I am Groot Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 I've mentioned in a few posts here, and in more on other forums like reddit and X, that all Carney's jetting around to (allegedly) make trade deals to diversify our trade from the US is basically performative bullshit that will accomplish nothing. The reason is fairly simple in that our ports are at or near capacity. They couldn't handle an increase of 5% in trade. The only effort at expanding them is two new slips in Montreal that have been under construction for years. Given the timelines, no notable expansion in our port facilities (including or excluding pipelines) is going to happen anytime in the next decade. I was also peripherally aware of some of the deficiencies in our ports, but not quite how backward they are. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-carney-may-accept-the-world-as-it-is-but-we-cannot-accept-canada-as-it/ 1 Quote "A civilization is not destroyed by wicked men; it is destroyed by weak men who cannot defend what is good.” — G. K. Chesterton
eyeball Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 1 hour ago, I am Groot said: I was also peripherally aware of some of the deficiencies in our ports, but not quite how backward they are. What's really deficient and backwards is how we choose to make or not make decisions and more importantly who benefits from the impasse not to mention how and why. I keep coming back to the inability to tackle the perennial issue of DST. The issue of DST is just about the least partisan ideologically riven issue we face and yet our population is divided 50/50 on it. The only real impediment to the impasse seems to be that legislators are simply afraid to enact a change that will pizz off half the population. It's not left vs right but above vs below. Crack this nut and maybe we could learn something we can apply to easier problems. Quote I said now watch what you say they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal, oh fanatical criminal
August1991 Posted February 8 Report Posted February 8 On 2/2/2026 at 2:25 PM, eyeball said: What's really deficient and backwards is how we choose to make or not make decisions and more importantly who benefits from the impasse not to mention how and why. I keep coming back to the inability to tackle the perennial issue of DST. ...... I agree. Groot must answer this issue of DST. 2 Quote
ExFlyer Posted February 8 Report Posted February 8 (edited) On 2/2/2026 at 1:16 PM, I am Groot said: I've mentioned in a few posts here, and in more on other forums like reddit and X, that all Carney's jetting around to (allegedly) make trade deals to diversify our trade from the US is basically performative bullshit that will accomplish nothing. The reason is fairly simple in that our ports are at or near capacity. They couldn't handle an increase of 5% in trade. The only effort at expanding them is two new slips in Montreal that have been under construction for years. Given the timelines, no notable expansion in our port facilities (including or excluding pipelines) is going to happen anytime in the next decade. I was also peripherally aware of some of the deficiencies in our ports, but not quite how backward they are. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-carney-may-accept-the-world-as-it-is-but-we-cannot-accept-canada-as-it/ What is "preformative bullshit"? While travelling to those countries he has made connections and deals but as with large contracts, existing ones have to be honoured and completed before new ones can come into effect. Cannot read your link...it is behind a paywall. I agree about the ports being almost up to limits...with exception of Prince Rupert. Scheduling is critical if we are not going to build more. (Hudsons Bay notwithstanding) Since taking office as Prime Minister of Canada in 2025, Mark Carney has aggressively pursued a strategy to double non-U.S. exports and diversify Canada's trade partnerships . Major New Trade Agreements and Partnerships Canada-China "Landmark" Trade Deal (January 2026): Reached during the first visit by a Canadian PM to Beijing since 2017. Agriculture: China will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed to roughly 15% (down from 85%) and remove tariffs on canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas by March 1, 2026. Electric Vehicles (EVs): Canada will allow 49,000 Chinese EVs into the market annually at a reduced 6.1% tariff rate. Energy & Security: Includes MOUs on energy cooperation (oil, gas, nuclear), law enforcement cooperation against transnational crime, and visa-free access for Canadians traveling to China. Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (September 2025): Canada’s first bilateral trade deal with an ASEAN country, expected to reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 95% of Canadian exports to Indonesia. Canada-UAE Strategic Partnership (November 2025): Secured a historic $70-billion (US$50-billion) investment commitment from the United Arab Emirates into Canadian energy, AI, and infrastructure. Canada-European Union Security and Defence Partnership (June 2025): A framework for security cooperation and Canada’s participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. Canada-Mexico Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (September 2025): Focused on North American competitiveness, infrastructure (ports/rail), and a new bilateral security dialogue. Agreements in Progress & Other Initiatives Qatar : Negotiating a new Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and a double-taxation agreement to ease bilateral investment. South Korea : Signed an MOU for industrial collaboration on "future mobility" (EVs and batteries) and an audiovisual coproduction agreement. Ecuador : Recently wrapped up a trade deal, though specific implementation details are pending. ASEAN: Actively accelerating negotiations for a full Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement, anticipated to conclude in 2026. Domestic Trade: Enacted the One Canadian Economy Act to reduce interprovincial trade barriers and expedite major infrastructure projects. Edited February 8 by ExFlyer 1 Quote You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to tell me what mine should be.
Popular Post Michael Hardner Posted February 8 Popular Post Report Posted February 8 Yes, the critique that he's flying around everywhere and meeting with other nations seems daft to me. 4 1 Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
Michael Hardner Posted February 8 Report Posted February 8 I will add that the issue of ports is indeed critical. And it's one of those things that nobody pays attention to unless they're inside the business areas affected or in governance. So good point on that for Groot... 1 Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
eyeball Posted February 8 Report Posted February 8 3 hours ago, Michael Hardner said: I will add that the issue of ports is indeed critical. And it's one of those things that nobody pays attention to unless they're inside the business areas affected or in governance. So good point on that for Groot... It's a wonder that so many people who've been similarly affected by misgovernance can't see or utilize that common experience to change how they're governed. It's a real mystery. 1 Quote I said now watch what you say they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal, oh fanatical criminal
I am Groot Posted February 8 Author Report Posted February 8 6 hours ago, ExFlyer said: What is "preformative bullshit"? While travelling to those countries he has made connections and deals but as with large contracts, existing ones have to be honoured and completed before new ones can come into effect. Cannot read your link...it is behind a paywall. Anyone with any intellectual curiosity can get around paywalls. https://archive.is/kdgj5 6 hours ago, ExFlyer said: I agree about the ports being almost up to limits...with exception of Prince Rupert. Scheduling is critical if we are not going to build more. (Hudsons Bay notwithstanding) Even PR is close to capacity. Which means there's no point in you citing 'landmark' trade deals when our exports to anyone outside the US are strictly limited by our clogged, outmoded ports. There cannot be a substantive increase. So all that flying around is accomplishing nothing. Quote "A civilization is not destroyed by wicked men; it is destroyed by weak men who cannot defend what is good.” — G. K. Chesterton
ExFlyer Posted February 8 Report Posted February 8 25 minutes ago, I am Groot said: Anyone with any intellectual curiosity can get around paywalls. https://archive.is/kdgj5 E... Why bother...if a person has something to say, you should not have to have a workaround.... Quote You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to tell me what mine should be.
CdnFox Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 On 2/2/2026 at 10:16 AM, I am Groot said: I've mentioned in a few posts here, and in more on other forums like reddit and X, that all Carney's jetting around to (allegedly) make trade deals to diversify our trade from the US is basically performative bullshit that will accomplish nothing. The reason is fairly simple in that our ports are at or near capacity. They couldn't handle an increase of 5% in trade. The only effort at expanding them is two new slips in Montreal that have been under construction for years. Given the timelines, no notable expansion in our port facilities (including or excluding pipelines) is going to happen anytime in the next decade. I was also peripherally aware of some of the deficiencies in our ports, but not quite how backward they are. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-carney-may-accept-the-world-as-it-is-but-we-cannot-accept-canada-as-it/ This echoes what I've been saying. Carney is out there promoting his own brand and making his own contacts, this will not result in any substantial trade deals. Further he is going out of his way to prevent things like pipeline deals. Meanwhile food inflation is going through the roof and realistically for all practical purposes we're in a recession, it's just a shallow one. Which means things slowly and slowly get worse economically. He's basically boiling the Frog by turning up the water slowly Honestly I think he doesn't really want to be prime minister for much more than 4 years or 5 years, by then he'll help secured enough fortune that he can retire at around 65 or so with a 100 million to 1 billion dollars a year in income and invitations to all the cool parties around Europe and the rest of the world 2 hours ago, ExFlyer said: Why bother...if a person has something to say, you should not have to have a workaround.... In other words you were too stupid to figure it out and now you want it to be someone else's fault 8 hours ago, Michael Hardner said: I will add that the issue of ports is indeed critical. And it's one of those things that nobody pays attention to unless they're inside the business areas affected or in governance. So good point on that for Groot... Yet you supported a government it was done everything you can to avoid infrastructure spending on things like ports or Pipelines. And Carney isn't going to be any better. So how can you say that you can clearly see the problem and then support a government that's specifically ignores the problem 2 1 Quote "That which doesn't kill me... Had better start running."
I am Groot Posted February 9 Author Report Posted February 9 22 hours ago, Michael Hardner said: Yes, the critique that he's flying around everywhere and meeting with other nations seems daft to me. The critique is that he's flying around everywhere and meeting with other nations for no purpose other than pantomime, playacting, performative posturizing. It's like parents reassuring the kids that everything is fine despite the car being repossessed and an eviction notice on the door. His meetings can't accomplish anything of substance on trade when we don't have the port facilities or pipeline to substantively increase our trade. 16 hours ago, ExFlyer said: Why bother...if a person has something to say, you should not have to have a workaround.... And yet if that person doesn't post a cite people demand one... 1 Quote "A civilization is not destroyed by wicked men; it is destroyed by weak men who cannot defend what is good.” — G. K. Chesterton
Michael Hardner Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 2 minutes ago, I am Groot said: 1. The critique is that he's flying around everywhere and meeting with other nations for no purpose other than pantomime, playacting, performative posturizing. 1. And do you know that, or feel it in your gut? 1 1 Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
ExFlyer Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 (edited) 12 minutes ago, I am Groot said: And yet if that person doesn't post a cite people demand one... Like you for instance ???? LOL the point was the info was behind a paywall and the poster said to work around it.... You have something to say...say it and not hide it behind a paywall and tell people to work around it.. Edited February 9 by ExFlyer Quote You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to tell me what mine should be.
Barquentine Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 15 hours ago, CdnFox said: Honestly I think he doesn't really want to be prime minister for much more than 4 years or 5 years, by then he'll help secured enough fortune that he can retire at around 65 or so with a 100 million to 1 billion dollars a year in income and invitations to all the cool parties around Europe and the rest of the world Even by your low standards that's a ridiculously biased and stoopid statement. When the next Con becomes PM and visits Britain or Japan to enhance trade you'll say the same thing of course. No, your hypocrisy will get the better(worst) of you. 2 Quote
ironstone Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 2 hours ago, ExFlyer said: Like you for instance ???? LOL the point was the info was behind a paywall and the poster said to work around it.... You have something to say...say it and not hide it behind a paywall and tell people to work around it.. This link works pretty well actually. https://archive.ph/ Just copy the link posted by Groot above, then go to this 'archive' website, and paste the link at the bottom where it says "I want to search the archive for saved snapshots" I tried it with various newspapers, National Post(works well), Globe and Mail(works some of the time). It's a method worth trying if you come up against a paywall. 1 Quote Beware the Brookfield industrial complex...
I am Groot Posted February 9 Author Report Posted February 9 3 hours ago, Michael Hardner said: 1. And do you know that, or feel it in your gut? Either he's a math challenged, or he knows damned well we do not have the capability to increase our exports given the restraints on our ports. He's alleged to be an economist. This is simple numbers. Another performative policy of his is climate change. Just last week he reiterated Liberal policy to force everyone to buy EV cars. He hopes to make 75% of vehicles EVs within ten years. Which, again, unless he doesn't understand math, he has to know is not going to happen. Again, it's simple numbers. We can barely keep the lights on today. We do not and will not have the excess power or the transmission capacity for it in order to supply that many EVs in ten years. So you tell me. Can he not count? Or is he just playacting? 2 hours ago, Barquentine said: Even by your low standards that's a ridiculously biased and stoopid statement. When the next Con becomes PM and visits Britain or Japan to enhance trade you'll say the same thing of course. No, your hypocrisy will get the better(worst) of you. If our ports are at capacity, it will still be a waste of time to try to 'enhance trade'. Do you people out there on the Left simply not undrestand math or do you feel your superior morality and nobility make your brilliant ideas immune to it? Quote "A civilization is not destroyed by wicked men; it is destroyed by weak men who cannot defend what is good.” — G. K. Chesterton
ExFlyer Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 1 hour ago, ironstone said: This link works pretty well actually. https://archive.ph/ Just copy the link posted by Groot above, then go to this 'archive' website, and paste the link at the bottom where it says "I want to search the archive for saved snapshots" I tried it with various newspapers, National Post(works well), Globe and Mail(works some of the time). It's a method worth trying if you come up against a paywall. I only was talking bout his original post.. he had to find an archive to make it readable. 1 Quote You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to tell me what mine should be.
CdnFox Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 3 hours ago, Barquentine said: Even by your low standards that's a ridiculously biased and stoopid statement. When the next Con becomes PM and visits Britain or Japan to enhance trade you'll say the same thing of course. No, your hypocrisy will get the better(worst) of you. Obviously you know it's correct or you would have some sort of counter argument. Instead of worrying about the next let's talk about the last prime ministers. Harper flew all around the world too, but you know what he came back with? Actual trade arrangements that benefited Canada substantially. You know who didn't despite flying all over the world? Trudeau. In fact we lost trade arrangements when he flew around the world. And you know who isn't delivering any trade arrangements now? Carney despite having flown around the world two or three times Hey when we get the next government in office if it's conservative I'm pretty sure they'll fly around the world and actually come back with trade arrangements again. It's what they do But if you make five or six trade related trips where your stated purpose is to get new trade agreements which is exactly what carney has done and you come back with nothing other than you gave away our car market to the Chinese, That's not impressive regardless whether it's liberal or conservative 3 1 Quote "That which doesn't kill me... Had better start running."
suds Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 On 2/2/2026 at 1:16 PM, I am Groot said: The reason is fairly simple in that our ports are at or near capacity. They couldn't handle an increase of 5% in trade. What we've failed to do in the past is now coming back to haunt us. Canada is a resource rich country full of the kinds of resources most of the rest of the world is scrambling for more than ever. Yet we have no plans to extract the resources out of the earth or the infrastructure to get them to market. And on top of that we have all these fu*king laws which makes it almost impossible to do so. Sorry, but Carney flying around the world signing MOU's isn't going to replace losing the U.S. as a major trading partner all by itself. To put it simply, our economy is on life support, and GDP indicates we're close to being in recession. What we have to do should be glaringly obvious to any observer. 2 Quote
suds Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 12 minutes ago, CdnFox said: But if you make five or six trade related trips where your stated purpose is to get new trade agreements which is exactly what carney has done and you come back with nothing other than you gave away our car market to the Chinese, That's not impressive regardless whether it's liberal or conservative No it's not too impressive. Especially giving away our car market when we're sitting on a pile of resources that China desperately needs. Perhaps if we were better equipped to market those resources we would be negotiating from a position of strength rather than weakness. Great post! Quote
Goddess Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 5 hours ago, I am Groot said: And yet if that person doesn't post a cite people demand one... He's just a whiny b!tch. He's not interested in the article anyways. His mind is already made up - the liberals are political gods and they deserve constant pom-poms, no scrutiny and no accountability. 1 1 Quote "There are two different types of people in the world - those who want to know and those who want to believe." ~~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~~
CdnFox Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 1 hour ago, suds said: No it's not too impressive. Especially giving away our car market when we're sitting on a pile of resources that China desperately needs. Perhaps if we were better equipped to market those resources we would be negotiating from a position of strength rather than weakness. Great post! BTW with regards to those trips: Mark Carney billed taxpayers $94K for in-flight catering on one single trip 1 Quote "That which doesn't kill me... Had better start running."
eyeball Posted February 9 Report Posted February 9 (edited) 7 hours ago, I am Groot said: And yet if that person doesn't post a cite people demand one... And when you do they just come up with some new excuse to stay 180 degrees away from whatever you post. 4 hours ago, I am Groot said: If our ports are at capacity, it will still be a waste of time to try to 'enhance trade'. Shipping ports are under a constant state of expansion. Notwithstanding commercial fishing ports with their litter of old abandoned fishboats, fish-plants, old boat-yards and machine shops and such. You'll find lots of that too but when I asked AI when the last time the Port of Vancouver was expanded it replied with; Recent Major Expansions: Centerm Expansion Project (Completed Feb 2023): This $350-million project increased the Centerm container terminal’s capacity by 60% and expanded its physical footprint by 15%. Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization (Completed Early 2025): This project increased the terminal's capacity by one-third to handle record volumes of Asian-manufactured vehicle imports. Trans Mountain Expansion (Operational May 2024): While a separate pipeline project, it significantly increased crude oil export capacity through the port's Westridge Marine Terminal. Ongoing & Future Projects: Roberts Bank Terminal 2: This massive project—which would involve building a new man-made island—received federal and provincial environmental approval in 2023. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2028, with the terminal opening in the mid-2030s. Deltaport Expansion Berth Four (DP4): This proposal by terminal operator GCT is currently undergoing environmental assessment and aims to further increase container capacity at the Roberts Bank site. While the land is federally owned, the actual cargo terminals are leased to and operated by companies like DP World or PSA International. Don't these bear any responsibility for the inefficiency and poor productivity of our ports? I mean I get it the government has a lot to do with things...look at the state of our old fishing ports after all. Edited February 9 by eyeball Quote I said now watch what you say they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal, oh fanatical criminal
Michael Hardner Posted February 10 Report Posted February 10 6 hours ago, I am Groot said: So you tell me. Can he not count? Or is he just playacting? I don't know enough about the subject to refute this or affirm. 1 Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
500channelsurfer Posted February 10 Report Posted February 10 Is it possible the Carney Liberals are seeking trade deals to maintain port capacities at or near their limits due to expected decrease of their use in trade with the US? Quote
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