Trump's comments on Canada prompt surge of patriotism - in a Canadian way | Canada | The Guardian
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Trump's diplomatic trolling has sparked disbelief and defiance - but also revived questions of national identity
A lone figure takes to the stage, a giant maple leaf flag rippling on a screen behind him as he gingerly approaches the microphone.
"I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader," he tells the crowd. "I have a prime minister, not a president. I speak English and French, not American. And I pronounce it 'about' - not 'a boot'."
The crowd, indifferent at first, grows increasingly enthusiastic as the man works his way through a catalogue of Canadian stereotypes, passing from diffidence to defiance before the climactic cry: "Canada is the second largest landmass! The first nation of hockey! And the best part of North America! My name is Joe! And I am Canadian!"
The ad, for Molson Canadian beer, was immensely popular when it aired in 2000. And now, with Canada's identity and sovereignty under threat, it has roared back into the public consciousness.
In recent weeks, Canadian patriotism has surged in response to Donald Trump's suggestion that the US could annex its northern neighbour. His threats have prompted an outpouring of disbelief and defiance, but - in a very Canadian way - they has also revived questions over the complexities of national identity.
Trump began his campaign of diplomatic trolling before he had even assumed office, questioning Canada's viability as a nation, suggesting that it could become the 51st American state, and deriding the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, as a "governor".
In response, Canadians have taken to acts of patriotism, small and large: one pilot flew his small plane in the shape of a maple leaf; sports fans have booed US teams; hats insisting "Canada is not for sale" have gone viral; consumers have pledged to buy only Canadian-made products - a pledge skewered in a viral sketch in which one shopper berates another for buying American ketchup.
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"What the hell are you doing?" he asked "We're in a trade war, you traitor!"
"It's been absolutely crazy and overwhelming," said Dylan Lobo, who runs MadeInCa, a website that catalogues products made in-country. "We're struggling to keep up with all the listings. People are really frustrated and they want to find a way to support Canadian and buy Canadian."
Politicians, aware of a looming election, have wrapped themselves in the flag. And in a show of bipartisan unity, five former prime ministers have called for Canadian unity.
"We all agree on one thing: Canada, the true north, strong and free, the best country in the world, is worth celebrating and fighting for," the leaders wrote in a statement.
A recent poll found pro-Canadian sentiment has surged in recent weeks - with the biggest leap towards patriotism found in francophone Quebec, a region historically ambivalent towards federal patriotism.
The shift marks a dramatic rebound from 2020, when the divisive policies of the coronavirus pandemic shifted how many Canadians viewed the flag - especially after the maple leaf was appropriated by the by far-right Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa.
At the same time, new stress has been put on Canadian national identity amid growing recognition of the historical injustices perpetrated against Indigenous peoples. Statues of monarchs and founding statesmen have been pulled down, and buildings renamed amid a heated national discussion about the legacy of colonial rule.
"Trump's comments on annexation have certainly awakened something in people," said Wilfred King, the chief of Gull Bay First Nation. "But I think we also need to remember on both side of the border, that Indigenous people in Canada are the only ones that can really speak about true sovereignty in this country."
Unlike in other colonial conquests, King said, the Crown made alliances with Indigenous peoples in what is now Canada. "There was no surrender to outside forces."
"When crisis and conflict came, we answered the call. Indigenous people volunteered more than any other group to fight alongside their allies in both world wars," said King, whose father served in the second world war. "When they returned home, they were marginalized. They saw what it was like to be betrayed by a friend."
And so the fraught nature of Canada's relationship with the US is jarringly familiar to the country's first peoples. "They're only feeling what we've been feeling for the last 175 years. It's how the government has treated First Nations in Canada."
For Jeff Douglas, who played Joe Canada in popular the 2000 ad campaign, the recent surge of nationalism has brought mixed feelings.
"Patriotism wasn't something that ever really resonated with me and I was very ignorant about the totality of Canadian history when we made the ad," he said.
Douglas, who later became an acclaimed radio host for the CBC, says decades spent meeting different groups across the country has deepened his understanding of Canada's complicated, and dark, history.
"I think that we can still be proud. We just have to be aware - and then being aware of the wrongs of the past and the continuing wrongs in the present doesn't mean that we can't be proud to be Canadian. Pride in being Canadian cannot come at the cost of that awareness," he said.
And while he says a "blind" shift towards patriotism doesn't serve the broader goals of fixing injustices, it also reflects the "dynamic" nature of people's relationship with their country.
"There are going to be times where you're going to need to just say, 'We need to be strong and face forward if that's what the country needs to get through the existential threat we're facing,'" he said.
Douglas is hopeful the current fixation on buttressing Canadian identity in the face of threats to the country will serve a broader purpose.
"My love of the country, or rather the people of the country, is a love of what we potentially could achieve, and it is richer when I understand the complexity of where we've been and where we are. We can grow. But it's important to remember that you can love something that's imperfect."
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The border between Canada and the United States is 5,000 plus miles and unguarded. To my knowledge it is the longest unguarded border in the world. Too Natives it is known as the ‘’Medicine Line’’ and of course there are treaties that allow us to cross back and forth with little problem, for me it is the Jay Treaty.
Two counties that have been allies through thick and think, WWl, WWll, Korea, War on terrorism we have had units from both countries form one single deadly combat unit. We have been brother and sisters for centuries. We have fought one war, the War of 1812 and of course the famous Pig War of the 1700s with a pig being the only casualty.
Yet, today we are sitting on a powder keg brought on my one man, Trump and to what end, there isn’t any good reason for this ‘’Trade War’’ threats and name calling but here we have it, it is happening before our very eyes.
Sine the Indigenous people of Canada are a large part of the article, I would add that both sides of my family come from what is now North Dakota, Minnesota, Manitoba and Quebec. We crossed that border at Pembina ND and across Lake of the Woods to Warroad MN. We ventured as far north as NorthWest Territories and West to BC. I are Ojibwe, Dakota Sioux, Cree, and Metis. Our history dates back thousands of years and on French side (Metis is French for Mixed Indigenous and French) and in Canada they are a one of three Indigenous groups recognized by the Canadian government I can trace my heritage to King Henry 1st of France and to Chiefs Wabasha, Chief Little Shell, Chief Loons Foot, Pierre, Charles Boutineau and Pierre Boutineau, Gene Baptist LaBruyere, and two of the original members of Louis Riel Manitoba conference both died at Batchoe fighting the British to protect out lands.
My families history is so intertwined with both the US and Canada there is no seperating it. We were here thousands of years before either country was thought of and now we are part of both countries,
To see this sad situation taking place between by countries is disheartening to say the least. There are towns, counties named after our family there are monuments/statues one in the town of Wabasha on the Mississippi Rivers of Chief Wabasha another of PIerre Boutineau on the ND Canadian border
We have had our hand in the original history and the more modern history of both northern US and Canada.
I could not pick up a rifle against by brothers and sisters in Canada it would be beyond crazy.
Hopefully the nut in the White House will drop this crazy nonsense, or not and then decisions will have to be made.
I am presently in Papeete, Tahiti enjoying the warm waters and friendly people who speak French, English and Tahitian.
We have Trump supporters who scoff at the idea that Trump has damaged international relationships (already!).
True, there is a name for them but I’ll keep the comment family orinated,
Don't I know it, and hasn't everyone here seen that in the articles about it and comments that I've been posting. My Canadian patriotism sure as hell surged in me and I feel it now more deeply than I have for many years. Kavika may be more North American than I am, and his roots in North America are far deeper than those of most of us, but I was born in Canada, grew up in Canada, was educated in Canada, spent most of my life in Canada, will never give up my Canadian citizenship and passport and I am at least as Canadian as Kavika has the right to be.
Morning Buzz..maybe it's time to change your profile picture to something Canadian..🇨🇦
Although I consider "YIN/YANG" and "HARMONY" to be universal, you may be right, and I should consider a Canadian statement for the duration of this issue. Your avatar statement is prominent.
Or...hard working, cute, fiesty when annoyed and excellent teeth to chew on the Southern neighbours..
I thought about it, but figured the message wouldn't be sufficiently clear.
Or this..
Yes, I saw that one but chose this one.
However it doesn't show up strong enough, so perhaps I'll change it to what you suggested.
I do still like the cute beaver though and those chubby cheeks...and that button nose..
It's good, but it doesn't send the message I want sent. Would you prefer a kangaroo for your avatar?
Ahhh if it was this one..
LOL. I like that one, but of course it's up to you.
I will stick to my island home flag..🐨🦘🇭🇲
a skull and crossbones would be more fitting I reckon ...
Now there's a thought...at least that would keep all you mob out, in there was a mass migration of American asylum seekers thinking of lobbing in...
That is an interesting point. A Canadian has every right to be proud of his/her citizenship. In reading the comments here, some might forget that there is only one Canadian commenting thus far.
Speaking for myself, I have never been prouder to be an American than I have in this past month.
How many Canadian members are there on NT? Only a few at most.
Hello ... sorry to be so late but a series of lectures by Edwin Barnhart, Ph.D. on early N. American peoples and civilizations has my total attention.
1-1/2 with myself being the 1/2 as I hold 2 passports, Brit and Canuck. I would go for a third from Greece but my mother's data was dumpling'd in a basement flood and some very nervous sheep ate them.
It's hard for me to imagine what there is about Trump's actions so far that any well-adjusted rational human would be proud of. I'm sure those Americans who like bullying anyone different or weaker than themselves, prefer hillbilly dentistry and often ridicule higher education because people who are better educated make them feel stupid are truly proud of what Trump has accomplished so far. Even if their low level of reading comprehension makes it hard to understand exactly what he has done, they're being told by Fox News that he's "owning the libs" and that's all they care about.
As far as I know it's you, me and Buzz, but as you and I are dual citizens and only count as half that makes two
I am ashamed that we have elected this loose-cannon, irrational, arrogant, narcissistic buffoon as PotUS. I am ashamed that the USA (via its idiot president) has pissed on our closest ally Canada and pointlessly damaged a very friendly long-standing relationship. And for what? To get them to better control the 40+ pounds of fentynal that crossed the Canadian border in 2024? They already had plans to beef up the border, all Trump had to do was sit down privately. But instead he publicly threatens them, tries to bully them, pisses on them, insults their leaders, taunts them with this 51st state nonsense, etc.
And what will be the result of this idiocy? If it continues, higher prices for USA consumers and possibly a trade war. But even if it stops now, Canada is making moves to be far less dependent upon the USA. A key step is to create more East-West pipelines so that they no longer have to rely upon USA pipelines (and thus be dependent on a rogue PotUS).
And why do they do this? Because they are rational. They have seen that the USA is capable of electing an irresponsible loose-cannon as PotUS. And worse, after seeing this idiot in action, the American people are not showing sufficient outrage.
In fact, some of them are inexplicably 'proud' of the actions of this asshole.
It would be inexpicable except we have been leading up to it for 10 years.
Arvo...and a few assorted rellies from the Commonwealth that will stick up for you mob..🦘🇭🇲🇨🇦
I could have been Canadian as my grandfather migrated from England..he sent letters to Canada and Australia... Australia answered and the rest they say is history..
So I am on the great rock in the Pacific and not next some bogan country with a feral leader..🐨
Excellent comment - and what puzzles me is that there are people who are intelligent enough to be capable of using a computer and post on a social media platform like NT who still support him and what he is doing to create disgust and distrust of the USA around the world. It HAS to have been the failure of the American education system for so long - something I realized as far back as my teenage days. Too many Americans seem to be more impressed by wealth and fame than they are by accomplishment and creativity, unless it's for football and basketball players..
Lol at least as far as weather goes grampa made the better choice, but then again there's the poisonous critters so maybe not
Since both of you have made Canada your home, you're as qualified to feel as insulted by Trump and those here who agree with him as I am.
Morning free..yeah nah they're right..
Just have to have your wits about you..just reading about a guy in Sydney who was at Balmoral beach and got bitten by a blue ringed octopus..
Within an hour he was nearly dead poor buggar but he is ok now..picked up a shell and it bit him on the thumb..very lucky..
what do you reckon the percentage is of oz inhabitants that actually die of old age? 5 or 10%... maybe ...
Weeellll he did get a warning..they flash iridescent blue before biting but unfortunately he couldn't get it off..
Ahh we breed em tough Vangy..a few snaps here, a few stings there, a few bites here and there..
My rellies all well into their 80s and 90s.. my mum is 91..killed a few snakes in her time and still going strong..🐨
most of the killers on this patch of dirt here are stupid humans ...
And then there's this
I've seen pictures of Canadian grocery stores with maple leaf signs denoting Canadian-made goods, making it easier to Canadians to quickly choose them over US-made goods. And I read posts from Canadians that they're affecting sales. Donald Trump shot at least our food industry in the foot.
Doing a MIcrosoft Bing internet search of "Buy Canadian" brings PAGES of relevant articles - these are just on the FIRST PAGE of the search.
Want to buy Canadian ? How to find alternatives to big U.S.
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Made in CA | Canadians, spend your money wisely.
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Boycotting U.S. products? Here’s how to buy Canadian during a trade war
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Want to buy Canadian ? Here are 12 locally-made grocery …
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Did Trump wake ‘sleeping giant’ of ‘ Buy …
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How to shop and buy Canadian - CIRA
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Buy Canadian ? Here's how to identify truly Canadian …
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Buying Canadian ? There’s a Website For That. - Macleans.ca
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How to buy Canadian : Useful tips from food experts, grocery …
Booing the star spangled banner and then getting their ass handed to them in their national sport in their own country was quite the patriotic display.
Although, since, as the guy who leads them said, Canada has no core national identity and is a post national country, maybe Canadian patriotism isn’t possible.
It' hard to admit, isn't it, that when a nation is hurt and insulted its people might react, but ok, get even.
LINK -> ‘O Canada’ booed, but only lightly, at 4 Nations Face-Off game in Boston | Globalnews.ca
I beg to differ.
They booed the anthem and Americans will respond in kind on thursday. That's the way it goes.
beg to differ
How can you have patriotism for a country that, as the man who you elected for the last decade boasts, has no national identity?
"national identity|? I don't know if he has or he hasn't, but whatever, his "national identity" is a hell of a lot better than that of a leader who has the "national identity" of being a vengeful convicted felon, serial liar, pussy-grabbing narcissist.
[✘]
I suggest that we end this dialogue. I may be in agreement with and support your comments on Israel, but nothing else, and it's not worth my time even THINKING about what else you have to say.
"Canadian patriotism has surged in response to Donald Trump's suggestion that the US could annex its northern neighbour. "
This really makes me doubt the sanity of the US President !!!
I believe the whole world feels the same, but they are too diplomatic to say it out loud.
What made you think I needed that?
Trump is the leader of the nation and it’s called America and or United States of America. The united part may disappear soon.
He keeps stepping on his dick the world will turn on him and the US.
that won't be the only vanishing act ...
Wasn't that something.
I could not care less about the whole pariotism and political arguements that are going on, however if you believe a 3-1 loss (including an empty netter) is getting your ass handed to you then you are obviously unfamiliar with hockey
PS: Booing the national anthem of either side by anyone is wrong and the people who do it should be ashamed
Trump does "outrageous" because that ensures he keeps the spotlight. America and Canada have been close allies for over two hundred years... but for the Narcissist-in-Chief, that makes trashing the relationship even more appealing.
We're just a few weeks into this disaster.
Well Bob according to Trump apologists, Trump has not and is not damaging international relationships. Nothing to see here. Everything is fine. Those who believe Trump is unnecessarily damaging international relationships are all 'hysterical'.
We are indeed just a few weeks into this and it seems the denial and flat out BULLSHIT from Trump apologists will continue no matter what this buffoon does.
I don't think this is simple denial.
This is policy, directly ordered from MAGA Propaganda Central. "We must avoid any negative perceptions for as long as possible."
Our local MAGA propagandists, here on NT, are perfectly aware of the mess Trump is making, but are under orders to not recognize anything.
Anyone who imagines that so-and-so (I can't give any names because Mommy is protecting fascism again) doesn't know exactly what is happening is... in denial.
One must remember, the MAGA crowd gets their info from X-pedia.
with the original source being musk's anal cavity ...