GD's Political Animal

Friday, February 13, 2026

Carney's strategic partnership with the CCP

The Prime Minister's Office releases details of PM Mark Carney's new strategic partnership with the Communist government of China.

Canadian PM Mark Carney and Chinese president Xi in Beijing (detail). Photo by Sean Kirkpatrick,

Canadian Press / Radio Canada International (fair use).

Prime Minister Carney forges new strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China focused on energy, agri-food, and trade | Office of the Prime Minister (news release):

January 16, 2026 - "In a more divided and uncertain world, Canada is ... working with urgency and determination to diversify our trade partnerships and catalyse massive new levels of investment. As the world’s second-largest economy, China presents enormous opportunities for Canada in this mission.

"To forge a new Canada-China partnership, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, visited Beijing, the People’s Republic of China ... the first visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister since [Justin Trudeau in] 2017. In Beijing, Prime Minister Carney met with the President of China, Xi Jinping, the Premier of China, Li Qiang, and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Zhao Leji. After their meeting, Prime Minister Carney and President Xi released a joint statement outlining the pillars of Canada and China’s new strategic partnership.

"Central to this new partnership is an agreement to collaborate in energy, clean technology, and climate competitiveness.... Canada will allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles (EV) into the Canadian market, with the most-favoured-nation tariff rate of 6.1%.... It is expected that within three years, this agreement will drive considerable new Chinese joint-venture investment in Canada with trusted partners to protect and create new auto manufacturing careers for Canadian workers, and ensure a robust build-out of Canada’s EV supply chain. With this agreement, it is also anticipated that, in five years, more than 50% of these vehicles will be affordable EVs with an import price of less than $35,000, creating new lower-cost options for Canadian consumers.

"Agri-food and trade are foundations of the longstanding relationship between Canada and China – and China continues to be our second-largest export market. To renew and strengthen that relationship, Prime Minister Carney and President Xi secured a preliminary agreement-in-principle with landmark measures to remove trade barriers and reduce tariffs:

By March 1, 2026, Canada expects that China will lower tariffs on Canadian canola seed to a combined rate of approximately 15% ... a significant drop from current combined tariff levels of approximately 85%.
Canada expects that Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas will not be subject to relevant anti-discrimination tariffs from March 1, 2026, until at least the end of this year....

"Finally, to build on this momentum, Canada has set an ambitious goal to increase exports to China by 50% by 2030. To achieve this outcome, Prime Minister Carney and President Xi discussed increasing two-way investment in clean energy and technology, agri-food, wood products, and other sectors.

"Canada and China are both strong advocates of multilateralism. As a key pillar of this partnership, we will deepen our engagement on improved global governance. We will collaborate closely in key areas of shared interest, including climate competitiveness and financial and macroeconomic stability. Canada looks forward to contributing to China’s 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Presidency and appreciates China’s support for Canada’s bid to host the 2029 Summit.

"Canada and China will also pursue pragmatic and constructive engagement in public safety and security. Our law enforcement agencies will increase cooperation to better combat narcotics trafficking, transnational and cybercrime, synthetic drugs and money laundering – and create safer communities for people in both of our countries.

"They will also explore further opportunities for cultural exchanges and partnerships, including supporting museums, digital content creators, visual artists – to increase travel exchanges and cultural ties. Prime Minister Carney welcomed the agreement between Destination Canada and China Media Group to facilitate further outbound tourism to Canada, especially as we prepare to co-host the FIFA World Cup 26™. The Prime Minister welcomed President Xi’s commitment to introducing visa-free access for Canadians travelling to China.

"The Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing was the culmination of constructive, pragmatic engagement with the Chinese government over many months by the Prime Minister, members of his cabinet and caucus, and other officials. The Prime Minister looks forward to returning to China for the 2026 APEC Leaders’ Summit."

https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/01/16/prime-minister-carney-forges-new-strategic-partnership-peoples

Thursday, February 12, 2026

US Republicans save Department of Education

The Republican-majority Congress has passed an appropriations bill stopping the Trump administration's effort to shut down the Department of Education, something Trump campaigned on in 2024.

Republicans Save the Department of Education | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

February 9, 2026 - "In his 2024 campaign President Trump said he wanted to shut down the Department of Education. Created in 1979, the Department of Education has spent many billions of dollars and imposed numerous 'reforms' on America’s schools. A result has been a continuing decline in American students’ academic performance.

"In March, President Trump signed an executive order calling for eliminating the Department of Education. Since then, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has worked on transferring some Education Department activities to other agencies. For example, it has been announced that some activities of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is involved in federal K-12 education programs, will be moved to the Labor Department. While these changes can reduce the power and reach of the Education Department, they do not ensure a reduction of the federal government’s role in education.

"The appropriations bill that President Trump signed into law last week indicates he has given up on ending the Department of Education. The bill, which was first approved by the Republican-majority House and Senate, contains a provision requiring the Education Department to 'support staffing levels necessary to fulfill its statutory responsibilities including carrying out programs, projects, and activities.' Another provision prohibits the Education Department from transferring funds to other government agencies.

"The bill also increases the Education Department’s budget. Increasing the budget of an unconstitutional Cabinet department is never a good idea, but it is especially bad when the federal debt is increasing by trillions of dollars a year. If President Trump and the other Republicans who have said they want the Education Department shut down are not going to even attempt to shut it down, they could at least reduce its funding.

"It is clear that shutting down the Department of Education will require a sustained effort by Americans fed up with spending billions to produce a subpar educational system. Pressure needs to be put on lawmakers to restore control over education to states, local communities, and parents.

"School choice week was the week before President Trump signed the bill providing funding to the Education Department. Programs giving parents control over their children’s education — such as Education Savings Accounts — continue to grow in popularity as do alternatives to public schools such as private schools and homeschooling. Private schools and homeschooling received a boost from the 'Big Beautiful Bill' providing tax credits for scholarships for private school tuition and home school expenses.

"Parents looking for a homeschooling curriculum incorporating the ideas of liberty should consider my online curriculum. My curriculum provides students with a solid education in history, literature, mathematics, and the sciences. It also gives students the opportunity to create their own websites and internet-based businesses. This provides students with “real world” entrepreneurial experience that will be useful no matter what career paths they choose.

"The curriculum is designed to be self-taught, with students helping, and learning from, each other via online forums. Starting in the fourth grade, students are required to write at least one essay a week. Students also take a course in public speaking.

"The curriculum emphasizes the history, philosophy, and economics of liberty, but it never substitutes indoctrination for education. The goal is to produce students with superior critical thinking skills. If you think my curriculum may meet the needs of your child, please visit www.RonPaulCurriculum.com for more information."

Copyright © 2026 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.
https://ronpaulinstitute.org/republicans-save-the-department-of-education/

Monday, February 9, 2026

Canada's economy on life support, report warns

Rosenberg Research's recently-released report, "Canadian Economy on Life Support," flags Canada's weak GDP growth and places the country on a recession watch.

Expert warns Canada’s ‘life support’ economy tests Bank of Canada cuts | Benefits and Pensions Monitor | Freschia Gonzales:

February 5, 2026 - "Canada’s economy is 'on life support' even after 275 basis points of rate cuts, with weak growth, soft housing and a sliding currency sharpening questions about the Bank of Canada’s policy path, according to Rosenberg Research via BNN Bloomberg. The report, Canadian Economy on Life Support, says per capita GDP is still falling and the economy is 'growing at only one percent annually' despite the policy rate dropping from a high of five percent in 2024.

"The report projects the economy will shrink in the fourth quarter, with output falling at an annualised rate of 0.5 percent quarter-over-quarter, compared with the Bank of Canada’s forecast of 0.0 percent. Because the economy has already contracted in two of the last three quarters, the report says Canada is on 'recession watch' for 2026.

"David Rosenberg, chief economist and founder of Rosenberg Research, told BNN Bloomberg that 'this is what 275 basis points of Bank Canada rate cuts delivers: the grand total of one percent growth economy'....

"Rosenberg argued the central bank will 'be compelled to cut rates further from its already egregiously low interest rate of 2.25 percent'.... He said the Canadian dollar is likely to face additional downward pressure and ... argued that 'as weak as the Canadian dollar has been up until recently, it’s probably not weak enough.'"

Canada's economy is 'on life support': Rosenberg | BNN Bloomberg | February 3, 2026:

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Poilievre gets record approval in leadership review

Pierre Poilievre sails through leadership review as Conservatives deliver a strong endorsement | CBC news | John Paul Tasker:

January 31, 2026 - "Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pulled in an overwhelming share of the vote in his leadership review held Friday night, a sign that the vast majority of party members are united behind his leadership. Roughly 87 per cent of the delegates on hand in Calgary for the party's convention voted to stick with Poilievre ... higher than what former prime minister Stephen Harper achieved at his own leadership review back in 2005.... A result less than the 84 per cent Harper won at that review [c]ould have prompted questions about Poilievre's viability....

"Steve Outhouse, Poilievre's new campaign manager, told CBC News that the result is better than some Conservatives had expected and that it sends a strong signal about the direction of the party. 'That's a really clear mandate from our membership, and now we can focus on getting ready for the election, whenever that will be,' Outhouse said. "It's a big boost to his leadership. It's very gratifying'....

"'I didn't think anybody would beat Stephen Harper,' former deputy leader Lisa Raitt said of Poilievre's favourable vote share. 'He has an iron grip on the party.'"

Poilievre wins Conservative leadership vote with 87.4% approval | CBC News: The National } Jan 31, 2026

Pierre Poilievre aces leadership review: Why the Conservatives opted to stand by their man | The Conversation | Sam Foutley:

February 1, 2026 - "Much of the criticism levelled against Poilievre by Conservatives proved fleeting, an emotional response to loss rather than a durable movement to replace him. Instead, it reflected a familiar post-election pattern: disappointment amplified by punditry and frustration.... Although the Conservatives failed to form government, they ... increased their vote share [and] expanded their support to new voter constituencies.... With the largest share of the popular vote for any Conservative party in Canada since 1988, the only thing that stood between the party and governing was a few percentage points....

"Replacing Poilievre would have required the party to gamble that a new leader could quickly unify the coalition, define themselves nationally and outperform an already familiar figure in Carney — all without the benefit of incumbency or clear front-runner status. Compounding this, of course, was the absence of a clear successor....

"Carney’s electoral success depended heavily on the collapse of the NDP vote and the broader political disruption caused by Trump’s threats to annex Canada. With a new NDP leader, the New Democrats could recover and cut into Liberal margins. Meanwhile, the government’s more mixed response to issues such as pipeline development, housing and the cost-of-living crisis could push enough voters toward the Conservatives by the next federal election campaign.

"All this said, however, Poilievre’s support cannot be explained solely by institutional inertia or a lack of alternative leadership candidates. His leadership has and continues to generate genuine enthusiasm among some voters — especially those who are young, recently immigrated or working in trades. This support is fuelled by economic frustration, declining living standards and the sense of a lost promise....

"Poilievre’s Conservative Party has remained cohesive and even expanded by organizing around what former communications director Ben Woodfinden calls the 'locked-out:' voters who feel shut out of prosperity amid weak growth and chronic productivity problems. In this context, Poilievre’s orthodox centre-right agenda — cutting regulatory burdens, boosting competition and removing interprovincial trade barriers — continues to attract broad, cross-class support that transcends cultural and regional divides.... By endorsing Poilievre so decisively, Conservatives signalled their belief that he remains on an upward trajectory. The leadership review was less about absolution than affirmation: a collective judgment that the party is closer to power with Poilievre than without him."

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Trump's DOJ investigating Fed chairman

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation of Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell for allegedly lying to Congress,

Trump’s Latest Regime Change Target | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

January 26, 2026 - "What does the Federal Reserve have in common with Venezuela and Greenland? It has been targeted by President Trump for regime change.

Image generated by Grok (xAI), public domain.

"The Justice Department recently launched a criminal investigation into whether Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell lied to Congress about the costs of renovating the Federal Reserve’s offices.

"Many believe this investigation was launched in order to support President Trump’s effort to replace Powell, who[m] he nominated to be Fed chairman in 2017, with a Fed chairman who will accommodate President Trump’s demands for lower interest rates.

"Almost all observers believe that President Trump’s desire to stack the Federal Reserve board with loyalists who will tailor monetary policy to his liking motivated the investigation of Federal Reserve Board Member Lisa Cook. President Trump is using allegations that Cook lied on a mortgage application as a justification to fire her.

"At a Supreme Court hearing on Lisa Cook’s case, the majority of justices — including some who have been supportive of President Trump’s attempt to exercise greater authority over federal agencies — seemed to oppose his firing of Cook. One reason for this would be viewing the Fed as different from federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission because private banks play a role in the Fed’s governance. This indicates the Fed is a public-private hybrid.

"The criminal investigation into Chairman Powell and the attempt to fire Lisa Cook have caused investors, stock traders, and others to fear Trump is endangering the economy by compromising the Fed’s independence. This supposed threat to Fed autonomy has also caused some Republicans who are usually defenders of President Trump to criticize him.

"There is a long history of presidential attempts to influence monetary policy. President Richard Nixon, for example, pressured Fed Chairman Arthur Burns to lower rates.... Fed Chairman William Martin may not have liked Ike, but he caved to President Eisenhower’s demands that the Fed increase the money supply. President Bill Clinton persuaded Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan to support Clinton’s economic plans. The most extreme case of presidential pressure (at least until the Justice Department launched its criminal probe into Powell) was when President Lyndon Johnson shoved the Fed chairman against a wall because the Fed raised interest rates, causing trouble for Johnson’s Great Society at home and Vietnam War abroad. President Trump is thus not different from his predecessors; he is just more transparent.

"Opponents of Federal Reserve 'independence' have a point. Allowing a secretive central bank to control interest rates and the money supply is the reason the purchasing power of the dollar has vastly declined since 1971, when President Nixon severed the last link between the dollar and gold. Fed-produced fiat currency is also the cause of rising economic inequality and instability.

"The beneficiaries of this system are the politicians and the corporatist interests living off the welfare-warfare state.

"On the other hand, President Trump’s critics are correct that giving politicians power to set interest rates would be a recipe for disaster.

"Instead of arguing over who should control the money supply and set rates, President Trump and Congress should work to audit and end the Fed."

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Canadian gov't loses Emergencies Act appeal

A Federal Appeals Court has ruled that the Canadian government's use of the Emergencies Act to terminate the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests was unreasonable and violated Charter rights.

Maksim Sokolov Freedom Convoy protesters, Ottawa, Feb. 12, 2022. CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons.

Federal government loses Emergencies Act appeal, court says use during convoy protest was unreasonable | CBC News | Catharine Tunney:

January 16, 2026 - 'The Liberal government unreasonably invoked the Emergencies Act to clear the convoy protests that gridlocked the capital city and border points nearly four years ago,' the Federal Court of Appeal ruled on Friday.

"The court dismissed the government's appeal of a 2024 ruling which deemed former prime minister Justin Trudeau's decision to use the legislation [was] unlawful and infringed on protesters' Charter rights.... The Federal Court was initially asked to review the government's deeply divisive proclamation of a public order emergency by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), the Canadian Constitution Foundation and other groups. In that 2024 decision, Federal Court Justice Richard Mosley, since retired, said the government's decision lacked justification, transparency and intelligibility.

"The government appealed. During a hearing last February, its lawyers argued the court downplayed violence with 'hindsight bias on full display.' The government has long argued the protests posed a security threat and the measures it took under the Emergencies Act were targeted, proportional and temporary.

"But the appeal court's decision agreed with Mosley's finding that cabinet did not have reasonable grounds to believe that a threat to national security existed and fell short of the legal threshold needed to invoke the act."

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Trump embraces regime change in Venezuela

Making Imperialism Great Again? | Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul:

January 12, 2026 - "It did not take long for President Trump to change the reason for sending the US military to 'arrest' Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The allegation that President Maduro ran a drug cartel was front and center in the months leading up to President Maduro’s 'arrest.' Afterwards, President Trump said the invasion was about Venezuela’s oil and announced plans for the US government to send American oil companies into Venezuela.

"About a week after the invasion, President Trump had a meeting with executives from American oil companies to discuss plans for Venezuela. Some of the companies’ executives at the meeting were less than enthusiastic about developing Venezuelan oil. One reason for this is that, since the Venezuelan government nationalized oil activities twenty years ago, fracking has made the US the world’s leading producer of oil and natural gas. Rebuilding the oil industry in Venezuela could cost as much as a billion dollars for an uncertain payoff. Among the complications, Venezuelan oil does not easily flow though pipelines unless it is cut with solvents, making it more expensive to transport.

"In his first press conference after the Venezuelan first couple was seized, President Trump said: 'We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.' He later stated that Maduro’s successor Vice President Delcy Rodriguez would 'pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,' if she does not adequately fulfill the US government’s demands.

"Following the invasion of Venezuela, there have been suggestions that President Trump will direct the US military to invade other countries as well. For example, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio said, 'if I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned.'

"To no one’ s surprise, Senator Lindsey Graham was delighted by the possibility that Venezuela was just the first of many regime change wars President Trump will wage. Senator Graham even got President Trump to autograph a Make Iran Great Again hat. Many Iranian victims of the Shah of Iran’s secret police might disagree with Senator Graham on whether having the CIA install another puppet government in Iran will make that country great.

"President Trump’s newfound love of regime change wars may be one reason why he is seeking to increase the military budget to 1.5 trillion dollars. President Trump claims that tariff revenue can fund the increase, but that is simply not possible. The majority of the increase in spending would come from other taxes, including the Federal Reserve’s regressive and hidden inflation tax.

"A recent poll by the Pew Research Center found that there is much less support for an 'activist' US foreign policy among Americans under 50 than among older Americans. This is the case among both Democrats and Republicans. In fact, the differing view on foreign policy among younger people was a major factor behind President Trump’s support from younger people in 2024. Continued betrayal by President Trump of his no more regime change wars pledge will cause the president and the Republicans to lose support among younger voters."

Copyright © 2026 The Ron Paul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.
https://ronpaulinstitute.org/making-imperialism-great-again/

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