Canadian flag celebrates 60th anniversary

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is asking Canadians to reflect on the meaning of the country's flag and what it stands for amid U.S. tariff threats.

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is not letting his guard down when it comes to standing up to the president of the United States.

Angus held a news conference in Ottawa on Friday in honour of National Flag Day, which is on Feb. 15.

“On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag, I encourage Canadians to reflect what that symbol means,” Angus said.

“That symbol that has been in war zones, that symbol that has been, with Canadians, went to fight famines in other countries, that symbol of openness and inclusion, that is the direct opposite to the politics of Elon Musk and Donald Trump.”

Meanwhile, in Timmins, Roger Fortin said he needs no convincing.

He said he’s raised his family here and had a career in mining.

“I’ve always been proud of my country and I love this country for, you know, better or worse,” Fortin said.

“It’s got its issues, but, overall, in the world scheme of things, Canada is a great country to live in.”

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He added he owns a wardrobe of T-shirts with Canadian logos and has recently purchased Canadian flags for his vehicle from a business in British Columbia.

He said he finds Trump’s threats of taking Canada by economic force aggravating.

“Taking over another sovereign country, is unacceptable, but especially a country that has been your ally and your best friend from every war we’ve ever fought in together, our trade partner, our closest neighbor,” Fortin said.

“To make that kind of rhetoric for a country like Canada is just, it’s unacceptable.”

Angus said Canadians don’t typically beat their chests about being patriotic, but he said this flag anniversary is so important because our nation and identity are under threat like never before.

“Threats against Canada are very serious,” Angus said.

“What really inspires me is that ordinary Canadians get it. We don’t have to, like, go out and argue and prove to people that this is a threat. Canadians have been saying from Day 1 with Donald Trump, ‘we are not going to be pushed around as a nation.’

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The politician said Canadians will find our own path forward.

“And, yes, it may be hard in the months and years ahead. Canada will always be a proud, independent nation, and our maple leaf flag will continue to fly across this country,” Angus said.

The only way President Trump will back off is if enough governors, business leaders and citizens call on him to stop attacking Canada, Angus concluded.