Canada. In the face of “insulting from Donald Trump” Canadians buy national flags

“In the face of threats and insults from Donald Trump, Canadians gather together to express love for their country and their determination in defense of Canadian values ​​and independence. (…) We call Canadians to display the flag as never before” – they wrote in a joint statement The lives of Canada Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper were living, emphasizing that “in recent weeks we witnessed the growth of Canadian pride and patriotism.”

Campbell, Clark and Harper are conservatives, Chrétien and Martin – liberals. In a statement published on Wednesday, they wrote that they are politicians of different parties. “We fought wars in the past, but we all agree on one thing: Canada, a real north, strong and free, the best country in the world, it is worth celebrating and fighting for it” – they added.

Already in the nineteenth century, the maple leaf was a popular symbol of Canadianity, but even after proclaiming Canada's independence in 1867, British flags were used – Union Jack. The popular Canadian Red Ensign, a red British jacket flag in combination with Union Jack, was also used.

However, in 1960, Lester B. Pearson, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize from 1957 and the leader of the then opposition Liberal Party decided that Canada must solve the “flag problem” to be able to show itself as an independent and united country. Work began when Pearson became the prime minister in 1963. In October 1964, the project of George Stanley was chosen – with two red belts on the short sides of the flag and a red maple leaf on a white background in the middle, the parliament in voting approved the project on December 15 1964

Trump's threats to Canada and the constant calling Canada “51. Stan” brought as a result of a sharp increase in the sense of national pride in Canada. In the first days of February this year, the researching public opinion of the Angus Reid Institute published the results of the survey, which indicated a ten -point increase in the percentage of Canadians who say they are “very proud” from their country.

Within two months of interest so defining national pride, 34 percent to 44 percent increased, and the percentage of declaring that they are very proud, proud and “to some extent” proud of Canada increased from 69 percent in December to 85 percent at the beginning of February, while percentage Those who are not proud from Canada fell from 18 percent to 13 percent.

According to the Angus Reid study, the percentage of those who would like Canada to become a US state dropped from 6 percent to 4 percent at the same time 91 percent of Canadians chooses a reduction in the scope of relying on the US instead of repairing relationships with a neighbor. Attempts to repair these relationships before the trade war would expect 59 percent of respondents.

The Canadians, according to the same survey, carefully follow information about the threat of American duties, declares their interest in 90 percent, which-as commented in the summary of the study-is similar to the involvement in tracking the pandemic information at the beginning of Covid-19. 3 percent respondents believe that American duties would mean a loss of work for them, 30 percent. He has such fears.

Another survey published on Thursday indicated that Canadians were willing to follow the slogan “Buy Canadian”, used by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other politicians. The public opinion conducted by Legery indicated that 81 percent Canadians consciously choose Canadian products. The only American product that Canadians is difficult to part with are streaming services: 28 percent. Canadians say that he will give up, 34 percent He replies directly that he will not give up.

The pride of a maple leaf also translates into buying t -shirts and gadgets. The daily “Winnipeg Free Press” quoted the owner of one of the shirt stores in Winnipeg, which summed up the last weeks, saying: “We see a large jump in the sale of patriotic products.”

Co -owner of the Canadian plant producing flags Flags Unlimited Matt Skipp said in the material of the Reuters agency that he was wondering for the first time if the product would end. – This is probably the worst part of our season. Everyone falls into winter sleep. There are dark winter days. You don't think about hanging the flag on the mast outside – he said.

– There are a few obvious things that really affect the seasonal trend this year, namely politics. Our friends from behind the southern border – he said. In his opinion, “Trump's tactics and threat to our sovereignty cause a rapid increase in flag sales in traditionally poor periods.” – We think it will be a huge year for the sale of flags in Canada – he concluded.