As the Dominion of Canada approaches its 159th birthday on Wednesday, the country is having a moment on the world stage. 

Canada is one of the hosts of the FIFA World Cup, along with Mexico and the United States. And our young, exciting, diverse men’s national team is soaring to new heights, showing we can compete with the best.

Of course, it would be un-Canadian to brag about it, but everyone is enjoying the ride. For once, we’re cheering for the sum of our parts, even if allegiances to our countries of origin die hard on the soccer pitch.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has also been turning heads internationally for speaking truth at a challenging moment in history. 

His speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January earned him praise among the global elite (and earned Canada new allies) for his clear-eyed diagnosis of the “rupture” in the world order and his call for middle powers to “act together, because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.”

Since then, Carney has been criss-crossing the planet to forge new trade, economic and defence partnerships.

The reasons for all this globe-trotting are dark clouds on the horizon. Since the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, Canada can no longer depend on its next-door neighbour, ally and friend for our mutual prosperity and protection.

The deadline to review our most important trade relationship, the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, is Wednesday and Trump has said he’s not sure he wants to........

© Montreal Gazette