Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I happily reside in Canada.

I am (shhhh) an American! My dad’s work (he was a home builder) led him to move our family up to Sarnia, Ontario when I was 6 months old, and I’ve been a landed immigrant ever since. My close friends know this about me. and to date, I have not been shunned. Instead, I have been shown great sympathy for myself and my family still living in the U.S.

I am deeply embarrassed by the Americans who can’t see the destruction that Trump has wrought upon the country of my birth, and upon her neighbours and allies.

But the 51st State??? DON’T GET ME STARTED!!!

Canada has earned some of its clichés – we are very polite overall AND we can be dastardly wild drivers. Although we remain proud of our country, we have the usual complaints about the government, the roads and the cost of living. Yet life is generally pleasant here. Canadians say "hello” while out walking our dogs. We say “excuse me” if our grocery cart is coming up on another in the vegetable aisle.

And then comes the Big Bad Orange Wolf. And it seems that honesty and common decency have been thrown out the window in the States.

I don’t delve deeply into politics...usually...but the President of the United States has sparked a patriotic flurry of activity from average Canadians. I, the American, am also incensed. Canadians are furious that the U.S. thinks it can invade Greenland OMG, or annex Canada.

My husband and I always taught our daughters to “play nice in the sandbox.” We heard that phrase from every elementary school teacher our kids had. It became our Parenting Phrase with the girls, rather than “CUT THAT OUT” or “DON” T BE A BULLY - it was our Teach-Our-Kids-The-Golden-Rule moment! But we also taught them that bullying is unacceptable behaviour from others. Are you listening, Mr. President? Canada is not interested in hanging out with a bully. The 51st state does not and never will exist. Canada is standing strong.

Going to the grocery store is an entirely different experience now. Cherries from Washington State? Nope, not happening. Florida orange juice? Not around here! Canadians are taking a firm stand. The grocery chains have put up clear “Product of Canada” signs throughout their stores. We even have some fabulous new local entrepreneurs who are now in business growing spinach and lettuce hydroponically here in Calgary – it’s joyful (and tasty!) to “source local.”

Sorry to the people of the United States! I know it’s not your fault, but you’ve got to replace your top leadership to win back our food dollars and our travel dollars.

Canadians are a practical people. They absolutely despise the callous behaviour in the States – the illegal deportations, the cruel rhetoric, the threats against fellow human beings. We cheer when AOC speaks, we boo Tesla vehicles (I actually saw my FIRST Tesla in the city yesterday, and I booed... politely), and “Elbows Up” has become a commonly used phrase that doesn’t refer to just hockey anymore! Friends are making summer vacation travel plans east or west this year, instead of heading south.

Trust and relationships take years to develop; sadly, only moments to destroy. Canada’s best friend has turned on us, discounted and threatened us. But Canadians don’t paint the entire U.S. as cruel, although the cruel ones seem to be the loudest. We see hope in the Everyday Man and Woman participating in the No King Protests we saw all over the country. And our fervent prayer is that it is not too late – that the momentum will continue; that the midterm elections, and continuing grassroots protests will turn things around. The pendulum can swing back, and the U.S. can be our friend and neighbor once more.

And perhaps in the bargain, the American people will guide Donald Trump onto his pretty Air Force One plane (maybe with his buddy Pete Hegseth), and send him off to McDonald Island, where Trump ordered tariffs placed upon the penguins living there. Wouldn’t that be a quaint ending to his rule?

Canadians miss our kind neighbours to the south - stay strong and we’ll see you on the other side!

Debra Perron / Calgary, Canada

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Debra is enjoying Life-After-Covid’s-Early-Forced-Retirement. Finding a new path forward after 40 years of employment in legal firms has become an exciting life chapter, as surprising new interests have abounded. Life is full with gardening, classical guitar lessons, training a bouncy Bouvier puppy, and being a better-educated consumer in these crazy times. Her current favorite phrases are “Buy Local” and “Thank you for your kindness” – both of which go a long way in making this little corner of the planet a bit more welcoming!