After the 'Freedom Convoy' protests saw the Canadian flag co-opted for divisive causes, renewed national pride is sweeping the country in response to Donald Trump's threats to annex Canada or impose tariffs. Canadians are increasingly seeing the Maple Leaf as a symbol of tolerance, inclusion, and national distinctiveness.
FREDERICTON — Graydon Miles was driving down Highway 7 in Ontario last year when he saw an upside down Maple Leaf flying from a pickup truck, along with one flag directing an obscenity at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and another supporting Donald Trump 's 2024 presidential bid.
The convoy left him angry that the flag"suddenly seemed to represent, both at home and on the world stage, the exact opposite of what I always thought it meant." The Maple Leaf, designed by George F. G. Stanley, will celebrate its 60th anniversary Saturday. Carmen Celestini, a religious studies lecturer at the University of Waterloo who has researched the"Freedom Convoy," said the flag has undergone an interesting trajectory over the past five years.
"People sort of walked away from the Canadian flag because they didn't want to be associated with that," she said. In the current climate, he said it is a symbol of defiance."As often happens in history, an external threat can resolve our internal doubts," Miller said."I think that's happened here, at least right now."
CANADA DONALD TRUMP MAPLE LEAF PATRIOTISM FREEDOM CONVOY
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