‘Political discourse between Canada and the U.S. has become increasingly toxic’
Re: Trade war: What do Americans think of their former best friends in Canada? — Allen Abel, Feb. 21
As someone with happy memories of working in the States in the 1970s, family vacations in Maine in the 1990s and numerous road trips from the 1960s into the 2020s, the feeling I have for the people of that country leads me to believe that the present hostile atmosphere there will pass. The 2028 presidential election campaign might even see “MAGNA” caps — Make America a Good Neighbour Again.
Lauri Teikari, Toronto
As a dual Canadian-American citizen, I have always valued the deep friendship and shared history between our two countries. However, the political discourse between Canada and the U.S. has become increasingly toxic, turning what should be a partnership into a bitter rivalry. It feels as though I am a child caught in the middle of a custody battle.
Leaders on both sides have abandoned diplomacy for inflammatory rhetoric. While defending national interests is important, resorting to antagonism only deepens divisions. These tensions are not just political; they affect real families like mine, where love and identity cross the border. Canada and the U.S. are more than neighbours — we are family.
I urge our leaders to move beyond performative nationalism and return to respectful, constructive dialogue. Our nations deserve better. And so do we, the people who cherish both the maple leaf and the stars and stripes.
Ross Mitgang, Thornhill, Ont.
This is just a note to let my Canadian friends know that, like many Americans stunned by the current U.S. administration, I do not support any of Donald Trump’s policies, adversarial approach towards allies, and negotiating tactics that strain the best relationships to near collapse.
I do not want Canada to become the 51st state and I respect Canada’s independence and importance as a strategic commercial and military partner, as well as a kind and friendly neighbour.
Luca Ciccolari Micaldi, Wichita, Kan.
4 Nations hockey victory
Re: Not just hockey. Not just politics. That game was everything right now — Scott Stinson, Feb. 21
Not so fast Canada. There is a strong possibility the president of the U.S. will say they actually won, the game was rigged and Canada cheated on a scale the likes of which nobody has seen before. Half of the U.S. will believe him.
Mick Wicklum, Perth, Ont.
Heartfelt thanks to Chantal Kreviazuk. Her rendition of our national anthem, performed before the final game between Canada and the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off, was touching and brilliant.
In those few minutes, with millions of viewers from both Canada and the U.S.A. watching, she demonstrated more passion, defiance and courage than our federal government representatives have shown in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s musings about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Kudos to Kreviazuk for seizing the moment and representing Canadians so passionately.
Judith Potter, Calgary
What Liberal leadership debate?
Re: Liberal ‘debate’ turned into a two-hour campaign ad — Terry Newman, Feb. 26
The Liberal leadership debate on Tuesday was remarkable for what was not discussed. Which candidates, if any, would instruct his/her caucus to implement the provisions of the Reform Act that allow MPs to dismiss their leader in the House? Which candidates would offer to stay on as leader even if the party loses the next election? Which candidates will run in the next election even if they do not become party leader? It is easy to promise more jobs, lower deficits and future election victories, so it should be very easy to promise things that are largely within one’s individual control or to explain why doing them would be unwise.
Patrick Cowan, Toronto
When are the other federal parties going to be given such a golden opportunity as the Liberal party just had during their leadership debates? They enjoyed four free hours of public broadcasting to deliver an uncontested discussion of their platform, and present, most effectively, four key members of their party, all the while, bashing, (uniquely), Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who had no opportunity to respond.
We are Canadians — let’s play fair!
Beverley Kyle, Beaconsfield, Que.
Ruby Dhalla must have missed the memo
Re: Was Ruby Dhalla too much of a threat to Mark Carney? — Terry Newman, Feb. 24
It’s interesting how the Liberal party, which prides itself on pushing DEI policies, first disqualified Liberal MP Chandra Arya from the party leadership race, then Ruby Dhalla. Dhalla had been running a solid campaign and was asking tough questions of leadership rival Mark Carney, unlike other candidates.
Obviously Ms. Dhalla had not received the memo not to stop Carney’s coronation.
Larry Comeau, Ottawa
Binational billboard battle
Re: ‘Makes no sense whatsoever’: How Canada’s allies in D.C. are pushing back against Trump’s tariffs — Catherine Lévesque, Feb. 24
Forget the commercials and meetings with lower-level members of Donald Trump’s cabinet. Instead, Canada’s national and provincial governments should pool their resources and purchase billboards across America, particularly in so-called Red States.
A simple message that says “Tariffs = Taxes, Taxes = Higher Prices, Trump = Tariffs” would deliver a far more impactful message.
Gary Krieger, North York, Ont.
A Western Canadian separatist group has erected a billboard, visible from a major Alberta highway, promoting Canada as the 51st state. This propaganda is designed to erode our sovereignty from within. If we don’t take immediate action against this kind of messaging, we can expect to see billboards of this nature along all our Canadian highways, plus ads in our papers, on our televisions and on our radios.
Samara Sinclair, Calgary
Incursions on democracy
Re: Trump tells Zelenskyy to ‘move fast’ on negotiating end to Russia invasion or risk not having a country — The Associated Press, Feb. 19; and Why electricity will be hard to weaponize in trade war with Trump — Gabriel Friedman, Feb. 3
Countries friendly to Ukraine are still in shock over U.S. President Donald Trump’s rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which shows a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign policy.
If he wants to conquer Greenland and Canada and retake the Panama Canal, Trump will have to withdraw his country from NATO, move away from his traditional allies and ally himself with a powerful country from the new “axis of evil,” Russia. Together, they could make rain or shine, taking care however to spare China, which, in exchange, would take back its beloved province Taiwan, which Trump would have abandoned.
In truth, Trump wants the United States to be like Russia. He wants under his direct orders a small, obsequious clique of politicians, technocrats and soldiers supported by the country’s rich guys. He no longer wants a state of law, but a state in disarray, of which he will not be the tsar, but the king.
Sylvio Le Blanc, Montreal
Canadian’s talk of cutting off hydro, oil and critical minerals to the U.S. is not prudent. If Donald Trump holds the Ukraine responsible for starting the Russian invasion, he will certainly blame Canada for provoking an American incursion to secure hydro and oil for his nation. Any action he takes will be justified as an action against a national security threat. Canada could not prevent swift American intervention at our border, and should we fire the first shot in defence, Trump’s disinformation machine would provide ample justification to his followers for annexing Canada as a state.
Let’s not give Trump a pretext. Ignore the bully’s rhetoric, work the diplomatic contacts with the U.S. and wait to see what he actually does before threatening or acting.
Charles Stickel, Kingston, Ont.
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