The workday at Lola Blooms begins by unpacking the morning delivery: a colorful mix of dahlias, hydrangeas, carnations, roses and more lifted from boxes and spread across the worktables. Until a few weeks ago, there were almost always flowers from the United States in the mix as Lindsay Smith and Kaitlynn Strain grabbed a vase, clippers and got to work crafting floral arrangements. But not anymore. Smith and Strain are sisters in law, business partners and offended Canadians determined to do their part in sending a message to US President Donald Trump. “We’re just trying to buy Canadian as much as we can,” Smith said. Strain chimes in that Holland and Mexico are good options if there is no choice but to import. Some of the vases and other hardware in the shop still come from the states, but Smith and Strain are busy looking for alternatives. “It’s … Donald Trump,” Smith said. “I feel like he’s a bully in this situation. We’re supposed to be allies. We thought we were on a friendship level.” Tariff threats. Talk of making Canada the 51st state. Derisive references to the prime minister as governor. “It’s very insulting,” Smith says, before showing off the maple leaf earrings she chose for CNN’s visit “because I love Canada.” The Trump effect is easy to find. There are more Canadian flags flying. “Proud Canadian” placards in windows. And, importantly, a very different tone and tenor as voters here prepare to pick a new parliament and prime minister. Smith and Strain are just two examples. Both are traditionally Green Party supporters. But both told CNN they are all but certain to vote Liberal Party next week because they know the Greens won’t win enough seats to pick the prime minister. The Liberals do have a shot, and Smith and Strain want the winning party to have as big a mandate as possible. Canadians don’t vote for prime minister. They cast ballots to elect a representative for their district, or riding, and the party that wins the most seats gets to form the government and pick the prime minister, usually the party leader. ‘We just need a strong leader who won’t stand for bullying,” Smith said. “You put your vote where it counts more in this situation.” Toby Gorman offers more proof Canadians are rethinking just about everything. Gorman is an author and environmental journalist, and self-described independent who says he has supported candidates of all stripes over the years. But the climate crisis is his most important issue right now, and Gorman sees the Green Party as most aligned with his views. But he, too, said his plan, barring a last-second reversal, is to vote Liberal. “If it was any other election, without the US situation, without the crisis we have going on, I would probably go with the Greens,” Gorman said. Like Smith and Strain, he wants the winner to have a mandate. And he has been impressed with Prime Minister Mark Carney, who’s been on the job just since mid-March after replacing Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader. The smaller parties tend to fare a little better in Canada than they do in the United States. There are no Green Party members of the US Congress, for example, but the Greens currently hold two of the 338 seats in the Canadian Parliament. The New Democrats hold 24 seats; the Bloc Quebecois 33. But Gorman is among those shifting toward one of the two major parties because he wants the winner to have more power. “A very focused leader,” is Gorman’s take on Carney. “A smart leader. He can handle the economy. I believe he can handle the US situation.” Every Canadian to whom we spoke, on this Ontario visit and on a trip to British Columbia a few weeks ago, characterized this campaign as a crossroads moment. Canada’s government, they say, needs to increase its military spending and find new economic markets and partners. Canadians should double-check at the grocery store and buy Canadian over American whenever possible. And both alike should rid themselves of the idea that Canada’s neighbor to the south is a reliable friend with shared values. “We’re just sick of him,” Gorman said of Trump. “And it has only been three months into the term. It’s, he’s going to annex us. He wants to crush us economically. At first it was kind of like losing your best friend. You know, ‘What’s happened? What is happening?’ But now I think we are at the point where it’s like, we can move on.” Federal elections here are often defined by geographic or cultural rivalries. East versus West. The coasts versus the middle. Urban versus rural. English versus French. Liberal versus Conservative. But Trump has spawned a wave of Canadian nationalism, and he is the central issue in this race. “I put up a flag myself,” said Gorman. “I never thought I would put up a Canadian flag. But when it comes to crunch time, Canadians really gather up. … We have our unity issues, but right now Trump is definitely causing a bit more pride than we usually show.” Peter Hamilton is a lifelong conservative and hopes the Conservatives come out on top when the votes are counted next week. But he has seen the historic swing in the polls: a 25-point Conservative edge in January has evaporated, and the late polling shows a modest Liberal advantage. “The bottom line is the liberals and conservatives got to work together here,” Hamilton said. “They can’t be nitpicking and arguing amongst each other. We have to work together to make this country go – go ahead.” That consensus is critical, Hamilton says, because the United States suddenly seems so distant and unreliable. We interviewed Hamilton at Rock Maple Lodge, a 200-acre farm in a rural area about 60 miles from Toronto. The border and Buffalo are about 100 miles away, but Hamilton said the states suddenly don’t feel so close. Some 2,000 maple trees dot the property and there are 11 miles of tubing to carry maple syrup back to a building where it is boiled, filtered and bottled, some after additional aging in bourbon barrels from the United States. Hamilton also grows corn, wheat and soybeans and has a sawmill for a modest timber business. Hamilton, always a proud Canadian, now feels that way more than ever. He greets a visitor in a Team Canada hockey jersey and our first stop is a farm building full of memorabilia from hockey legends: Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Orr and many more. In a window of another building: One of the “Proud Canadian” placards we saw over and over again during our Ontario visit, from reliably liberal downtown Toronto to the conservative rural strongholds dotted by dairy and vegetable farms and Hamilton’s Rock Maple Lodge. Hamilton is 75 and has had the farm for 54 years, after also working in home construction. He has seen a lot. But nothing like this. Like most Canadians we met, he could not fathom why Trump decided to take the relationship from neighborly to nasty. But he also isn’t one to dwell and believes the Canadian election is a key step for a country he says needs to reassert its independence and stress its manners. “There is no friend anymore,” Hamilton said of the United States. “The biggest thing in Canada is we have friends all over the world. How many friends does America have right now?”
‘No friend anymore’: Days from a national election, Canadian voters focus on the US relationship
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Canadians Reassess U.S. Relationship Ahead of National Election"
CNN
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
As Canadians head to the polls for a crucial national election, the relationship with the United States has become a focal point of voter sentiment. Many Canadians, disillusioned by the actions and rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump, are making conscious decisions to buy Canadian products, as illustrated by the experiences of Lindsay Smith and Kaitlynn Strain, who have shifted their floral sourcing away from the U.S. due to feelings of insult and betrayal. They, along with other voters, are feeling a surge of nationalism and pride in their Canadian identity, which is reflected in increased visibility of Canadian flags and a collective sentiment that the U.S. is no longer a reliable ally. The current political climate is prompting many to reconsider their traditional voting patterns, with some former supporters of smaller parties like the Green Party now leaning towards the Liberal Party, hoping to ensure that the winning party has a strong mandate to counteract the perceived bullying from the U.S. administration.
The shift in sentiment is echoed across various demographics, with voters expressing a need for a strong leader capable of navigating the complexities of international relations, particularly with the U.S. Toby Gorman, an environmental journalist, exemplifies this shift, stating that he would typically support the Greens but is now inclined to vote Liberal to promote a united front against Trump’s policies. This election is not just about local issues; it is significantly shaped by the perception of the U.S. as a friend turned adversary. Many Canadians, including lifelong conservatives, are calling for unity among political parties to strengthen their position on the global stage. The overarching theme is one of renewal and independence, as Canadians reflect on their national identity and the need to assert it in the face of external pressures. As Peter Hamilton, a conservative voter, puts it, the relationship with the U.S. feels more distant than ever, emphasizing that Canada must reaffirm its place in the world and its connections beyond its southern neighbor.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a significant shift in Canadian public sentiment towards the United States, particularly in light of political tensions and trade relations under former President Donald Trump. It illustrates how everyday Canadians are responding to these tensions by consciously choosing to support local businesses and products over American ones, reflecting a broader nationalistic sentiment.
Public Sentiment and Political Climate
The article underscores a growing discontent among Canadians regarding their relationship with the U.S., especially as they approach a national election. The actions of business owners like Lindsay Smith and Kaitlynn Strain serve as a microcosm of a larger sentiment that is shaping voter behavior. Their decision to avoid U.S. products is rooted in a reaction against perceived insults and threats from Trump, indicating a shift towards more nationalistic consumer habits.
Voter Behavior and Political Implications
The choice of Smith and Strain, who typically support the Green Party but are now leaning towards the Liberal Party, illustrates how external political dynamics can influence electoral decisions. This shift demonstrates a pragmatic approach among voters who prioritize the potential for a strong mandate to counteract unfavorable U.S. policies. Such behavior signals a growing awareness among Canadians regarding the significance of their electoral choices in the context of international relations.
Media's Role and Potential Manipulation
The article arguably aims to shape public perception by framing the relationship with the U.S. in a negative light, particularly through the lens of Trump’s administration. This framing could serve to mobilize voters towards a specific political agenda, emphasizing the need for a strong government to protect Canadian interests. While the article presents factual accounts, the language used—such as referring to Trump as a "bully"—may evoke emotional responses and could be seen as manipulative.
Impact on Society and Economy
The sentiments expressed in the article could have tangible effects on both the economy and political landscape in Canada. A rise in nationalist consumerism might boost local businesses but could also strain trade relations with the U.S. Furthermore, the outcome of the upcoming election could set the tone for future Canadian policies regarding international trade and diplomatic relations, particularly with their southern neighbor.
Community Reactions and Support Bases
This narrative resonates particularly with communities that value national pride and local production. It appeals to Canadians who feel marginalized by U.S. policies and rhetoric, thereby galvanizing support for parties that promise to uphold Canadian sovereignty and interests.
Market and Global Implications
The article could potentially influence market behavior, especially in sectors reliant on U.S. imports. Companies that depend on cross-border trade may need to adapt to changing public sentiment, which could affect stock performance. Investors might pay close attention to Canadian political developments and their implications for U.S.-Canada relations.
Geopolitical Context
From a broader perspective, this article touches upon the shifting dynamics of power in North America. The implications of Canadian voter sentiment in response to U.S. policies could alter the balance of influence within the region, especially if a more assertive Canadian government emerges.
Considering the tone and content of the article, it does raise questions about its reliability. While it presents real experiences and sentiments, the framing and language choices suggest a potential bias aimed at influencing voter behavior, indicating some level of manipulation.
The article appears to reflect genuine concerns and experiences of Canadians, though it also employs language that could be construed as emotionally charged, suggesting a manipulative undertone.