November 18, 2024
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 18, 2024
When the U.S. Has Pneumonia, Canada Catches Something Worse
January 17, 2012
Pierre Trudeau’s metaphor of Canada as a mouse sleeping beside the American elephant has never felt more apt. But in today’s climate, it’s less about sleeping peacefully and more about catching something far nastier than a sneeze from our ailing neighbour. If the United States is stumbling with the long-term effects of its MAGA infection, Canada, always downstream, seems destined for something more chronic and debilitating.
In the United States, MAGA is no longer just a political slogan—it’s a systemic condition. Despite polarizing effects on the electorate, Trumpism has reshaped American politics, culture, and international relations. Rising discontent and populism, once confined to the U.S., are spreading northward like a contagious illness. With Trump’s resurgence in American politics, Canada’s immunity is faltering. Polls show that support for Trump has risen here, particularly among young men and Conservative voters, reflecting the restlessness and dissatisfaction that MAGA thrives upon.
News: Canadian support for Donald Trump higher than in last U.S. presidential election, poll finds
November 8, 2024
Canada’s political and economic systems are deeply intertwined with those of the U.S., making any American turmoil impossible to ignore. Yet, our susceptibility to its influence often leaves us worse off. Take healthcare: Ontario faces an impending crisis, with chronic illness rates set to double by 2040. Strains on the system are compounded by recent spikes in walking pneumonia—a disease with mild origins but serious implications if left unchecked.
Similarly, MAGA ideology in Canada could exacerbate existing political fractures, intensifying polarization and undermining collaborative governance.
The metaphor writes itself: the U.S. is sick with pneumonia, and Canada, with its smaller size and weaker defences, risks developing a life-threatening condition.
Historically, Canada’s socio-political structure has relied on collective resilience, but MAGA thrives on division. Our rising health and social challenges mirror the vulnerabilities that MAGA-style populism exploits. With increasing chronic illnesses and strains on public services, there’s fertile ground for frustration and blame-shifting. This echoes Andrew Parkin’s observation that support for Trump in Canada is less about MAGA loyalty and more an expression of dissatisfaction with the status quo. Unfortunately, such dissatisfaction could be weaponized here in ways even more destructive than in the U.S.
November 12, 2018
Like walking pneumonia, MAGA’s influence is persistent but preventable. Strengthening Canadian democratic norms, fostering civic engagement, and investing in healthcare and social equity are vital steps. Much like vaccines for physical illnesses, proactive measures can build immunity against political contagion. But as Ontario’s health report warns, waiting too long to act can lead to overwhelming consequences.
If the U.S. has pneumonia, Canada must recognize its own vulnerabilities and act decisively. Without vigilance, the mouse may find itself not just jostled by the elephant but crushed under its weight.