Elbows Up, Pedal Down

The escalating threats from our southern neighbour have united Canadians like nothing in recent memory. With a level of patriotism usually reserved for world cup hockey, a jilted nation has gone full ‘elbows up’. A population spontaneously rallying to boycott U.S. products and support all things Canadian. And it appears, a nation ready to keep the pedal down for the long term.

The Flight of the Snowbird

Five years ago it was a global pandemic and the fear of an unseen virus. This year it’s an American betrayal and the rantings of an unhinged president.

In both cases, my wife and I made earlier-than-planned exits from the United States. Just like with the arrival of Covid in March 2020, a few weeks ago we cut our winter vacation short, forfeited rents paid, and loaded the car for a hasty retreat towards a mollifying border-crossing and the comfort of our homeland.

For sun-seeking snowbirds, rental accommodations are best secured early. Our Florida booking for this year was made even before last year’s vacation in California kicked off. While Palm Springs has been our customary winter escape, grandchildren at an ideal age made this a perfect year for the Disney experience. We rented a four-bedroom house to accommodate the 10-person surge scheduled for the first two weeks of February.

With Friends Like That …

The 2016 American election decision was difficult to take. Reinstalling the twice-impeached, convicted felon and perpetual huckster for another term, was beyond our comprehension. Watching him debase his own country was bad enough. But his threats of senseless tariffs and annexation of Canada as the 51st state, took it to a new level of crazy. The disrespect shown our leadership and country has been appalling.

Late last November we explored a possibility of timesharing the rental with another couple for the month of March. That didn’t pan out and with all this percolating in January, the idea of supporting the U.S. economy was troubling. But with flights booked, Disney passes purchased and grandkids counting the days, we were in deep. Hell, we had been looking forward to it as much as the kids!

We resolved to enjoy this rare opportunity for special time with family. Our retaliative strategy would have to begin when we returned. One of our commitments was a U.S. travel boycott and no winter vacation in 2026, as described in an earlier post, We Stand On Guard For Thee.

A Magical Experience

We had an absolute blast with the kids. The house was great and the Florida weather was fabulous in early February. Witnessing the excitement of four young grandchildren was a special treat. The Disney experience met all expectations. At this magical place and on this day, there was no evidence of political tensions. And as an added bonus, not a single MAGA hat was spotted.

On the whole, it did turn out to be a different kind of winter getaway. As the taunts worsened and news of boycotts and protests by everyday Canadians developed, I grew increasingly uneasy about being across the border. Every dollar fed into the U.S. economy felt like a betrayal of the national cause.

From Behind Enemy Lines

I wanted to play some part in the boycott campaign from behind the enemy lines. Admittedly, some ideas were more realistic than others. I fantasized briefly about suiting up in camo, and by cover of night, driving down to Palm Beach to egg Mar-a-Lago. After some reflection, the prospect of winding up in Guantanamo Bay quickly dampened my enthusiasm.

Instead, we tried to make the best of a great rental home and the fine Florida weather while limiting purchases of non-essential American products. We spent our time reading and relaxing by the pool. We played some golf, but rarely dined out. Made in Canada products are few and far between in Florida, but we were label-checking all the same.

It’s Not the People

One of the seedlings of conversation, when teamed up with strangers on destination golf courses, is usually some variation of “where are you from?”

For such pairings this year, I had very little interest in initiating that thread of discussion. It’s not that I wasn’t interested, I just didn’t want to risk spoiling a good day if it put us on opposite sides of the current affairs debate. If they asked the question, I would proceed with polite caution.

My first golf outing paired me with a couple of guys about 20 years my junior. We introduced ourselves at the first tee while awaiting the fairway to clear. “Where you from?” came the inevitable question, before a single shot was launched.

“Canada,” I replied. Before I could follow up with the obligatory what about you, the golfer loosening up at the tee box chirped, “Ah, the 51st state.” My thought in the moment was, that sure didn’t take long. “Yeah, we’re not too happy about that,” I replied, before pointing out to him that he was clear to hit his shot.

As it turned out, both my golf companions lived in Florida. One born and raised, the other having arrived more recently, via Oklahoma. The ensuing political conversation lasted only the length of the first fairway. While their comments suggested to me they were Trump supporters, they were mildly empathetic in their comments and clearly fell short of MAGA cult status.

On another occasion, my wife and I joined a couple and exercised similar introductory discretion. Barry and Missie seemed a nice couple and we enjoyed pleasant small-talk as we played. At the 12th tee, Missie finally asked, “Do you live here in Florida?”

“No,” I said. “We’re from Canada.”

Missie’s smile instantly dissolved and she said, “Oh, I have to apologize for our so-called president. We’re so embarrassed by what he’s doing to you.” From that point forward, the afternoon was a mix of golf and mutual commiseration with our new friends from North Carolina.

As we headed to the cars after the round, Missie called over, “And again, our apologies for what he’s doing, please come back and visit.”

As we all laughed, I yelled back, “Oh, we will … in about three-and-a-half years!”

“You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Angry”

The spontaneous response of Canadians has been amazing. Our proud, fighting spirit has captured the attention and admiration of allies across the globe. The countless stories of people foregoing U.S. travel and boycotting American goods and services has been inspiring.

We ultimately cut our own Florida stay a couple of weeks short. In spite of the physical comforts and the investment made, we had had enough. After the last of our company left and driving weather cleared, we were on the road home.

Since getting back, we’ve joined the masses of Canadians fastidiously choosing homegrown (or non-American) goods and services. It’s been unifying to witness the label-checking at grocery stores and the clear trends away from all things U.S. By many accounts, it’s already making a difference. Provincial leaders have supported the cause by pulling various American liquor products from Crown corporation shelves, among other retaliatory actions.

Also rising to the occasion are informal ambassadors like Charlie Angus and Arlene Dickinson, offering clarity, optimism and perspective to help guide us through uncharted waters. Politics aside, the leadership response in this crisis has effectively reflected the mood and interests of Canadians. An attack on our economic well-being and national sovereignty is not partisan, it’s all-inclusive.

I’m proud to stand united and fight back with my fellow Canadians of all political stripes.

Keeping the Pedal Down

The ill-conceived “Liberation Day” tariffs are now official. For stock markets and by most other economic measures, Obliteration Day may be a more apt description.

Five years ago, with the jolting news of a global pandemic, my wife and I had to make a decision as to whether we’d leave California early. I remember voicing a sobering assessment. “I think things are going to get very bad, very quickly.”

Now, half a decade later we’re facing another crisis. This time it’s entirely man-made. But the same sentiment applies: Things are going to get very bad, very quickly.

The options for us as individuals may be limited but they can have an immense impact when done in mass. My hope is we remain vigilant with boycotting U.S. travel and American products. Canadian snowbirds have injected billions of dollars in the U.S. economy annually and our absence will carry enormous weight.

Already producers of liquor in the Republican states of Kentucky and Tennessee are bemoaning the pain of lost Canadian sales. Our selectivity for groceries and other goods is also being felt. The only thing that can derail this evil empire’s plan will be an uprising by U.S. businesses and voters over hardship we inflict.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane

As much as Americans would like to take credit, the Superman story is very much ours. The concept was co-created by Toronto born, Joe Shuster. Before becoming the Daily Planet, the series newspaper was the Daily Star. The name spawned from Shuster’s one-time paper route employer, the Toronto Star.

In movie versions of Superman, released between 1978 and 1987, Canadian, Margot Kidder played the role of Lois Lane.

While Canadian citizens have an important role to play in the story of saving our ‘Gotham City’, we are going to need a uniquely qualified champion leading the way.

In a few weeks we face what will likely be the most consequential election of our times. Superseding the policy issues normally guiding our vote is an existential attack on our economic welfare and sovereignty. What we need in this moment is as close to a ‘superhero’ as we have. A leader who has experience and insight in the critical areas of domestic and international economics. And the leader best equipped to stand up to the American villain.

We Get What We Vote For

As Americans are quickly discovering, we get exactly what we vote for. Massive protests took place across the United States on April 5th. One can only guess how many placard-waiving attendees regret their November vote after losing jobs, healthcare or economic stability.

I suspect voters in our own April 28th federal election will find themselves in one of three camps.

• People who believe the leader of their preferred party is the superhero we need in the moment
• People who prefer one party based on ideology or campaign promises, but have more trust in the leader of another party to deal with the crisis
• People who do not intend to vote or haven’t thought about it

For those of us in the first category, our main responsibility is to have done the research. With the social media haze and the pervasiveness of AI deep fakes and foreign interference, it’s not easy. But it is doable.

For those in the second category wrestling with which way to go, one path is better than the other. Vote for the right leader for the times. If we don’t effectively deal with the clear and present danger of tariffs and annexation, the rest won’t much matter.

For those unwilling or unprepared to vote, your country needs you. Educate yourself from reliable information sources and exercise the most self-serving democratic privilege you have.

It’s not for me to tell anyone who they should vote for in the upcoming election. But in my case, I suspect I’ll have the image of Superman’s cape, fluttering in the breeze like our proud, bright red Canadian flag, as I mark an “X” on my ballot.

Elbows Up, Canada!

I’m Derrick Coyle, proud husband, father and grandad, happily retired in London, Ontario after a satisfying career in the world of insurance. SilverFoxWise is a personal blog created to scratch a creative itch and indulge a boomer’s cathartic journey of musings and perspectives. Thanks for taking the time to read.