Patriotism is a powerful thing. It’s supposed to bring people together, give us a sense of pride, and remind us of what makes Canada worth fighting for. But let’s be honest—what we’re seeing right now doesn’t feel real. It feels like another political play, a new version of the same old woke politics dressed up in red and white.
Let me be clear: I’m not calling for a trade war, and I’m definitely not defending Donald Trump or his actions in any way. That’s not the point. The real question we should be asking is why our own government’s messaging has changed so dramatically. Suddenly, the same people who told us Canada was a country built on oppression and shame are now selling us a version of patriotism that fits their political goals. And if we look at the facts, this new wave of “pride” is covering up the reality—Canada hits other countries with massive tariffs, driving up our own cost of living while making the rich even richer.
Take Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, for example. On his first day back for the Spring Session in the Legislature, instead of tackling crime, healthcare, or affordability, he used his time to attack the opposition leadership candidates, throwing Trump and patriotism into the mix. This is a classic woke move: redefine the conversation, control the language, and paint anyone who doesn’t buy in as the enemy.
Then, there’s the trade situation. Kinew banned U.S. booze in Manitoba, mocking Trump while trying to look like a tough leader. Meanwhile, Canada has some of the highest tariffs in the world on American products—milk, cheese, and butter can be hit with tariffs up to 300%. We slap a 48% tariff on U.S. chicken and a 245% tariff on U.S. cheese, all while pretending we’re champions of free trade. Now, China is hitting back, putting a 100% tariff on Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and peas, and a 25% tariff on pork and aquatic products. These trade games don’t hurt the politicians—they hurt everyday Canadians trying to put food on the table.
The hypocrisy is staggering. The same government that’s now wrapping itself in the Canadian flag spent years telling us that Canada was broken, that our history was shameful, and that we needed to apologize for who we are. They pushed policies that chased away investment, jacked up corporate taxes, and killed resource projects that could’ve brought good jobs. They made it harder to do business here, made life more expensive, and weakened the economy. And now they expect us to believe they’re the ones defending Canada? Give me a break.
Look at what’s happening in Alberta. That province has been fighting back against bad economic policies, trying to push for fairer treatment, and what do they get? Painted as villains by the very people claiming to stand for national unity. It’s the same tired strategy—distract, divide, and demonize anyone who doesn’t fall in line.
This isn’t about real patriotism. It’s about political survival. It’s about woke elites repackaging their message to stay in power. If they actually cared about Canada’s success, they’d be cutting red tape, making it easier to do business, lowering taxes, and focusing on real economic growth. Instead, they’re feeding us a feel-good version of nationalism while quietly making everything more expensive and driving more businesses away.
Real patriotism means wanting Canada to be strong economically, socially, and politically. It means supporting policies that help people succeed, not just ones that make good soundbites. The sudden embrace of patriotism by the same people who spent nearly a decade undermining it should set off alarm bells.
So, before we buy into this government’s new patriotic sales pitch, we should ask: Is this real, or is it just another political trick? Canada doesn’t need more empty gestures—it needs real leadership, real growth, and real accountability. And we’re not getting any of that from the people now waving the flag the hardest.