Elbows up

If you're not Canadian look it up - this Brit did

I am a UK resident who was born here. As far as I know there is no Canadian in my blood. So why am I so pro Canadian? We share a monarchy, a language (ok mostly) and a similar political setup. Canada is part of the Commonwealth. But that’s not it.

On social media we make connections, we met and learn about people from other places, some of those people become friends. Those friends support us beyond reactions, comments and shares. We share stories beyond writing. We find ourselves caring as much about them as we would if they shared our neighbourhood maybe in some cases, dare I say it, more.

It just so happens that for me a number of these people are Canadian. In some cases I’ve seen their animated faces and heard their voices through the wonders of zoom, spaces and other forms of social media. I connect with them regularly. They are among my people.

I do have friends of other nationalities who fit this criteria including Americans. But this is Tariff Tuesday and this is about Canada. This is about Canadians. Canada also has a large percentage of Ukrainians living there I found out today so win win.

I should mention that friends I have known all my life (or theirs) are also Canadian citizens. I have many memories of our time together while they lived in the UK.

I am tis true a one who loves an underdog, the sidekick that outshines the MC, and you could argue that this is what I’m doing here, but that wouldn’t be true. Canada is nobody’s sidekick and I wouldn’t dare to suggest otherwise.

This latest action of the US government makes no sense to me with my Commerce GCSE/O’Level and my few months of economic classes. To alienate your closest neighbours who share your borders for what appears to boil down to financial gain without fully thinking through the implications of how it may affect those who you are elected to serve is not to me good business. I may be doing the administration a disservice but I can find no evidence of that.

The USA filling of the Mexican Canadian sandwich has no alternative bread. This action will live in the memories of Mexicans and Canadians long after this term of office. History has been made but not all historic moments are positive and some have far reaching consequences. I do not wish to follow this line of thought to its ultimate conclusion, I hope with all my heart the train stops here.

We are where we are. We know not of tomorrow. We know only of today.

I have been thinking, posting, asking and researching since I had notification this train was on the track how we as non-Canadians can support our brothers, sisters, and friends who proudly fly the Maple Leaf flag.

If you follow me on social media you may know that I have been promoting Canadian writers and music (please buy their books and music obviously) but I wanted to see if we could extend a little beyond that as there are limits in those areas and their output may not have universal appeal. If you wish to buy Canadian where do you start?

The suggestions of consumables ran way past the (you could say obvious) maple syrup.

I was sent this link which may help

https://canadianstore.co.uk/en/

A half hour or so on supermarket websites gave me -

Flour, Whiskey, Salmon, Cleanser, Moisturiser, Chickpeas, Wine, lentils and of course Maple Syrup.

I have been reminded that Canada grows a lot of wheat so bread, pasta etc may be Canadian too.

There are many more from clothes to confectionary.

Why do I want you to buy Canadian?

If my, somewhat personal, take on this situation is not convincing then ask yourselves this - When do they come for us? This administration has already made noises that Europe and the UK may not be spared these tariffs. And yes buy British too.

Our Canadian family need us because we need them. It’s that simple.

We have to stand together.

#ISTANDWITHCANADA

Who stands with me?