The new direction in America is scary
To the Expositor:
A few months ago, Canadians were facing threats to our health, water, the air we breathe and the existential global crisis of climate breakdown. Now we’re also facing new threats to our sovereignty and economy from south of the border.
Surprisingly, Donald Trump has united Canadians. His “beggar thy neighbour” strategy—crippling us by imposing heavy tariffs on goods made in Canada—has brought us together with “elbows up.” Since taking office on January 20, Trump has issued a constant barrage of executive orders. First, he rolled back a slew of policies and regulations on climate, clean air, water, wildlife and toxic chemicals. It seems regulations that protect people and the environment are bad, and that makes de-regulation good. He’s making a U-turn on climate action. His “drill, baby, drill” policy undercuts global efforts to address climate breakdown, even as the US is hit with record-breaking wildfires and hurricanes. He’s made massive cuts to funding for science, medicine and education. Billionaires and “yes-men” are in charge, the richest man in the world gained access to confidential information on millions of citizens (a move that is being contested in courts). Humanitarian aid to sick and starving people in undeveloped countries is “on pause.” Trump is alienating his allies in Canada and Europe, and cozying up to dictators.
We’re in a federal election in Canada. In early March, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith commented on US media “…on balance, the perspective that Pierre [Poilievre] would bring would be very much in sync with, I think, with the new direction in America.” The new direction in America is scary.
Jan McQuay
Mindemoya
