In a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and the Premiers, Council of Canadians Chairperson John Cartwright outlines key measures our governments can take to protect Canadian jobs, communities, and industries.
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
All Canadians are shocked by the policies and actions of President Donald Trump. There will be much debate about how our governments should respond and we recognize how difficult any decision will be in the coming weeks. Some of the recommendations emanating from powerful circles will be based on narrow self-interest, and a desire of some of the wealthiest corporations to profit in this time of uncertainty. Canadians do not want to be exposed to a program that matches the “shock doctrine” imposed on too many places in the past, and now being applied to the people of the United States.
The Council of Canadians is bringing forward an immediate program for action that would defend the integrity of our country and the well-being of everyone who lives in this land. Here are the key elements that would be needed to succeed in these deeply troubling times:
- Strengthen and expand the safety net for Canadians affected by Trump’s aggression
- Create a national strategy to support Canadian industries
- Support our care and essential service sectors
- Adopt procurement policies to support Canadian-made products and services
- Forge stronger economic and political ties with other countries
- Impose targeted export taxes to create bargaining leverage against unfair tariffs, and to help fund the safety net for impacted workers and communities.
- Protect water as a human right and prohibit bulk export of water
- Resolve to uphold our Paris Agreement commitments to address the climate crisis
- Implement a Made-in-Canada energy policy
- Stand firm and strengthen our protected sectors
- Defend sources of reliable news and information, including the CBC
- Reject Trump’s demands to alter our immigration, refugee and border policies
- Adopt an independent defense and foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy, international cooperation and peace
Each of these points could be expanded into pages of specific legislation or policy advice. In fact, progressive organizations in civil society and the labour movement have provided your government with extensive details in each of these areas.
The Council of Canadians was created in 1985 to fight for Canada’s sovereignty and integrity. Forty years later, the crisis created by Donald Trump will have a serious impact on every Canadian. Threats to punish our jobs and our communities are designed to turn people against each other and extract concessions that nobody wants. Canada is far from perfect, but it is worth defending. We do not want a society based on greed, anxiety and scapegoating. The Canada we want is based on inclusion, community and investing in our common good.
We ask that your government act quickly and firmly to implement the kinds of policies outlined above.
Yours sincerely,
John Cartwright
Chairperson
The Council of Canadians
CC: Premiers
