By Katarzyna Pipin
While anti-war rallies have become a regular occurrence across Canada, March 29 marked a new kind of protest.
Despite the rain, more than 4,000 people gathered on Parliament Hill to show their support for the United States as it leads the war in Iraq.
Among the umbrellas, Canadians waved American flags and placards reading “God Bless America,” “Brothers in Arms WE WISH” and “Shame to Chrétien.”
This new show of support flies in the face of recent anti-Americanism and the anti-war movement among Canadians.
Canada is not among the 45 nations currently backing the United States as it continues to fight in the war against Saddam Hussein’s regime. This decision has not only disappointed our neighbour, but many Canadians as well.
No longer are people willing to stand by a government they feel is not representing their views. As support for the U.S. increases, it is time for the government to take notice.
While Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has stated Canada will fight in the war against terrorism, Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham acknowledged a fine line separating it from the war on Iraq. These kinds of internal conflicts within the government have plagued Canada’s official stand, confusing many of its own citizens.
According to a recent poll by Ipsos-Reid, public support for the prime minister’s position on the war has dropped, dividing the country over the leader’s decision not to partake in the U. S.-led coalition.
Outside of Québec, where support for Chrétien’s position is strongest, 47 per cent of those polled disapprove of the way the prime minister has handled the war on Iraq.
The opposition can also be seen through an online petition, which urges the prime minister to change his stand. So far the Web site has received almost 200,000 hits.
“A lot of Canadians feel we are letting our allies down,” says Gerry Nicholls, vice-president of the National Citizen’s Coalition.
He says it is Canada’s tradition to support other nations in the fight for democracy and Canada can still seize the opportunity to stand with its allies.
“Now is the time when we should be close to the U.S.,” Nicholls says.
“I’d like to see the prime minister change his policy. It’s not too late.”
Increasing support for the war in Iraq comes after a speech by U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci in which he made clear his disappointment with Canada’s current position.
While many Canadians feel that their country has turned its back on its closest friend, they also fear the inevitable repercussions.
Jay Hill, Canadian Alliance MP for Prince George-Peace River, spoke at last month’s rally. He says Canadians have to be realistic about the consequences of not standing by their largest trading partner.
“None of us wants war, but you have to realize that if you betray a friend, there are consequences to that relationship,” he says.
Hill says Canadians will feel the impact of their decision in the decrease in tourism, in increased border security and in the amount of contracts between the two nations.
“Given the choice, Americans will start looking elsewhere,” he says.
It is not simply Canada’s political position that is hurting the relationship, but also the tension created by Canadian bureaucrats and politicians resorting to cheap insults like “moron” and “bastards.”
The growing anti-Americanism has made its way to government, where not enough is being done to condemn it. This is placing further strains on the relationship.
“Since Sept. 11, Americans are increasingly irritated with us,” says Donald Abelson, a political science professor specializing in American politics who teaches at the University of Western Ontario.
“The prime minister should have stated unconditional support right away. Since then, the Liberal government has played the bilateral game very poorly and we’ve lost a great deal of respect,” says Abelson.
He adds that Canada does not have to change its stand on the war, but it should consider long- term interests in the way it approaches the issue. Like Nicholls, he ,too, is positive and thinks it’s not too late to regain credibility and respect from the United States.
“We went about it by insulting the U.S. What we ought to do now is to say we’re prepared to go out of our way to contribute in a humanitarian way to promote lasting stability.”
While most Canadians still feel uneasy about going to war, a change in attitude toward the U.S. is necessary.
The longer the Canadian government waits to repair the damage it has done to the relationship with its closest friend and ally, the more serious and long-term the consequences will be for Canada.