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Canadian protectionism is masquerading as Canadian patriotism - The Hub | More Signal. Less Noise.

·Oct 5, 2026
Source: The Hub | More Signal. Less Noise.
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Sometimes, anti-free-trade politicians tell on themselves. President Trump and other so-called “America First” Republicans are the clearest examples. When “tariff” is literally your favourite word, it’s pretty clear where you stand. But irresponsible appeals to economic nationalism aren’t always so overt. Indeed, in Canada today, harmful economic nationalism is masquerading as patriotism, and it threatens to undermine a cross-partisan, pro-growth consensus.

Prior to the emergence of the 1980s free trade consensus, leaders from across the political spectrum were very comfortable openly arguing for protectionism. This was useful in Canada because it meant that we could have an honest  conversation. Economists, business leaders, and other free traders could make the argument against protectionism when it reared its ugly head, and Canadians could decide. Indeed, such a debate transpired in the years leading up to the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canadians had a choice—they could choose free trade, or they could choose insularity. They chose well.

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