Over the last few weeks, during the Tariff chaos, I have been saying that Canada is the equivalent of a dimple on the ass of an elephant when compared to the major manufacturing Nations like the USA and China. The European Union is also structured to be an economic powerhouse.
Free trade with the U S A over the last 60 years, that was followed early on with the inclusion of Mexico, has hollowed out most of the Canadian manufacturing that existed before the 1960s. We are now about to see the winding down of any auto assembly and the remaining car parts producers. Our volumes do not warrant, or justify the investment for this industry as it goes through the major innovative product changes that are well underway.
Our future today, like it has been for more than 100 years, lies in our “Land Mass”. We are blessed with millions of acres of farmland and two coasts that attach us to most of the world. We have the skills and technology to produce food products in large volumes that are in demand in many countries.
We possess the ore of 29 of the 31 metals the world requires to create the broad array of structures, equipment, vehicles, devices, etc. that all countries need in the modern era. This makes us close to being an elephant and far more than just a dimple.
The other developing market that we can be an elephant in is energy. We were one of the world’s earliest entrants into Nuclear Energy, and our expertise and technology can be duplicated, innovated, and exported. In many areas of the energy sector, we are a world leader.
Even an elephant needs to be led. Unfortunately, I do not see that leader in our midst in this upcoming election. I am sure that he is out there.
He will appear, and when he does, we need to recognize him and give him our full support. Let us all keep looking for him.
G. William Streeter April 11, 2025
