The effects of trade agreements and other bilateral agreements between Canada and its trading partners isn't something that the average person in Prince George thinks about very often.

But they do have an effect.  Such policies can result in all kinds of trade restrictions. On the ground, here in Prince George, that can lead to things like tariffs on softwood lumber, a concept that has impacted our local economy at least since the 1990s.

Getting into the weeds with us on this topic is Dr. Kim Nossal, Professor Emeritus at the Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen's University.  His outlook isn’t particularly rosy.

He is speaking in Prince George, Friday, November 24th. His topic, "Canada Alone? The Enduring Challenge of America First" centres around the effects of the United States returning to a protectionist or isolationist policy, which is to say, a national policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries.

Hear the interview below: