expects nothing from them, because frankly it might change on Thursday - or Monday - who knows.
By co-operating with each other, and the rest of the world, like we have in our best times, We can continue to build the best country in the world. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
A history is only an identity if it’s embraced. We haven’t embraced ours. This is your point of confusion. We could! But we haven’t. So the railroad and the bilingual origin currently amounts to diddly.
Matt, I hear you and while I don’t like it, I can agree to a point. My struggle is that the identity is clear to me, but seldom voiced by any of our leaders. At the same time the fourth estate forgets that that have a role, not just in critiquing the need for better leadership, but also reflecting those parts of our history, our choices, that create an identity. At some point reflecting only the lack becomes a self fulfilling cycle. We need to walk and chew gum. We need to acknowledge a paucity of leadership and still recognize and celebrate the long history of good and unique choices Canada and Canadians have made which have created the state and home we love (without being oblivious to its faults) Because the example of our previous choices can show the way for the choices we will need to make.
Teaching our history isn’t really our job, actually. The Line does more of it than might be expected because of our personal interest in it. But the media is correctly biased toward the present. We aren’t the solution you’re looking for.
Netflix and YouTube were up for the job of sharing our history, but then the Liberals and their Montreal media handlers went after them for kickbacks and they stepped away.
The Harper Conservatives seemed to make a lot more effort to embrace and celebrate Canada’s past, and I recall that it was generally well received. Was part of the Trudeau Liberals’ turn against that perhaps driven by partisan reflex?
We've always considered national pride as some uncouth thing only Americans demonstrate, sadly.
Bilingualism is no more part of identify than government funded healthcare. True bilingualism exists in few places outside Montreal and parts of NB. The rest is a contrived government policy, and a failed one at that.
Ask Alberta & Saskatchewan about the cohesive, inclusive country, who were up until January 20 2025, ignored & held in eye-rolling disdain by that holy center of the universe called the Ottawa,Toronto & Montreal triangle. And, for now, yes, it’s team Canada - we’ll see where this goes.
Holy hell that was good, guys.
On the question of Canada’s resolve, it can only go down one of two paths. We either respond by growing up (i.e. Asshole Canada) or the virulent, smug anti-Americanism carries the day. I am rooting for path 1 but betting on path 2. This “rally-around-the-flag, buy Canadian, boo the US national anthem, boo EVERYTHING American” mindset that we are witnessing in real time is infuriating (especially when spewed forth by the former "Canada is a genocidal nation" crowd) but totally expected - it’s easy and makes us feel superior while accomplishing absolutely nothing of any value. And anyone who tells me I should not vacation in Arizona next month out of some grossly distorted and embarrassing sense of Canadian patriotism can just. FUCK. RIGHT. OFF.
So yeah, lots of efforts going into path 2. And what evidence do we have that path 1 is being embarked upon? Well, Matt’s list (can something be called a list when there is only one item on it?) has not grown since last week. Instead, we endured the spectacle of all our Premiers groveling in front of one American in the White House followed by a polite scolding from that same American on Twitter. Horrible optics arising from something that was only ever going to end in total futility. This is so exasperating, particularly when one alternative was for the Premiers to have met amongst themselves in Canada and get to work on Matt’s ice-bucket challenge. I guess they were just living up to Ms. Joly’s infamous bragging about our ability to convene. Is anybody betting on path 1 carrying the day?
This election should be a referendum on the two paths. The Conservatives need to enthusiastically seize path 1 and if (a) they don’t, or (b) they do but lose the election to the Liberals on path 2, or (c) they do and win the election but don’t follow through then we get what we deserve. Which way, Canada Man?
The Conservatives are going down path 1. Count on it. They already were prior to things blowing up.
That’s part of the reason why PP is so unpopular among the Boomers and why Carney is popular with them. The Boomers don’t want things to change. Not because they are malicious but because they are comfortable. They don’t think there is a problem even though there clearly is for everyone else. Change is scary, particularly if things are good for you. What they don’t realize if things don’t change, it won’t be comfortable for them for much longer.
Modern Canada was literally created by the boomers for the boomers if you look at Canadian history. They elected both Pierre and Justin Trudeau. They had the demographic heft to get their way for 60+ years, but now the millenials are bigger.
For the first time in their lives Canada isn't going to cater to boomers at the expense of everyone else and they hate that.
I was hoping Jen and Matt would give us 10 - 30 seconds on the hockey game anthem booing. I appreciate you bringing it up, as it really is a question of SCREW AMERICA IN GENERAL or a real-time (in my opinion, rational) response to the actions the Trump administration is taking.
Enjoy your warm weather getaway!
I will, thank you. Cheers.
An open letter written by a Florida judge about the CANADA/USA relationships & history.
By Robert Meadows (Circuit Court Judge, Florida).
Here is one American’s take on the growing trade war with the US and Canada.
"Have you ever stopped to consider how lucky we Americans are to have the neighbors we have? Look around the globe at who some folks have been stuck sharing a border with over the past half century:
North Korea / South Korea
Greece / Turkey
Iran / Iraq
Israel / Palestine
India / Pakistan
China / Russia
"We’ve got Canada! Canada. About as inoffensive a neighbor as you could ever hope for. In spite of all our boasts of “American exceptionalism” and chants of “America first,” they just smile, do their thing and go about their business. They are on average more educated, have a higher standard of living, free health care, and almost no gun problems. They treat immigrants respectfully and already took in over 35,000 Syrians in the last two years.
"They’re with us in NATO, they fought alongside us in World War I, World War II, Korea, the Gulf War, the Bosnian War, Afghanistan, the Kosovo War and came to our defense after 9/11. There was that one time when Canada took a pass on one of our wars: Vietnam. Turned out to be a good call.
"They’ve been steady consumers of American imports, reliable exporters of metals and petroleum products (they are the biggest importer of U.S. products from 37 states), and partnered with NASA in our space missions.
"During 9/11 many aircraft were diverted to Newfoundland, an island province off Canada's east coast where Americans were housed in people's homes for two weeks and treated like royalty. In return for their hospitality, this administration slapped a 20% tariff on the products of Newfoundland's only paper mill, thereby threatening it's survival.
"And what do Canadians expect of us in return? To be respected for who and what they are: Canadians. That’s what I call a good neighbor.
"But the King of Chaos couldn’t leave well enough alone. Based on his delusions of perpetual victimhood, out of the clear blue, he’s declared economic war on Canada. On CANADA! And he did it based on Canada being a national security risk to the US! For no good reason, other than the voices in his head that told him it was a war he could win. So why not do it, then?
"Again, we’re talking about Canada. Our closest ally, friend and neighbor.
"On behalf of an embarrassed nation, people of Canada, I apologize for this idiotic and wholly unnecessary attack. Please leave the back channels open. We the People of progressive persuasion stand with you."
The bump for the Liberals is mostly a 50+ and Central Canada phenomenon according to the data. Why is everyone so shy to admit that? It's their version of Canada and their preconceived notions they are defending. Meanwhile the under 35 crowd are wondering why they are so patriotic. (Canada was better for their generation and the hard right boomers all left already)
Nevertheless, I don't think Trump and his people are competent or smart enough to take advantage of the huge cleavages in our society, by region and generations. If they were they would split us like a twig.
Having experienced the Balkan Wars in the early 90s and the ongoing "crazy culture" of the Balkans, I don't think Canadians have a clue how far and how fast things can go sideways. The culture here values "peace, order and good government" above all else and that is being put to the test right now. The problem is, Canada isn't set up to deal with any change to the order so people are still in denial.
As for the Americans if they invaded, you can count Southern Alberta up to at least Calgary gone without a shot. Ontario through Windsor up to past Chatham, not coincidentally up to where the Americans made it in the War of 1812 (when Chief Tecumseh was felled) as gone without a shot. Windsor is utterly dependant on the US for everything including employment and food. After that, I can see resistance. That my many years of working and travelling in those regions.
That said, this is an important read
https://brucepardy.substack.com/p/a-declaration-of-independence-for?utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
Yes, definitely most are in denial. The big thing on msm TV was that there’s an uptick in Canadian flag sales!!
The fact is that there’s no contingency plan. Ottawa truly doesn’t know what to do. Period. They’re lost. So the job is to keep the focus on Carney, the savior. That’s all they can talk about. Meanwhile, what has emerged from those hallowed halls in Ottawa. Exactly nothing.
How could it when we don't even have a Parliament. That said, I think all the teasing by Trump is starting to look bad on him.
“Just to remind all my followers of the main conclusion of the Dunning-Kruger effect: Very intelligent people assume that they are rather less intelligent than they actually are. Very stupid people believe that they are much more intelligent than they are, because they have absolutely no idea what it would feel like to be intelligent.” ~ John Cleese
Canadian Liberal Government (Prorogue) is waiting,maddeningly normal,and react. No plans,no ideas,(taffiffs),no savings(Huge Deficit) no announcements. Crickets! Oh wai! Supports for citizens and businesses! What money? More debt? Throwing our tax dollars at problems is the best idea they can come up with. Sigh. And all this verbal diarrhea on social media. Most will tilt their heads and change their minds. How many actually get out and vote? At all elections. My dad used to say when at social gathering you might want to avoid discussing your Religion,Politics. Its like spitting in the wind.
You know what I find nauseating? Seeing Olivia Chow wrap herself in the flag and saying we will never be the 51st state. It’s in the Star today. Talk about hypocrites. I wish all of these people would disappear off into the sunset.
As someone who's in the process of joining the CAF, that last 5 minute segment was... something.
Lord take me before Ian Hanomansing and Adrienne Arsenault flash before my eyes.
In the first 50 days, the King and his Fool (you pick) have weakened Western economies and alliances, which has me wondering...
Has XI/Pewtin ever had a spy or agency produce this much success, ever?
Has there ever been a spy or agency anywhere, ever to have this much success?
Why try, LOL?!?
It's MY fucked up country. The Premiers and our PM should stop appeasement; it's not strategic, and will not succeed. They should be focused on improving things at home, including dismantling every interprovincial trade barrier.
Today the U.S. government are false friends, and should be treated as such.
We should play the transaction game cold, and look for new customers.
We should bar the US Ambassador until the 51st state fever dream goes quiet.
We should boo the anthem and stay seated.
I agree. There is no point negotiating or conceding anything because the USA won’t follow the contract anyways. We still need to grow up but it’s a losing cause to try and maintain what the current arrangement is.
Jen, those of us who support Trump do not support him for Trump’s sake. We are completely cognizant that he is an American. We support someone who will put Canadians first, who will stop our steady decline, both economically and from a freedom perspective. Who will trust us, who will cut government waste, who will address our deficit. Who will take the hard actions required to make us into asshole nation. You are questioning those who you consider « trump supporters », but you don’t seem to understand that it is only an asshole who will be able to do this and Trump is an Asshole.
And yes, what we see right now is anti Trump. That is it. Very little Canadian patriotism existed before Trump, it cannot exist now, it would be impossible.