The morning, though extended by a relatively early beginning, has already slipped away. I preoccupied myself with breakfast, answering and dealing with emails, and instructing ChatGPT concerning the composition of a familial tale and the creation of related images. As we approach our late afternoon dining experience at nearby Salty Dog Café we amuse ourselves by completing whatever possible to engineer a prompt departure tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.  We have for example done all the packing possible.

And we’ve communicated with the estate agent to finalize our contractual obligations. Never once have we addressed the matter of return. All enthusiasm about the topic – whether provincial or legal –  is quelled by the overwhelming despondency of the Canadian public. It is now repeatedly advertised on public media that the US government has succeeded to cut the moorings that historically existed between the two countries. From those Americans who clearly have sympathy for the Canadian response, there is nonetheless a sense of inevitability which pervades the American majority. Nor do I think the conclusion is entirely objectionable to Canadians (though for different reasons). With a wealth of capital (earth minerals, expansive and strategic geography, an ambitious and educated population) Canadians are forging what our ancestors began on the shores of east and west and the Hudson Bay and the Arctic Ocean. Meanwhile Americans confront the reality of staggering national debt, declining elemental social nets and the cultivation of estrangement from the Western World, not to mention slipping into brazen oligarchical control with the former richest man in the world parading an infant about the Oval Office of the White House like a money on a stick. Sans suit. Seemingly directing the president (seated, dressed, prepared for performance), superimposing himself for indisputable clarity.

Our own private ambitions reflect the currency of thought among Canadians. Canadians have reignited the co-called liberal views regarding the past and the future, men and women, black and white, French and English, first and last, north and south, east and west.  We have regenerated the significance of the strength of the weakest link. We have, instead of addressing ways to diminish, focused upon tackling the rudiments of enlargement and improvement. Importantly we acknowledge that paramountcy of international cooperation and sharing. None of us is unilateral. But regrettably the feature of trust has been seriously contaminated between Americans and the rest of the world. Seen from afar there is slim opportunity for cultivation of engagement with USA. Meanwhile Canadians recognize we cannot do it alone, that we must develop agreements globally. This critically amended philosophy naturally weakens whatever alliances existed with Americans. In the face of rejection and assimilation, Canadians are about to transition quickly and manifestly. The current federal government election will undoubtedly denote the force and formability of the change.