The Humanist Cafe
Episode #333Discussion Forum Free* And Open To All!
Wednesday April 16, 2025 – 7:00-8:30 pm
Cook Street Activity Center380 Cook St. (Cook St. Village), Victoria
Limited free parking and free street parking
Please Use The Side Entrance (beside the construction site)
Purchase Coffee/Tea nearby at The Moka House – BYO mug!
Discussion Topic
: Canada’s changing relationship with the USA – The great Northern awakening?
Presenter and Moderator: John Pope
These are turbulent times for Canada and the world. And it’s not just the economics that are changing, it is the fabric of national relationships that are changing; this is best illustrated by Canada’s relationship with the United States. Here are a few recent articles that explore these changes.
“Canada says its friendship with the US Is over”: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/05/canada-us-friendship-trade-tariffs-trump-00273255
“A new ballot question: How should Canada define its relationship with the US?: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-poilievre-trump-relationship-analysis-1.7502289
Reorienting Canada toward other countries has been contemplated before. The Third Option was a 1972 pronouncement by Mitchell Sharp, secretary of state for external affairs, calling for a lessening of US economic and cultural influence on Canada.: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/third-option
Opinion – “To me, it feels like a friendship ending. And worse, it feels like one that will never quite be the same.”: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/canada-and-the-us-are-close-to-breaking-up-as-friends-is-reconciliation-a-bridge/article_c588bab3-5644-4c62-bc00-b2351f1a96bb.html
QUESTIONS
What is the best way for our soon to be elected Prime Minister to respond to these disruptive and expensive economic changes?
Which political candidate would be the best person to deal directly with President Trump?
Because of the fear of Trump, will the upcoming election wipe out the NDP, and introduce a two-party system similar to the US?
Do boycotts work? Should Canadians stop traveling to the US or stop buying US products?
Let’s discuss!
See you there! Bring a friend or someone like him/her/etc.
* Donations gratefully accepted
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