‘Was Carney’s speech in Davos in part for political expediency – to score points at home while on the world stage? A kind of ‘elbows up’ moment. And did it really help Canada’s economy, it’s workers and businesses?’ I asked Camp after he sat down at our usual table by the window overlooking the grey waters of Gibsons harbour.

 ‘You could ask why poke the orange bear with a sharp stick and get him angry and lashing out, knowing full well that the bear is vicious and unpredictable? On the other hand, facing a certain attack, it doesn’t really matter if we poke it or not, therefore it is best to be realistic about the threat and call it what it is: An assault on our country, on our political systems and on our way of life. Should we just play dead and hope the bear goes away?’

‘But we all know that we cannot easily disentangle our economies and go it alone, without the US. NATO cannot, the EU and UN cannot and certainly Canada cannot either. We do share the longest undefended border in the world with the US and our mutual trade and culture is integrated and intertwined. Untangling it is like unravelling a large ball of wool in a storm.’ 

‘It’s been a sobering week with ICE in all-out war against the immigrant population in the streets of the nation’s cities. They have taken the war from the borders and brought the border into the country. It’s from an old playbook used by dictators and despots since time immemorial,’ Camp said, shaking his head in disgust.

‘I did a bit or research,’ I said. ‘The reality is that as of 2025, the US foreign-born population reached a record high of approximately 53 million people, about 16% of the total population. Of those about 15 million are undocumented. Most of those come to the US for work and these individuals are in the prime of their working lives.’ 

‘Yes, and studies also indicate that undocumented immigrants are not displacing US born workers. Rather, they are filling jobs that few Americans are interested in. One sector, in particular, offers a striking illustration: Undocumented immigrants account for 50 percent of all hired field and crop workers, making them essential to the success and continued viability of American farms.’

We both paused, taking the edge off our conversation by concentrating on our beers. I changed the subject, wanting to coast into friendlier waters than the stormy US politics. 

‘A couple of days ago, the IMF pointed out that Canada’s economy could grow by 7% if internal trade barriers were removed. Those interprovincial trade barriers amount to a 9% tariff. ‘Cross-province service barriers are responsible for much of this tariff, with the IMF estimating it as high as 40 per cent in sectors such as health care and education. Lift the barriers, however, and the economy could potentially grow by seven per cent, Federico Díez and Yuanchen Yang, said in a report that was released on Tuesday.’

‘Go figure.’

‘The article goes on: ‘stripping away interprovincial trade barriers would boost Canada’s economy by about seven per cent per year, or $210 billion. With global growth under pressure and productivity constraints becoming more binding, the case for integrating Canada’s internal market has likely never been stronger.’

 ‘I know that interprovincial trade barriers come in a number of forms,’ Camp said.  ‘Different trade and professional licensing standards from province to province; buy local procurement restrictions; varying product standards and business fees; and famously, a ban on direct-to-consumer shipments of alcohol from other provinces.’

I know. It’s crazy that I cannot buy wine from the Niagara peninsula here in British Columbia and neither can people in other provinces buy BC wines off the shelves at their liquor and wine stores. It is time to break down these artificial, protectionist restrictions and unify internal trade and therefore the country.’

‘What’s new this week gents?’ Vicky said as she put down a couple of fresh pints.

‘It’s raining again,’ I said. 

‘At least the weather is dependable,’ she said and we left it at that.