Canada Re-Imagined

Canada's transportation systems are a mess... costly, congested, carbon unfriendly... and too often reliant on American leadership.  This can change. The door is open for Canada to work with British and European regulators to create a new industry that will make the entire transportation system greener, cheaper, and less crowded. .

Recent developments in the exploration for natural hydrogen may offer Canada an alternative to fossil fuels, a transition that allows the oil and gas industry to thrive in a green future.  Standing in the way.... politics.

Original air date March 2023.For a multitude of reasons, all Canadians should support a Grand Bargain with Canada's Indigenous and Metis.  In the bargain, the original Canadians would be offered self-government within a new Canadian province.  They would own all Crown Land, federal and provincial, and all the resources. In return, they would have the burden of responsibility.  

In the previous episode I tried to anticipate trends leading to the United States 2028 elections.  My hope for American democracy is that the progressive forces will then take control of government. That, however, is just the beginning.  It will be time for them to renovate their constitution. 

The Second American Civil War looks at how the coming three years may unfold in the United States, and why  democracy will likely survive.  All this, with a Canadian twist. 

Previous episodes explored how Canada's obsolete Constitution makes it hard to run an efficient and effective government, especially in the face of American aggression. The Unmarked Path ties these issues together, and argues that constitutional renovation may be the best tool to unite Canadians in a new Confederation. 

In his famous Davos speech in January, Mark Carney recognized the rupture in the global order, and the challenges it presents. He argued that middle power democracies like Canada must band together. This concept aligns perfectly with the concept of nation-building projects that create jobs and revenue.  After all, our allies will need natural resources. But the path to success will not be straightforward….

Youth unemployment in Canada is at record highs. There is a lot for younger generations to worry about, and not just the big stuff like democracy or climate. What job will AI not replace? Who dares start a family? Can you ever afford a house?  Episode 4: The Brain Race, will explore some ideas on education, the future of work, and policies that might just help.

Health care in Canada is a mess. It is also one of the largest sectors of the economy. In this episode, I will make the case that our antiquated constitution is a major reason why we don’t get the quality we pay for. There is a solution.

The world has endured a miserable year of Trump. Canada has a new Prime Minister, and a new budget.  Canadians need Mr. Carney to succeed. He is our war leader.  But a number of obstacles are likely to screw up his plans.  

1:  The Third Solitude I’m Patrick Esmonde-White. Welcome to the trailer for Canada Re-imagined, season three: After the Cataclysm. For those new to my podcasts, these are audio essays that run a bit over 20 minutes, all part of a connected story arc.  2025 is finally over. American democracy is in freefall. The drums of war are pounding. The global economy is tottering. The planet burns. The oceans fill with tears.  After eight decades on this blue planet, I explore glimmers of hope.  Despair is not a plan.Three years ago, in the first season of Canada Re-imagined, I covered a wide range of issues on Canada’s future.  One year ago, my second season looked how Canada can survive Donald Trump. Looking back, I believe my crystal ball was fairly accurate.In this eight episode season of Canada Re-imagined, I will explore the reasons why Prime Minister Carney may be doomed to fail in his nation-building efforts, in spite of his best intentions. I will examine some of the key challenges ahead for Canada. Finally, I will argue that for Canada to survive the post-Trump cataclysm, he, or another leader, will have no alternative but to adopt truly radical change. Constitutional renovation… Indigenous restitution… Quebec sovereignty… and more.If you enjoy my unconventional perspective on Canadian politics, please share my podcasts. I don’t use social media… life’s too short.  I need your help.  So thanks.And now: Episode 1…The Third Solitude---Let me to start with a personal perspective. I became hooked on politics in the mid-1950’s.  Yes, not normal. I have spent the subsequent seven decades observing Canada, wondering how we got to where we are, and where the future lies.  I also got involved.Before Pierre Trudeau became Justice Minister in 1966, I was hired as his Ottawa assistant. Not many teenage university students had a boss who was as cool, as relatable. He was a generationally different politician. The following year, Canada celebrated the centennial, and the FLQ continued its terror campaign. A political storm was clearly coming.   Today, another storm is upon us.  Between Trump, climate change, and the arms race, a global crisis is unavoidable.  In my mind, Canada can learn from some of the mistakes made by Pierre Trudeau, and get through this storm.  Here’s my unconventional perspective.An early believer, I was the assistant campaign manager on Trudeau’s 1968 leadership campaign. He emerged from a heated race as the guy with an answer to the crisis of the day: Québec separatism. Our first job was to win at the convention. Our plan, which has never been revealed, was to plant volunteers in the crowd with instructions to mob our candidate. We created chaos. It worked. Trudeau won by the narrowest of margins, and the following day Trudeaumania went viral beyond our wildest dreams. Trudeau’s solution to Québec turned out to be simple: stop the terror or else; we will pay handsomely; and you stay in Canada. Alberta unwittingly picked up the tab. The War Measures Act, which I opposed, defeated the FLQ. Bilingualism was quickly made law. Transfer payments flowed through Ottawa. Yet even so, separatists almost won a referendum.  Trudeau’s big move was the 1982 Constitution Act. To appease Québec, he included a “notwithstanding” clause that allowed provinces to ignore anything they dislike. Québec was never satisfied. A second referendum soon followed, and also failed. Yet over the years, the sovereignty dream has not died. It is now coming out of hibernation.From my perspective, with hindsight, Trudeau’s strategy had three flaws. He underestimated the First Nations. He alienated the west. And he did not update federal-provincial responsibilities.&amp

Coming Sunday January 18th, an eight episode season of Canada Re-Imagined.  Join me weekly. Here's a taste!

The western alliance is in ashes. The United States cannot be trusted. To survive, Canada must work with allies, especially Europe, and fan the embers of a New Commonwealth of democracies.  Democracy can be re-invented. World Federalism must be the ultimate goal.

Canada’s antique Constitution makes good government impossible. It needs radical renovation. Ending interprovincial trade barriers is just the start. Canada must explore the advantage of Québec becoming an independent nation within a cooperative framework, allowing both to thrive. 

Renewable industries … forestry, farming and fishing … all can help fight climate change and create sustainable economic opportunities. In a Trump trade war, Canada must reinvent these industries to be self-sufficient, and greener. 

Green mining can’t happen without Indigenous support. The time has come to offer a Grand Bargain to First Nations: all Crown land, and resource revenue, to create an Indigenous self-governed province.  The catch: the province will need resource revenue urgently.  

To attract investment into green mining, Canada must cut the cost of energy, transportation and labour. The industry must be re-invented. Micro-nuclear reactors, heavy lift airships, robotics… the solutions are close at hand. 

Good government costs money, and heaven knows Canada needs more income, even as we end the oil age. Canadians can look north to become wealthy. The resources to get rich are there only if we do it right.

Canada must have a ‘conscious uncoupling’ from our former partner in security, the United States.  Here are five keys to a totally different defense strategy. Want a hint?  How about a Climate Corps instead of a tank corps.

Which of the three superpowers poses the greatest risk to Canada? We can go through the different threats. Sadly, you already know the answer.

When Trump moved into the White House, the neighbourhood went bad. To survive the civil war next door, Canada needs a plan.  It starts by understanding the weaknesses of the enemy.

If we know what we want Canada to be like in 75 years, we can plan how to get there. Canada has the tools to build peace, order and good government. They must be sharpened, and used in the fight for survival. Elbows up!

Between Trump and climate change, things look bad. Is there a  path forward that does not lead to peril for Canada?  Tune in to “Canada Re-Imagined: After Trump” for an idealists’ guide to the future.Ten episodes will follower the next two weeks.

How might Canada re-invent national security to face future threats? Six recommendations, including a new Climate Corps.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Canada’s defense is in a shambles, preparing poorly for the last war. A fresh approach is to examine military priorities in terms of risk management.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Is the adage “demographics is destiny” accurate? Trends in population growth rates are converging in an unexpected way.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Defense experts know that winning a war is not good enough. Winning the peace, after a war, is the key. That concept, of Grand Strategy, should guide foreign policy.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Abolish the Senate? Ditch the King? Not so fast! Ancient Greeks show us a non-partisan way to reform the Senate, the Governor General, and the courts. Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Many voters feel disenfranchised. A totally different approach to how we elect MPs may be the solution. Add in dynamic voting, and voila! Votes that matter.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Government budgets, especially federal, are a shell game. Money disappears, escaping taxes through hidden loopholes. Real tax reform starts when tax deductions see the light of day.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

The Bank of Canada only has one tool: the sledgehammer of interest rates. You can guess who gets hurt the most when they use it.  Hint: it’s not the bankers.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Marshall McLuhan once seemed like science fiction. No longer. The war for control over the future of humanity and democracy is well underway.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Poor and homeless. We see them all across Canada, in spite of kind efforts and massive spending. The solution starts with a Guaranteed Basic Income.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

With three ocean borders, Canada misses the potential for oceans to fight climate change, protect ecosystems, and build a totally new economic sector. Think kelp!Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

Farming is a huge part of Canada’s culture, economy, and ecology. But both family and industrial farms are heading for trouble. It’s time for a new model of sustainable agriculture.Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.

A look at forest ecosystems, sustainable forestry, Indigenous rights, and a totally new direction for Canadian forests. Some elements of this archival podcast have been overtaken by events.