Did Trump make Canada Day great again? Some observers say, in a way, yes

Canada Day has historically been a day of celebration and unity for Canadians across the country. However, in recent years, the holiday has been marred by controversy and tensions that have challenged the very essence of what it means to be Canadian.
In 2021, calls to #CancelCanadaDay were trending after the discovery of potential unmarked graves at a former residential school in British Columbia. This grim reminder of Canada’s dark history with Indigenous peoples sparked protests and calls for action, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities.
Adding to the turmoil was the threat from Donald Trump to annex Canada if the country did not voluntarily become the 51st state. This brazen threat to Canadian sovereignty rallied Canadians across the country, reigniting a sense of patriotism and unity in the face of external threats.
Historian Matthew Hayday noted a shift in the national mood, with Canadians embracing their nation’s identity and championing their country in the face of adversity. The tensions with the United States also played a role in fostering a renewed sense of national pride, as Canadians sought to assert their independence and solidarity.
However, while many Canadians were gearing up for a day of celebration and festivities, Indigenous communities were grappling with their own issues and concerns. For Indigenous activist Tira Cardinal, Canada Day was a somber reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous peoples, and she chose to wear an orange shirt in solidarity with survivors of residential schools.
Brianna Olson-Pitawanakwat, a member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded First Nation, emphasized the importance of honoring Indigenous resilience and resistance on Canada Day. She highlighted the need to recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the nation’s history and to address the injustices that continue to impact Indigenous communities.
Recent legislative developments, such as Bill 5 in Ontario and Bill C-5 at the national level, have raised concerns about Indigenous sovereignty and consultation rights. These bills could potentially expedite energy projects on Indigenous lands without local approval, echoing the controversies surrounding Bill C-45 in 2012 that sparked the Idle No More movement.
As tensions simmered and nationalistic fervor rose, the true test of Canada’s identity and values lay in how the country would navigate these challenges and uphold the rights of all its citizens. The pendulum of public opinion seemed poised to swing, and the outcome would shape the future of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous communities and its place on the world stage.