Why some Londoners are flying the flag in the face of uncertainty
National pride has been surging as the U.S. threatens Canada, and in London that's no different
On the first day of a newly launched trade war between Canada and the United States, Canadian pride is on display on the streets of London, Ont.
It's not a bombastic, over-the-top display filled with giant national symbols, lights and more, but rather one that's markedly Canadian in its humbleness.
On some streets, newly erected flags bearing the iconic maple leaf hang from houses. On others, signs reading "Happy Canada Day" have been pulled out of storage and planted on snowbanks. Some homes have multiple flags and some have other national symbols proudly displayed.
"We've all quietly celebrated our Canadian-ness in the past, but there seems to be a threat coming from south of the border, and it's important to let the people down there know, no, we're not interested in being part of your country," said Ellie Cartman, a Wortley Village resident who has a large Canadian flag affixed to the front of her home.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a long-dreaded trade war with Canada by imposing 25 per cent tariffs against most Canadian goods brought into the U.S. and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy. Alongside several months of threats, Trump has been making increasingly direct comments that he believes Canada should be absorbed into his country.
As a result, over the past several weeks owners and employees at stores that sell flags and other national symbols have told CBC News their sales have skyrocketed.
Although she's pleased to hear there's been a newfound surge of national pride and many are flocking to the flag at a time many believe Canada's sovereignty is on the line, Cartman said she's been proudly displaying the flag on her property since 2018.
"I think it's great. We love our country. It's a wonderful way of life," she said. "It shows a certain amount of solidarity that typically we don't exhibit, but we always know it's there. It especially shows up at hockey games."
To Cartman, the flag is a display of Canadian values that she plans to fly as long as she can.
"I think the average values of Canadians are that we support things like tolerance, and unlike other countries, we are not a melting pot. We're a cultural mosaic. I find myself enriched by other people's cultures," Cartman said.
"Here we are living all together, with all these different views of the universe. It's a wonderful thing."
Several houses down, another large flag proudly flies, affixed to the home of Terry Lavergne. The Londoner said he's taken the U.S. president's actions to heart, like many other Canadians.
"We're so deeply offended and betrayed. It's boycott American for me. I've already spent a month looking at places where I can shop better," he said, referring to a growing buy Canadian movement that started when tariff threats were first threatened.
Lavergne, too, has been flying the flag for years. He said he feels that display of national pride is important, but it's especially important now.
"This might be one of the most serious challenges we've ever faced. I'm 68 years old. I've lived a damn good life in Canada," Lavergne said. "I've been through free trade negotiations before. This is different and everybody feels that. As I say, Canada is worth fighting for and we'll be okay."
Lavergne said he's noticed a significant increase in the number of neighbours flying the flag, and that makes him proud.
"Out of all the countries on this planet, Canada has the brightest future. The future is ours. It's not the Americans. Canada is worth fighting for, and that's damn well what we're going to do," he said.
