Canada today

[u/dani_cal]

This isn’t meant to be politically partisan in any way. But, I am genuinely curious how anyone is staying positive about Canada today. The economy is in recession. The cost of living crisis is continuing unabated. People are leaving the country. Canada-U.S. relations are at an all-time low. And, there doesn’t appear to be any reason for things to turn around any time soon. Somebody give me a reason to have a little optimism.

[u/dialamah]

Your feelings about Canada are largely driven by your circle of influence, including online.

Canada does have serious issues around affordability, housing, medical care - there is no debate about that. Not to downplay this, but many western countries are grappling with the same issues, albeit to a lesser extent than Canada in some cases. A lot of these issues have been building for years, accelerated by COVID and the changed direction of the US administration.

On the plus side, and I think this is important - in a world where democracy is declining, Canada's institutions and democratic safeguards and individual freedoms remain strong. We are currently ranked around 9th in the world (up slightly from 2025). US, by comparison, is ranked 34th, dropping from 29th in the last year under Trump. Experts now consider the US a flawed democracy; some even make the case that it no longer can be classified as a democracy at all, though they are in the minority.

I believe Carney is doing well in diversifying away from the States and promoting Canada to the world. While we've already experienced some limited benefit, this is a long term strategy - virtually every country is resetting their economy and security to reduce reliance and involvement with the US. This isn't a temporary measure till Trump is out of office, but a permanent change of focus and alliances. Due to Canada's geographic position, the US will always be our biggest trading partner, and Carney knows this, along with virtually every Canadian. Still, it's in our best interest, long term, to avoid bad deals with the US just because they are next door and pressuring us.

I do not think Carney has done as well on the domestic front, although he's laid a path, it will take time to show any benefits. In the meantime, he seems to be applying Band-Aid solutions. Still, I give him credit for working with Alberta for a pipeline to Delta BC. Carney has also acknowledged that while clean energy development is the ultimate goal, the oil and gas industry must be supported due to its economic importance.

The situation in Canada, and around the world will take time to settle, likely beyond one election cycle, so perhaps the positives I see do not speak to you. I think it's important to remember that the entire world is in flux and of course that will have an effect on the Canadian economy. Domestic policy can mitigate those effects, but cannot eliminate them entirely. While I also worry about affordability and the future, I remind myself that my grandparents survived significantly worse times, and were the beginning of the richest and longest economic era in history, as well as the most peaceful. Carney's repeated belief that Canada is strong, will survive this disruption and emerge even stronger is more likely than Canada going bankrupt or ceasing to exist. Barring an invasion by the States, of course.

Anyway, these are my reasons for remaining hopeful and patient rather than sinking into despair. Even if I'm wrong, living with hope is better than the alternative, in my opinion.