Residents of Elie are raising pressing questions about looming economic and social policies, with tariffs and Indigenous relations dominating local conversations.
“It’s a wait-and-see” on tariffs
Darren Dalrymple, an agriculture worker, focuses on impending tariff changes.
“It’s supposed to happen Wednesday, aren’t they? And yeah, how they will affect our whole community, our country,” he says. “We’re in agriculture, and we have family in the car industry. What’s going to happen to them?”
Dalrymple also flags concerns about Chinese tariffs impacting livestock producers.
“We’re beef producers. I don’t know if any of our sectors are protected or exempt. It’s a wait and see.”
“Spring has seemed to spring… but it hasn’t sprung yet”
Cheryl and Art Windsor share their concerns about inconsistent weather, economic pressures, and political uncertainty, blending personal struggles with broader societal critiques.
Cheryl notes unseasonably cold temperatures are hindering gardening efforts in the area due to lingering snow.
“Too much snow here… don’t know yet.”
Art Windsor shifts to politics, expressing exhaustion with U.S. headlines.
“Lots of Americans are complaining about Trump. But why did they vote for him?” he adds. He then critiques Canadian leadership, questioning Mark Carney’s political credentials: “He was from the Bank of England before and doesn’t really know anything about politics. Canada was a free country… it’s not much free anymore.”
“Liberals are way ahead… conservatives are kind of in between”
Windsor dismisses partisan solutions, stating, “Liberals are way ahead right now, and conservatives are kind of in between… It’s gonna be the same anyways.”
Economic strain dominates daily life
“Keep the wolves away from the door. That’s about it,” Windsor says, shrugging off grand political fixes. “I don’t worry about it anymore… Just gotta go with the flow.”
Windsor closes with stark resignation. “If I wake up in the morning, well, there’s another day. Maybe you don’t wake up the next day,” he adds.