There is something just as threatening to the fabric of Canadian society as Donald Trump’s America, the Toronto Star
Canadians may be united against Trump, but sovereignty isn’t only about keeping his politics out. It’s about proving that what’s inside is distinct, and worth protecting. Trump is not the only test of Canadian values right now. He may not even be the hardest one.
Many in Canada have never been prouder to be Canadian. A new poll by Politico found that 52 per cent of us now consider ourselves “very proud” of our nationality, up from just 34 per cent in December 2024.
The cause isn’t a mystery: U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and talk of the 51st state did what a decade of domestic politics couldn’t. “Elbows up” isn’t just a hockey term anymore; it’s both political strategy and national mood.
But defiance only means something if it’s in service of the values we believe our country stands for. The same poll carries a warning: despite growing pride, more than half of Canadians say their country is internally divided. In part, this is ordinary friction that can manifest in standard bickering and disagreements. But there are also darker trends to beware of.
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