True friendship is a precious and enduring connection built on mutual respect, trust, and unconditional support, where individuals deeply care for each other, are comfortable celebrating successes together and can rely on having each others’ backs during difficult times. That defined Canadians and Americans for most of our lifetimes.

One prime example was the 1980 Iran hostage crisis when Canadian diplomats spontaneously acted to hide and shelter their American counterparts in their own homes, giving time for both of our nations to work together to smuggle those American diplomats out under fake Canadian passports. Our diplomatic personnel unhesitatingly and without waiting from instructions from on high put themselves and their families at risk simply because it was the right thing to do for friends.

Again on September 11, 2001 when the USA shut its airspace to all incoming flights, even those too close to turn back, Canada welcomed some 33,000 stranded Americans to which Atlantic Canadians offered food, shelter and comfort in their own homes. That’s what real friends do.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Canada was the first country to send disaster relief. When wildfires recently raged in California, Canadian water bombers flew south to help. When American power grids fail after hurricanes, Canadian utility workers cross the border to restore electricity.

Canadians and Americans have a long history of crossing a mostly undefended border to enjoy each others’ differing but majestic landscapes. With all that shared history, it is remarkable how one man’s twisted rhetoric can undermine such a close and mutually beneficial friendship. Despite many US commentators having absolutely refuted the lies which President Trump has spouted in support of his recent attacks on Canada, his “drunk the Kool-Aid” partisans continue to treat his every word as gospel. Many Americans who know better remain silent out of fear for their jobs. These are not the actions of the healthy democracy which the US has been for most of its history. And it’s not something that decent people would do to proven long-term friends.

In standing up for Canadian sovereignty in the face of Mr. Trump’s stated intent to annex our country, let’s remember that it is their currently-lying leadership which we despise, not our many American friends. I’m one of a group of Kingstonians coming together to organize public events and provide wearables for all of us who seek to keep Canada free. If you wish to be involved, please click on the volunteer button above.