Subscriber only. |
Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr
Conrad Black: In search of a distinct Canadian identity
If we can turn our economy around, there would be no more question of why we are not Americans
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Canadians, and especially all English-speaking Canadians, have lived all their lives intermittently explaining to themselves why Canada should be an independent country and not part of the United States. Apart from the many abrasions of his public personality, the greatest grievance in Canada against U.S. President Donald Trump is that he explicitly stated the same question. Like most Americans, Trump thinks all foreigners wish to be American, and like most foreigners familiar with Canada, he fails to find any significant difference between English-speaking Canadians and Americans from northern states of the U.S. This question arose when former prime minister Justin Trudeau told him that Canada’s economy would “collapse” if subjected to sizable American tariff increases. To Trump, it was perfectly logical, and more a flattering than an insulting question, given that Canada had not paid its way in national self-defence for decades, to ask why it did not take the logical step to eliminate any question of tariffs or any worry about national defence and simply join the United States.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
Unlimited online access to National Post.
National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
Unlimited online access to National Post.
National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
Enjoy additional articles per month
Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
The irritating part of the question was his use of the expression “51st state,” as if a country of 41-million people in nearly 10-million square kilometres should have the status of Delaware or Wyoming. Until the 1980s, Canadians were British subjects and Canada was overwhelmingly a branch plant economy of the United........