logo
Today's letters: American flag doesn't make our hearts flutter

Today's letters: American flag doesn't make our hearts flutter

Ottawa Citizen10-07-2025
Article content
Article content
When Prime Minister Mark Carney said 'It's over' after yet another batch of tariff and trade tantrums by the erratic Donald Trump, he spoke for all Canadians and their institutions.
Article content
The good old days of Canada-U.S. relations are over, gone, gone, gone and we must take full charge of our destiny by embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with this new day in the unfolding of Canada's geo-political, economic, financial, social, cultural, military and other stories.
Article content
Article content
And then Ottawa City Hall caved in to 'protocol.'
Article content
While polls reveal that most Canadians are on board with Carney, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and others at city hall slavishly followed a nonsensical protocol procedure and decided to fly the U.S. flag on July 4 in celebration of that country's independence, and all the while U.S. President Donald Trump is hell-bent on stripping sovereign Canada of its independence.
Article content
The bizarre flag decision by Ottawa City Hall is more than just a head-shaker; it is a betrayal of public trust.
Article content
The mayor's excuse to fly the American flag was because we do it every year as part of a protocol on national holidays of countries with which we have diplomatic relations. That is beyond dumbfounding to me.
Article content
What diplomatic relations do we have with the U.S.? Doesn't diplomacy imply negotiating in good faith? Being true to your word and not threatening to annex you? Boo to you, Mayor Sutcliffe. Bad decision.
Article content
Article content
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump says Carney reached out, but they haven't talked, hours before Canada-U.S. tariff deadline
Trump says Carney reached out, but they haven't talked, hours before Canada-U.S. tariff deadline

CTV News

time15 minutes ago

  • CTV News

Trump says Carney reached out, but they haven't talked, hours before Canada-U.S. tariff deadline

President Donald Trump signs an executive order restarting the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools as Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, from left, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Vice President JD Vance, professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau, WWE CCO Triple H and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. watch, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Mark Carney reached out ahead of an Aug. 1 tariff deadline, but no conversations between the two took place. Trump has warned that any country that does not strike a deal with the U.S. before Friday will be subjected to higher tariffs imposed on goods, which for Canada could mean a 35 per cent rate on all products not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. 'We haven't spoken to Canada today. He's (Carney) called and we'll, we'll see,' Trump told reporters during an event at the White House. Carney's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Canadian leader previously said trade talks with Washington had been constructive, but the talks may not conclude by the deadline. Talks between the two countries were at an intense phase, he added, but a deal that would remove all U.S. tariffs was unlikely. Earlier on Thursday, Trump said it would be 'very hard' for the U.S. and Canada to strike a deal after Ottawa moved toward recognizing Palestinian statehood. He said later on Thursday, however, that he did not view the move as 'a deal breaker' in trade talks. 'Well, they have to pay a fair rate - that's all. It's very simple. They have been charging very, very high tariffs to our farmers, some over 200 per cent and they've been treating our farmers very badly,' Trump said when asked about negotiations. He added that while he loves Canada, it has treated the United States 'very badly' for years. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Canada could avoid the 35 per cent tariff rate if Carney 'starts turning on the charm and if he takes off his retaliation.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store