Wayne Gretzky competes during the Match Superstars golf tournament in Palm Beach, Fla., on Oct. 15, 2024.Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
What do you think of your pal Donald Trump now, Wayne Gretzky? Still want to hang with him at Mar-a-Lago while he threatens to use “economic force” to wipe away the Canadian border?
How about you, Bobby Orr? Do you like how your friend threatens your country with a 25-per-cent tariff, and talks about it being the 51st state? Do you still think, as you’ve said of Mr. Trump, that he’s “the kind of teammate I want”?
The president-elect is treating Canada – historic friend, great trading partner, ally in war and peace – like an enemy. Are you, our two greatest hockey legends, going to speak out and stand up for Canada, or will you remain silent?
Mr. Orr and Mr. Gretzky, who the president-elect says should be the governor of the hypothetical 51st state, have a right to support whomever they want, of course, no matter how far right or far left or far deluded. A great many other Canadians back Mr. Trump as they do.
But these are exceptional circumstances wherein we need appeal to these sports icons’ patriotism, their love of country. Clearly, Mr. Trump won’t listen to our politicians. And it’s depressing to see how few in this country are speaking out in Canada’s defence by rebutting him.
Mr. Orr and Mr. Gretzky are of a type and stature that Mr. Trump listens to. They could have influence. They could have him think twice. They could rally Canadians against him.
The idea that Mr. Trump could annex Canada, in keeping with his plan for Greenland, should not be taken seriously. It’s not going to happen. But given his grotesque narcissism, Mr. Trump would do it if he could get away with it – and thus, he should be taken seriously. That he can inflict great economic pain through his mega tariffs should be taken seriously. That he is out for self-aggrandizement like other authoritarian leaders should be taken seriously.
The incoming president is newly empowered – hugely empowered. He doesn’t have the guardrails that existed in his first term when, even with them, he came within a hair of ripping up NAFTA.
Canada is beginning to speak with one voice in opposition to him, David MacNaughton, who served as our ambassador in Washington during the first Trump administration, said in an interview. Given that unity is in short supply here, it is important. A reason we exist as a nation is because we’re not Americans. That grit needs to be shown. Our role models and heroes need to come forward.
Meanwhile, Americans aren’t rushing to defend us from the Trump threats, said Mr. MacNaughton, because “they fear retribution.”
Gordon Giffin, who served as U.S. ambassador to Canada, said in an e-mail it’s because “very few take discussion of acquisition of Canada (or Greenland) seriously.”
But Canada “certainly cannot be passive” in the face of what is happening, he said. “Be resolute that Canada is strong and free and independent.” He said that we must convince Mr. Trump that what he is doing would be “self-defeating” because of the economic pain it would cause his own people.
Tom d’Aquino, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations since the 1960s, told me that “Canada faces, quite possibly, the unthinkable.” Getting a bit carried away, he said that our attitude should be at one with Winston Churchill’s famous call to “fight them on the beaches.”
He’s angered that more Americans aren’t speaking out, but says “there will be a significant anti-tariff coalition that inevitably will materialize in the U.S., especially when businesses consider the costs.”
A coalition of sorts did emerge in Mr. Trump’s first term when, in response to his steel and aluminum tariffs, Ottawa retaliated with its own levies, which later caused Mr. Trump to withdraw his. But he obviously didn’t learn enough from that experience, said Mr. MacNaughton.
It’s going to be a wild ride the next few months, he said, but in the end, “Trump’s going to find out that his musings aren’t going to have the effect that he wishes.”
Mr. Trump thinks he has big support up here for his annexation talk. He should realize that he has been one of the most loathed presidents in Canada ever, as polls have demonstrated.
Mr. Trump needs our oil and gas; he needs access to critical minerals processing; he’s going to need Ottawa’s co-operation when he starts implementing his massive deportation plans.
Reality will hopefully soon penetrate his deficient mental equipment. Mr. Orr and Mr. Gretzky should help that process along by coming out publicly against his hare-brained imperialism.