Protesters rallied in a number of cities throughout the nation on Sunday to reveal in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty.
Regardless of softer-than-expected tariffs in opposition to Canada final week and a extra cordial tone from the White Home of late, the echo from Trump’s repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st state continues to ring in Canadians’ ears.
In Montreal, a whole lot gathered in Mount Royal Park in a present of solidarity in opposition to the belittling feedback, with some sporting indicators dotted with maple leaves and fleur-de-lis studying, “Arms off” and “Canada is already nice.”
On the foot of a monument topped by a winged goddess of liberty, artists, politicians and the previous head of Medical doctors With out Borders warned in regards to the risks to free speech, democratic integrity and Canadian independence posed by the Trump administration.
“The risk to our sovereignty is totally insane,” mentioned Jonathan Trivisonno, 36, who mentioned he felt “shock” on first listening to Trump’s ideas of annexation, which included references to the previous prime minister as “governor Justin Trudeau.”
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“It’s very discouraging. We’ve been associates for therefore lengthy. My associate’s American, my greatest good friend is American. We’re intertwined” — however distinct, he confused, sporting an “elbows up” signal drawn by his associate and that includes a Canada goose heading off a peckish American eagle.
Canadian and Quebec flags threaded the group, which let loose cheers and boos as a close-by snare drummer tapped out a soundtrack, giving the occasion a faintly martial air.
“You’re at house and you then hear that Donald Trump perhaps desires to invade Canada, and that every one the Trumpist values can come and contaminate us,” mentioned occasion organizer and famend Quebec journalist Alain Saulnier.
“What we needed to do was enable folks to get out of their properties and make it clear that they don’t need Trump right here,” added Saulnier.
The sentiment resounded from the Maritimes to the Prairies.
In Halifax, a whole lot extra braved pounding rain to attend a rally outdoors a conference centre, the place they stood in puddles a couple of inches deep, singing alongside to a canopy band enjoying the Tragically Hip and different Canadian classics.
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Debbie Baker, who was attending the occasion together with her daughter, mentioned this was the primary time she’d ever participated in any form of rally. “I believed at my age now, 66, it’s time to face up and say one thing,” she mentioned.
“I’m a proud Canadian, proud Maritimer, proud Nova Scotian, and I’ll be damned if anyone goes to try to take over this nation, whether or not they’re an elected official in Canada or any individual south of our border.”
NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh stopped by the rally as he wrapped up a two-day tour of Atlantic Canada, shaking arms and taking selfies within the sea of umbrellas and Canadian flags.
In Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinew mentioned his authorities helped arrange a “Rally for Canada” so residents may present regional and nationwide delight and ship a message — that the nation won’t ever be an American state.
The demonstrations got here a day after Individuals gathered in all 50 states to protest the president’s agenda following a dizzying 11 weeks that noticed Trump throw up tariff partitions, dismantle some authorities places of work and pardon practically all defendants concerned within the assault on the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed April 6, 2025.
With recordsdata from Maura Forrest in Halifax.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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