In the lead-up to the 1988 federal election, Canada's political landscape was dominated by the debate over free trade with the United States. The Globe and Mail championed the agreement as vital for Canadian prosperity, while the Toronto Star warned it jeopardized sovereignty and national identity. The editorials reflected two opposing views on free trade—strength versus threat—suggesting the issue transcended mere economic terms to touch on the essence of Canadian identity. Ultimately, despite intense debate, the eventual approval of the trade deal led to a shift in focus, normalizing Canada's economic ties with the US.
"This is more than an election; it is a referendum on what Canada will be," asserted the Toronto Star, highlighting the existential stakes of the free trade deal.
The Globe and Mail endorsed free trade emphatically, declaring, "Until these barriers are gone, the exhilaration that can come from a true sense of maturity will remain beyond our nation's reach."
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