So, not by naturalization. But also not by birthright. Hmmmm… if a regime just wants to handpick who does or doesn’t get to belong, based on criteria they alone decide, without clear right of recourse, with (potentially violent) enforcement, I think there’s a word for that….

Very much enjoying listening to @vassb.bsky.social & @drjengunter.bsky.social saying very sensible things about the roles of gov’t in addressing health mis/disinfo. Also reminded that Canada once had a publicly-funded, expert-created, free health info network. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia...

Does Greer think *all* of Canada’s GDP relies on exports? Does he know how to calculate GDP? Historically, 75% of our *exports* have gone to the U.S. but that only ever translated into 17% of GDP. And Canadian businesses are actively pursuing other markets. www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/36-28...

/ Another for the stay-the-course pile

100% this In this dynamic, our social safety net is a huge asset in this negotiation in maintaining cohesion as we take hits. Some hits will be exogenous as Goliath goes about, stabbing himself in the eye while stomping on nearby villages. But other hits may have to be calculated risks.

Lemme try again sans typos. Wires are reporting this as reopening bilateral talks. That’s not quite what this is. x.com/josh_wingrov...

Trump crashes out over Bad Bunny’s halftime show

Just over 10 years ago, I reached out to Elly in a moment of major stress over a professional choice I’d been cornered into. He called me despite the late hour, gave me excellent counsel and then took me out for lunch a day or so later. I’m still very grateful for the advice he gave me.

I wish I could tell people like me, who first came to Bluesky and felt pummeled by performative scolding, that now it feels a lot less like that and a lot more like that brief window when Twitter was pretty good: useful, occasionally ridiculous, a place to discover new thinkers & writing

Well, there it is.

"Mini-toba"! Ha! That's actually pretty funny.

Today was the deadline to submit comments to the federal Department of Finance on the proposed "automated benefits" in Budget 2025. Here's a substack copy of what I submitted. open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...

😂

Just checked ISED data, in 2024 🇨🇦 exported (excl re-exports) $92M in aircraft (< 2k kg) of which $86M was to U.S. ised-isde.canada.ca/app/ixb/tdo/... The trick is to be willing and able to withstand the pain for longer. Recall, exporters only pay a small share of the net tariff.

👀

Q: Does Bovino still get to be a Christmas Adventurer?

As promised -- something quick on the GST Credit revamp and today's announcement on food affordability. open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...

More money and top ups to GST credit is good as myself, @gillianpetit.bsky.social and @jrobson.bsky.social wrote about before policyoptions.irpp.org/2022/09/gst-.... Renaming it is unnecessary and has unnecessary risks. I don’t understand

In light of @mark-carney.bsky.social announcement on food security measures (full expensing for greenhouses, $ for food banks, national Food Security Strategy), it seems like a good day to re-up a thing I wrote nearly exactly a year ago: medium.com/@jennifer.ro... 1/2

For the AM crowd.

Since before the holidays, I've been musing about ways to address the problems in C-15, Div. 2. Parliament comes back tomorrow to think about the bill. Here are some thoughts. open.substack.com/pub/robsonj/...

That was quicker than maybe expected bsky.app/profile/jrob...

Pay attention 🇨🇦 media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/...

A reminder that Bessent is supposed to be one of the more normal ones around Trump. I would take this as a clear sign the WH is open to (or even keen on) interference in any AB election or referendum.

Currently reading: www.nber.org/papers/w34687

don't put it in your newspaper that i got mad

Oh.

In case you want to watch for yourself. He gets confused after calling Greenland « a sheet of ice » and starts talking about acquiring *Iceland*. He also issues a warning/threat that Canada only exists by the grace of the US, admonishing Carney to recall that the next time he makes a speech. +++

Trump also just posted an image of his meeting with European leaders from August, but edited to feature a map of North America covered in the US flag -- including Canada

Donald Trump a les yeux sur l’arctique canadien. Il en parle de plus en plus souvent en privé depuis quelques semaines, selon NBC. Il souhaiterait une entente et plus de coopération militaire. A surveiller en 2026.

Not just from Europe The problem is assuming 1) the US would succeed & 2) local populations would be welcoming and show the US local ways Recalling some NYT pieces on « what annexing Canada would mean for congressional races » 🤮

Pay attention 🇨🇦

This is mad king stuff, for real.

This seems right (Trump likes Carney>Canada), + the quote is v unexpected (+ inconsistent with US Nat Sec Policy, position of USTR, US Ambo, ++). Trump’s general disposition towards Carney (plus own plans for China visit/deal), may spare us from US retaliation for now, but durably?? Not sure.

🇫🇷 La France a déjà déployé "une première équipe de militaires" au Groenland dans le cadre d'une mission militaire européenne, et va dépêcher "dans les prochains jours" de nouveaux "moyens terrestres, aériens et maritimes" dans le territoire autonome danois, a annoncé jeudi Emmanuel Macron.

In economics this is known as a Maralago improvement.

« on every unclassified and classified network » what could possibly go wrong?

Ssshh!!!! Say nothing.

A remarkable statement by a central banker. The implications are enormous. “Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats.”

Powell‘s words are clear and chilling. The Fed can’t defend itself from the White House. The Senate and the courts will have to step up. Will they?

Some countries that have prosecuted or threatened to prosecute central bankers for the purpose of political intimidation or punishment for monetary policy decisions: Argentina, Russia, Turkey, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

No, he doesn't

For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies

I wrote this back in April last year. It’s back on my mind. medium.com/@jennifer.ro...

If they can’t get them on “readiness, training, performance, [and] casualties” they will get them on “command climate”.

100% this. But read the whole thread. Well worth your time.

reviving Keystone XL seems a lot less likely this morning

Note, he never says “democratic”

Annex Canada, bomb Mexico ... the USMCA review this year may have some bumpy patches.