US expat here. I’ve lived in Canada since 1987, so now almost forty years and over half my life. I’ve seen a lot of minor disputes - the never ending fights over softwood lumber and dairy products, e.g. Bothersome, but a minor itch In the larger scheme of things.
This, though, is very different. I have never in all my time here seen Canadians so angry. The ROC (rest of Canada) has been pissed off at Quebec from time to time with their various demands, but that pales compared to the anger I am now seeing with the US.
Canada, your staunchest ally, feels like they are being treated like dirt. And it’s not the tariffs. It’s that insane idea that the US could just annex Canada. And the even more insane idea that Canadians would welcome that.
Really. Like we want to have substandard health care at a premium price. And mass shootings with all those thoughts and prayers? Won’t go on about the many ways that I think Canada is a far more humane place to live. It is a different ethos here, there is far more emphasis on individual sacrifice for the greater social good.
I’m just distraught by what has been happening. Only putting this up because I know Canada is an afterthought for most in the US. But we should not be. Canada is (was) your most important trade partner: your largest source of imported crude oil, also potash, electricity, cars and vehicle parts, and many other goods. Not to mention your largest undefended border.
I don’t think people in the US understand that this was a deal breaker for us. It take a lot to piss off Canadians. And I don’t think people in the US will ever understand what they just lost.
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Update: OMG, I never imagined this post would take off like this. I’ve tried to keep up with comments, but I haven’t been able to do justice to them all. Not that it mattered, lol, this community just runs with things when the spirit strikes.
But I did want to say that it was heartening to hear from so many about how you feel about Canada. So maybe it’s like infidelity. The scar will always be there, but you agree to still be partners.
