Um. Just wanted to point out. Canadian here. Trump is not just embarking on an illegal trade war with Canada. He is trying to make us a vassal state. I hope Americans understand this. We have CUSMA. Or USMCA, as you call it, a lot harder to pronounce. It is still in force. Trump’s tariffs are illegal.
The concessions he is demanding are not congruent with Canada remaining a sovereign country. We have a right to our bilingual culture, a right to our own resources, a right to create our own alliances— to be maitres chez nous. Masters in our own house.
This is not just about trade. This is first and foremost about dominance. Trump’s frequent remarks about a 51st state are signals. We Canadians hear them clearly even though, apparently, his own citizens do not. We are outraged.
And we do wonder: where is your Congress? Along with the rest of the democratic world, we simply cannot fathom how your president can single-handedly declare war on Iran, economic war on Canada, threaten Greenland (you do know that, right, Greenland is still threatened) without any permission at all from the elected representatives of your citizenry.
Finally. This is just me, I’m not sure how many other Canadians are reflecting on this question: you are the ones who said no taxation without representation. You are ones who dumped all that tea into Boston harbour. You are the ones who are proud of your revolution against an entitled and apparently uncaring king.
A revolution in the 18th C was a different task than what would happen to us all now, if we rose up in arms, and honestly, every sentient person should be able to understand that. We're also talking about a nation that has become so lazy and apathetic that despite the best efforts of people of information and good will (we who have never skipped voting or door knocking, etc) we barely clear 60% voter turnout even in critical elections. I don't know how to say it, but if you're frustrated in Canada, imagine how we Americans feel, who have screamed ourselves hoarse (figuratively and literally) and who have warned for a decade about this catastrophe, and who are trying to herd the cats into the voting precincts. I'm deeply ashamed of a vast swathe of my fellow citizens, and yet rather than despair I'm going to do what I always have done, and organize. We can't win a revolution (especially when health insurance is tied to our employment) but we can change our trajectory if people actually participate.
There is not a sufficient vocabulary to describe our shame and horror at what this administration is doing to you and your country, our dear friends and allies. We're hanging Canadian flags next to our sun-faded Ukrainian flags. We're keeping our elbows up. We're fighting for the right thing within a system designed to prevent it, and while we understand your anger, we appreciate that Ford sees us, and we hope you can, too.
Of course we aren't; you and I and everyone who has been fighting back and voting know that. But an enormous part of our country is apathetic, and would rather Tweet than act, and I don't know how we will move forward unless we can bring them onboard, to participate in our shared futures, rather than to hide under the covers and post about what makes them so angry, and indeed afraid. I'm 53, so things that scare me or me are very different from the things that scare younger people. (Not everything: I am and always have been deeply concerned about our fossil fuel abuse, etc). But there are a lot of people out there who live on Tiktok and for whom digital reality is the primary one, and the effort of voting is somehow beyond them, either to comprehend or to engage in. And I'm not making excuses for my generation. JFC, I didn't imagine so many of my peers would go full MAGA/Nazi, after having spent our youth at punk shows together. It's shameful. However we do it we have to make voting make sense to people, though it becomes ever more challenging in a world of gnat-like attention spans. 😔
I'm Canadian American and what I'm witnessing is an abomination. But I will say a lot of American DO NOT LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON and despise him. Make no mistake. I don't like to remark on politics but this has gone way beyond too far. It's unconscionable. I know people say “move back to Canada” but it's easier said than done. I love my country of Canada, be strong!
I get your anger, Donna, but you're singing to the choir here. We know what a rotten creep frump is because we're living his assaults daily. We know he is a dangerous criminal who is driving our nation into the ground, and trying damn hard to take others with him. We are fighting him! His power now is that he has bought off/bribed/blackmailed everyone in his regime, forming a huge powerful team unto itself, but is also terrified to deny him any stupid, crazy, childlike wish he imagines. Lake Ontario is just one recent example of it.
I love Canada and Canadians and if you have ever felt the same for any of us, you will turn your righteous anger into supporting your Mr. Carney's and Mr. Ford's policies against Trump's evil crap. We believe other nations must stand against this regime to protect themselves and to force him to stop - or to wake the hell up our congress that fails to do their job, as you pointed out. Please consider my words. And your own. We could use a little kindness right about now. Sending love from Vermont.
Hear, hear. Of all the stupid things Trump wrought, attacking Canada has to be high on that list. There is no cogent endgame here, just a chest pounding bully about to get put on his Ass.
Canadian here. Most Canadians agree with Doug Ford. However, Prime Minister Carney is much more restrained. For example, he has said he will not use energy as a weapon. He wants to protect Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier.
Actually I’m starting a petition to rename the Great Lakes! Lake Superior to rename as Lake Keewatin - a Canadian Indigenous word for “north wind”. Then southward to Lake Kincardine - named for beautiful beaches and well, just because. South to Lake Windsor for some fine pickerel (walleye to Americans). Finally Lake ONTARIO a Haudenausonee name for “beautiful lake”. No need for DJT to rename shared waters; I’m surprised he knows they exist…
I like your answer but need to be pedantic as a Walleye is not an “American” name. The fish itself is Sander vitreus formerly Stizostedion vitreum or Walleye. Unfortunately in our commercial fish trade in Manitoba they marketed it as “pickeral” even though there is a pickeral in the USA which is related to Esox lucius or Northern Pike. To get the American fish market they had to market it with the proper name of Walleye as nobody wanted to pay to eat a Jackfish. However in the lodge industry we also had to be educated and use the proper term of walleye. I liken it to the public being uneducated because they called bison buffalo and every ground squirrel a gopher.
Our leaders are a severe embarrassment! That they're frothing at the mouth to destroy relations with our best Nation friend and an economy at least 13 times bigger than ours, and that they have so many deluded Canadians clapping like trained seals in an overtly politicized attempt to garner yet more power for the LIEberals is almost unbelievable…
Donald Trump didn't wreck Canada. Our so-called leaders did, and you silly “Elbows Up” pawns are only making things more torturous for everyone else. Grow up. If Donald Trump acts like an impetuous child, perhaps we could be adults?!!
About that blather about Canada becoming the 51th state... watch out! The state of Maine, sitting right up there tight against New Brunswick... the state of Vermont, a short chip shot from Ottawa and Montreal, two huge Canadian cities/political power bases. All Canada has to do is flip the switch and electricity now flowing across the border is interrupted and it's black-out for a handful of states... including New York. So piss off the people in those states and the next election will have the question about a number of states moving their allegiance north. Keep in mind the battle that formed the United States was a battle against King George III, another mad man. Who says it couldn't happen again? This time a battle against the US mad man president?
Um. Just wanted to point out. Canadian here. Trump is not just embarking on an illegal trade war with Canada. He is trying to make us a vassal state. I hope Americans understand this. We have CUSMA. Or USMCA, as you call it, a lot harder to pronounce. It is still in force. Trump’s tariffs are illegal.
The concessions he is demanding are not congruent with Canada remaining a sovereign country. We have a right to our bilingual culture, a right to our own resources, a right to create our own alliances— to be maitres chez nous. Masters in our own house.
This is not just about trade. This is first and foremost about dominance. Trump’s frequent remarks about a 51st state are signals. We Canadians hear them clearly even though, apparently, his own citizens do not. We are outraged.
And we do wonder: where is your Congress? Along with the rest of the democratic world, we simply cannot fathom how your president can single-handedly declare war on Iran, economic war on Canada, threaten Greenland (you do know that, right, Greenland is still threatened) without any permission at all from the elected representatives of your citizenry.
Finally. This is just me, I’m not sure how many other Canadians are reflecting on this question: you are the ones who said no taxation without representation. You are ones who dumped all that tea into Boston harbour. You are the ones who are proud of your revolution against an entitled and apparently uncaring king.
Where is your revolution now?
A revolution in the 18th C was a different task than what would happen to us all now, if we rose up in arms, and honestly, every sentient person should be able to understand that. We're also talking about a nation that has become so lazy and apathetic that despite the best efforts of people of information and good will (we who have never skipped voting or door knocking, etc) we barely clear 60% voter turnout even in critical elections. I don't know how to say it, but if you're frustrated in Canada, imagine how we Americans feel, who have screamed ourselves hoarse (figuratively and literally) and who have warned for a decade about this catastrophe, and who are trying to herd the cats into the voting precincts. I'm deeply ashamed of a vast swathe of my fellow citizens, and yet rather than despair I'm going to do what I always have done, and organize. We can't win a revolution (especially when health insurance is tied to our employment) but we can change our trajectory if people actually participate.
There is not a sufficient vocabulary to describe our shame and horror at what this administration is doing to you and your country, our dear friends and allies. We're hanging Canadian flags next to our sun-faded Ukrainian flags. We're keeping our elbows up. We're fighting for the right thing within a system designed to prevent it, and while we understand your anger, we appreciate that Ford sees us, and we hope you can, too.
Good answer. I see you. And I appreciate the flag. Keep it flying. Proud to share space with the Ukrainian flag.
Thank you Donna. We're proud to fly the maple leaf and I appreciate your comment immensely. In solidarity and friendship xx
Donna, I just saw this after I responded above. Thanks. Hang in there. We will, too.
Not all Americans are lazy and apathetic though, I've seen people protesting this crap
Of course we aren't; you and I and everyone who has been fighting back and voting know that. But an enormous part of our country is apathetic, and would rather Tweet than act, and I don't know how we will move forward unless we can bring them onboard, to participate in our shared futures, rather than to hide under the covers and post about what makes them so angry, and indeed afraid. I'm 53, so things that scare me or me are very different from the things that scare younger people. (Not everything: I am and always have been deeply concerned about our fossil fuel abuse, etc). But there are a lot of people out there who live on Tiktok and for whom digital reality is the primary one, and the effort of voting is somehow beyond them, either to comprehend or to engage in. And I'm not making excuses for my generation. JFC, I didn't imagine so many of my peers would go full MAGA/Nazi, after having spent our youth at punk shows together. It's shameful. However we do it we have to make voting make sense to people, though it becomes ever more challenging in a world of gnat-like attention spans. 😔
I'm Canadian American and what I'm witnessing is an abomination. But I will say a lot of American DO NOT LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON and despise him. Make no mistake. I don't like to remark on politics but this has gone way beyond too far. It's unconscionable. I know people say “move back to Canada” but it's easier said than done. I love my country of Canada, be strong!
I get your anger, Donna, but you're singing to the choir here. We know what a rotten creep frump is because we're living his assaults daily. We know he is a dangerous criminal who is driving our nation into the ground, and trying damn hard to take others with him. We are fighting him! His power now is that he has bought off/bribed/blackmailed everyone in his regime, forming a huge powerful team unto itself, but is also terrified to deny him any stupid, crazy, childlike wish he imagines. Lake Ontario is just one recent example of it.
I love Canada and Canadians and if you have ever felt the same for any of us, you will turn your righteous anger into supporting your Mr. Carney's and Mr. Ford's policies against Trump's evil crap. We believe other nations must stand against this regime to protect themselves and to force him to stop - or to wake the hell up our congress that fails to do their job, as you pointed out. Please consider my words. And your own. We could use a little kindness right about now. Sending love from Vermont.
Hear, hear. Of all the stupid things Trump wrought, attacking Canada has to be high on that list. There is no cogent endgame here, just a chest pounding bully about to get put on his Ass.
Canadian here. Most Canadians agree with Doug Ford. However, Prime Minister Carney is much more restrained. For example, he has said he will not use energy as a weapon. He wants to protect Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier.
Does anyone else think Trump believes Lake Superior is named after him?
Actually I’m starting a petition to rename the Great Lakes! Lake Superior to rename as Lake Keewatin - a Canadian Indigenous word for “north wind”. Then southward to Lake Kincardine - named for beautiful beaches and well, just because. South to Lake Windsor for some fine pickerel (walleye to Americans). Finally Lake ONTARIO a Haudenausonee name for “beautiful lake”. No need for DJT to rename shared waters; I’m surprised he knows they exist…
I like your answer but need to be pedantic as a Walleye is not an “American” name. The fish itself is Sander vitreus formerly Stizostedion vitreum or Walleye. Unfortunately in our commercial fish trade in Manitoba they marketed it as “pickeral” even though there is a pickeral in the USA which is related to Esox lucius or Northern Pike. To get the American fish market they had to market it with the proper name of Walleye as nobody wanted to pay to eat a Jackfish. However in the lodge industry we also had to be educated and use the proper term of walleye. I liken it to the public being uneducated because they called bison buffalo and every ground squirrel a gopher.
I am sure Mexico and Europe would change their maps just to annoy Trump!
Great idea! All of us are on Trump’s shit list anyway. That and the rest of the world excepting Russia and North Korea.
Thanks for that. You can tell I’m no angler!
The Mango Mussolini really is an idiot. As time goes on, he's holding fewer and fewer cards.
Our premier, Doug Ford, can be a crude talker on much more than one occasion. But he is ours!
Not Ottawa but Ontario PM.
Our leaders are a severe embarrassment! That they're frothing at the mouth to destroy relations with our best Nation friend and an economy at least 13 times bigger than ours, and that they have so many deluded Canadians clapping like trained seals in an overtly politicized attempt to garner yet more power for the LIEberals is almost unbelievable…
Donald Trump didn't wreck Canada. Our so-called leaders did, and you silly “Elbows Up” pawns are only making things more torturous for everyone else. Grow up. If Donald Trump acts like an impetuous child, perhaps we could be adults?!!
Not Otrawa but Ontario premier.
Good article, Sam. Now we have two more American heroes, and both are Canadian.
American here, GO OFF, FORD! DON'T GIVE IN TO TRUMP'S BULLSHIT!
About that blather about Canada becoming the 51th state... watch out! The state of Maine, sitting right up there tight against New Brunswick... the state of Vermont, a short chip shot from Ottawa and Montreal, two huge Canadian cities/political power bases. All Canada has to do is flip the switch and electricity now flowing across the border is interrupted and it's black-out for a handful of states... including New York. So piss off the people in those states and the next election will have the question about a number of states moving their allegiance north. Keep in mind the battle that formed the United States was a battle against King George III, another mad man. Who says it couldn't happen again? This time a battle against the US mad man president?