Not Since 1972
Canada's people display team cohesiveness not seen since we faced down and defeated the Red Army hockey squad on their home rink.
Canadians don’t usually get all that excited. Political discussions are rare and often boring.
It takes a national emergency to get people focused on policy issues. Like COVID-19. The public health measures governments implemented across the country were difficult, and some people got really angry at social restrictions and vaccine mandates. These people became quite loud about their feelings, and even tried to shut down the national government.
And yet, vaccination rates in Canada were above 90%, and compliance with social restrictions was the norm.
But the last time I saw such an outpouring of patriotic fervour as we’re seeing now was during the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the U.S.S.R. Millions of people watched the entire tournament, businesses and schools took time off during the broadcasts, and Canadian flags were everywhere. The issues and quarrels between people in different regions became irrelevant. Team Canada’s unexpected and inspiring victory was everyone’s victory.
Perhaps it’s like the old wartime saying about not caring about your comrade’s religion, political philosophy or racial background when you’re struggling back to back against a deadly enemy.
Since the President of the United States has started slagging Canada and threatening our sovereignty, there has been a massive tsunami of patriotism I’ve not seen since the showdown with Soviet hockey. People older than me (yes, there are a few) tell me it's more akin to the determination to defend our way of life between 1939-45. The Canadians in that war, as in WWI were recognized as a formidable and determined fighting force.
The U.S. is bigger, richer and more aggressive than Canada. It has the most guns per capita of any nation on Earth, the largest combat-ready armed forces, and nuclear weapons. If a U.S. administration at any time had decided to throw its weight around, it would have challenged Canada’s sovereignty. But what is happening now is like the expansionist ambitions entertained by the U.S. government after their Civil War. That time, their threats resulted in Canada’s confederation and the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Where will the current difficulties take the country? People are shocked, scared and angry. A “Buy Canadian” movement sprang to life on the internet over this past weekend. Political leaders who are involved in elections are competing for votes by vowing to stand up for Canada and protect our economy from assault by fickle U.S. leadership. Interprovincial trade barriers between provinces and territories are being re-evaluated.
One thing seems clear at this point: the relationship between the two closest allies in the Western Hemisphere is in tatters. Can the dispute be settled amicably, or will it end in divorce?