Editorials - Aug. 28, 2026
Lake of Fire
Last weekend, most people went to bed thinking the United States and Canada, long-time allies and friends, had struck a trade deal and all that was left to do was cross the Ts and dot the lower-case Js. Those same people woke up the next morning to find that any potential deal had imploded. Canada had walked away from the negotiating table.
Each party is blaming the other, but, while some hard-line right-wingers might disagree, one side has always been a lot easier to believe than the other. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his team have alleged that the Americans slipped in last-minute carve-outs and attempted to dictate French language best practices to Canada, in addition to asking for first right of refusal on certain things and limiting the country’s ability to make trade deals with other countries. These issues, Carney said, go beyond the pale of an economic agreement and hit at our sovereignty, which is why he and the rest of the team walked away.
Now, Trump is going full Trump. The guy who says he wrote The Art of the Deal couldn’t secure a deal, so he’s throwing a fit. He’s called Carney “Governor”. He’s called Premier Doug Ford a “flunky”. He’s lied about Canada’s treatment of the U.S. and painted Canada as the villain, all to cover up his failings. He’s suggested that he will unilaterally change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America. Ford has called him a loser and a bully. Carney has said that the American signature is written in pencil and Trump has negotiated in bad faith.
The move to walk away has been cheered by three-quarters of Canadians who are now seeing the negotiations as the American shake-down they have always been; that we would never be fairly treated.
Canada is now playing hardball, something Carney’s critics said he could never do. He’s hitting back with strategic tariffs and support packages for workers affected by the actions of the United States. Our elected officials are not taking the bait and rising to every insult hurled by Trump or treated every Truth Social post as the next coming of The Book of Revelation. As Trump throws his fit, Canadians are uniting and preparing for what could be a challenging stretch. Sure, there are some who were never going to be happy. They would have criticized any deal Carney made and are now happy to pile on him for not making a deal. But, for the most part, Canadians stand together in this fight.
Who knows what the next steps will be or even how things may have changed (worsened?) in the time since this was written to when you were able to read it. All we know now is that Trump has finally found someone he can’t put over a barrel and he’s pretty mad about it.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said it best recently, saying that you can’t get a good deal with a bad person. As the world continues to collectively loathe Donald Trump, Canada may be on the frontlines, but it’s clear that our place in the world is holding. The same cannot be said for the United States. And while the road ahead may be unclear, what our leadership has made clear is what we need to do, which is support one another, check labels and ask the right questions. – SL
Our brother’s keeper
It is encouraging to see political opponents put aside their differences for a larger cause.
Former Alberta Premiers Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley spent years battling from opposite sides. Kenney led the United Conservative government that defeated Notley in 2019. Now they are joining forces to argue that Alberta’s future is best secured within Canada.
Albertans will vote Oct. 19 on whether the province should remain in Canada or proceed to a second vote on separation. Whatever one thinks about Ottawa or the grievances behind separatism, this is an extraordinary moment. Canada is facing geopolitical and economic uncertainty, including a trade war with the United States. When co-operation is necessary, weakening the country would be a dangerous gamble. That does not mean Alberta’s concerns should be dismissed. Albertans have every right to demand better from Ottawa and argue for their province’s interests. Disagreement with the federal government is not disloyalty, and regional debate is part of a healthy federation. But there is a difference between demanding change within Canada and abandoning Canada.
What makes this encouraging is that Kenney and Notley recognize that distinction. They disagree on much and will return to those disagreements when the referendum question is settled. Notley has welcomed returning to respectful debate from opposite sides.
Political rivals do not have to become friends. They do not have to agree on taxes, healthcare or energy. But there are moments when the national interest must rise above partisanship.
These are difficult times, and Canadian unity cannot be taken for granted. Kenney and Notley are showing that political differences can be set aside when something larger is at stake.
Their example is worth noting. At a time when Canadian unity is under pressure, putting the country ahead of partisan differences is a reminder of what is at stake. – SBS