Economics, Eh?

Canadian House of Commons, Present Day

Political divisions in the Canadian House of Commons are becoming increasingly evident as the topic of trade is plowed through. After a brief, heated discussion, the conservative members of the Parliament were disappointed when the agenda was set to the topic of trade. Burnaby South, a member of the New Democratic Party, defended this decision. “[The council] will be less divided on trade...it’s a topic we will be able to work through faster.”

The topic comes in light of President Trump’s desire to dissolve the trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Many members of the Parliament highlighted how many Canadian jobs depend on trade with North America. Since the North American Trade Agreement has been in effect, Canada has had the highest growing GDP. Now, Canada is faced with an impossible decision: dissolve the most economically favorable agreement the country has ever seen or attempt to compromise with the U.S.

The Canadian House of Commons concur on the fact that NAFTA cannot be dissolved. Both parties quickly broke into discussion. Of course, it’s not politics without party segregation. Two large clusters formed as the parties moved at a lightning-fast pace drafting working papers.

The Conservative Party of Canada is focusing on the global market. “...we want to keep NAFTA, because it is over 70% of our economics…however, [the conservative party] wants to make sure we are focusing on diversifying the economy. If NAFTA falls through in the following years, we must be able to stand alone”, mused Battle River—Crowfoot. When queried about the conservative’s plan for minimizing Canada’s reliance on America, they responded “We are exploring other economic ideas. We want to make sure we are not a table with one leg, and establish self-reliance and independency from the US.”

The member from the Liberal Party of Canada, Fundy Royal, emphasized the differences between the two working papers. They stressed that theirs, “...focuses on both long term and short term solutions...We want to compromise with the United States and try to make sure the terms of trade are favorable to both the United States and Canada.”

Despite opposing methods of doing so, both parties are looking to institute Canada as keen players in the global market. Regardless, Halifax knows one thing for sure, “we really want to put [our] foot down...we will not be bullied into anything.”

The Liberal and Conservative Party of Canada divide themselves as they formulate their individual plans.