• Thanks for stopping by. Logging in to a registered account will remove all generic ads. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Liberal Minority Government 2025 - ???

Just one point, Humphrey: You can't go that way for the Arctic Resupply route. The way you show can only go to Iklulik. The passage between that route and Baffin Island is unnavigable, so the Arctic resupply route still has to go around Baffin island. That is the reason why St John's is as good a support base for the Arctic as Churchill would be: there is no distance steamed advantage.

Technically navigable in the right conditions?
 
The polling on holding a referendum is interesting, it seems PQ gaining popularity has little to do with separatism and mostly just a dislike for the current state of other the parties in the province.

Yes: 29%
No: 62%
Undecided: 9%

The PQ might end up shooting themselves in the foot if they go any harder than they already are towards a referendum.

 
An all-weather road would be a bloody slog. Unforgiving terrain up there. Mostly swamps and bogs.





Worse than these?
 

Technically navigable in the right conditions?
Is the issue/concern - ice or depths or both?

Both.

Some sections of the strait are very shallow, from a merchant ship point of view or a heavy icebreaker point of view. This is complicated by the fact that there are weird currents and wind effects in the strait due to very large tidal effects and wind tunnel effects, and finally, it accumulates ice in the summer like crazy, in view of the narrowing here and there. As that ice piles up on top of itself, it quickly becomes way too much even for icebreakers.

Five or six years ago (IIRC, could be a little longer) CCGS Terry Fox and Des Groseillers tried escorting a merchant ship through there. Almost right off the bat, the merchant ship realized it wouldn't work when Terry Fox got itself stuck a few kilometers ahead and the path cleared by Des Groseillers closed itself behind her as fast as she opened it. The merchant, which was just getting in the edge of the ice, managed to get itself out and went the long way around Baffin Island, but TF and DG were stuck there trying to work themselves out for a couple of days.
 
Saying that soldiers won't serve where the government sends them is a weak argument.
Ignoring the reality that in an all volunteer force, soldiers/sailors/air humans get a say in whether or not they want to go, and then stay somewhere, is a weaker argument. You can't hand wave away inconvenient realities.

If the CAF wants to send people to live full-time in the North, the CAF will need to incentivize it somehow, and it will not be cheap.
 
Ignoring the reality that in an all volunteer force, soldiers/sailors/air humans get a say in whether or not they want to go, and then stay somewhere, is a weaker argument. You can't hand wave away inconvenient realities.

If the CAF wants to send people to live full-time in the North, the CAF will need to incentivize it somehow, and it will not be cheap.
CAF pays includes a significant "military factor" to compensate for mobility (among other elements).

 
Another team Trudeau pushed out, and happy to see him gone

Bill Blair resigning seat, will become next high commissioner to U.K.


AI summary of the issues in play.

Based on past performance - my guess is he'll be out of his depth and quickly overwhelmed and trampled by the British (get the lettuce ready) and withdrawn early to retire....


As of early 2026, the Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, with Bill Blair set to succeed Ralph Goodale, faces challenges centered on stalled trade negotiations, particularly regarding agricultural access. Other key issues involve navigating a competitive London market, strengthening post-Brexit ties, and aligning with the new UK government after previous negotiations hit roadblocks over food regulations.

Key Challenges and Issues:

Stalled Trade Negotiations: A major issue has been the pause in trade talks, which were halted over unresolved agricultural access issues between the two countries.

Post-Brexit Economic Relations: Following the UK's departure from the EU, the High Commissioner must navigate a new, complex economic landscape to ensure favorable terms for Canada.

Intense Competition in London: The UK market is described as "overheated" and highly competitive, making it challenging to secure attention and promote Canadian interests, such as for the province of Saskatchewan.

Political Shifts in the UK: The need to build new relationships with changing UK governments (e.g., transitions from Johnson to Truss to Sunak to Starmer) has made continuity difficult, though there is hope for better relations under new leadership.

Strategic Alignment: The role requires managing the delicate balance of international crises (e.g., Ukraine, Middle East) while fostering bilateral trade, as well as addressing issues like the regulation of the monarchy.

Internal Logistics: The role involves managing the consolidation of provincial offices (such as Saskatchewan) into Canada House to streamline efforts.

Ralph Goodale, during his tenure, emphasized that despite these challenges, the relationship remains crucial for trade, including securing access for products like beef and pork.
 
CAF pays includes a significant "military factor" to compensate for mobility (among other elements).


Quite right DP. But someone mentioned the US forces in Alaska earlier. Did you know that their posting to Fort Wainwright is considered a "foreign posting" in their system, with all the extra perks that come with it?

Maybe we need to do the same for our forces North of 60.
 
With multiple by-election happening soon now, Carney may use this as a litmus test of his performance. Yes its a liberal safe riding but if the final vote is worse for the liberals its not a good sign
 
AI summary of the issues in play.

Based on past performance - my guess is he'll be out of his depth and quickly overwhelmed and trampled by the British (get the lettuce ready) and withdrawn early to retire....


As of early 2026, the Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, with Bill Blair set to succeed Ralph Goodale, faces challenges centered on stalled trade negotiations, particularly regarding agricultural access. Other key issues involve navigating a competitive London market, strengthening post-Brexit ties, and aligning with the new UK government after previous negotiations hit roadblocks over food regulations.

Key Challenges and Issues:

Stalled Trade Negotiations: A major issue has been the pause in trade talks, which were halted over unresolved agricultural access issues between the two countries.

Post-Brexit Economic Relations: Following the UK's departure from the EU, the High Commissioner must navigate a new, complex economic landscape to ensure favorable terms for Canada.

Intense Competition in London: The UK market is described as "overheated" and highly competitive, making it challenging to secure attention and promote Canadian interests, such as for the province of Saskatchewan.

Political Shifts in the UK: The need to build new relationships with changing UK governments (e.g., transitions from Johnson to Truss to Sunak to Starmer) has made continuity difficult, though there is hope for better relations under new leadership.

Strategic Alignment: The role requires managing the delicate balance of international crises (e.g., Ukraine, Middle East) while fostering bilateral trade, as well as addressing issues like the regulation of the monarchy.

Internal Logistics: The role involves managing the consolidation of provincial offices (such as Saskatchewan) into Canada House to streamline efforts.

Ralph Goodale, during his tenure, emphasized that despite these challenges, the relationship remains crucial for trade, including securing access for products like beef and pork.
Its interesting that Carney signed off on this. I mean, Blair will be the 'face' of Carney during the current time period that Carney is PM.
 
Back
Top