Canadian Musings

Musings

Over the last month, the Canadian newspapers buzzed with Trump threats. The fear of tariffs, increased border controls, economic sanctions, etc — raised our ire. Not since the war of 1812 has there been such controversy.

Canada and the USA have been best friends for two hundred years. We enjoy the longest undefended border in the world, strongly support each other’s economies, and always, always, always, have each other’s backs.

Is that changing?

Where did we go wrong? Were we naive to believe that the Canada-USA alliance would be forever? Did we really, as Trump says, take advantage of our neighbor?

Admittedly, Canada did slack off on our military responsibilities. We depend greatly on the USA for defense. This is because we do not have the financial means to sustain a substantial military presence on our own. Despite having the second largest land mass in the world (next to Russia), our population is only ten per cent of the USA.

It’s to America’s advantage to protect us.

Why? Because of the Artic circle.

This uninhabited geography covers a substantial part of the Canadian land mass. We are neighbors with Russia, Alaska and Greenland. Considering today’s cold war with Russia, it is to everyone’s interest to protect this important space. All three nations (Canada, USA and Denmark) share this task.

Neighborly protection happens in other ways, too. During natural disasters, Canada sends first responders and emergency crews to the USA to help fight fires, restore power after hurricanes, etc. Canada is ready, willing and able to help their friends wherever and whenever we can. We are grateful that USA helps us, too.

However, let’s one thing perfectly clear. Canada is not American. Nor will it ever become the 51st state.

We have a divided border for a reason. Even though we speak the same English, our politics and cultures are different.

Canadian social constructs are neither Republican nor Democract.

We have a Charter of Rights which includes things like two official languages (English and French); minority language rights; aboriginal rights; equal opportunities and equal rights; multi-cultural heritage rights; anti-discrimination laws; equal rights as well as the right to life, liberty and security of all persons.

In addition, we are proud of our multi-cultural values, accessible education, universal health care, and non-discriminatory social assistance. Our system isn’t perfect. It’s expensive. But it’s ours.

Our government operates in a British parliamentary style with a unique multi-party system. We are part of the Commonwealth. As such, we answer to the King of England. To separate ourselves from the Crown requires the consensual agreement of all ten provinces and three territories. Separating ourselves will take decades of legal wrangling.

If Trump thinks that Canadians will vote away our rights and freedoms to join the USA, he can think again. Canadians are a proud nation and our people are resilient and strong.

Tax us, squeeze us, police us. We will not bend.

Don’t get me wrong. We love to vacation on your warm, sunny beaches and spend our hard-earned high-taxed dollars on your inexpensive booze, American cars, and other fabulous American goods. However, over the next four years, we can just as easily choose to spend that same money elsewhere. Unless you entice us to come back.

Please kill this ridiculous idea of tariffs. Let’s be friends again.

Remember — We. Are. Canadian. Not American.