From LifeSiteNews

By Clare Marie Merkowsky

Over three quarters of Canadians polled want an immediate election to address U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff threat which could go into effect as early as February 1.

A new polls has found that 77 percent of Canadians desire an immediate election to deal with U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threat.  

According to a January 21 poll by Ipsos, over three quarters of Canadians want an immediate election to address Trump’s 25 percent tariff threat which could go into effect as early as February 1 if certain demands are not met.

“We need a federal election immediately, so we have a Prime Minister and government with a strong mandate to deal with the tariff threat from President Trump,” 77% of the polled Canadians agreed.  

Trump has threatened to put 25% tariffs on both Canadian and Mexican exports unless the countries take serious action against illegal drug smuggling and immigration which occurs at their borders.   

Initially, the tariff was to take effect on his first day of office, January 20, but it has now been hinted by Trump to be slated for February 1, leaving Canadians under two weeks to respond to his demands.   

The poll, which interviewed 1,001 Canadians, further found that 82 percent support Canada responding with its own tariffs on American goods entering the country.   

Similarly, 55 percent of Canadians believe the tariff threat is a bluff to force Canadians to strengthen their borders and increase defense spending.  

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is slated t0 resign once a new Liberal leader is selected, has told Canadians that Liberals are considering all options, including retaliatory tariffs.   

“We will not hesitate to act,” Trudeau said at a meeting of the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations on January 17. “We will respond and, I will say it again, everything is on the table.”  

However, all plans for retaliation are paused as Trudeau has suspended Parliament until March 24 by which time the Liberal Party will have selected a new leader.  

Many Canadians have pointed out that this essentially cripples Canada while Liberals sort out problems within their party.   

Yesterday, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre demanded that Trudeau immediately reconvene Parliament on an “emergency” basis so Canada can deal with looming tariff threats.  

“Canada is facing a critical challenge. On February 1st we are facing the risk of unjustified 25% tariffs by our largest trading partner that would have damaging consequences across our country,” wrote Poilievre in a news release Tuesday. 

Poilievre recalled that the United States under Trump says it wants “to stop the illegal flow of drugs and other criminal activity at our border,” and it will use tariffs against Canada as a way of forcing compliance with U.S. demands. Poilievre also pointed to the fact that the Trudeau government has admitted “their weak border is a problem,” which is “why they announced a multibillion-dollar border plan.” 

“Canada has never been so weak, and things have never been so out of control. Liberals are putting themselves and their leadership politics ahead of the country. Freeland and Carney are fighting for power rather than fighting for Canada,” Poilievre charged, demanding that Trudeau reopen Parliament immediately “to pass new border controls, agree on trade retaliation and prepare a plan to rescue Canada’s weak economy.”  

From Resource Works

Where the money comes from isn’t hard to see – if you look at the facts

In British Columbia, the economy is sometimes discussed through the lens of a “new economy” focused on urbanization, high-tech innovation, and creative industries. However, this perspective frequently overlooks the foundational role that the province’s natural resource industries play in generating the income that fuels public services, infrastructure, and daily life.

The Economic Reality

British Columbia’s economy is highly urbanized, with 85% of the population living in urban areas as of the 2021 Census, concentrated primarily in the Lower Mainland and the Capital Regional District.
These metropolitan regions contribute significantly to economic activity, particularly in population-serving sectors like retail, healthcare, and education. However, much of the province’s income—what we call the “first dollar”—originates in the non-metropolitan resource regions.

Natural resources remain the backbone of British Columbia’s economy. Industries such as forestry, mining, energy, and agriculture generate export revenue that flows into the provincial economy, supporting urban and rural communities alike. These sectors are not only vital for direct employment but also underpin metropolitan economic activities through the export income they generate.

They also pay taxes, fees, royalties, and more to governments, thus supporting public services and programs.

Exports: The Tap Filling the Economic Bathtub

The analogy of a bathtub aptly describes the provincial economy:

• Exports are the water entering the tub, representing income from goods and services sold outside the province.
• Imports are the water draining out, as money leaves the province to purchase external goods and services.
• The population-serving sector circulates water within the tub, but it depends entirely on the level of water maintained by exports.

In British Columbia, international exports have historically played a critical role. In 2022, the province exported $56 billion worth of goods internationally, led by forestry products, energy, and minerals. While metropolitan areas may handle the logistics and administration of these exports, the resources themselves—and the wealth they generate—are predominantly extracted and processed in rural and resource-rich regions.

Metropolitan Contributions and Limitations

Although metropolitan regions like Vancouver and Victoria are often seen as economic powerhouses, they are not self-sustaining engines of growth. These cities rely heavily on income generated by resource exports, which enable the public services and infrastructure that support urban living. Without the wealth generated in resource regions, the urban economy would struggle to maintain its standard of living.

For instance, while tech and creative industries are growing in prominence, they remain a smaller fraction of the provincial economy compared to traditional resource industries. The resource sectors accounted for nearly 9% of provincial GDP in 2022, while the tech sector contributed approximately 7%.

Moreover, resource exports are critical for maintaining a positive trade balance, ensuring that the “economic bathtub” remains full.

A Call for Balanced Economic Policy

Policymakers and urban leaders must recognize the disproportionate contribution of British Columbia’s resource regions to the provincial economy. While urban areas drive innovation and service-based activities, these rely on the income generated by resource exports. Efforts to increase taxation or regulatory burdens on resource industries risk undermining the very foundation of provincial prosperity.

Furthermore, metropolitan regions should actively support resource-based industries through partnerships, infrastructure development, and advocacy. A balanced economic strategy—rooted in both urban and resource region contributions—is essential to ensure long-term sustainability and equitable growth across British Columbia.

At least B.C. Premier David Eby has begun to promise that “a new responsible, sustainable development of natural resources will be a core focus of our government,” and has told resource leaders that “Our government will work with you to eliminate unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic processes.” Those leaders await the results.

Conclusion

British Columbia’s prosperity is deeply interconnected, with urban centres and resource regions playing complementary roles. However, the evidence is clear: the resource sectors, particularly in the northern half of the province, remain the primary engines of economic growth. Acknowledging and supporting these industries is not only fair but also critical to sustaining the provincial economy and the public services that benefit all British Columbians.

Sources:

1. Statistics Canada: Census 2021 Population and Dwelling Counts.
2. BC Stats: Economic Accounts and Export Data (2022).
3. Natural Resources Canada: Forestry, Mining, and Energy Sector Reports.
4. Trade Data Online: Government of Canada Export and Import Statistics.