ESTEVAN - John Gormley has been retired from his work as a current affairs radio show host for well over a year, but he continues to pay close attention to what is happening in the world.
The lawyer, best-selling author, retired host of John Gormley Live and former member of Parliament delivered the keynote address at the recent Estevan Farm Family of the Year Award night at the Beefeater Plaza.
He criticized the Liberal Party that has been in power since 2015, telling the crowd that Canada has been governed by a climate change-obsessed government that is focused on net-zero emissions. It's had an impact on coal mining, power generation, the energy sector, foreign investment and more.
The ballot question, according to Gormley, has become which party – the Liberals under new leader Mark Carney or the Conservatives under Pierre Poilievre – is best-suited to taking on U.S. President Donald Trump. Gormley thinks Carney, on the surface, is suited to that role, with his background, including his time as the head of the Bank of Canada, although Gormley did ask if Carney felt like Justin Trudeau 2.0.
But Gormley said the ballot question should be if we're ready for a continuation of the last 10 years of the Liberal government.
"If that's the ballot question, you don't have much to worry about with Mr. Carney because he won't be here after the election. But I'm not sure, in those big urban markets of Canada, that Marc Carney won't do very well indeed."
He also dedicated time to talking about U.S. President Donald Trump, who was elected to a second term as U.S. president last November by tapping into a desire for change and populism that is very real.
"America was ready to challenge the elites," said Gormley. "Populism isn't a left-right thing, it's what breaks out when people have a mood of defiance. They're tired of elites talking down to them, they're tired of people who don't get it, they're tired of people who aren't them."
In his first two-plus months, Trump has issued numerous executive orders, many of which Gormley said will be transformational.
"He is doing things to the American voting politic that nobody has done in our lifetime," said Gormley.
The relationship between Canada and the U.S. has been extraordinary, he said, and the Trump tariffs have been difficult for many. He enacted tariffs in his first term on aluminum and steel, and has shifted his message from fentanyl and border security to one of the U.S. carrying Canada.
"Those of us who know the trading relationship, Canada doesn't get carried by America or anyone else," said Gormley. "But the tariff challenge is going to be really significant."
When someone puts a tariff on your goods, it's to discourage consumers from buying them. When Canada retaliates, it costs Canadians more. Gormley predicted a trade war that hasn't occurred since the early days of Confederation in what is the largest two-way trading relationship on the planet.
He also pointed out that the tariffs were connected Trump's disdain for former prime minister Justin Trudeau. And Gormley reminded the crowd Trump has said many of the same things about Trudeau as people in the room, to the delight of the audience.
As for other topics Gormley told the crowd the farming community continues to grow and evolve, and he pointed out that those in rural Saskatchewan who don't farm are well aware of the impact of agriculture.
While he expects Canada will emerge from the tariff war with the U.S., he's more concerned with the 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola from China.
"That's a real challenge and we have to get through that," said Gormley.
Gormley also focused on mental health and happiness. He cited a 1938 study at Harvard University which examined the feelings of people from different demographics. That survey is still happening today.
The most important factor for happiness is relationships, he said. It's also important to have a strong sense of purpose, choose the positive, choose to have a good attitude and be resilient.
"Life is 10 per cent of what happened to you, and it's 90 per cent how you choose to react," said Gormley. "A choice you consciously make when you react."
It's also important to take a gratitude inventory at the start of every day and think about the things that are good, he said.
Hosting John Gormley Live was the greatest joy of his life. He spent time talking to Saskatchewan people every day, and had incredible guests and callers. He said he learned about Saskatchewan.
"The definition of resiliency, humility, humanity and hard work – you just don't make people in other parts of the world like we make them here. Saskatchewan consistently – and you can see the numbers … we punch above our weight, but at a human level so often we punch above our weight."
Saskatchewan people are proud to be here, and it's built on relationships, the beauty of the province, shared values and more.
