When Canadians are facing a threat or a perceived threat from what was once their closest ally, it is important to face the challenge together.
This is not happening, and the results could be disturbing.
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the U.S. president in Washington, D.C., where the two leaders discussed trade pressures facing the two nations.
The meeting comes as the two countries are engaged in a tariff war, and following earlier comments from the U.S. president, referring to Canada as the 51st U.S. state.
鈥淥ur old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over,鈥� he said following the April 28 federal election. 鈥淭he system of open global trade anchored by the United States, a system that Canada has relied on since the Second World War, a system that well not perfect has helped deliver prosperity for a country for decades, is over.鈥�
And yet, despite this changing and uneasy relationship with the U.S., there are some in Canada who are disillusioned with the country.
A Leger poll from May 3, suggests only 52 per cent of Canadians were satisfied with the outcome of the election, and a Nanos Research poll, released May 5, said that 29 per cent of Albertans lean towards separation from Canada. This figure cannot be ignored.
鈥淎 large majority of Albertans are so deeply frustrated with the results of last week鈥檚 federal election,鈥� Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said on May 5. 鈥淎lberta will be taking steps to better protect ourselves from Ottawa.鈥�
When one province speaks of protecting itself from the federal government, something has gone wrong.
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Qu茅b茅cois, has applauded Smith. The Parti Qu茅b茅cois held referendums on Quebec sovereignty in 1980 and 1995, and the present leader has promised another referendum by 2030 if the party forms government in that province.
When statements about separatism and protecting a province from the federal government are voiced, the result makes Canada appear to be a house divided.
And a divided house will not be able to stand against an adversary who has spoken repeatedly about annexing this country.
Canada needs a united voice.
鈥� Black Press
