Joshua Thomson
Joshua is CANZUK International's Senior Associate
for Eastern Canada based in Saint John, NB
It was April of 1982, when on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the Prime Minister of the day, Pierre Elliott Trudeau and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, signed the proclamation giving Canada full autonomy over its own constitution.
A monumental moment in Canadian history, achieving complete independence, allowing Canada to amend its own constitution without requiring approval from the British Parliament.
At long last, Canada had achieved full sovereignty as a strong and independent country, and Queen Elizabeth II remained Canada’s Head of State.
At long last, Canada had achieved full sovereignty as a strong and independent country, and Queen Elizabeth II remained Canada’s Head of State.
Fast forward over 40 years later, it was announced that His Majesty King Charles III held an audience with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 3, to once again address a matter of great importance to Canadians; Canada’s Sovereignty.
This meeting came following weeks of annexation threats and references to Canada becoming the 51st State by President Donald Trump.
Given the 25% Trump tariffs that took effect as of March 4, it has undeniably shaken the trust between the two countries that share the longest land border in the world. While Canada is indeed a strong and free nation, it is important to note that our ally does not just lie south of the border, but also amongst a much larger network. A network of age-old alliances ready to be revived.
For many decades, Canada and the United States developed a strong trade relationship, and within weeks, that relationship now faces a rather uncertain future. An online comment I came across recently said something to the effect that, “If we understood a little bit more about our history, then Canadians would have a little more reverence for our Crown.” That is why it is important – if not vital – to know how the Crown gave way to a path forward for Canada in trying times.
That way forward is what has renownedly become known as CANZUK, the alliance of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
While some may have considered the Commonwealth a relic of the past in recent decades, it is a bit like blowing the dust off an old history book in the attic and coming to the realization that old book actually has the answers that we’ve been looking for; it was just waiting for us to come to that conclusion.
In what was perhaps Justin Trudeau’s most rousing speech during his last days as Prime Minister, he made it clear that President Trump wants to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy in order to annex the country.
On March 6, CBC reported that Trump had once again put a pause on the looming tariffs until April 2. It is apparent that the once exemplary trading relationship between Canada and the United States is no longer a reliable one and the time has come for Canada to look beyond its relationship with our neighbours south of the border.
The time has come for Canada to take matters into its own hands and reinvigorate relations with allies that have been there, continue to be there, and will always be there.
Over 40 years ago, in the Canada Act of 1982, Canada made the proclamation to choose its own destiny, and that destiny now lies with CANZUK.
This meeting came following weeks of annexation threats and references to Canada becoming the 51st State by President Donald Trump.
Given the 25% Trump tariffs that took effect as of March 4, it has undeniably shaken the trust between the two countries that share the longest land border in the world. While Canada is indeed a strong and free nation, it is important to note that our ally does not just lie south of the border, but also amongst a much larger network. A network of age-old alliances ready to be revived.
For many decades, Canada and the United States developed a strong trade relationship, and within weeks, that relationship now faces a rather uncertain future. An online comment I came across recently said something to the effect that, “If we understood a little bit more about our history, then Canadians would have a little more reverence for our Crown.” That is why it is important – if not vital – to know how the Crown gave way to a path forward for Canada in trying times.
That way forward is what has renownedly become known as CANZUK, the alliance of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
While some may have considered the Commonwealth a relic of the past in recent decades, it is a bit like blowing the dust off an old history book in the attic and coming to the realization that old book actually has the answers that we’ve been looking for; it was just waiting for us to come to that conclusion.
In what was perhaps Justin Trudeau’s most rousing speech during his last days as Prime Minister, he made it clear that President Trump wants to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy in order to annex the country.
On March 6, CBC reported that Trump had once again put a pause on the looming tariffs until April 2. It is apparent that the once exemplary trading relationship between Canada and the United States is no longer a reliable one and the time has come for Canada to look beyond its relationship with our neighbours south of the border.
The time has come for Canada to take matters into its own hands and reinvigorate relations with allies that have been there, continue to be there, and will always be there.
Over 40 years ago, in the Canada Act of 1982, Canada made the proclamation to choose its own destiny, and that destiny now lies with CANZUK.
Heading photo: Licensed under Create Commons – Picryl
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