I’ve talked to a number of people recently who have told me they have just stopped watching the news and refrain from looking at social media. For each, they were finding that world events, from tariffs to war, was negatively impacting their mental health. And no wonder. It seems that things are changing at a dizzying pace and there is very little any one individual can do about it.
Just this past week, with the imposition of more tariffs by the United States, this time not just on Canada and Mexico but the entire world, the news was dominated by the plunging stock market and fears of recession. And while I share the sentiment of many that they are tired of hearing about Donald Trump and want the focus to turn elsewhere, the reality is that simply isn’t going to happen so long as significant events south of the border continue to impact Canada and its future.
Governments don’t have the option to stop watching the news or to ignore what is happening in the U.S. with tariffs or other global affairs. But it is also not good enough for elected leaders just to simply watch. There needs to be a stronger focus on what actions can be taken to both support people today and build a better more resilient economy for tomorrow. Simply put, government needs to be very focused on the things that it can influence and not just a passive bystander to the things that are out if its control.
In Manitoba, that means being prepared to offer real supports for workers that are hurt by the U.S. and China tariffs. Steel workers and farmers have been among those that have been most immediately impacted. Support to these and other industries need to be put in place for at least the short term while the longer term future of the tariffs are determined.
It also means ensuring that Manitobans are able to keep as much money in their pockets as possible. This year we have seen record tax increases in Manitoba, driven both by education taxes and taxes at the provincial level. Manitobans may again be seeing inflation due to tariffs and counter tariffs and government needs to be extra vigilant to keep life affordable for Manitobans. While the Manitoba NDP have certainly talked a lot about affordability, little in terms of long-term relief has been provided.
As well, governments, both at the provincial and federal levels need to double their efforts to ensure that trade is both made freer within Canada and more diversified. For many years there has been talk about reducing the tariffs that exist between provinces and that is more important than ever. Also critical are efforts to ensure that we expand the global markets for the goods that Canada has that are desired around the world. While the United States will likely always be a critical market for Canada, both because of size and proximity, a more diversified customer base for our goods reduces the vulnerability we are experiencing today.
It is entirely understandable that people may choose to stop or reduce news consumption during these uncertain times. For government, it’s important that the focus be on those things that can be controlled including providing support to those impacted by tariffs, making life more affordable and diversifying trade.
