I made a mistake. USA alcohol had a Canadian import tariff of 25% between March 4, 2025 until August 31, 2025. I guess with the Provincial alcohol bans the feds removed it to avoid retaliation from the USA against our alcohol.
The USA has now put a tariff on Canadian alcohol on Aug 22, 2026 of 50% so as a result Saskatchewan will introduce a provincial 50% tax on USA alcohol starting Sep 8, 2026:
Blaming Canada is all they can do as they can't blame themselves or their dear leader Trump:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/gop-republicans-canada-tariffs-trump-9.7329848
Texas Republican August Pfluger praised Trump for bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and pinned blame for the trade war on Ottawa.
“It’s a war that is perpetuated by Canada,” Pfluger told CBC News. “The Canadians need to get reasonable. They’ve taken advantage of the United States for a long time.”
This trade war against Canada was started by the USA when they unilaterally violated the existing signed CUSMA deal (agreed to during the Trump 1.0 administration) by imposing tariffs on our steel and aluminum. Canada responded in various ways including most provinces banning the sale of their alcohol. Complying with the existing agreement is not “taking advantage of the USA”. The trade deficit in goods in Canada's favour is mostly due to us selling them crude oil at a discount. Almost 4 million barrels a day. Who's taking advantage of who?
The USA escalated again on August 22 so there will be “dollar for dollar” increases in our tariffs for their products coming up on September 8:
As a result of the U.S.'s decision to impose a 50 per cent tariff on $27.6 billion of Canadian goods effective August 22, 2026, the Prime Minister announced that Canada will match the incoming U.S. Section 338 tariffs – dollar for dollar.
These new countermeasures on $27.6 billion in products imported from the U.S. will be effective as of 12:01 a.m., September 8, 2026.
The new targeted counter tariffs are concentrated in sectors such as steel and aluminum, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, plastics, and electronics. In certain sectors, such as steel and aluminum, existing counter-tariffs will increase from 25 per cent to 50 per cent to match U.S. rates.
Other existing counter-tariffs, including against U.S. autos, will also continue to apply.
Canada's counter-tariffs are targeted against red/purple states such as carpet manufactured in the state of Georgia. Canada's economy is smaller than the USA but there will still be negative impacts felt by the USA with higher prices for imported goods and less demand for their exports. Not good for the ruling party leading into their November mid-term elections.
USA alcohol is still available in Saskatchewan and they report a 40% decline in sales by volume:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-american-liquor-sales-down-2026-9.7306544
There will be a larger decline soon as they will be imposing a provincial 50% tax on USA alcohol starting Sept. 8:
They're desperate to search for anyone else other than themselves to blame for the worsening affordability with their upcoming mid-term elections. Republicans can't say anything negative about their great leader Trump.
Texas Republican August Pfluger praised Trump for bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and pinned blame for the trade war on Ottawa.
"It's a war that is perpetuated by Canada," Pfluger told CBC News. "The Canadians need to get reasonable. They've taken advantage of the United States for a long time."
We have an existing signed CUSMA deal that America unilaterally broke by imposing tariffs on our steel and aluminum. Canada responded in various ways including most provinces banning the sale of their alcohol. Complying with the existing agreement is not "taking advantage of the USA".
The USA escalated again on Aug 21 so there will be "dollar for dollar" increases in our tariffs for their products coming up on Sep 8.
Unpopular opinion but that would be disproportionate escalation.
Alberta sends crude oil south and then refined gasoline, jet fuel is sent north. We have a mutual dependency on each other. Causing too much pain for them or ourselves will not be good. A fuel crisis could be an excuse for Trump to declare a National Emergency with justification for even more escalation.
The rules of a trade war are to match their import tariffs with our import tariffs. Canada is targeting our counter tariffs at USA products mainly coming from purple/red states:
It's AI but still done well about the Canadian Resistance Army. Bears, Moose, Wolverines and Beavers ready to fight:
So if the first Epstein Files Transparency act is not being followed how will creating a second one help? What is the penalty for Trump administration officials in not following the original act? What will it be for version 2.0?
There's a reason the Trump administration only focuses on the goods trade deficit. Canada imports more in services from the USA than is exported to them. Although combined goods and services Canada still exports more than it imports from the USA:
https://usafacts.org/answers/what-is-the-value-of-us-trade/countries/canada/
In any case having a trade deficit does not mean that Canada is "ripping off the USA".
Rather telling the RNC did not provide a reason for revoking the CBC's accreditation. Presumably the RNC doesn't like CBC's journalistic standards about the use of the term terrorism but we're just guessing.
But wait! There's more! Another more recent "truth" posting today:
https://trumpstruth.org/statuses/41405
For many years, the USA has been losing more than 60 Billion Dollars a year with Canada. Why??? Our long ago stolen businesses are now coming back to America in order to avoid paying tariffs. They are lining up, just like the rest of the World!!! President DJT
He seriously thinks a trade deficit with Canada means Canada is ripping off the USA.
Make it make sense.
Trump seems to be still angry with nasty Canada. Renaming Lake Ontario wasn't enough for him.
With the resignation of incumbent Liberal MP Jonathan Wilkinson there is a by-election coming up on Aug 31 for the North Vancouver - Capilano riding.
I live nearby and want to share what I am seeing.
I am getting a lot of targeted online ads from the Conservative candidate about sending Ottawa a message after 11 years of un-affordability. No mention of Pierre Pollieve in their ads or signage.
I haven't seen any online ads from the other parties.
The signage for the Liberal candidate includes a picture of PM Mark Carney literally standing behind the candidate along with the slogan "Canada Strong".
The NDP candidate's sign mentions Avi Lewis as the NDP leader with no slogan.
Neither the Green or People's parties signs have any slogan or mention of their parties leaders.
The polling at https://338canada.com/59022e.htm says as of Aug 16 the Liberals are projected to get 61% +/- 8% of the vote with a 99% chance of retaining this riding. I'm not so sure about that as I see many more conservative lawn signs on private homes around the riding so I think it may be closer than projected.
Details about previous votes for this riding are at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Vancouver%E2%80%94Capilano_(federal_electoral_district)
We'll see in a few days.
This has been @SomethingWentWrong reporting from North Vancouver.
The Ironworkers bridge will be a big bottleneck. Here's a snippet from their FAQ about this:
https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/bus-projects/r2-marine-willingdon-rapidbus
What happens during heavy traffic on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge?
During heavy traffic, accessing the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, R2 buses may take an alternate route to bypass congestion near the Cassiar Connector. All R2 stops will continue to be served. This is a routine approach already used by other bus routes in the area, including the 28, 130, and 222.