Editorials - Sept. 18, 2026
Bridge over troubled water
While specific details were light at press time, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s investment summit in Toronto was pitched as somewhat of an alternative to the established order of the world. If the United States wants to turn inward and go it alone, who are we to stop them? Not only were he and his cabinet members working to pitch Canada to the rest of the world - “Canada has what the world wants,” has been his rallying cry - but with this summit he was encouraging others feeling alienated from and frustrated with an increasingly unhinged, unpredictable and aggressive United States to seek alternatives as well.
Meanwhile, at the same time as this very transparent pivot from the country’s biggest trading partner, Carney has extended his hand to Americans. “And to our American friends, let me say this: we will always be neighbours,” Carney said, adding that he aims to make Canada stronger, more independent and resilient when opportunity with the U.S. returns. “Our reputation - as a reliable, predictable partner - has rarely been more valuable in a world where transactions are replacing relationships, and zero-sum is favoured over win-win.”
These moves are bold and they send a clear message to Donald Trump and his regime that recalls a famous Mad Men exchange. “I feel bad for you,” says Michael Ginsberg, to which Don Draper replies, “I don’t think about you at all.” Carney has championed an approach that doesn’t take the bait, that doesn’t jump at every Truth Social post as if it’s been carved into stone by God and handed down to Moses.
It all sounds good and it scratches scorned Canadians, eager to punish those who’ve stabbed us in the back, where they itch, but expert after expert has said that replacing the American market won’t be easy. Where we end up is anyone’s guess, but right now, this feels right. – SL
The Boxer
George Chuvalo died Saturday, on his 89th birthday, leaving behind a remarkable Canadian legacy. He never won the heavyweight championship, and he lost twice to Muhammad Ali. Yet, in 93 professional fights, Chuvalo was never knocked down. He stood in the ring with some of the most formidable fighters of his generation and outright refused to stay down. That makes Chuvalo an unusually fitting metaphor for Canada as we slog through this trade fight with the U.S.
Canada needs that very same kind of resolve.
We are the smaller economic fighter. We cannot match the size of the American market or the sheer economic weight of Washington. American tariffs are hurting Canadian businesses, workers and consumers, and we should not pretend otherwise. Taking a punch is not the same as winning a fight. But Chuvalo understood something about facing a larger opponent. You do not have to be the biggest fighter to earn respect. Twice he fought Ali, one of boxing’s greatest champions, and twice he lost. Yet, Ali could not put him on the canvas.
Chuvalo’s lesson was never simply to stand still and absorb punishment. His toughness came from endurance, preparation and the determination to keep moving forward despite the odds. Canada cannot control Washington, but we can control how prepared we are.
As we endure another round of brawling with our largest trading partner, this is the image worth remembering: we may be the smaller fighter, but we will always stand our ground. – SBS
Homeward bound
Céline Dion’s return to the stage in Paris is being celebrated as the comeback of a superstar. It deserves to be seen as something more: a cultural moment for Canada, and particularly for Quebec.
On Sept. 12, Dion opened a sold-out Paris residency, her first full concert in six years. Before 30,000 people, she moved between French and English, drawing on the songs that made her one of the world’s most recognizable performers. The timing could hardly be more interesting.
Canada and Europe are moving closer together at a moment of considerable geopolitical uncertainty. Ottawa is pursuing a deeper relationship with the European Union, building on new strategic, security and defence partnerships and seeking greater co-operation in areas ranging from trade and critical minerals to artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Mark Carney has even described the goal as a “unique alliance” with Europe. Into this diplomatic conversation walks a woman from Charlemagne, Quebec, singing in French. That matters.
And Paris is an especially fitting stage. France has long been an important cultural home for Quebec, while Quebec has demonstrated repeatedly that French-language culture can flourish beyond its borders.
Dion’s return therefore carries a message larger than celebrity: Canada can be proudly Canadian and Quebec can be unmistakably Québécois. As we turn toward Europe, perhaps that is precisely the confidence we need: not asking our cultures to become smaller so that Canada can stand taller. Sometimes the strongest bridge between countries is built one song at a time. – SBS