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Dinner - Edmonton:
Sovereignty At Risk? Friday January 31st
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Bill Jones has extensive business experience having founded and operated an international consulting businesses - the Altamonta Group, in Canada, USA, and in the Caribbean serving his clientele of governments, legal services, international banks, airlines, real estate development, energy development and the financial community globally. Throughout his career he has been interested in the economy and Canada's geo-political relationships.
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Getting to YES with the United States - Reinventing the Canada-US Relationship
As KEI’s newsletter highlighted last week HERE, negotiating common interests offers a path to reinventing the Canada-US relationship. Amid Donald Trump’s 51st state rhetoric and rollout of his 100 Executive Orders, speculation about statehood or counter tariffs feels premature. Instead, Canada should focus on a strategy of integration and mutual benefit to navigate this shifting landscape.
NA Integration: A Win-Win Framework. The cornerstone of Canada’s response must be a win-win approach that strengthens North American partnerships. Enhanced economic integration with the US and Mexico promises stability and prosperity across the continent. By positioning itself as a strategic ally and trade partner, Canada can transform potential threats into opportunities for shared growth.
This framework is essential for addressing Trump’s overarching goal of "Fortress North America." A focus on integration rather than isolation ensures Canada remains a vital part of the continental strategy, mitigating risks of exclusion.
Tariffs: Aligning Strategies for Cooperation. Tariffs, the most visible flashpoint, demand a response rooted in pragmatism. Rather than retaliating with countervailing tariffs that could further strain relations, Canada should champion freer trade and internal reforms. Removing barriers within Canada and increasing external trade incentives can enhance competitiveness and reduce vulnerability to US provocations.
Historical precedent, such as Britain’s free trade policies in the 19th century, demonstrates the transformative power of such strategies. Canada must resist knee-jerk reactions and instead use this moment to modernize its economy. - continued below
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Canada needs to get its act together. The 51st State challenge coming from the US President is exposing Canada's long unresolved issues - adding cross-border and inter-provincial trade. - see HERE:
 To maintain a strong partnership, both nations must tackle key challenges together. Addressing these issues collaboratively will build trust and mutual prosperity. Here are some critical areas that demand attention:
- Supply chain management: Reform is needed to prevent inflated consumer prices and ensure industries adapt to market changes, promoting competition, innovation, and affordability.
- NATO responsibilities: Canada must be a committed funder, active partner, and strong defender within the alliance to uphold democracy and collective security.
- Restoring merit: The focus on “woke” ideologies has overshadowed the importance of qualifications, ability, and achievement. Merit must return as the primary standard for decision-making.
- Corruption: Corruption in Canadian government, particularly in procurement, must be eliminated. It requires zero tolerance at all levels and across all political parties to restore accountability.
- China’s influence: Undue interference in Canadian politics and elections threatens sovereignty and democracy. Immediate action is needed to eliminate this influence and protect political integrity.
- Corporate subsidies: Subsidies and incentives should only be used in urgent situations, addressing critical needs without fostering dependency or creating unfair advantages.
- Standard of living: Economic productivity must translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ standard of living, ensuring growth benefits everyone.
- Energy transition: Canada must balance its global role and responsibilities in the energy transition while helping address the world’s ongoing demand for reliable energy resources.
- Border security: Strengthen measures to stop the flow of illegal guns into Canada and fentanyl into the U.S., ensuring the safety of both nations.
- Sovereignty: Secure, well-protected borders are essential to maintaining Canada’s sovereignty and safety, fostering mutual respect and clear boundaries in international relations.
FOR MORE Renown Canadian author "Diane Francis' The Merger of the Century makes a powerful, persuasive and pragmatic case for why Canada and the US should merge to form the most potent economic unit on the planet." – RICHARD FLORIDA, Director of the Martin Prosperity Institute, University of Toronto, Global Research Professor NYU, Editor at Large Cities at Atlantic Magazine
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...continued from above
Statehood and the Indigenous Argument: A Nonstarter. The prospect of any Canadian province, let alone the entire country, becoming the 51st US state is implausible. Quebec’s unyielding independence and the treaties binding First Nations to the British Crown create insurmountable barriers. Even Alberta’s independence rhetoric lacks the foundation to evolve into statehood, especially under the shadow of indigenous sovereignty and political realities.
Timing the Message. In light of Trump’s imminent actions and the broader geopolitical shifts, the narrative must resonate with clarity and purpose. By reversing the order of arguments—starting with the win-win integration strategy, followed by tariffs, and concluding with the statehood debate—Canada can present a cohesive and forward-looking case. The focus should remain on leveraging shared interests to counter isolationist impulses and fostering stability in a rapidly changing world.
Unless Trump’s position unexpectedly falters, this article will align with an expectation that both nations will seek an alignment along common sense interests and a win-win alternative to confrontation.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84258596166?pw..
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Posing Canada as a 51st state of the United States triggered a host of subscriber reactions.
Where do we petition for more "states" in Canada???? - New Mexico
Select US states are invited to join Canada and enjoy the benefits. - Ontario
- Life expectacy: Canada 20th United States 48th
- Education: Canada 19th United States 31st
- Math scores: Canada 9th United States 34th
- Robberies: Canada 62: United States 98: 100,000 population
- Personal healthcare costs are half that of the United States
- Less poverty - Canada's rate is 1/3rd that of the United States
- Better income equality - Canada has fewer millionaires and no trillionaires
- Canada's minimum wage is double that of the USA
- Traffic accident deaths: Canada 5.3 United States 12.7 per 100.000
- Happiness Index: Canada 15th United States 23rd
Imagine Canada annexing the West Coast for the ultimate Leftie-palooza, creating a maple-syrup socialist haven with Silicon Valley’s cash. They’d replace fossil fuels with PowerPoint and oat milk, roll out endless DEI and eco-friendly initiatives, and turn Canada into a sanctuary nation where everyone gets universal healthcare and free housing. It’s a progressive paradise—until they have to figure out who pays. - California
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Seating is limited so when sold-out, registrations will be adised and go onto a waiting list. Contact KEI's Event Manager HERE to organize your discussion.
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