Winnipeggers rally outside U.S. Consulate to stand up for Canadian sovereignty
Protest among several held across the country over Trump's '51st state' comments
Winnipeggers who protested outside the U.S. Consulate on Monday say they want to let the Trump administration know Canada will never be the 51st state.
Dozens showed up to a rally outside the consulate's office building on 201 Portage Ave. in downtown Winnipeg.
The gathering was part of similar demonstrations outside U.S. consulates across Canada as well as the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa organized by True North HQ, a group formed over social media earlier this year in response to the actions of U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I think it's important that our voices be heard, that we're not happy about what's happening and we're not going to be a 51st state," Joan Jarvis said at the Winnipeg gathering.
Jarvis said she feels anxious about the "disrespect" Trump and Republicans are showing to Canada as a country. She said it's good to know others share those concerns.
"The Americans need to figure their government because they're a fascist government that's trying to come take us over," said Terrel Hince. "We want to show them that Canada is not going to accept that."
Hince said that showing up to protest or boycotting U.S. goods can make a difference "if everybody just does a little bit."
Trump administration top of mind as campaign kicks off
Canadians will go to the polls on April 28 in the shadow of a trade war with the U.S. and Trump's threats to Canadian sovereignty.
True North HQ says it doesn't have a political affiliation, but protesters Monday said the state of Canada-U.S. relations will certainly influence how they vote.
"I will definitely be voting to keep Canada strong," Hince said, adding that for him personally that means not voting for Conservatives.
Breanne Wieler said she will vote for a party that cares for Canadians and stands up for human rights.
She said the protest was also about showing solidarity to Americans who now have to live under Trump.
"The president that they've chosen and are now unfortunately stuck with isn't one that supports human rights," Wieler said.
"He's been deporting people, he's just unbelievably cruel to people, and it's not something Canadians want to stand for."
Jarvis said Canada-U.S. relations will also factor in on her decision.
"I'll take my time and think about who would best represent our constituency in this country," she said.
With files from Radio-Canada's Juliette Straet