“Freedom is just one generation from extinction.” – Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Since Donald Trump was elected President of the United States last November, I have tried not to be critical of his agenda for that country, even though I strongly disagree with some parts of it. He won an election there “fair and square” based primarily on illegal immigration and government waste.
People in the United States were willing to overlook or ignore Trump’s troubled history in favour of abating their anger and frustration over their view of current affairs. That is their right and that is democracy. We have no right to interfere with it.
However, that is where I draw the line.
In the very short time since his election, Donald Trump has managed to disrupt and disturb much of the Western world, including Canada, with false accusations, threats, and a rapid move toward a critical change in the traditional world order. He had no mandate for this and kept these cards very close to his chest until it was clear he was returning to power.
All of that is very much our business.
This past week or so alone, Donald Trump has twice openly proven his alliance with Russia, first by voting with them at the United Nations against a motion condemning Russia for their assault on Ukraine. Then again, a despicable and likely orchestrated gang-up attack on Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelenskyy by the President and by Vice President JD Vance, simply because Zelenskyy asked for a pledge of security for Ukraine from the United States in return for signing away a big chunk of their mineral rights.
In relation to that attack in the Oval Office, former astronaut and now Senator Mark Kelly quipped, “Trump just blew the Western Alliance.”
Trump is not only effectively supporting Russia in their assault on Ukraine, but he has also, this week, implicitly given the green light to China to annex Taiwan. As well this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that China and Russia “cannot be separated.” Therein lies the new alliance.
There can be little doubt now, in my view, that Trump (and possibly his vice president) is, in one form or another, a Russian asset. There can be NO doubt that through a number of actions since his inauguration, Donald Trump has thrown a huge wrench into the Western Alliance.
This current turbulence has prompted German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock to warn European nations that they should prepare for war against Russia.
No country in the Western Alliance can accurately predict what the Trump Government is going to do or whether it will live up to its NATO commitments. Trump was quick to accuse Zelenskyy of threatening a third world war by not bending to his knee when it is Trump himself who is the greatest threat to that horrific outcome.
Turning now to Canada, we will know in a few days how serious Trump is about imposing critical 25 percent tariffs on this country. It is certainly looking that way, although, with him, you never know until the button is actually pushed.
Clearly though, Donald Trump has his covetous eyes on Canada. He and JD Vance climbed all over Vladimir Zelenskyy for showing a perceived “lack of respect” for them, but have no hesitation in constantly disrespecting Canada, its sovereignty and its solvency. As well, they seem to believe there is nothing wrong with interfering with our elections here.
Donald Trump hurls childless insults at our leaders. It does not matter what political stripe they are; it is still wrong, and it is demeaning to Canada. It is not something any other country in the Western Alliance would do.
For more than a century and a half, the United States and Canada have been the best of friends, mutually helpful to each other. Now, Donald Trump and his United States Administration are suddenly our enemy. Their President is saying we don’t deserve to survive as a nation. Our world is upside down.
Trump: “Canada has ripped off the United States for too long. It is time to put a stop to it.”
Totally untrue, of course, but a self-belief as an excuse to take on Canada. Then there is one of Trump’s top advisors telling Trump that the Canadian/U.S. border should be redrawn. This, I believe, is based on an agreement signed by Great Britain and the United States establishing the borders between the U.S. and Canada in the early nineteen hundreds.
These are the kinds of excuses despotic leaders use to invade their neighbours.
Warren Kinsella, a Canadian journalist and commentator, put it bluntly when he said, “After watching Trump attack Zelenskyy today – after hearing him even attack Poilievre, anyone who believes Trump won’t come after us is dreaming in technicolour. He is the enemy.”
I don’t know how much more evidence some people in Canada need to believe that Donald Trump is determined to take over Canada one way or another. He has smoothed the way with new allies, who also have territorial ambitions, to ensure they will not stop him.
Only the United States Congress can stop Trump from his territorial ambitions and right now the majority of them are in his pocket. As well, we have little indication that Trump will not do whatever he wants, in spite of the Constitution or what Congress says. That is the scary part.
Donald Trump, his MAGA allies and his closest advisor Elon Musk, pose a clear and present danger to Canada. We don’t know what is going on behind the scenes here. We can only hope that no one is fooled about the Trump Administration’s attitude in relation to Canada.
Trump may not get everything he wants, but he will certainly try. We need to be ready for all contingencies, strengthening our allies, our military, and our trading partners, doing what we must do to defend Canada.
Although never before said in my lifetime, our freedom is at risk, and we must be prepared for some form of war.
We are definitely on the brink.
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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May I please receive your last two
Opinion pieces
From Mr Holland and
Mr Mackenzie
Through my
E address.
I agree, our freedom is at risk, our livelihood, our peace of mind. More then ever Canadians need to come together.
I think American flags should be removed in all public places.
Americans are no longer our friends, more like a threat to our peaceful country.
M Allen