Our time together has been memorable but the dogs go home today. They really put a different spin on my day; I never really got adjusted to them so did not get them into a routine that let me work effectively. But two large poodles do take up a lot of time. They are loving and just so very wonderful to be around in spite of the loud bark of the baby. I could knock on the window and she would stop for me but she forgot often enough and need another knock on the window. But it does take something to get her barking generally and I always go and see what she is barking at and tell her that I have taken care of it.
I did get some matches pulled though which was good and as I wind down this week I will continue working at that.
The new Prime Minister will be sworn in on Friday along with his cabinet. I do not know when he will call an election. I do not believe there is any requirement that it be done in a certain time limit. The Liberal Party has elected him as their leader but eventually he does have to have a seat in Parliament. It will be interesting to see how he looks at the tariffs actually. I am hoping that he sees a value in supporting new industry here in Canada that could be created. For instance beer cans are all made in the United States from aluminium made in Quebec and perhaps someone would have the desire to start up such a business. It is a guaranteed income for sure; people drink a lot of beer. I would think designing the cans might be rather interesting in that line of work although I am not artistic - I just have that thought! I think PM-designate Carney's choice of chief of staff, Marco Mendicino, is an excellent one for the times. But the election should not be far off and plenty of time to see what the new Liberal leader offers; I have a clear view now of the Conservative thoughts and will see how they continue to be framed - NDP does not interest me particularly due to their activities in Ontario in the 90s but I always listen. I can not, of course, vote for the Bloc (Quebec only) although there are times when I find their ideas to be particularly interesting and useful.
The tariff war could be the remaking of Canada as we regain the lost industries destroyed by NAFTA. So many small engine businesses were out-competed or bought out and closed down and many other items. We need to restore those. We would never have gone this route except for the new President as it turns out. We were quite content with the status quo although ever mindful of the tariff on our softwood lumber (WTO ruled it as illegal if I recall correctly) put on a while ago but after the signing of CUSMA. It is not our fault that the downturn of the Stock Market in 2008 dragged our dollar down to less then 70 cents to the American dollar and has not recovered from that or COVID making us very competitive against the American dollar and all other currencies in the G7. Our Farm Management System which deals with dairy has been a bone of contention because we give a percentage to a contract Like CUSMA (the United States gets the most actually (3.5%) of any of the Free Trade Agreements that we have) and so long as you are sending us that percentage that is fine and actually 97% of the goods that enter our market from countries that we have an agreement with do not have a tariff but when you exceed the allowed percentage then there is a tariff which is clearly noted in the treaty. We have many many family farms in Canada and need to protect them from the same fate as our small industries that were lost. But for the most part most goods enter tariff free until this tariff war started (and the United States did tariff our softwood lumber a couple of years ago). I do feel somewhat sorry for our provincial political leaders at the moment (they are limited in the types of surcharges or taxes that they can create on anything). They know the suffering of so many of their provincial citizens now that have reduced hours or their job terminated because of the threat of tariffs, the tariffs and move to do things that support their workers monetary wise by surcharges and taxes that can support them whilst they are under employed or unemployed. The hit to our economy is large but we will persevere and come through this. The sad loss is that wonderful friendship between the United States and Canada. Perhaps it will return time heals many deep wounds. I think that was the thought during the Fenian Raids of the 1880s (in that case lives were lost not economic stability). We are lucky to have such a large wealthy country rich in natural resources to help support us and our First Nations as we move forward together like Sir Isaac Brock and Chief Tecumseh who worked perfectly together protecting Canada. I was very lucky to have attended the namesake elementary school for Tecumseh as a child. We learned a great deal about Tecumseh and the role he and his fellow warriors played in the development of Canada.
It was a busy week of cleaning and now I will need to clean up after the dogs actually do head home. But it was an interesting two plus weeks which I am unlikely to repeat as I will be 80 this year and it was perhaps too much work some days as I couldn't get my own work done!
I will continue with pulling matches because it is a simple task that I can walk away from easily and I am not ready to get back into the books yet. Next week.
Minus 12 degrees celsius and another cold day but perhaps it will be a clear night to see the Eclipse of the Moon. It should be spectacular actually.
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