We Are Canadian: A Call to Canadian Resolve
The actions of Mr. Trump have so poisoned the well of Canadian sentiment that our national politics have been upended in a manner unprecedented in our history. His malign influence has not only soured our relations but has galvanized an unexpected spirit of resistance within our fair Dominion.
As we ushered in the new year, our Prime Minister found himself undermined by his own cabinet, leading to his resignation. His party, once a bastion of stability, faced the prospect of losing so many seats that its very existence as an official entity hung in the balance.
Yet, Mr. Trump, in his characteristic brashness, has bigly seized the third rail of Canadian-American relations, igniting a fervor not witnessed since the Second World War. For the first time since our Confederation, Canadian public opinion is turning against a nation with whom we have so closely integrated our economy and defense. Our bonds, once thought unbreakable, are now strained to their absolute limits.
Today, the distinguished polling firm EKOS reports that the Liberal Party enjoys a surge in popularity unseen since the trials of the recent pandemic. Our citizens, awakened to a renewed sense of patriotism, are eager to make a stand and express a latent weariness of our southern neighbours that has simmered beneath the surface since the Loyalists first sought refuge in Canada from the political excesses of their generation.
We find ourselves in an era where once-unthinkable topics are now the subject of public discourse, growing louder and more insistent with each passing day. Now our politicians speak openly of this danger. Freshly radicalized Canadians, myself included, ponder the feasibility of bold initiatives such as CANZUK or even the audacious notion of welcoming French and British nuclear deterrents onto our soil—at least until we can establish our own formidable defences. Canada suddenly recognizes its hidden strength and the significance of a century of warm and cordial relations with every major Western power, brought into sharp relief by a moment of American geostrategic blunder. We can act with unwavering confidence, knowing that should American threats come to fruition, the goodwill and steadfast support of the entire Free World will rally behind us. This is their folly, not our destiny.
We must recognize that we can stand tall without the shadow of our southern neighbor. The fraternal relationship that once defined the former British colonies of North America has been shattered, and even now our friends in London seem slow to acknowledge this new reality. A betrayal of this magnitude is not easily forgotten, Canadians will remember this affront beyond my lifetime. We are slow to anger and fast to forgive, but we are not fools.
This afternoon, I heard two esteemed members of our cabinet speak openly about the existential threat that the Trump administration poses to our society and our unique way of life. We Canadians are not given to loud displays of nationalism, but when provoked, our spirit is unyielding. We are a pays of many peoples, united in our resolve to protect what is ours.
For too long, we have endured the slights and criticisms of our neighbors, but no more. Mr. Trump has unwittingly unleashed a force beyond his control. As I pen these words, his actions have driven our populist opposition, once poised for a historic victory, to the very brink of defeat. In their stead, a renewed Liberal government, led by a steadfast internationalist, seems increasingly poised to guide us through these tumultuous times. Such is the consequence of his reckless threats. He is no political savant, but merely a charlatan and a loudmouthed huckster. He who has enthralled our neighbors in his vengeful crusade against decency and honor.
We are on the cusp of a profound political transformation in Canada. As our current Prime Minister’s father once remarked, “No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.” Today, we are reminded of the truth in these words, for the beast is no longer even-tempered.
This anger and frustration, now echoing through our streets, convenience stores and coffee shops, may soon be channeled into the official government policy of one of the world’s wealthiest and most educated societies. We are a nation of rugged strength and irrational self-assurance, confident in our ability to overcome any challenge.
Let us not forget that many of our brightest minds have ventured south to aid the Americans in their pursuits, but they remain Canadians at heart. They return for Canada Day and Christmas, and one day, they may return for good. There is no force more formidable than a Canadian motivated by the love of their country and the welfare of their fellow citizens. Though we may have grown complacent, our strength and resolve remain undiminished.
Watch: Jeff Douglas — We Are Canadian
A mare usque ad mare. Elbows up!
—sir.charles
