Elbows Up rally held in Goderich

Elbows Up, Canada is a grassroots movement bringing Canadians together to stand up for this country with optimism, unity and strength.

The group is non-partisan, peaceful and proudly Canadian.

Elbows Up, Canada has family-friendly gatherings to celebrate Canada’s strength, unity and resilience.

Their gatherings are to show the world that Canada is strong, independent and not for sale, and include powerful speeches and live music.

Goderich residents Barbara Kane and husband John Meyers saw that there would be a gathering on March 22 in Toronto.

“We wanted to show our support locally, so we emailed friends and posted a notice on Facebook,” admitted Barbara.

“It was very short notice, but we had an enthusiastic response, and around 35 people came out to Courthouse Square on a gusty, cold spring day.”

Elbows Up is a term often used in hockey, meaning to protect yourself or fight back when things get tough.

In response to the intensifying trade and economic tensions building between Canada and the United States, comedian and celebrated actor Mike Myers gestured elbows up after hosting Saturday Night Live (SNL) earlier in March.

It is to be noted that during the ending credits of SNL, Myers was also wearing a t-shirt that read ‘Canada is Not for Sale’.

This energy has transformed into the grassroots movement to stand united against President Trump’s bullying tactics to delegitimize Canada’s sovereignty.

John and a couple friends have made Elbows Up lawn signs and find it hard to keep up with the demand. So far, they have made 80, half to Bayfield and the other half around Huron County communities.

With threats from Trump, tensions growing and people becoming anxious, there is also an underlying, simmering anger amongst proud Canadians.

“How dare he say we should become the 51st state and that he will destroy our economy,” stressed Barbara.

“The need to respond to these threats feels urgent and it has unified the country.”

Since the threats were made, the Federal government is aiming to remove inter-provincial trade barriers, and Canadians have been boycotting American products at grocery stores, while also avoiding travel to the United States.

Furthermore, Goderich Town Council has passed a motion condemning the United States leader’s divisive and harmful rhetoric, advocating a return to a constructive and positive relationship between Canada and the United States.

“We are all trying to do what we can,” added Barbara.

“We want to rally public support for all efforts to end punitive tariffs that will Canadians as well as our American neighbours and friends. We all gathered to show our opposition to the U.S. government rhetoric about annexing Canada. We will never be the 51st state.”