[CAN] Elbows up!

[RetiredAt63]

51st State? No Way! EH! EH! A Canadian Musical
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JhA3bpjah5k

This one is also funny. The last line is hilarious. I love Julie Nolke.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY7vF-0DMWQ

I thought I'm online to much but hadn't found these.   ;-) 

Julie's last line is gold.  So are the LOTR quotes.

[Freedomin5]

Has this one been posted here yet?

Elbows Up Canada!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnYhbrxHcOY

Or maybe you prefer rock?

Hands Off Canada
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aCwG9ermTmw

[wenchsenior]

Congratulations on showing some true common sense in your election! I'm feeling very relieved on behalf of all my Canadian friends and acquaintances. Here's hoping the U.S. learns from your example before it's too late.

[Cassie]

I’m really happy that Canadians aren’t as stupid as Americans. Congrats!!

[SunnyDays]

I’m really happy that Canadians aren’t as stupid as Americans. Congrats!!

We had a close up view of our possible future and decided we didn’t like it.

[kei te pai]

Congratulations Canada!
Now to watch the Aussies…..

[Morning Glory]

I’m really happy that Canadians aren’t as stupid as Americans. Congrats!!

Me too! That was heartening news today.

Thanks for boycotting us too. I think the economic hit will help us get rid of Trump sooner.

[GuitarStv]

I’m really happy that Canadians aren’t as stupid as Americans. Congrats!!

Don't read about our election of Rob Ford.

[RetiredAt63]

I’m really happy that Canadians aren’t as stupid as Americans. Congrats!!

Don't read about our election of Rob Ford.

And eventually Danielle Smith will have to call an election and we'll see how smart/not Albertans are.

[Trudie]

I'm an American, opposed to Trump and virtually everything he stands for. He does not speak for me or most of the people I know. Just know that many of us are getting ready for the ensuing pain to be inflicted on our economy, and if we could we would hold Trump still while you land some punches. It's an odd position really. We're not rooting against America, but we're rooting to topple the authoritarian regime by any peaceful means necessary.We were cheering when Carney won and are listening to Canadian news closely.

Truth is, we want what you have... Not to take it from you, but to emulate you. National healthcare, for one.

[Prairie Gal]

I’m really happy that Canadians aren’t as stupid as Americans. Congrats!!

Don't read about our election of Rob Ford.

And eventually Danielle Smith will have to call an election and we'll see how smart/not Albertans are.

Don't hold your breath. The conservatives are very strong here. But the NDP managed to de-throne them once, and hopefully we can again.

I think Naheed Nenshi will be a good leader for our party, and I think he would make an excellent Premier. Danielle still hasn't called a byelection in the riding vacated by Rachel Notley, so Nenshi doesn't have a seat in Parliament at the moment.

Oh, one more thing. I saw on the news that we now have an Albertan Republican Party. Isn't that just wonderful! /s

[BNgarden]

And eventually Danielle Smith will have to call an election and we'll see how smart/not Albertans are.

Well, it seems the next [ETA: Alberta] elections will (very likely) be less democratic.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-overhauls-election-laws-to-allow-corporate-donations-change-referendum-thresholds-1.7522144

Here's an analysis by an AB based prof who has warned of "democratic backsliding" in the province:

https://drjaredwesley.substack.com/p/danielle-smiths-electoral-reforms

We can hope that more internal divisions/ integrity questions deeply weaken the current Dani government.  Anyone who openly consorts with Russian-funded / autocratic supporting 'influencers' and the like should be ineligible for elected positions.

[SunnyDays]

I'm an American, opposed to Trump and virtually everything he stands for. He does not speak for me or most of the people I know. Just know that many of us are getting ready for the ensuing pain to be inflicted on our economy, and if we could we would hold Trump still while you land some punches. It's an odd position really. We're not rooting against America, but we're rooting to topple the authoritarian regime by any peaceful means necessary.We were cheering when Carney won and are listening to Canadian news closely.

Truth is, we want what you have... Not to take it from you, but to emulate you. National healthcare, for one.

Unfortunately, I don't ever see that happening.  We'll be lucky to hold onto everything ourselves.  In spite of how important this election was, still only 69% of eligible voters turned out, which was not a huge improvement from the 63% in the 2021 election.  A large chunk of the population still doesn't care.

[Stasher]

  In spite of how important this election was, still only 69% of eligible voters turned out, which was not a huge improvement from the 63% in the 2021 election.  A large chunk of the population still doesn't care.

I'm actually really happy with the turnout for this election, at 68.3% it is the largest turnout in over 30 years of Federal Elections. We should be very encouraged by that level of participation. The increase in turnout from the previous election was over 1,420,000 people which is huge.

That being said it isn't the mid 70% level that was seen consistently prior to the 90s.

https://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/elections/1867-present.html

[RetiredAt63]

Reading all the American political threads today, all I can say is we Canadians need to keep ELBOWS UP!!!  $$$ is what the US Admin cares about (and power, and cruelty).

I saw something about the Loblaws management whinging about sourcing Canadian and non-American products.  So keep the buying boycott going. 

I don't bitch at cashiers and people on the floor but I do ask them, politely, nicely, with a smile, to pass on to management that I want Canadian and then world goods, not American.

Our new PM can do it at the international level, but having Canadians supporting him helps.  No buying American.  No visiting the US.  Keep our money at home or spend it with our allies.

We all know this hurts Americans who don't deserve it (sorry!!!). It also hurts MAGA voters and those who couldn't be bothered to vote, and they and the admin are our targets.

Spoiler: show

Hmm, if trump was jealous of Trudeau, how does he feel about Carney?  He is educated, articulate, a planner, someone who has piloted 2 countries through tough economic times as head of the national bank.  Basically trump's opposite.

[jrhampt]

Idk, I always thought Trump was jealous of Trudeau because he was good looking and had great hair.  I’m not sure he’s capable of identifying character traits that make a successful leader like those you listed.

[SunnyDays]

I’m actually not very pleased with Loblaws.  I was in Superstore a few days ago, and there were Maple Leaf tags on so many products that are not Canadian.  They say Prepared in Canada, which is not the same as Made in Canada or Product of Canada.  Practically everything in the chips section said that.  Lays is not a Canadian company.  They’re getting pretty loose in their definitions, maybe because they were losing sales.

I didn’t bother complaining because the orders come from corporate headquarters, not the individual stores.  Other complaints I’ve made about products being placed so high they’re unreachable by anyone under 6 feet tall went nowhere.

[Metalcat]

Idk, I always thought Trump was jealous of Trudeau because he was good looking and had great hair.  I’m not sure he’s capable of identifying character traits that make a successful leader like those you listed.

Very much this. Trump was jealous of Trudeau's celebrity, not his competence. Trudeau was getting a ton of international attention at the time.

He's not going to feel threatened by someone who does a "lower" job than his well. That likely wouldn't even register to him. But he will probably feel threatened if Carney gets a lot of international attention for standing up to him.

You have to remember that Trump sees his role as the star of the biggest show he's ever been on, not as leading a country. He'll care about metrics of celebrity, not metrics of competence in governance. That's a boring job, who gives a fuck about that?

[Sandi_k]

Idk, I always thought Trump was jealous of Trudeau because he was good looking and had great hair.  I’m not sure he’s capable of identifying character traits that make a successful leader like those you listed.

Very much this. Trump was jealous of Trudeau's celebrity, not his competence. Trudeau was getting a ton of international attention at the time.

He's also jealous that Melania swooned over Trudeau at the G7 meeting; I've never seen her look so enthralled...

[RetiredAt63]

Carney is 60, old for PM by Canadian standards.

I just found out he played goalie (ice hockey) at university.   OMG, Trump has no idea what he is facing.   Hockey players take no guff, but goalies are even more so.  And they stand in goal and watch the play and analyze and anticipate.   Remember Ken Dryden?

[BicycleB]

Idk, I always thought Trump was jealous of Trudeau because he was good looking and had great hair.  I’m not sure he’s capable of identifying character traits that make a successful leader like those you listed.

Very much this. Trump was jealous of Trudeau's celebrity, not his competence. Trudeau was getting a ton of international attention at the time.

He's not going to feel threatened by someone who does a "lower" job than his well. That likely wouldn't even register to him. But he will probably feel threatened if Carney gets a lot of international attention for standing up to him.

You have to remember that Trump sees his role as the star of the biggest show he's ever been on, not as leading a country. He'll care about metrics of celebrity, not metrics of competence in governance. That's a boring job, who gives a fuck about that?

You are so right on the whole post. I too often forget the bolded; thanks for reminding us so clearly.

[hooplady]

You have to remember that Trump sees his role as the star of the biggest show he's ever been on, not as leading a country. He'll care about metrics of celebrity, not metrics of competence in governance.

Just today I heard it called "main character syndrome".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N53dx2dpc8c&t=1709s&ab_channel=TheHubCanada
I especially liked the part about him trapping himself in a Bond-like situation with sharks and lasers. Except that we all know that Bond always escapes such traps.

[RetiredAt63]

Our PM has invited our (constitutional monarchy) king to give the throne speech when Parliament reconvenes.  And King Charles has said yes.

I'm not a huge fan of the monarchy, but the symbolism is massive.

[Prairie Gal]

Our PM has invited our (constitutional monarchy) king to give the throne speech when Parliament reconvenes.  And King Charles has said yes.

I'm not a huge fan of the monarchy, but the symbolism is massive.

I have often thought that the monarchy was redundant here in Canada, but I must admit that feeling that we are being supported by them makes me very happy. I looked it up and the last time that the monarch gave the throne speech was in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth.

[RetiredAt63]

Boycotts.  How are we doing?

I see all the American YouTube shows moaning about missing Canadian tourists and how it is affecting American tourist destinations.  Most blame it on the tariffs.  Is there censorship now?  It isn't the tariffs, it is the arbitrariness of the tariffs, it is the 51st state threat (repeatedly including recently), it is the Governor Trudeau insult, it is ICE.  And basically horror at how the US is changing.

Shopping.  I found a Canadian pet store (sales rep told me proudly 100% Canadian owned, masses of Canadian product as well as American and other).  She said sales of Canadian stuff and sales generally are up 40%.  They had American product but more Canadian supplies than I have seen elsewhere. And the now-standard maple leaf symbol on shelves for Canadian-made.  I found good cat food and lightweight kitty litter, both made in Canada and replacing American-made.  If the cat likes them those were my last "stuck buying American" products. 

I ubought Canadian-made deck sealer (Beautytone, from Home Hardware if anyone wants to know) instead of Thompson Deck seal.  It is easy to read labels.



We all know that these actions are hurling Americans who voted Harris as well as those who voted trump.  We are sorry about that, but hope that the worse it gets the faster it will change.

The thing is, stores have adjusted and we are seeing goods (and foods) from countries we normally didn't buy from.  Our spending habits are changing and our supply chains are changing to match.  10 years from now our buying habits may not have gone back to where they were in 2024.  My sampling is limited but do Americans realize that changes in one direction (away from the US as a supplier) are not easy to reverse? 

How are others doing?

[okits]

The thing is, stores have adjusted and we are seeing goods (and foods) from countries we normally didn't buy from. 

Yeah, Turkish oranges, Canadian greenhouse strawberries, lots of produce from Mexico.  Grissol is the only brand of croutons that I've seen that isn't American made, but since all the romaine is product of USA we haven't been eating croutons lately.  Campbell's condensed soup is also made in the U.S. and it's irreplaceable but luckily I don't crave a sodium bomb very often.  What I bought in 2024 will last us a while.

Apparel is never from the U.S.  Face sunscreen (the ones I can tolerate) appear to be, I'll explore alternatives when I run out of what I have. 

I bought an Ontario-distilled gin for DH and he said it was good.  I don't know that we ever bought much American alcohol but we haven't even noticed being unable to buy it.

Main problem is products that don't state where they are made.  It used to be a legal requirement, when I was a kid.  Next thing is restaurant food, we don't go to fancy places that list the origin of everything.

Summer holidays will be in province.  Our American relatives are coming up here for a visit.

I'm sure we're missing some professional opportunities, foregoing work travel to the U.S., but if we were arbitrarily denied entry or detained we wouldn't be getting those professional opportunities anyway.

How are others doing?

I'd say we're doing fine, but I realize we are spoiled for choice in a big city.

[okits]

We do still have one American streaming service that we are paying for.  I wanted to drop it but DH wanted to watch a specific show so we kept it.  Maybe we'll discontinue next month.

[Fru-Gal]

Boycotts.  How are we doing?

I see all the American YouTube shows moaning about missing Canadian tourists and how it is affecting American tourist destinations.  Most blame it on the tariffs.  Is there censorship now?  It isn't the tariffs, it is the arbitrariness of the tariffs, it is the 51st state threat (repeatedly including recently), it is the Governor Trudeau insult, it is ICE.  And basically horror at how the US is changing.

Shopping.  I found a Canadian pet store (sales rep told me proudly 100% Canadian owned, masses of Canadian product as well as American and other).  She said sales of Canadian stuff and sales generally are up 40%.  They had American product but more Canadian supplies than I have seen elsewhere. And the now-standard maple leaf symbol on shelves for Canadian-made.  I found good cat food and lightweight kitty litter, both made in Canada and replacing American-made.  If the cat likes them those were my last "stuck buying American" products. 

I ubought Canadian-made deck sealer (Beautytone, from Home Hardware if anyone wants to know) instead of Thompson Deck seal.  It is easy to read labels.



We all know that these actions are hurling Americans who voted Harris as well as those who voted trump.  We are sorry about that, but hope that the worse it gets the faster it will change.

The thing is, stores have adjusted and we are seeing goods (and foods) from countries we normally didn't buy from.  Our spending habits are changing and our supply chains are changing to match.  10 years from now our buying habits may not have gone back to where they were in 2024.  My sampling is limited but do Americans realize that changes in one direction (away from the US as a supplier) are not easy to reverse? 

How are others doing?

It’s crazy that Americans don’t get it. And yeah, there may be some censorship or propaganda in action.

However, I was just traveling in another state and the running a tour said that they are really struggling because they have lost all of the Canadian tourists that they would normally have. And she said that she hates Trump and understands why Canadians are not coming. So I think there are plenty of states where they fully understand what’s happening.

[Freedomin5]

The Americans pay me (a salary), and then I take their money and spend it in Canada. Their money is currently being spent on paying down a mortgage on a Canadian house and buying Canadian furniture from a local Canadian thrift store...oh, and Ikea. Does that count?

We also have American friends visiting us in Canada. They'll be spending several weeks in Toronto and up at the cottage. We've extended invitations to several other American friends to come and visit and enjoy our beautiful country.

[rocketpj]

I know I've been very selective at the grocery store lately, buying Canadian first, literally anywhere else second, and just not buying things if they are from the US.  Lately I've discovered some really excellent lettuce that is grown in the Okanagan (BC) and is actually better, fresher and cheaper than the imported stuff.

I've noticed that one of our local stores (Super Valu, which is I think a Loblaws company) has:
1.  A lot of US produce
2.  All of it on sale because nobody seems to be buying it.

I suspect they have long-term purchasing agreements in place that will take awhile to unwind.  I hope they do unwind them, meanwhile I guess the sale prices on US goods mean low income people have improved access to decent produce.

We are down to one paid streaming service (Netflix).  I'd happily give it up but I got a lot of pushback from the people who all watch tv (I don't really).

[GuitarStv]

We're not yet seeing the financial impact of these tariffs.  I figure by the end of summer - mid fall they'll start to be felt in most stuff we buy.

[Prairie Gal]

I will likely be cancelling my February 2026 cruise out of Galveston and possibly going to France instead in the Spring. If I don't go France I will just go to the west coast. Funny story: A cruise vacation planner kept calling and emailing me and leaving messages (they must be hurting because they don't usually cold call), I finally returned her email and asked her to quit trying to contact me as I wouldn't be cruising out of the U.S. until the political climate was resolved. She replied and said she got it, which surprised me a bit.

I buy anything but the U.S. whenever possible.

I haven't been buying any craft supplies from American online sellers. I used to do this a lot, then have them shipped to a depot at the closest border town (an hour's drive from me) and drive down once a month to pick them up. Not only am I boycotting U.S. goods and businesses, but I am a bit nervous to cross the border in to the U.S. to pick them up. I bet that depot is really hurting as well, which is a shame because they are nice people and provide a good service.

Thanks for the tip on Beauti Tone. I need to stain my back stairs, so I will look for that brand.

[RetiredAt63]

I will likely be cancelling my February 2026 cruise out of Galveston and possibly going to France instead in the Spring. If I don't go France I will just go to the west coast. Funny story: A cruise vacation planner kept calling and emailing me and leaving messages (they must be hurting because they don't usually cold call), I finally returned her email and asked her to quit trying to contact me as I wouldn't be cruising out of the U.S. until the political climate was resolved. She replied and said she got it, which surprised me a bit.

I buy anything but the U.S. whenever possible.

I haven't been buying any craft supplies from American online sellers. I used to do this a lot, then have them shipped to a depot at the closest border town (an hour's drive from me) and drive down once a month to pick them up. Not only am I boycotting U.S. goods and businesses, but I am a bit nervous to cross the border in to the U.S. to pick them up. I bet that depot is really hurting as well, which is a shame because they are nice people and provide a good service.

Thanks for the tip on Beauti Tone. I need to stain my back stairs, so I will look for that brand.

Yes, it is really sad that people are hurting because of their government's policies. But I  don't see Canadians going back while Trump keeps on about the 51st state.

Beautitone is Home Hardware's house brand. They are big in Ontario but I don't know about other province.  They are all individually owned and what they sell reflects the community.   I love shopping there.

[Freedomin5]

Maybe this will galvanize the nice people who don’t deserve this into action. I find that often, it’s a vocal few bad apples or squeaky wheels who drive what goes on, and most of the nice people never take a stand or speak up for what is right, but just go along like sheep as long as whatever the squeaky wheels want don’t impact them. The nice people need to stop being sheep; they need to find their voice. You know how the saying goes, “Evil prevails when the good do nothing.”

[Stasher]

Our west coast Vancouver Island town is a tourist stop, our community has been seeing a steady stream of visitors this month as things ramp up. Also we had this great event to the north in Nanaimo a couple weeks back that an aquaintance organized and it turned out great.

'I'm just so happy': Americans pour into Nanaimo after viral TikTok invite
https://youtu.be/aElNpLH1DnU?si=5k8i7IZ5JTkAWzUR

[salt cured]

Our PM has invited our (constitutional monarchy) king to give the throne speech when Parliament reconvenes.  And King Charles has said yes.

I'm not a huge fan of the monarchy, but the symbolism is massive.

I have often thought that the monarchy was redundant here in Canada, but I must admit that feeling that we are being supported by them makes me very happy. I looked it up and the last time that the monarch gave the throne speech was in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth.

Supported by them? Our monarch, in the wake of agreeing to fete a US president already several moves into bludgeoning our economy, agrees to show up and do their actual job for the first time since the 1970s, and we're expected to feel seen? That's certainly a take.

[RetiredAt63]

Our PM has invited our (constitutional monarchy) king to give the throne speech when Parliament reconvenes.  And King Charles has said yes.

I'm not a huge fan of the monarchy, but the symbolism is massive.

I have often thought that the monarchy was redundant here in Canada, but I must admit that feeling that we are being supported by them makes me very happy. I looked it up and the last time that the monarch gave the throne speech was in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth.

Supported by them? Our monarch, in the wake of agreeing to fete a US president already several moves into bludgeoning our economy, agrees to show up and do their actual job for the first time since the 1970s, and we're expected to feel seen? That's certainly a take.

Well, mostly these days the monarchy is irrelevant and I'm fine with being ignored.   They only cost us money when we host them, the GG is where Canadian money goes for support, and the GG does the opening throne speech. This is more a message to Trump, than to Canadians.

[Prairie Gal]

Another funny from Julie Nolke. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suhVzn8ZBJ0

[RetiredAt63]

Just saw a short of Wab Kinew talking about Alberta oil and Northern tidewater.   

Actually it makes sense.  Churchill's port is open most (all?) of the year, and geologically it is a lot safer than a pipeline through Quebec, where there is an active fault line.  The fault line is why there has been so much resistance to a pipeline across the Ottawa River. I used to live there, felt lots of them.  Montreal building code requires building to resist a 5.5 earthquake.  And of course after the Lac Megantic disaster people are not thrilled about rail transport.

Oil and gas going through Churchill gives access to Atlantic shipping.  It bypasses American pipelines.  As long as the environmental requirements
and First Nations rights are safeguarded it looks like a really good choice.