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Urban Diplomat

Toronto Life

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April 2025

In an effort to stick it to America's belligerent orange despot, I've been buying Canadian-made products at the grocery store and mall, but I can't quite bring myself to give up Netflix, and my friend has been sanctimoniously criticizing me for it. Meanwhile, I recently caught him pouring Kentucky bourbon into a Wiser's bottle. My question is two-fold: How much should I let global politics contort my life? And should I call my friend out on his hypocrisy? -Patriot Games

Urban Diplomat

UD: No one should twist their habits into a pretzel to meet someone else's arbitrary standards. If you want to buy Canadian, do what you can to support the cause. If your friend continues to police your choices, you have my blessing to snap back. Beyond that, try not to let tariffs mess with your mental health.

Dear Urban Diplomat,

With tax season coming up, I was helping my daughter-a freelance photographer in her 20s—with her return when she happened to mention that her live-in boyfriend of almost a year has never filed one. This guy is almost 30! I told her that paying taxes is like going to the dentist: if you don't keep up with it, it will come back to make you miserable.

It's a huge red flag, but she doesn't seem to care. Things then escalated. She stormed out, and now she won't speak to me. How can I help her see the risks without jeopardizing our relationship?

-Tax Master, Bloor West Village.

Toronto Life

This story is from the April 2025 edition of Toronto Life.

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