It's not a secret that politics can feel like a mess—on both sides of the border. But King Charles’ recent speech in Canada’s Parliament offered a straightforward defense of democracy, economic fairness, and international cooperation.
When even a monarch is talking about affordable housing, Indigenous rights, and standing up to economic bullying, it’s worth some attention.
With tensions rising over trade, security, and even rumors of annexation, Canada has made abundantly clear their lack of interest.
Instead of bending to pressure, they’re diversifying partnerships—working more closely with Europe, investing in their own defense, and reaffirming their sovereignty. Canada has taken an approach that when one relationship gets rocky, you strengthen others.
While American politics remains stuck in gridlock, Canada is moving ahead on issues that would sound right at home in a progressive campaign:
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Housing affordability – with plans to boost construction and cut costs for first-time buyers.
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Dental and prescription drug coverage – because, well, those things shouldn’t just be for the wealthy.
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Indigenous economic inclusion – not just symbolic gestures, but real loan guarantees for self-determination.
None of this is revolutionary. It’s just a practical style governance—the kind that in the past might have seemed bipartisan but have a seemingly bolder feel in current hyper-partisan climates.
Canada isn’t perfect on climate—no major oil-producing nation is—but they’re at least trying to balance energy and sustainability. They’re expanding protected lands, investing in clean tech, and setting real targets.
Compare that to the U.S., where climate policy swings wildly depending on who’s in office. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some consistency?
A king giving a speech about economic fairness is ironic but maybe it says more about our politics than theirs. When even the most traditional institutions sound more pragmatic than our leaders, it might be time to ask: Why can’t we have nice things too?
This wasn’t a radical speech. It was a moderate, sensible roadmap—the kind that used to be the baseline for functional governments. The fact that it stands out at all tells you how far we’ve drifted.
Maybe, just maybe, we could learn something from it. Not because it’s groundbreaking, but because it’s normal. And these days, normal sounds pretty good.