Category Archives: Sunday Stuff

Sunday Stuff

Canada–U.S. Trade: Canada Should Negotiate

Canada–U.S. Trade: Canada Should Negotiate, But It Shouldn’t Give Away the Store

Canada and the United States are back at the negotiating table, and once again Canadian businesses and consumers are watching closely.

The latest talks are particularly important because Washington is seeking additional concessions from Canada while the two countries work toward a broader trade agreement. Canadian officials have been discussing possible compromises involving areas such as automobiles, dairy and alcohol, while seeking relief from U.S. tariffs affecting important Canadian industries.

My view is simple: Canada should negotiate hard—but it should not negotiate from fear.

There is no question that the United States is Canada’s most important trading partner. That relationship supports businesses, workers and communities on both sides of the border. But Canada’s dependence on the American market also creates a vulnerability that has become impossible to ignore.

Recent events should be a wake-up call.

Canada needs the United States, but the United States also benefits enormously from Canadian products, energy, minerals, manufactured goods and agricultural exports. Trade is not a favour being granted to Canada. It is a two-way economic relationship.

That’s why Ottawa needs to approach these negotiations with confidence.

Recent Canadian economic figures offer at least some encouragement. Canada recorded a $3.86-billion trade surplus in June, its strongest in four years. At the same time, Canada’s economy added 75,100 jobs in July, dramatically exceeding expectations, while unemployment fell to a two-year low.

Those numbers don’t mean Canada can ignore the risks. They do show that the Canadian economy has more resilience than some of the headlines might suggest.

Don’t Put All Our Eggs in One Basket

The bigger lesson is that Canada needs to diversify.

Ottawa has already identified expanding trade beyond the United States as an important economic objective, including deeper relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific, Europe and other markets.

That doesn’t mean turning away from the United States. Quite the opposite.

A stronger network of international trading partners would give Canadian businesses more choices and give future Canadian governments greater negotiating room.

What Should Canada Give Up?

This is where the debate becomes difficult.

If Canada can make reasonable concessions that create stable, predictable access to the American market, there may be good economic reasons to consider them.

But there must be limits.

Canada should not sacrifice important industries, provincial interests or long-term economic independence simply to achieve a short-term political victory.

And Canadians deserve to know exactly what is being negotiated.

Trade agreements affect jobs, prices, farmers, manufacturers and communities. The public should not have to discover the details after the deal has already been signed.

The Bottom Line

Canada and the United States will remain neighbours long after today’s political leaders are gone.

That relationship is too important to be reduced to threats, tariffs and political insults.

Canada should pursue a strong agreement—but strength doesn’t mean refusing to compromise. It means knowing what matters most, protecting Canadian interests and being prepared to walk away from a bad deal.

The goal shouldn’t be to “beat” the United States.

The goal should be to build a trading relationship that works for both countries.

Canada can be a good neighbour without becoming a pushover.

And perhaps that is the most important message Ottawa should take into the next round of negotiations.

 

AI, local, Sunday Stuff

Could Saint John Become a Data Centre Hub?

Could Saint John Become a Data Centre Hub? The Pros and Cons for New Brunswick

As Canada’s demand for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital services continues to grow, communities across the country are competing to attract data centres. With its deep-water port, strong telecommunications connections, industrial land, and access to reliable electricity, Saint John is often mentioned as a city with potential for future digital infrastructure investments.

But would a data centre be a good fit for Saint John?

The Potential Benefits

Major private investment

A large data centre can represent hundreds of millions—or even billions—of dollars in private investment. That spending benefits local contractors, electricians, engineers, suppliers, and construction workers.

Jobs and economic growth

Construction could employ hundreds of workers over several years. Once operational, data centres provide high-paying careers in information technology, electrical systems, security, maintenance, and facility management. While permanent staffing levels are relatively small, these facilities can also attract related technology businesses.

New tax revenue

A major development could increase Saint John’s commercial tax base, providing additional revenue for municipal services, infrastructure, and future economic development.

Building a digital economy

Saint John has been working to diversify its economy beyond traditional industries. Data centres could complement the city’s growing technology sector and help position southern New Brunswick as part of Canada’s expanding digital economy.

Canadian data sovereignty

Keeping more digital infrastructure within Canada helps support Canadian businesses and governments by storing and processing data domestically.

The Challenges

Electricity demand

Modern data centres operate 24 hours a day and consume enormous amounts of electricity. Residents may ask whether New Brunswick’s electrical system can support new facilities without affecting reliability or increasing power rates.

Water and cooling

Some data centres require significant amounts of water for cooling, although newer designs increasingly use more efficient cooling technologies. Water use would need careful review before any project proceeds.

Limited permanent employment

Despite large construction projects, most modern data centres operate with relatively few full-time employees because many systems are automated.

Public incentives

If governments provide tax incentives or infrastructure funding to attract a data centre, taxpayers will want assurance that the long-term economic benefits outweigh the public investment.

Environmental and community impacts

Large industrial buildings, additional power infrastructure, and construction activity can affect nearby neighbourhoods. Careful planning and public consultation are essential.

What It Could Mean for Saint John

Saint John has long been known as an energy, transportation, and industrial centre. A data centre could represent the next chapter in the city’s economic evolution, helping attract new technology investment while complementing existing industries.

However, any proposal should be evaluated carefully. Residents deserve clear answers about electricity demand, environmental impacts, public incentives, long-term employment, and the overall economic return for the community.

The Bottom Line

Data centres are becoming as important to the modern economy as railways, ports, and highways were in previous generations. They can bring investment and help build Canada’s digital future—but only if projects are planned responsibly and deliver real benefits to local communities.

For Saint John, the question isn’t simply whether to welcome a data centre. It’s whether any proposed project provides lasting value for residents, businesses, and taxpayers.

Sunday Stuff

Honoring the Heart of Every Home: Happy Mother’s Day Canada!

Honoring the Heart of Every Home: Happy Mother’s Day Canada!

As May blossoms in all its glory, so does the spirit of gratitude and love for the incredible women who shape our lives. Today, on Mother’s Day in Canada, let’s take a moment to celebrate the unsung heroes, the silent warriors, and the nurturing souls who make our world brighter with their presence.

To all the mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, and mother figures out there: thank you. Thank you for your boundless love, your unwavering support, and your endless sacrifices. Your strength knows no bounds, and your love knows no limits.

In a world that often moves too fast, Mother’s Day reminds us to slow down, to cherish the moments, and to express our heartfelt appreciation for the women who have shaped us into who we are today. Whether it’s a simple hug, a heartfelt card, or a thoughtful gesture, let’s make today extra special for the queens of our hearts.

And let’s not forget those who may find this day bittersweet – those who have lost their mothers, those longing to be mothers, and those navigating the complexities of motherhood. May you find comfort, solace, and love in the memories you hold dear and the bonds that tie us all together.

So here’s to you, dear mothers. Today and every day, may you be celebrated, cherished, and honored for the incredible beings that you are. Happy Mother’s Day from coast to coast, from one grateful heart to another. You are truly the heartbeat of our nation. 💖✨”

My Thoughts, Sunday Stuff

AI-Resilient Careers (part 1)

The Qualities of AI-Resilient Careers

Artificial intelligence is changing the global workforce faster than any other technological shift in recent history. Automation, machine learning, and large language models are reshaping how work is performed, what skills are valuable, and which jobs are secure. While AI is taking over routine tasks, it is also creating new opportunities. The careers most likely to endure and thrive in the age of intelligent automation share a set of qualities that make them resilient. Understanding these qualities is essential for workers, educators, and policymakers preparing for the future of employment.

1. Human-Centered Interaction

One defining trait of AI-resilient careers is the emphasis on human connection. Machines may analyze data or generate content, but they struggle to replicate empathy, trust, and emotional intelligence. Roles that depend on interpersonal relationships—such as nursing, counseling, teaching, coaching, and customer relationship management—are far less vulnerable to replacement. These careers are grounded in human-to-human understanding, where subtleties like tone of voice, cultural awareness, and body language matter as much as technical skill.

For example, a nurse doesn’t only administer medication; they comfort patients, notice nonverbal signs of distress, and adapt care to the unique emotional state of each individual. While AI can assist by monitoring vital signs or predicting health outcomes, the human connection remains irreplaceable. The resilience here lies in emotional depth and relational trust.

2. Creativity and Originality

Another strong shield against automation is creativity. While AI can generate text, images, and music, it typically does so by recombining existing patterns rather than inventing something truly novel. Careers rooted in original creative expression—like authorship, entrepreneurship, design, filmmaking, or fine arts—require imagination, intuition, and bold experimentation.

Consider an architect. Software can generate building layouts based on efficiency or aesthetics, but envisioning a unique structure that reflects cultural identity, environmental needs, and human aspirations still demands a creative leap. Similarly, entrepreneurs who identify unmet needs and design entirely new business models are drawing on a type of creative problem-solving AI cannot fully replicate. Creativity thrives on risk, ambiguity, and personal vision—all qualities that resist automation.

3. Complex Problem-Solving in Unstructured Environments

AI excels in structured environments where rules and datasets are clear. But in messy, unpredictable real-world scenarios, human adaptability still reigns. Careers that require critical thinking, cross-disciplinary reasoning, and judgment in the face of uncertainty are more resilient.

Take disaster response teams. Algorithms can model hurricane paths or predict earthquake risks, but on the ground, responders must make rapid decisions with incomplete information. They weigh trade-offs, balance ethical considerations, and improvise solutions in volatile conditions. Similarly, policy advisors or corporate strategists must navigate shifting social, political, and economic landscapes, combining data analysis with intuition about human behavior. Careers demanding this kind of flexible, adaptive problem-solving hold strong ground against automation.

4. Ethical Oversight and Governance

As AI spreads across industries, careers centered on ethics, compliance, and governance are growing in importance. Questions about bias, transparency, accountability, and human rights require careful oversight. Roles like AI ethicists, legal advisors, policy makers, and compliance officers will only expand as societies grapple with how to regulate emerging technologies.

These careers are resilient because they rely on nuanced moral reasoning and societal negotiation—tasks far beyond the capacity of algorithms. AI cannot decide where to draw the line between efficiency and privacy, or how to balance innovation with fairness. Humans in governance roles must mediate between competing values, communities, and long-term consequences. This layer of ethical oversight ensures that the human voice remains essential in shaping the direction of technological progress.

Part 2 to be published September 28