You should never waste a good crisis, Barack Obama’s chief of staff said, as the American president took charge of the United States in the midst of a financial collapse.
Published at 5:00 a.m.
Canada should take inspiration from these wise words and consider the arrival of Donald Trump as a golden opportunity to redefine itself. This is the best way to react positively to their predatory aims.
Become the 51e American state? Never !
The overwhelming majority of Canadians don’t want it in the slightest. Even in the conservative stronghold of Alberta, three-quarters of the population are opposed to this idea, according to a Léger poll1.
Frankly, why would anyone want to be part of a country where life expectancy is three and a half years less than in Canada, despite the staggering cost of the health care system? Why would anyone want to live in a country full of guns where the homicide rate is three times higher? Why would we want to live in a place where women are not free about their bodies?
Let’s not be afraid to proclaim it loud and clear: Canada has a strong identity distinct from that of its neighbor. Imbued with tolerance and compassion, but also courage and combativeness, Canada is “the envy of the world,” recalls former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in a striking letter.
But Canada needs an electric shock.
For decades, we enjoyed international influence without much effort, thanks to the world order established after World War II. We took advantage of a blessed geographical location, right next to a rich and powerful partner who did not cause us any hassle.
We have become carefree, naive.
We have forgotten that our resources could become objects of covetousness, starting with our water, which Donald Trump considers to be a “very large faucet” that could supply California.
We have lost sight of the fact that our vast territory could arouse the envy of foreign countries, particularly in the Arctic where Russian and Chinese ships now come to patrol.
The world order has fractured.
But instead of thinking about a robust foreign policy, on the diplomatic, military and commercial levels, Canada used the peace dividends to stretch its social net, without providing sufficient revenue to finance them.
Today, the country finds itself with the worst structural deficit in thirty years and an economy that is woefully lacking in productivity, the essential ingredient for maintaining our quality of life.
It is high time to rethink our vision of Canada to ensure our prosperity and sovereignty.
This will necessarily involve an increase in military spending. By underinvesting compared to its NATO partners, Canada has acquired the bad reputation of a friend who comes to have a beer with his friends, but leaves before the end of the evening to avoid the bill.
We would kill two birds with one stone by developing a real military industrial policy that would stimulate innovation and job creation here, as we are seeing at the Davie shipyard with the construction of icebreakers. Good for our defense. Good for our economy.
Furthermore, it is essential to diversify our exports. Trump wants to annex Canada? Canada could instead become a member of the European Union, the magazine recently wrote The Economist2in a delightful display of English humor. Canadian maple syrup and Belgian waffles would be the perfect combination!
Joking aside, the idea of forging closer ties with Europe, whether on a military or commercial level, would allow Canada to reduce its dependence on the United States.
To reshape Canada’s place on the world stage, we need strong leadership in Ottawa. But with the resignation of Justin Trudeau, there is rather a big void.
We do not have the luxury of waiting until the end of the Liberal leadership race, which will certainly be followed by an election campaign, to take matters into our own hands.
To face Trump, we must stand together and put partisanship aside, as during the renegotiation of NAFTA in 2017. Former Conservative leader Brian Mulroney also lent a hand to the Liberal government.
This time, Justin Trudeau could invite the leaders of the opposition parties to participate in the response plan, by inviting them to weekly meetings, for example. We should also get the provinces on board, instead of fighting over the sharing of skills.
Justin Trudeau could also draw inspiration from his father, who had the presence of mind, in 1982, to launch a vast reflection to make the economy more productive and more agile in the face of international upheavals and the rise of American protectionism.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau was no longer prime minister when the Macdonald commission produced its report. But his successor Brian Mulroney took up the idea of a free trade agreement, proof that good ideas can gain ground across party lines.
Canada needs a frank and transparent discussion to find solutions anchored in social consensus, not simplistic slogans that fuel divisions or counterproductive, basely electoralist measures.
Justin Trudeau (or his successor) should trigger a commission on the future of Canada. This would be the best way not to waste the crisis triggered by Trump.
1. Consult the results of the Léger survey
2. Read the magazine article The Economist « Why Canada should join the EU » (en anglais)
