The problem is it is a global economy, and if you decide to sit out, you will ultimately lose.
Canada is resource rich and needs exports. For example, while it would be great to have a strong auto industry, those jobs are gone and we cannot compete with Mexico (especially with the unions driving wages into the stratosphere).
Industry lobbyists are driving the world direction, and there is little Canada can do about it. Being involved is the only viable approach.
I assume by "non middle aged" you are under 30? If so, I definitely agree your generation has been given a shitty hand. Expensive education, expensive housing, middling job market, and governments building massive debt your generation can never pay off. Oddly enough the most carnage in terms of competitiveness and financial management in Ontario is coming from the provincial Liberals. If you want things to get worse, double down and elect federal Liberals where Trudeau is promising the world to get elected, and will make sure you are the one paying for it. Then we have Mulcair who has stated he will sit out the trade deal. While I think the PCs have done many questionable things, they are also the only ones running on their performance, and still seem to be the only party with some sane financial management remaining.