Canadians rarely take the time to reflect on how American leadership affects our country. But with the recent announcement that the Manitoba RCMP is now patrolling our border with a Blackhawk helicopter, it’s time to give credit where it’s due. President Donald Trump deserves our thanks for this significant improvement in our border security.
The overwhelmingly positive response to this development speaks volumes about how Canadians feel about our own security. Let’s face it: it took Trump’s leadership to finally push action on securing our border—something Canadian politicians have neglected for years. His boldness on border security created a ripple effect that has directly benefited us. It’s a wake-up call to our leaders, and we can only hope they’ll act on it to bring more radical, much-needed changes to Canada.
Trump has been in office for less than a week, and we have already seen significant changes. His presidency, while controversial, has been marked by decisive action in the first week. When he promised to secure the U.S. border, he wasted no time delivering. His policies have forced Americans and their neighbours to take border security seriously. The introduction of Blackhawk helicopters along the Manitoba-U.S. border is a tangible result of that focus—an achievement no Canadian leader has accomplished in recent memory. This highlights the need for bold leadership here at home.
Yet, instead of focusing on what we can learn from Trump’s success, the Canadian media is fixated on his proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods. While this is indeed alarming, it distracts from the other issues that could negatively impact Canada if we don’t make changes ourselves. Trump’s larger agenda—revolutionizing the U.S. tax system, making the US an energy powerhouse, eliminating DEI policies, and making significant cuts to government spending—poses far greater challenges to Canada’s economic competitiveness.
Trump’s plan could be to replace federal income taxes with tariff revenues, leaving Americans with significantly more disposable income. Imagine earning $50,000 a year and taking home the full amount because tariffs, not income taxes, fund the government. Compare that to Canada, where rising personal income taxes, capital gains taxes, employment insurance, and pension contributions eat into our paychecks year after year. Add to that the carbon tax, which increases the cost of everything from groceries to heating. The money we earn is taxed several times; it’s clear why Canadians are feeling the squeeze. Despite all these taxes, have the services we receive improved? Hardly.
If only Trump’s tax policies succeed, Canada will face an even greater exodus of businesses and talent to the U.S., leaving us with fewer opportunities and less investment. This is the real wake-up call for Canadian politicians. Instead of continuing to raise taxes and impose new regulations, we need bold, decisive action to make Canada competitive. That starts with unlocking our natural resource potential.
Canada is rich in minerals the world desperately needs, yet endless red tape and political posturing delay or block development. We struggle as a nation while the answer to our economic strength and positive future lies beneath the ground. Opening the northern port should be a priority, not a bargaining chip, as Premier Wab Kinew would have it. We can become an economic powerhouse by putting our resources on the global market. Where is the vision of our political leaders? All we hear is whining and political spin; I want to hear a vision for a prosperous future.
We also need to address the absurd barriers to interprovincial trade. In 2025, it’s incomprehensible that Canadian businesses still face unnecessary hurdles when operating across provincial borders. Eliminating these restrictions would not only strengthen our domestic economy but also make us more competitive internationally.
Trump’s influence extends beyond economics and security. His administration’s radical overhaul of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies could further drain talent and businesses from Canada. By focusing on merit-based hiring and reducing bureaucratic complexity, the U.S. could become a magnet for top talent. If Canada clings to outdated DEI frameworks, we risk losing our brightest minds to a more opportunity-rich environment south of the border.
On the environmental front, Trump’s rollback of emissions caps, EV mandates, and strict regulations is another wake-up call. If Canada insists on maintaining policies like the carbon tax while our neighbours abandon them, we will suffer economically with little environmental benefit. Canada contributes less than 1.5% of global CO2 emissions, and unilateral measures won’t make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change. Aligning with U.S. policies would protect our economy without sacrificing environmental responsibility.
Trump’s leadership—whether on border security, economic reform, or environmental policy—should inspire Canadian politicians to take bold, transformative action. His ability to deliver results has exposed the stagnation and indecisiveness that plague our own political leadership. Canada needs elected officials who prioritize outcomes over optics and the well-being of their citizens over partisan agendas.
The addition of Blackhawk helicopters at the border is a symbol of what can happen when leaders take action. It’s proof that bold decisions can lead to real improvements. But this is just the beginning. Canada’s politicians must use this moment to address larger issues—from tax reform to resource development—that will determine our nation’s future.
Trump works for the American people, and he does so unapologetically. It’s time for Canadian leaders to do the same for us. Let’s make Canada a place of opportunity where businesses want to invest, and citizens can thrive.