Canada desperately wants to diversify its export economy. Many believe expanding to other markets is critical to dealing with the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. But renowned journalist Terry Glavin cautions this shouldn’t mean we integrate with China. The more Canada associates economically with China, the more vulnerable and subservient we become to the whims of the world’s most successful torture state.

In the latest episode of the Power Struggle podcast special election series, Glavin tells host Stewart Muir that Canada must carefully weigh the new geo-political global reality. During the federal election, Prime Minister and Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre insisted the country needs to move away from US economic dependence. They called for accelerated energy projects and more pipelines. Now that the election is over, it’s time for sober second thought about what this strategy means.

Take the Trans Mountain Pipeline. A huge percentage of its oil already flows to China. Is an expansive, overbearing totalitarian regime the trading partner we want? Forging greater commercial alliances with China could have the opposite effect of the independence Canada wishes to safeguard. We would be sacrificing political sovereignty for the false security of economic independence.

Canada rightly worries about Trump’s calls for annexation. But Trump will be gone within four years. China isn’t going anywhere and is much more dangerous. Gavin discusses the multitude of threats posed by China’s desire for global economic dominance. It can only get worse. What should Canada be doing instead of submitting to China? Listen to find out.

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Donald Trump didn’t start the problem. But Jack Mintz knows how to fix it. In the latest episode of the Power Struggle special election series, Mintz tells host Stewart Muir that Canada’s declining productivity started long before the US President’s new tariff war. The solution isn’t slapping the United States with counter-tariffs. The solution is eliminating tariffs and non-trading barriers with as many other trading partners as possible.

Especially in the natural resource sector. That’s how we snub our noses at Trump. Canada needs to move forward on liberalizing trade with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to name a few. Mintz explains his strategy while citing his recent Financial Post article that argues for streamlined regulations, liberal trade policies, and a simpler tax system.

And in the Trump era, building stronger trade relations with other countries is how Canada fixes its trade relationship with the United States. North America remains one of the strongest trade regions in the world. Even with trade diversification, our best market is still the United States. It may even be after Trump leaves that the trade relationship gets repaired.

In case anyone missed it, Mintz reminds the Power Struggle audience that Canada depends on a natural resource export economy. This isn’t lost on our political leaders. Both Liberal Leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are pushing for the acceleration of energy projects. Mintz argues that neither may be prepared to go far enough. Find out why in this episode.

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The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.

Reach out to us with thoughts, questions, or ideas at info@powerstruggle.ca

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Monica Gattinger wants to know how. How will the federal Liberal and Conservative leaders fast-track the approval of energy projects? The projects that will reduce Canada’s reliance on US markets. Are Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre moving too fast and furiously in trying to respond to the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump? All to get votes in the current federal election.

Gattinger wants to know if they understand the obstacles. What about the climate, Indigenous rights, and the current approval processes? The latest episode of the Power Struggle special election series digs into these challenges. Host Stewart Muir’s guest says Canada cannot afford to get this wrong. But how fast can we get it right? Gattinger explains that this means energy projects that achieve a durable balance and stand the test of time.

Professor Gattinger knows her stuff. She heads up The Positive Energy program at the University of Ottawa. The program looks at ways to build public confidence in energy decision-making. This means knowing if our political leaders can do what they say they will do. Gattinger recently co-authored a report on how Canada can get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. It calls for much of the realignment the next Prime Minister will need to consider for the sector at large.

It won’t be easy. Regulatory reform is only part of the answer. Another huge part is viable Indigenous involvement. Yet another is figuring out how to make the process predictable and clear for investors. Gattinger explores the big changes needed if Canada wants to get serious about transforming the energy system.

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The energy conversation is polarizing. But the reality is multidimensional. Get the full story with host Stewart Muir.

Reach out to us with thoughts, questions, or ideas at info@powerstruggle.ca

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🎧 For audio versions of our podcast visit powerstruggle.ca and listen on the go in your favourite podcast app!
Video available on Power Struggle’s YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@PowerStrugglePod