Prime Minister Mark Carney won his election campaign on a promise to build “Canada Strong.” In the first weeks of his new term, he’s taken steps towards this goal. He has promised to build the strongest economy in the G7 as part of his mandate for change, and has made clear that despite our close trading relationship, the days of close integration with the United States are over.

B.C. Premier David Eby, for his part, wrote in BIV that our province will be the “economic engine of the new Canada that emerges from this global transition.”

These are fine sentiments, and they meet the moment: Our relationship with the United States is toxic, and will take a long time to recover, if it ever does. Building a strong Canada means strengthening our ties overseas, bringing Canadian-grown food and Canadian-made products to global markets. It means securing our supply chains and ensuring they are reliable. And it means ensuring that our gateway to the bustling markets of the Pacific Rim is open for business.

This is a mission of national importance. And it can start........

© BIV