The Big Five Podcast Is Canada losing the trade war? Plus: A new contender for Montreal’s biggest waste of money ever.
Aug 6, 2025
Andrew Caddell, a Kamouraska town councillor and expert on linguistic policy, joins Paul Gott, lead singer of punk band The Ripcordz and journalism professor, for a lively discussion. They tackle Canada’s struggle in the trade war with the U.S., highlighting failed diplomatic efforts and the shift towards Mexico for support. The duo also digs into the controversial Online News Act and its implications for media in Canada, as well as local debates over an eye-catching art installation in Montreal that’s divided public opinion.
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Canada's Trade War Challenge
- Canada's trade war with the U.S. is marked by rising tariffs and diplomatic silence from Washington.
- Despite heavy pressure, Canada's economic ties with the U.S. remain strong due to deep integration and daily multi-billion dollar trade.
Trade Tactics and Economic Impact
- Trade tariffs cause economic friction, but some sectors show resilience with minimal impact.
- Trump’s trade tactics lack strategy, behaving more like anarchic disruptions than managed negotiations.
Online News Act's Unintended Consequences
- The Online News Act led Meta to remove Canadian news from its platforms, impacting news visibility.
- While intended to support media, the Act has pushed audiences to search engines and increased fake news circulation.