Only On The Walters Post

Lately folks, several countries, including Canada, have put out warnings about traveling to the United States. These warnings talk about issues with the U.S. border, detentions, and stricter policies put in place under the Trump administration. But before we start buying into these claims, we need to take a step back and think about what’s really going on.

The truth in my mind is, the U.S. is in a complicated spot right now. Since Trump came into office, he’s signed a number of orders that make it harder to cross the border, tightened visa rules, and cracked down on illegal immigration. These changes have raised concerns, and that’s understandable. And when you make big changes like that, there are always going to be people upset by it.

But here’s where things get interesting. These travel warnings from other countries seem to be more than just concern for their people. It’s like when a child gets upset because they’re being told “no” and they throw a tantrum. It’s less about the real problem and more about not liking being told what to do. I kinda think that countries like Canada are frustrated with Trump’s policies, and it’s spilling over into how they talk about traveling to the U.S.

The reality is, the people in the U.S. are just like anyone else. They’re not bad people. They’re kind, hard-working folks who care about other countries, just like most people in the world. Sure, there are troublemakers everywhere, but that doesn’t mean we should judge the entire country based on a few bad apples.

The U.S. is just trying to protect itself. They’re dealing with their own problems and doing what they feel is best. Honestly, we should have been doing the same thing here in Canada for a long time. It’s easy to point fingers, but every country has to look after its own borders and security.

It’s funny, though, because as these warnings keep coming, I can’t help but wonder where all of this is taking us. It feels like everyone’s just digging in their heels and blaming each other. But when you look past the noise, you see that these travel warnings aren’t about real danger, they’re about frustration and politics. The average American, just like the average person anywhere, wants what’s best for their country.

So, before we let all these headlines tell us how to think about the U.S. or any other country, maybe we should take a step back and remember that the people we’re talking about are just that—people. And at the end of the day, we all need to figure out how to get along in this crazy world.

Finally, don’t go taking this as gospel, folks. These are just my rambling thoughts and musings, based on a lifetime of seeing things and a whole lot of figuring it out as I go. I’m not claiming to be the authority on anything here—just a guy who’s seen a few things and has some opinions. If you feel like it, go ahead and form your own thoughts. In the end, we all gotta make sense of this world in our own way.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post!

It seems to me that too many people today are looking for reasons to be upset. They’ll take a lifetime of achievement, a legacy that shaped a nation’s pride, and toss it aside over something as trivial as a suit color or a political preference.

So what am I talking about? Well, lately, I’ve seen folks turning on Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player this country has ever produced. Not because he did something wrong, not because he hurt anyone, but because he didn’t wear a red and white jersey at an event and because he’s been seen around Trump. And for that, some people are ready to strip him of his Canadian identity? That’s just plain dumb in my books.

Gretzky was, and always will be, a legend. If he likes Trump, big deal. That doesn’t erase what he did on the ice, or what he gave to this country. You know, we used to be able to respect people even if we didn’t agree with them. Now, if someone doesn’t fit a certain mold, they get cast aside.

I think some folks have lost their way when it comes to thinking for themselves. We don’t have to agree with everything someone says or does, but we sure don’t need to rewrite history just because we don’t like their politics.

If anything, maybe it’s time we start focusing more on what actually matters, like respect, reason, and remembering that a person is more than just the last thing they did.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post!

Well, here we go again, the government is talking about reviewing Canada’s contract for F-35 fighter jets, and of course, Trump is the easy target to blame. Prime Minister Mark Carney is suggesting that maybe we should rethink our purchase from the U.S. and look at other options. But let’s be honest here—when it comes to top-tier military aircraft, the U.S. is in a league of its own. No other country produces fighter jets with the same level of technology, capability, and combat effectiveness. That’s just a fact.

So what’s really going on here? Is this a strategic move, or just another way to back out of military spending while making it look like a principled decision? Looking at Canada’s track record, it’s hard not to be skeptical,as military investments have always been more talk than action. Governments make big promises about upgrading our forces, but when it comes time to write the checks, the enthusiasm fades. The F-35 deal was already a long, drawn-out process, and now we’re talking about putting it back under review? Sounds like a way to stall, plain and simple.

But let’s play along for a moment, let’s say Canada really wants to break away from relying on the U.S. for our military hardware. If we’re serious about that, then why not take this opportunity to invest in our own defense industry? Instead of shopping around for second-best alternatives, Canada could be looking at building a real aerospace manufacturing sector right here at home. We have the talent, the resources, and the workforce. Imagine the thousands of jobs that could be created if we started producing our own high-tech military equipment instead of sending billions of dollars across the border. Not to mention, it would strengthen our economy and give us true independence when it comes to national defense.

But will the government take that kind of bold step? Not likely. It’s easier to kick the can down the road, blame Trump, and pretend like we’re making a tough decision. In the end, we’ll probably just end up right back where we started, with more delays, more excuses, and no real action. The truth is, Canada needs a strong, modern military, and that means either committing to the best available technology or stepping up and building it ourselves. Anything else is just political noise.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post!

Canadians will see a drop in gas prices soon, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has signed an order-in-council to eliminate the federal consumer carbon tax starting April 1, 2025. This means the extra charge on gasoline and natural gas will be gone, reducing costs by 17.6 cents per liter of gas and just over 15 cents per cubic meter of natural gas.

The move follows years of debate over carbon pricing and its impact on affordability. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have both been vocal opponents of the tax, arguing it increased the cost of living and hurt businesses. While they welcome its removal, there’s still concern about what comes next.

Carney’s government has made it clear that while the consumer levy is going away, industrial carbon pricing will increase. That means big polluters—especially in oil and gas—will face higher costs, though the exact details remain unclear. Smith has already called for a federal election, saying Albertan’s need to know “just how badly he’s going to punish the oil and gas sector.”

So, what does this really mean for everyday Canadians? Lower fuel costs, at least for now. The carbon tax portion on gas and home heating will be gone, but other taxes remain, including:

• The federal excise tax (10 cents per litre on gasoline)
• Provincial fuel taxes (which vary across the country)
• GST/HST, which is applied to fuel purchases

This change applies across the country, including Ontario. So yes, Ontarian’s will see the same price drop at the pump and on their natural gas bills. But keep in mind, the government is shifting the focus—while consumers get a break, big industries will be hit with higher levies to keep up with Canada’s climate commitments.

And let’s not forget: just because the tax is removed doesn’t mean prices won’t shift for other reasons as fuel companies and provinces could adjust pricing in different ways. And if history tells us anything, savings at the pump don’t always last.

With the April 1st timeline, some Canadians might be wondering if this is some kind of April Fools’ joke—but no, this one’s real, I think ha ha. The only question now is if we’ll see new costs creeping in under a different name.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

It seems like every time you turn on the news, there’s another economist warning about a looming recession. But let’s be honest, Canada has been in an economic downturn for years. Maybe it doesn’t fit the technical definition of a recession, where GDP shrinks for two consecutive quarters, but look around. The cost of living has skyrocketed, homelessness is on the rise, and good luck finding a family doctor. These are the real indicators of economic struggle, not just numbers on a chart.

Now, with a federal election on the horizon, the government will no doubt ramp up spending, handing out money to different groups and businesses in what looks an awful lot like vote-buying to me. But in reality this isn’t a new trick, t’s how politics works. Give out a few bucks, make people feel like they’re getting a break, and suddenly, votes come rolling in. Meanwhile, the hardworking Canadians footing the bill are taxed to the hilt.

Taxes are the silent killer of the working man’s paycheck. Half of what’s earned is taken before it even hits the bank, and then what’s left gets taxed again through endless fees, sales taxes, and hidden levies. Yet, the people in charge—the ones in expensive suits sitting in million-dollar offices—keep finding ways to take more while giving less. And people let it happen. Why? Maybe they’ve been convinced there’s no other way. Maybe they think, “What can I do?”

Now, they’re pointing fingers at Trump’s tariffs, blaming them for economic troubles, but let’s not pretend our problems started there. Hell Government spending in my mind has been out of control for years, funneling money into programs and initiatives that don’t always serve the people who need help the most. The truth is, Canada’s financial struggles run deeper than any trade dispute. It’s about priorities, accountability, and the burden placed on everyday citizens.

The thing is, economists like to talk about how to weather a recession, cut back on expenses, build an emergency fund, pay off debt. Which is all good advice, but it’s hard to do when the cost of everything from housing to groceries keeps climbing, and wages can’t keep up. The real solution? Stop overtaxing the people who actually work for a living, let them keep “all their earning” instead of funneling it into government coffers where it’s spent on who-knows-what.

The average Canadian isn’t asking for handouts, just fairness. There should be “No Tax On Wages“, more accountability on spending, and policies that support the people doing the heavy lifting in this economy. Until that happens, no amount of economic forecasting will change the reality on the ground: hard times are here, and they’ve been here for a while.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

You know, folks, it never ceases to amaze me how much we, as Canadians, let ourselves get riled up over what Trump or his more aggressive allies have to say. Take this latest mess, Trump’s guy, Howard Lutnick, spouting off about how Canada can’t survive without the U.S., how we don’t respect Trump, and how we should just be grateful and fall in line. Then Trump himself jumps in, throwing out wild talk about Canada as the 51st state, military spending, and icebreakers. And just like that, ‘the outrage machine fires up across the country.‘

But let’s take a step back and ask ourselves: why are we reacting at all?

See, in all my years raising kids, I’ve noticed a simple truth, people like Trump and his crew operate the same way children do when they don’t get their own way. They push, they prod, and they say the most outrageous things, just to get a reaction. And when they get one, well simply put... they double down because they know they’ve found a button to push. And… the more we huff and puff about every insult or ridiculous comment, ‘the more we’re just feeding the fire.‘

It’s like when a kid throws a tantrum. If you react to every little outburst, they’ll just keep doing it. But if you ignore them? They lose interest real quick, that’s exactly what needs to happen here. ‘But more importantly,‘ this should be a wake-up call for us as a nation. Instead of getting caught up in the back-and-forth, we should be using this moment to realize that ‘we need to become more self-sufficient.‘

Truth be told, Trump and Lutnick aren’t entirely wrong. Lutnick claims Canada “doesn’t exist” without the U.S., and Trump says we “pay very little” for our military because we rely on American protection. And sure, Canada has just 60 planes.

‘So…let them talk big’, make their threats, and pat themselves on the back, as it doesn’t change who we are or how we operate. But here’s the hard truth, as Trump has a point. We should have invested more in our own defense long ago. The powers that be pushed it aside, and ‘they got away with it‘, but times are changing, and now we need to step up and build our own strength. which we can do!

We have the ability. We have the resources. And with the amount of taxes the working man or woman pays, which is nearly half their paycheck going into Governments Purse, there is absolutely no excuse for why we can’t build up our own military, our own industries, and our own economy without depending on the U.S. or any ‘other country.’ The old days of sweeping things under the rug, and hoping countries like the U.S. will always have our backs are Over, Done, Finished.

The point I am trying to make is; We don’t need to validate ourselves by screaming back at every insult. We don’t need to give in to the endless game of tit-for-tat, we need to take action and strengthen our country now, sooner rather than later.

And those who think we don’t need to step up, well they are the same ones who let us fall behind in the first place. Talk is cheap, but strength is built in silence, it’s time to stop arguing and start acting, because no one respects a country that won’t stand up for itself, and right now, that’s exactly how the world sees Canada.

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

It sure has me wondering where a lot of our minds are at these days, with all the fabricated chatter going on in Canada. It seems like not just some of the public, but also some of our so-called leaders, are all over the radio, TV, and social media, saying that because of Trump and what he’s doing, we should be doing everything we can to get back at the USA. Now, here’s the thing, like I’ve said many times before, it’s not the USA as a whole we should be against. If there’s an issue, it’s with the powers that be, and even then, whether they’re truly at fault is up for debate.

Some people are pushing for buying everything from other countries instead of the USA, and in my mind, that’s total craziness. There’s no better place to get good produce, vegetables, or even clothing than from our neighbors to the south. We should be supporting the farmers and industries there. Now in saying that, when our own farmers have crops ready, we should be buying local and supporting them. That’s just common sense. But to turn away from the USA entirely out of some grudge is a mistake.

People also need to remember that many of the countries we’re turning to instead don’t have the same safety measures in place as Canada or the USA. They’re still using pesticides and chemicals we outlawed years ago, and in some cases, their crops are grown in soil loaded with… who-knows-what. So while some folks are trying to make a point by avoiding American goods, they may be hurting themselves in the process.

Now, let me say one more thing, like it or not, I give the Americans credit for finally standing on their own two feet and the truth of the matter is, it’s something they should have done years ago, just like we should have done here in Canada, years ago. There’s something to be said about taking care of your own first.

And as for this talk about flying the Canadian flag to show our support for our country… well, that’s a great idea. But I see no issue with flying an American flag too, and I will be when we open our store. We have a lot of American friends, and I won’t be dictated into doing something that doesn’t sit right with me.

Oh, and before you go buying a Canadian flag, might pay to take a good look at where it was made. And while you’re at it, check the price, too, as it seems like some folks are using tariffs along with other things, as an excuse to jack up prices. Makes me shake my head.

At the end of the day, we need to get our minds set right. It’s about supporting what makes sense, not making knee-jerk decisions, just because of who’s in office. Let’s focus on what really matters, buying safe, quality goods, supporting our farmers, and thinking for ourselves. For a change!!!

Until the next time, keep your minds open and your stories alive. GW