If there was ever a time to put our collective elbows up, it should have been over a bridge named after Gordie Howe. Instead, we appear to have capitulated to a glorified extortion racket from the Trump administration, one that will have Canada handing over revenues equivalent to half the toll bridge’s net revenues for a period of 15 years. On the trade front, it seems like the concessions will have to continue until morale improves. 

I understand the broader strategy at work here, and I’m willing to bet many Canadians do as well. In the face of a volatile and vainglorious bully who’s constitutionally incapable of keeping his word, the prime minister is playing for time — ragging the puck, to stick to the Howe metaphors — and using it to expand our trade relationships and diversify our export flows. If the cost of that time is a combination of symbolic concessions, conspicuous flattery and the occasional act of strategic self-debasement, Carney seems willing to pay it.

Case in point: a recent Abacus Data poll that asked people why they thought Carney backed — and continues to back — American war against Iran. A mere 14 per cent thought it was because that's how he actually felt, while 69 per cent believed it was motivated to some extent by a need to "maintain a good relationship with President Trump and protect Canada's trade interests. As fellow pollster Éric Grenier said on the latest episode........

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