Canadians are upset.
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At first it was the threat, and then the reality, of tariffs. Now, US President Donald Trump’s talk of Canada’s forced annexation – no longer laughed off as a joke – has really angered a population better known for its politeness.
Canadians are rallying for their country and seeing a resurgence in nationalism, as Canada-US relations top the list of issues preoccupying residents, according to recent polls.
“Elbows up,” a hockey term conveying readiness to fight, is the new rallying cry – emblazoned on clothing, headlining rallies and the title of a new podcast that dedicated its first episode to the practicalities of creating a civil defence corps.
It remains unclear how long Trump’s tariffs will be in place or what is behind his aspirations for Canada to become the 51st US state. But peeved Canadians said they believed irrevocable damage had been done.
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Canadians are boycotting US goods and cancelling US travel plans. Provinces are taking American alcohol off store shelves. The sense of betrayal runs deep.
“It’s a mix of concern, frustration, anger. Our longstanding friend and ally has turned against us and we don’t really know what to do,” said Peter Wall, an Elbows Up rally organizer.