Canadian musician Matthew Good cancels U.S. shows to protest Trump tariffs
Good, 54, made the announcement Saturday on Facebook, telling his U.S. fans that he cannot 'in good conscience carry out my dates this summer in your country.'
'This is not fair to you, and I'm very well aware of that, but the truth is, every week that goes by, I have a deeper disdain for what's going on there politically,' the four-time Juno winner wrote.
'My world has always focussed [sic] on political awareness, and I know that you might not all be on the same side, so I want to be clear about this,' he continued. 'It's MY opinion, and I'm willing to risk my future US career, to stand up against things today, and god willing, for ONLY another 3 years.'
Story continues below advertisement
The Load Me Up rocker pointed to Canada's cancellation of the digital services tax on Canadian revenue of companies such as Amazon, Google and Meta as a main factor in the decision. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late last month that Canada would cancel the planned tax as a condition of resuming trade talks with the U.S.
'Recently, it was announced that after a year of an imposed digital services tax, we (Canada) are backing down from that, to appease Mr. Trump's government,' Good wrote. 'This was approximately 2 billion dollars in revenue that has been accumulating, and we're walking away from that,' Good wrote.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
'Add to that, the massive increase in visa costs, the fear mongering that even after we have our visas, we may still be denied entry if we have something negative to say about the current GOP, and I end up in a situation where I'm biting my tongue, and losing what credibility I had to stand up and say something.'
Story continues below advertisement
Good went on to say he will lose a week's worth of work but 'giving up 30% of our earnings to a withholding tax, walking on eggshells at the border, and actively participating in the silencing of opinions, is a bigger cost to me personally.'
'I realize that I have approximately .00001% impact on things overall, as this was just a few thousand tickets, but I can't stand by and be quiet while our amazing country is bullied into walking away from billions in needed revenue, constantly left wondering if we actually have a partner or an enemy to the south, and equally as tragic, supporting someone who has completely bastardized the institution of art and culture in the US.'
Good also said he would 'invite other artists to join me' but knows that is 'unfair.'
Good was scheduled to perform in Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo in the coming days. He's still encouraging fans to show their support for the band Texas King, which would have joined him at the shows.
The Hello Time Bomb singer also took to Instagram after Trump first made his comments early in the new year about wanting Canada to join the United States as the 51st state.
Story continues below advertisement
'I did not ever think that something of this troubling significance would ever occur in my lifetime,' he began. 'Yesterday the Prime Minister resigned. Today, the incoming President of the United States clearly admitted at a press conference that one of his goals is to annex Canada through the use of what can only be termed as economic warfare.'
Good said that his family fought in the Second World War 'for the freedoms and sovereignty of this nation, Canada.'
'I have travelled this nation more times coast to coast than most ever will. And I can tell you without hesitation that despite those petty divisions some attempt to promote, the majority of us hold this land dear,' he wrote. 'From Haida Gwaii to Halifax, we're Canadians that have the ability to share the best of ourselves with others. And we do.'
'In all of this, there will come a time to stand up and refuse to abandon this nation and what it means to truly be Canadian. I hope when that time comes, you will join me in doing so,' Good concluded his post.
Story continues below advertisement
— With files from The Canadian Press
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
University of Saskatchewan's Student Union calls for repeal on Bill 137
In October of 2023, the government of Saskatchewan passed Bill 137, otherwise known as 'The Parent's Bill of Rights'. The law prevents children under the age of 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without a parent's consent. The bill also allows parents to prohibit their children from receiving sexual education at school. When the bill first passed, education minister Jeremy Cockrill shared in a statement that parents have the right to know what is being taught at their child's school. 'The Parents' Bill of Rights' is an inclusionary policy that ensures that parents are at the forefront of every important decision in their child's life.' said Cockrill. Now, almost two years later, the University of Saskatchewan Student Union (USSU) has used their platform to bring awareness to this bill once again. The USSU, alongside the University's Pride Centre and Women's Centre, wrote a letter explaining why Bill 137 is harmful for students. Story continues below advertisement 'Bill 137 continues to directly harm and enact violence on youth whose understandings of self do not conform to perspective colonial binaries of gender identity and gender expression.' the letter states. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The letter also shares why access to sexual education is an important resource for students to have. 'According to the Executive Director of Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS), Saskatchewan has the second-highest rate of sexual violence amongst all other Canadian provinces. Moreover, Saskatchewan is consistently reported to have one of the highest provincial increases in HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.' Access to the USSU's full letter can be found on their Instagram page. USSU Pride Centre coordinator Wren Dahl says they see the effect the bill has had on students who were in school when the bill passed. They shared that once at the University of Saskatchewan, those students will be able to live freely and have safe spaces and support on campus. 'No matter what their high school experience was or will be, this will be a safe space that champions those rights.' shares Dahl. In a statement made to Global News, the Saskatchewan provincial government says it maintains that parents and guardians have a key role in protecting and supporting their children as they grow and develop. Story continues below advertisement 'The Parent's Bill of Rights introduced amendments to The Education Act, 1995, including the provision that students under the age of 16 receive parental or guardian consent if they want teachers and staff to use a gender-related preferred name or gender identity at school,' the statement reads. 'If it is reasonably expected that obtaining parental consent is likely to result in harm to the student, schools must acquire the appropriate professional resources to support and assist the student in developing a plan to address the student's request with their parent(s) or guardian(s). 'Requiring parental consent for students under 16 years of age and ensuring schools provide the resources necessary to safely receive that consent will help ensure the student is adequately supported both in the school and at their home.' The Government of Saskatchewan used the notwithstanding clause to pass the law, but the court of appeal is still considering whether it violates Charter rights.
The Province
an hour ago
- The Province
Here's what we know about which U.S. goods are still subject to Canadian tariffs
At present, the government of Canada lists 37 pages of goods that are facing tariffs Accounting for all the tariff relief, the U.S. has an effective tariff rate of 14.1 per cent on Canadian goods, while Canada's effective tariff rate is more like 2.8 per cent. Photo by Dan Janisse/Postmedia When U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to increase tariffs on Canada in a letter last week, he complained that the federal government had 'financially retaliated against the United States.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors In the letter, posted to Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the U.S. tariff on Canadian goods would jump from 25 per cent to 35 per cent on Aug. 1 and he warned Prime Minister Mark Carney not to consider raising Canada's counter tariffs on the U.S. In response to Trump's tariffs, Canada has announced tariffs on $96 billion worth of U.S. merchandise, according to an Oxford Economics analysis. However, Carney has also since exempted a number of products from these tariffs. The Oxford Economics analysis also found that at least $56 billion is eligible for exemption or remittance from tariffs. Here's what we know about the current state of Canada's retaliatory tariffs against the United States. What has Canada levied tariffs against? Over the course of the spring, Canada announced several rounds of tariffs. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On March 4, a 25 per cent tariff on $30 billion worth of U.S. imports. On March 13, a 25 per cent tariff on a further $29.8 billion worth of U.S. goods, including steel and aluminum. As of April 9, a 25 per cent tariff on $35.6 billion worth of cars and parts that are not compliant with existing free-trade agreements. At present, the government of Canada lists 37 pages of goods that are facing tariffs. It includes items such as food, clothing and cosmetics. On page 37, for example, scent sprays and other toilet sprays are listed as being subject to a 25 per cent tariff. The same tariff is applied to everything from chicken and powdered milk on page 1, to prune wine on page 7 and négligés on page 16. All in, Oxford Economics estimates between $32 billion and $40 billion in U.S. product remain tariffed by Canada after exemptions are accounted for. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A number of exemptions have since been carved out. Canada, like the U.S., has exempted goods that are compliant under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, which has been in effect since July 1, 2020. For example, this would include much of the auto sector. A 25-per-cent tariff remains on non-USMCA compliant automobiles and auto parts. There are a further set of exemptions, too. The first is an exemption for some auto manufacturers that continue to produce vehicles in Canada and carry out planned corporate investments. This represents a $35.6-billion exemption, analysis suggests. The second, writes Tony Stillo of Oxford Economics, is for 'manufacturing, processing, and food and beverage packaging, and on those used for public health, health care, public safety, and national security.' This, likely worth a bit more than $20 billion, includes some steel and aluminium. This exemption will run for six months, from mid-April to mid-October 2025. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'A lot of those intermediate goods that go into manufacturing, food packaging and things of that nature, are eligible for relief,' said Stillo in an interview. Are there any unclear categories? Yes. 'There's still a degree of uncertainty about what qualifies for exemption,' said Stillo. There are several exemption categories that are less clear. This includes the public health, health care, public safety and national security products, which Stillo estimates are worth around $3.2 billion. Why are some things tariffed and others not? While it's tough to say exactly why some decisions were made by the federal government, Stillo has a hunch: There are some goods that are easily replaced. For example, Canadians can buy Canadian chicken instead of American chicken. Or chicken could be sourced from other countries. This is similarly true with all sorts of food and all sorts of cosmetics and clothing. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. However, there are some goods and materials moving through North America's heavily integrated supply chain that can't easily be swapped out. 'What the government's trying to do, and I think this is really a good plan, is we realize that it's going to be tough for a lot of our manufacturers to source from non-U.S. sources, and they're giving them time to find an alternative source,' said Stillo. 'I think the Canadian government appreciates the damage that a trade war can inflict, and they strategically aim to target counter tariffs that would be more harmful to the U.S. and Canada.' What does this all mean? Well, it means fundamentally that some goods cost more in Canada now than they would without tariffs. And it means some are less expensive because they aren't tariffed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It also means that, fundamentally, the United States has an effective tariff rate of 14.1 per cent on Canadian goods, while Canada's effective tariff rate is more like 2.8 per cent, if you account for all the tariff relief. 'We're less than proportional, for sure,' said Stillo. Read More Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here. Crime Vancouver Canucks News Sports Betting Local News
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
King Charles says he 'misses Canada' in meeting with Canadian mounted troop at Windsor Castle
Members of the Canadian military's only ceremonial mounted troop got to meet and chat with the King Monday at Windsor Castle. The 26 soldiers from Lord Strathcona's Horse, a Canadian Forces tank regiment based in Edmonton, are in England to fill the role of the King's Life Guard at Buckingham Palace until July 21. King Charles III hosted them Monday at Windsor Castle. 'His Royal Highness invited the mounted troop over for a brief meeting,' Capt. Tom Lauterbacher, the Strathcona Mounted Troop leader, said Monday. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'He made sure that the soldiers were enjoying their accommodations' at Hyde Park Barracks and King's Guard Barracks, and asked 'how we were liking the horses,' Lauterbacher said. The Canadians are riding horses that belong to the U.K.'s Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. 'He knows that it's a big change between the horses that the Household Cavalry have and our quarter horses that we have in Canada,' Lauterbacher said. 'They're a lot larger than the horses that we have.' King Charles was interested in how the soldiers came to be in the mounted troop and whether or not they wanted to stay in the army, said the captain. 'He was very personable. He asked a lot of very in-depth questions to get to know the soldiers on more of a personal level.' Lauterbacher escorted the King while he chatted with the Canadians. 'He talked about how much he missed Canada; how beautiful he thinks it is,' Lauterbacher said. 'He wishes he could be able to get out more, but the trip is fairly long — h e made the joke.' They sipped sparkling water and orange juice at the reception. 'The soldiers had a little bit of time to talk and share a laugh with His Royal Highness and then we had to be back on our way to get back to the (guard) duties,' Lauterbacher said. They are guarding Horse Guards in St. James Park, the original entrance to Buckingham Palace. The invitation to take on the ceremonial role is a rarity; this is only the third time the job has been done by soldiers from outside the United Kingdom. The invite, which marks the regiment's 125th anniversary, came from the King himself, who is the Strathcona's colonel-in-chief. From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day, two Canadians at a time, wearing dragoon helmets and their regimental colours of scarlet red and myrtle green, do one-hour shifts in guard boxes flanking the palace entrance. At 4 p.m., there's 'an inspection which dates all the way back to Queen Victoria when she found some of her soldiers who were intoxicated on the job, so she gave them a hundred years of defaulters,' Lauterbacher said. The hundred years is long past, but the ceremonial inspection still draws large crowds. The Canadians carry lances while on parade and sabers in the guard boxes. 'Our soldiers do engage if they have to tell a person to, 'Please don't touch the tack of the animal,' or 'Please don't enter the box,'' Lauterbacher said. 'It's a safety thing that they're allowed to engage.' People who have come to snag photos of the Canadians 'have been absolutely fantastic and super respectful,' he said. One horse 'stumbled a little' during the ceremonies, but its 'fantastic rider' was able to hold the animal steady so it wouldn't cause issues with the crowds, Lauterbacher said. 'It's been a great time so far. The mounted troop has been practicing and getting ready for this for the last few months,' he said. 'And now we're finally getting the opportunity to do it, the soldiers are ecstatic.' The crowds are immense. 'The soldiers perform in front of thousands of people, but it's nothing compared to the amount of people that come by (Horse) Guards. The photos, the people that want to come up and talk to everybody. How proud we are to be in front of the world and have everybody here cheering us on. It's a dream come true for a lot of the soldiers … to be here and to do the job. It's very busy, but it's very rewarding.' In addition to guarding the palace, the Canadian troop goes on morning rides, called Watering Order, through Hyde Park. 'When they're doing that they can say hello to people and a lot of people are really interested to come up and talk to the Canadians,' Lauterbacher said. 'So, it's been a great time.' Lord Strathcona's Horse stood up its mounted troop in 1974 after the original mounted troop stood down in 1939 to man tanks during the Second World War. 'We're the only mounted regiment in Canada when it comes to the Canadian Armed Forces,' Lauterbacher said. The soldiers also have to maintain their operational skills should they be deployed in tanks. 'They have to train just like any other soldier, while also on the side learning how to ride horses,' Lauterbacher said. The King donned a Canadian naval uniform earlier this year, which some interpreted as his subtle support for this country as U.S. President Donald Trump mused about making Canada the 51st state. 'I can't speculate on what the King's intent is, but I know that he was very happy to have us and host us here and ask the mounted troop to come see him at Windsor Castle,' Lauterbacher said. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
