As Canada faces heightened threats from the U.S. president, many Canadians feel a mix of uneasiness and anger.
Since late November, the U.S. president has made repeated comments about annexing Canada, using strong economic pressure if necessary to make this a reality.
The Canadian public opposes such an action. A recent poll by Angus Reid Institute showed 90 per cent of Canadians believe this country should not join the U.S. (Three out of five Americans surveyed also oppose Canada joining their country.)
As the rhetoric continues, 54 per cent of Canadians believe the U.S. president is serious about his threats, up from 32 per cent in January. The U.S. president has been using tariffs as a way to exert economic pressures on Canada. The details of these tariffs are changing frequently, but the result is a sense of uncertainty.
It is time for Canadians to respond.
A Canadian federal election has been called for April 28. Those elected will be tasked with protecting Canada鈥檚 interests and defending Canadian sovereignty.
This means the election should, and will, have a sombre tone. A lot is at stake.
It will be essential to elect a government that is able to stand up to the threats to Canada鈥檚 sovereignty.
A house divided against itself cannot stand, and a nation weakened by internal dissensions will have difficulty facing external threats. This does not necessarily mean electing members of one party specifically, but rather creating a government that can function together 鈥� despite partisan differences 鈥� to put Canada first.
The upcoming federal election matters more than others in recent memory.
Once the new government has been chosen, the public has the right and responsibility to demand their elected officials stand up for the interests of all Canadians.
