Stella Reddy's Story of Hope

It’s been a wild week here in Newfoundland and Labrador—a proper fall gale rolled through and left the city rattling at its edges. I braved the walk to the grocery store yesterday, ducking my head against winds still topping 100 km/h, and nearly found myself airborne in the parking lot. So invigorating!

The weather’s settling now, but the forecast is still a mixed bag: heavy rain for today, snow on deck for tonight. Wouldn’t be surprised—the West Coast’s already had its share this week. Truth be told, I’d welcome the flakes. Even on days where walking’s a bigger challenge, there’s a certain peace in watching fat snowflakes drift down, covering everything in soft silences. Christmas feels just around the corner.

And then, in the middle of this bluster, Ottawa drops its first federal budget under Prime Minister Carney. No surprised gasps here. Carney’s been out front about the country’s direction: bold investments, new priorities, the language of change humming in every speech. Honestly, it feels like we’re standing at the edge of something big—Canada aiming for growth, betting on itself for once.

Quote:
“The world is changing rapidly and Canada must dramatically change its economic strategy. We must make generational investments to build our economy at home and work relentlessly to diversify our trade partnerships abroad. Now is not the time to be cautious, because fortune favours the bold. Now is the time to bet big on Canadians and play to win.”
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

Out here on the island, that shift is tangible. Even just walking the aisles yesterday, it struck me how global our groceries have become—fruits from South America, spices from Asia, and fewer American labels than I remember. Still, there’s plenty of local pride. Our grocers make a point to stock products from right here in Newfoundland & Labrador, and Newfoundlanders don’t exactly tiptoe around when it comes to “Buy Canadian.” I do my part too.

Adaptation isn’t something I mind. If anything, I’ve learned to lean into it. There’s talk in Ottawa of easing away from that old dependence on US trade, where Canadians once spent 75 cents of every trade dollar with our neighbours, a number that’s being whittled down year by year. If we can get it under a quarter, I’ll breathe a little easier.

The past few years made it clear: it’s not healthy to tie your fortunes to a country that sees friendship as a transaction, ready to slap on tariffs and play economic hardball the moment it suits them. I’m sure everyone’s heard the “51st state” jokes. They’re not just jokes to some—there’s an anger there that simmers beneath the surface, me included. We Canadians are very serious about our Sovereignty.

Even if I had the means, I’d never move to the US. Been twice, long ago—family trips to Disney back in the 80s—but I’ve never felt the pull to return. Canada is enough. More than enough, really. In all my travels cross-country (Manitoba is still waiting on the list), this place always feels like home.

Our tangled history with the US comes up now and then—still remember the strain of the Meng Wanzhou affair in 2018, when Canada arrested a Huawei executive on American orders and ended up stuck between China’s wrath and America’s ambitions. Two Canadians detained in China, months of uncertainty, all for a mess we never should’ve inherited. Integration’s a fine word for politicians, but it’s Canadians who feel the fallout. Thankfully, recent news shows our relationship with China will improve!

If you want the details, The Canadian Encyclopedia lays it out without the spin. (See: “Meng Wanzhou Affair (Two Michaels Case) | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Closer to home, the political landscape’s shifted again. Newfoundland and Labrador voted in a Progressive Conservative government federally, swapping out the Liberals after a decade’s run. It’s too soon to see what it will mean, and I can’t pretend to fret about it. As long as life here doesn’t get harder—services and supports remain, dignity’s intact—I’m content to watch and wait.

Politics was dinner table talk growing up. My father, the investigative journalist, spent decades following every twist and turn, and even wrote books about it. Maybe that’s why I lost the appetite for it—power corrupts, that’s an old truth. It’s not who holds the title that matters to me; it’s whether I can live a decent life under their watch.

But even from that distance, some things are hard to ignore. Trump’s America—ICE ramping up deportations, human lives caught on camera and treated as collateral—makes my blood run cold. No human deserves that kind of cruelty, no matter their status. The hope is that these chapters end and there’s accountability for those who’ve inflicted harm. Some of the footage is honestly unbearable to watch!

How does a country of 300+ million let injustice and such cruelty become so normalized? That’s a question for another day, maybe, but the creeping authoritarianism is a warning we shouldn’t brush off. Canada, and every democracy, has to watch its step in dealing with them.

For what it’s worth, I still put my faith in PM Carney. Canada will be okay. There’s a steadiness to his leadership, and an understanding of real-world economics that feels like a much-needed anchor. As for the US? I believe Trump won’t see out another three years, not if the world has any sense left; impeachment seems inevitable. It will take years to repair the damage done and rebuild the trust with its Allies, if it’s even possible.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for letting me ramble. Storms pass—political and otherwise—but there’s always light on the other side. Nothing lasts forever; change is inevitable. Honestly, I am grateful to live where I do, that I am retired from working, and I can tune out the rest of the World from time to time. I empathize with those who can’t, but your time will come.