‘Dear American neighbours': Canadian paper's readers would like to send us a message
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Matthew Bernstein
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Boston Globe Letters Editor
'Change must come from the Americans'
'Economics has made us partners,' John F. Kennedy said in 1961.
In 2025 Donald Trump made us unfair competitors.
'Necessity has made us allies,' JFK said.
Trump has made us customers.
Since January, the president's actions, his decisions, his directions all have been justified by a desire to make the United States dominant.
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Since January, our reactions, our decisions, our directions have demonstrated our willingness to resist the aggression of a former friend and partner who unfortunately is still our neighbor.
The word must get out and, above all, it must reach the ears of the bully in chief. He must hear the voices of American restaurateurs who are no longer feeding us, of American hoteliers who are no longer accommodating us, of Americans themselves who are suffering from inflation brought on from within.
Change must come from the Americans. In the case of aggression — and aggression it is — we would never dare ask the victim to find reasonable compromises to resolve a situation.
Stéphane Lévesque
L'Assomption
'As a scientist, I face concerns'
It pains me to be unable to visit you, and the thought of enduring this for the next four years saddens me. I cherished my time in your country, where I completed my postdoctoral studies and embraced your culture for five wonderful years. My children were born in Philadelphia, and we have made it a point to visit every year, cheerfully supporting the Phillies. This team is part of our family history. We stood together through the heartbreak of Sept. 11, 2001, sharing prayers and support with my American friends.
Now, as a scientist, I face concerns about my safety. Recently some of my colleagues experienced phone searches while attempting to attend a conference in your country. This situation makes it hard for me to feel secure in my work.
Additionally, when your leader talks of making us your 51st state, it raises questions about why I should invest my hard-earned money in visiting your country. I hope for a time when we can reconnect and foster understanding.
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Nathalie Perreault
Sherbrooke
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'Build bridges rather than walls'
Many of us here are shocked and disappointed to see so many of you supporting a leader who constantly poses as a victim, dragging your country into the same posture. The divisions and damage to our relationship seem irreparable.
Recent tensions and American political unpredictability have prompted many nations, including Canada, to diversify their partnerships and reduce their dependence on the United States. This trend is accelerating, as stability and reliability become priorities.
May the future inspire you to build bridges rather than walls.
Hugo Caron
Boucherville
P. S.: Although many see the idea of Canada as the 51st state as a provocation, I see in it a certain admiration. Frankly, who wouldn't want Canada in their family?
'Your past greatness was based on openness'
I'm writing to you as a concerned neighbor and observer. The United States, once admired, has become hard to love.
Despite your qualities, a sense of superiority persists, regardless of political orientation. Your health care system fails the most vulnerable. Your guns kill every day, making your schools and public places hazardous.
The world watches and walks away. Tourism plummets. And now Donald Trump is president again, despite his repeated attacks on democracy. I understand you don't all agree with him, but you let him win anyway. Now there has been talk of annexing Canada or Greenland, as if they were territories to be conquered. These ideas, however marginal, are frightening.
Your past greatness was based on openness. Today, you withdraw, divide, and isolate.
In Canada, this situation is driving us to strengthen our autonomy. The time for blind dependence is over.
The United States can once again become a model. But that will require what you seem to have lost: humility, and respect for your neighbors.
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Raymond Vermette
Repentigny
'You have been an oasis of peace and hope'
The fact that some politicians fail to recognize the importance of our centuries-old relationship should never be allowed to drive a wedge between us. Let us never forget that members of our families fought fascism hand in hand. You've inspired me to dream with your cinema and dance to your music. You've brought humankind many of the greatest technological and medical innovations. I even feel like I set foot on the moon with you. Your great universities have brought together thousands of young people from all over the world. For many oppressed nations, you have been an oasis of peace and hope for their people.
Our magnificent neighborhood must not be overshadowed by politicians eager to enrich themselves and increase their power at the expense of the people. Let's remain vigilant in defending the democracy that is the basis of our future and that of future generations.
Daniel Laparé
Longueuil
'You elected a criminal to head your country'
May I say that I found you very naive to have elected a criminal to head your country? The fact that you ignored all the red lights warning you of his duplicity arouses total incomprehension on my part. That you believed he would be your savior and that he could give the United States a luster and reputation that he told you had vanished raises questions in my mind. How could you not hear and understand that he doesn't give a damn about the average American? That his real friends are the ultrarich?
Now that your president has derailed trade relations with Canada and many other countries, are you beginning to understand that the only real interests he's defending are his own, and that your lives don't matter to him?
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So don't be surprised if I refrain from setting foot in your country for as long as he's president. I have too much pride to ignore common decency and pretend nothing's happened. I'm sorry, but I owe it to you to be honest.
Jocelyne Kucharski
Bromont
'Do better next time'
My parents were born in New Hampshire. Of their eight children born and raised in Quebec, six have settled in the States. That's how close my ties are with your country. Yes, dear Americans, Donald Trump was duly elected. So look yourselves in the face. Take responsibility for your decision, and do better next time.
Irène Castonguay
Venise-en-Québec
Editor's note: The letters published here were originally submitted in French and were translated to English before they were shared with the Globe.
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