President John F. Kennedy, in describing the nature of that friendship, said, “What nature hath brought together, let no man put asunder.”
Tragically, Donald Trump’s economic warfare and contempt for Canadian sovereignty have put it asunder, and for this we shall all pay dearly.
But on Sept. 11, we stand side by side. We grieve the loss and tragedy. We embrace our common awareness of the fragility of life. And in the days to come, we shall continue to strive for a return to mutual respect, mutual security and mutual.
At an emotional gathering in Gander, Newfoundland, former Prime Minister closed his powerful talk with these unforgettable words:92-year old former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in Gander today: “I have a message for American friends…never mistake our generosity for weakness. Never mistake our tolerance for lack of determination. And never, never mistake our kindness for softness…We bow to no one.”
Read the whole piece on Bob Rae‘s substack.