Yes, this is what I’m saying. The federal government can do things to address these issues. I’m not a policymaker, I’m just some jackass sitting at a computer. A government with vision could make strides.

And to my initial point, a government that could build political bridges with the provinces would be even more effective.

Housing is not the responsibility of the federal government. Any support they offer would need to be handled by Provincial leadership and municipalities.

Better tax breaks and incentives for first time buyers, higher restrictions on foreign and corporate ownership of single family homes. Etc. There are plenty of things a motivated federal government could do. This government isn’t motivated to address the housing issue.

As for “affordability”… that’s a very broad term. Are you referring to anything in particular?

Something over and above the toothless grocery code of conduct, which hasn’t even been agreed upon? Lower tax rates on earnings for people near and below a living wage, which itself is indexed to inflation.

And you should also keep in mind that we have a minority Federal Government

Not while the Liberals held a majority from 2015-2019, and not during the supply and confidence agreement from 2021-2024. It’s incorrect to argue that the Liberals have been hamstrung by a minority Parliament. They could have accomplished anything they wanted to.

We should demand more from our federal government. The Liberals have been bad, and I don’t understand the view that they’ve done well under the circumstances. They haven’t. I read your comment as apologism for the Liberals, and I genuinely don’t understand that position.

I think it’s cruel to wish ill fate on a fellow Canadian. Please consider that no province in this country, from east to west, is a monoculture, politically speaking. I say this as an Albertan.

I’m not sure I understand your point. I’m talking about things like housing and affordability, which affect people across the country. These things could be handled more proactively on the federal level, and with coordination between GoC and the provinces. A $250 cheque and a gst holiday in advance of an election is bread and circuses. There are real issues that the nation is far behind on. The current government has done a bad job with these. They’ve lacked the ability or will to even identify housing and affordability as matters for intervention.

Sorry, I just can’t agree with anyone who thinks the current federal government has done all they could do to address these issues. The whole notion of “that’s not the job of the federal government”, it’s mealymouthed, and I don’t think it’s an acceptable position.

The news also prompted a flurry of late-evening phone calls: between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump, and between Trudeau and several provincial premiers, in an effort to defuse the danger to Canada’s economy.

“It was a good discussion and they will stay in touch,” a Canadian official said of the Trudeau-Trump call. The prime minister also spoke with the premiers of Ontario and Quebec.

I wish the other problems facing citizens of Canada were treated with this same kind of urgency from the federal government.