On Sunday, March 6th, large-scale protests erupted across Canada in response to former US President Donald Trump’s remark that “Canada will become the 51st state of the United States.” The protests, which took place in various Canadian cities, were a direct reaction to this statement, as well as to a previous post by Trump on March 5th, where he referred to former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “Governor Trudeau.”
In Montreal, hundreds of people gathered at Mount Royal Park, holding picket signs that read slogans like “Hands off!” and “Canada is already great.” Protesters chanted for the protection of Canada’s sovereignty, with artists, politicians, and NGO members attending to emphasize the importance of freedom of expression and democratic values. Jonathan Trivisono, a protester, expressed his displeasure with Trump’s “Governor Trudeau” remark, stating, “The United States is an ally, but it is a different country.” A symbolic picket featuring a Canadian goose pushing away an American eagle also appeared at the event.
The protests spread to other parts of the country, including Halifax and Manitoba. In Halifax, despite pouring rain, protesters gathered and chanted Canadian music, showing solidarity. In Manitoba, Premier Wab Kinnew led a “Rally for Canada,” calling for national unity in the face of these tensions.
While the protests were primarily in response to Trump’s remarks, they also reflected broader concerns about the rise of far-right tendencies in the United States, including the dismantling of government ministries and the firing of public officials. There were fears that policies from the US Department of Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, could undermine democracy. Katia Lelievre, a union representative from Quebec, warned that restricting science and education and threatening the role of the courts were signs of a drift toward totalitarianism. Christine St-Pierre, a former Quebec culture minister, firmly stated, “We will never be swallowed up.”