In a previous Listen Up article, I wrote that President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t joke; he baits. It is true that over the years, he has told so many lies and spread so much disinformation that it is hard to take him seriously.
But we must.
Many of the articles I have read about Trump’s reference to Canada as America’s 51st State and the Prime Minister of Canada as Governor Trudeau begin with a comment that he is joking.
He is not.
When Trump repeatedly says he wants to take back the Panama Canal, purchase Greenland and potentially annex Canada, when he mocks this country in his Christmas message, he is sending signals we need to pay attention to. He is showing serious signs of being expansionist and territorial like Russia and China. He probably honestly believes that if these two countries can be territorial, so can the United States.
There may be no realistic scenario for Canada becoming part of the United States, but Donald Trump will push that button as far as he can to see what he can gain from it.
In a recent opinion piece, author Eric Blais said this: “With Trudeau’s weakening position in the polls and Chrystia Freeland’s abrupt resignation, Trump’s taunts seem designed to exploit Canada’s vulnerabilities. It is a calculated tactic to keep Canada off balance, create chaos at federal and provincial levels and distract from the broader agenda.” And then this. “While Trump’s remarks may seem like just another Truth Social quip, their potential ripple effects on Canada’s political landscape are no laughing matter.”
Taken at face value, Donald Trump’s demeaning posture toward Canada is not only disrespectful, but it is also a direct attack on its sovereignty. In that context, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest posted online that “every Canadian, regardless of their opinion of the Prime Minister or political affiliation, should feel deeply offended by President Trump’s remarks.”
Donald Trump may bluster to the point that people tend not to take him seriously but one must remember that he has the entire MAGA movement behind him as well as Elon Musk, all of whom believe, the greater, larger and more powerful the United States can be, the better.
Elon Musk himself, with the possible exception of Trump, is probably the most powerful and influential person in the United States. Some say he is effectively co-president. Trump has said he cannot be president because he was not born in America, and that seems to be enough solace for him. When Musk was directly asked whether or not he was effectively President of the United States, he responded, “Not officially.” Scary that.
There are those who believe that Trump will soon jettison Musk because he is becoming too powerful. I am not so sure that he will or even that he can. I see Elon Musk as more like a modern-day Rasputin, who had so much influence over the last Czar of Russia.
I believe that Trump is captivated by Musk and listens to him very carefully and gives him free rein. For that reason, I don’t believe the President-elect would be talking so freely about expansionism in relation to Canada, the Panama Canal, or Greenland without his encouragement and endorsement.
Against that background, enter now, Mr. Wonderful. That is the self-styled handle of Kevin O’Leary, a Canadian entrepreneur and showman known by many for his role in the television program Dragon’s Den.
He claims that most Canadians want a more formal relationship with the United States. First of all, he is wrong. A recent Leger poll indicates only 13% of Canadians would support that.
Here, we have a Canadian, not without influence or notoriety, advocating for at least an economic relationship with the United States, if not total annexation. According to one newspaper, O’Leary “endorses Trump’s vision of Canada as the 51st U.S. State for economic benefits.”
In relation to his belief that Trump should pursue his stated position on Canada, Kevin O’Leary has said, “I’m going to Mar-a-Lago to convince Trump myself.” He forgot to mention that he hadn’t actually been invited, but that won’t stop Kevin O’Leary, who has apparently been invited to Trump’s Inauguration.
If O’Leary does manage to bend Trump’s ear, as he says he wants to, some may think it is just two old clowns having a good laugh at Canada.
But Trump admires men like Mr. Wonderful. He will listen to O’Leary if only to add fuel to promoting his own agenda and claiming to have huge support.
No doubt, someone will correct me if I am wrong here, and maybe things have changed in this populist world. However, I can’t help thinking that if someone goes or threatens to go to the President or President-elect of another country to advocate for some form of domination of Canada, that, at least at one time, would come pretty close to treason.
Canada does not need people like Kevin O’Leary to promote a weakening of our Sovereignty. Most people in this country are proud to be Canadian, warts and all.
What we do need, however, is leadership that demonstrates to the Trump Administration that this game is not on and that our sovereignty needs to be taken seriously. While I recognize that much of this diplomacy must hide behind closed doors, Canadians need assurance that their interests as a nation are being protected.
Sometime in the near future there is going to be a general election in Canada. Although we have serious domestic issues, there is, in my view, no more serious a situation than the need to define the relationship between Canada and the United States and to know what policies will be put in place to make sure Canada’s national interests are protected.
Speaking personally, the political party that can best demonstrate that will have my vote. Mr. Wonderful can opt for the United States if he so chooses; I am perfectly happy right where I am.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Prior to your article. Dr Leslyn Lewis. Who has been a forerunner of what is going on pertaining to the WEF. Agreements between our nation Canada and the USA. Our Primeminister and President Obama. Checkout Dr. Leslyn Lewis facebook page she speaks on this. As far as Kevin O’Leary what authority was he given. None also recognizes a biblical Worldview. Hod will hsve dominion from sea to sea.
Why then did you need to even mention twice Kevin O’Leary’s self anointed title of “Mr. Wonderful”? This asshat and his new buddy Wayne Gretzky, once respected names in Canada, really disappoint me as ambassadors of Canadian values.
On that same note I also must include your Conservative leader “axe the tax” Poilievre who also seems eager to kiss the tRump ring because Canada is broken! What a shameful comment to promote as a potential Canadian leader.