July 28, 2026

Last week, all the Provincial Premiers met in Charlottetown, PEI for a big meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss many items including interprovincial trade, medical coverage, and the big gray cloud hanging over all of us – the newly announced 50% tariffs from the Trump administration. In my opinion, many of the provinces still have their own agendas, but I hope that they realize the gravity of our current situation with the United States and the national benefit to working together.

The phrase, “united we stand, divided we fall” is attributed to Patrick Henry in 1799, who used the phrase in his last public speech, in which he denounced The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. Clasping his hands and swaying unsteadily, Henry declaimed: “Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall.”

I’m not sure this American phrase is appropriate here, but the idea is that Canada needs to be united to stand up to the threats from the United States, as well as to build our country and our economy, through both internal Canadian trade and trading relationships with other countries.

I believe that our national security and prosperity benefits all Canadians and collectively, gives us the foundation to move forward with business and personal investments that build our security. Uncertainty undermines our willingness to commit to buying new things like cars, boats and homes.

Whatever else happens in Charlottetown, I hope the provinces reach a broad agreement to reduce or eliminate interprovincial trade barriers, bolster internal trade across Canada and also to support the progress our Prime Minister has made to cultivate a stronger and more diversified economic relationship with other like-minded countries.

While we are at it, let’s remember a time, not that long ago, when Canada had many successful boat builders including a few that were global leaders. We used to have a bright and vibrant boat building industry in Canada. We ranked with the best in the world. We did it before. Let’s plan to do it again. I hope that good things come from the Charlottetown meetings.

Andy Adams – Editor