Kiss it

Good day. Here is your War News Update.

Ontario premier Doug Ford told the US president to kiss his ass. He helpfully added that, “there’s a lot of real estate back there.”

In instead of puckering, Trump posted this in retaliation:

Of course, the evil White House can’t do this – it can only refer domestically to its half of the puddle with whatever name it wants, the international name, Lake Ontario, endures. To alter that would take agreement from the binational International Joint Commission, plus the naming authorities (the US Board on Geographic Names and the Geographical Names Board of Canada). Not happening.

Nobody outside of MAGA calls the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. And Lake Ontario is safe. So is Ford’s butt.

In a Maine speech JD Vance called Canada the 51st state and said that region was “sick of being ripped off” by Canadians. The state’s senator, a Republican, said Maine has seen a devastating 20% drop in tourists from the north, shuttering many businesses.

The Canadian dollar shed a half cent, but economists said a chunk of that was due to a 2% drop in oil prices. On Monday the TSX gained about a hundred points and opened flat this morning. Both BeeMo and Scotia beat analysts’ expectations in reporting financial results. Canadian bond yields moved higher by a few basis points.

In conclusion, a nothingburger. Not yet.

The prime minister is about to outline ways impacted industries will be sheltered and job losses diminished. Soon will come details on retaliatory tariffs. The NY Times devoted a 40-minute podcast this morning to the Canada-US war, and was heavily sympathetic to our side (the good guys). It referenced a weekend Angus Reid poll showing 76% support for Carney’s decision to walk away from negotiations. Even Con leader PP took a microphone today to express support for a unified Canadian position. He did not, however, mention his ass.

As I write this, Trump posts: “I deal with many countries, and Canada is easily the most difficult and unreasonable. They feel entitled, but they are not a State, and will be entitled no longer!”

Truth Social has filled quickly with anti-Canadian messages, keeping the anti-Islam, white supremacist and jingoistic war posts company.

Here’s a taste for you of where MAGA just headed:

So, let’s keep our heads.

The US trade war may carve a half-per cent from Canada’s GDP this year. But we will still not be in recession. It may cost as many as 90,000 jobs. But we created 196,000 new positions (with tariffs in place) over the past 12 months, including more than 73,000 in July. Meanwhile the Canadian stock market continues to outpace that of the US.

Days ago the US federal debt hit $40 trillion, which is 122% of its economy. Our federal debt-to-GDP ratio is vastly lower at just 41%. Even when all levels of government are included, Canadians owe substantially less than Americans – with an extra $4 trillion to be added to their unnbelievable debt load during this one Trump presidency.

So, stay calm. We have agency. Canada is emerging as a country with guts n a world that’s been cowed by a single maniacal and irresponsible leader. In the end, principle wins. In the meantime this country has resources, unity, leverage and the kind of political and social stability Americans can only now dream of.

Your balanced and diversified approach to investing will keep you safe in this storm. Stay in the boat.

About the picture: “Hope you’re well Garth,” writes Andrewski. (I’m swell.) “Here’s Gibson & Bala in deep slumber not long after getting home from our 12k daily. Sure feels great getting outside with the beautiful summer weather.”

To be in touch or send a picture of your beast, email to ‘garth@garth.ca’.

Source: https://www.greaterfool.ca/2026/08/25/kiss-it/