Why Canadians' health data may not be safe in a trade war
The Globe and Mail
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Hello, readers! Welcome back to Business Cycle – a look at what The Globe and Mail’s business columnists are talking about this week. In this edition, we’re talking about why Canadians’ health data isn’t safe in a trade war, what’s needed to engineer the great Canadian comeback and the stock market’s response to Trump’s tariffs.?
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Beware, Donald Trump might go after Canadians’ health data next
By Michael Geist and Kumanan Wilson
As a trade war plays out between Canada and the U.S., contributing columnists Michael Geist and Kumanan Wilson suggest that Trump could go after Canadians’ health data next. They write that much of our health care data starts with Canadian doctors and facilities, but later winds its way into the hands of international companies, often based in the U.S.
They argue that it’s time for the government to pursue long overdue safeguards to better protect that data before it’s too late.?
"Given recent turbulent events and the diminishing trust between Canada and the U.S., it is entirely possible that Washington would seek enhanced access to sensitive Canadian data, notably including financial and health data. This data could be invaluable for developing AI algorithms, for instance, a current priority of the Trump administration."
Do you think Canadians’ health data is vulnerable during the U.S. trade war? What needs to happen to safeguard it? Check out the full opinion piece here.
How do we engineer the great Canadian comeback?
By Victor Dodig
The trade war has ignited a surge in patriotism in Canada and sparked a national discussion. Thus far they’ve shown up as urgent calls to “Buy Canadian” or boos and catcalls at the playing of the American national anthem, but what exactly can be done to engineer “the great Canadian comeback”?
Contributing columnist Victor Dodig writes that we must seize this vital moment. He argues we must boost industries, attract talent, eliminate internal trade barriers and build big infrastructure projects such as pipelines so the message is clear: Canada is back.
"Canada was built by doing big things, such as constructing a transcontinental railroad through one of the most vast and rugged terrains on Earth. We must revive that spirit of ambition. We also need to celebrate decisions that help our country move forward, especially those that cross provincial lines and include Indigenous communities, such as the recent agreement between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador for hydropower. This is a game changer: It creates jobs, provides a stable cost for power for many sectors and includes growth and expansion plans."
What steps does Canada need to take to fight the trade war and rebuild its image? Check out the full opinion piece here.
The stock market doesn’t like Trump’s tariffs. But that might not matter any more
By David Berman
Global markets tumbled on Tuesday upon news of Trump imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. The S&P 500 fell as much as 2 per cent in early trading before recovering some ground later in the day. Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index slumped 1.7 per cent. The Nasdaq Composite Index briefly fell into correction territory.?
Investors appear to have given Trump’s tariff policy a thumbs-down, reporter David Berman writes, but is it enough to make the President flinch and retract the tariffs??
"The long-held belief among many market watchers is that Mr. Trump views the stock market as a political barometer: Rallies signal approval, while declines reflect disappointment… The current market turmoil has not reached these levels of concern yet – although it’s interesting to see that U.S. stocks are lagging global counterparts."
What do you make of the stock market patterns under Trump’s tariffs policy? Check out the full opinion piece here.
More business headlines we’re following this week:?
The Globe's business opinion pieces are commissioned and edited by Ethan Lou. If you would like to write in this section, please send pitches to [email protected].?
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