More than 100 demonstrate near U.S. consulate in Toronto in support of Canadian sovereignty

More than 100 people demonstrated near the U.S. consulate in Toronto on Monday to show their support for Canadian sovereignty amid rising tensions with the U.S.

The rally was organized by True North Strong, a newly formed national advocacy group that describes itself on its website as a "grassroots movement based in Canada, formed in response to the actions of the current U.S. administration."

Organizer Ang Stratton said a handful of people who were feeling frustrated and hopeless created the group as an outlet to express their concern about recent domestic and foreign policy changes made by U.S. President Donald Trump, including mass deportations and the shifting U.S. position on Ukraine.

"As Canada, we stand for humanitarian issues," Stratton said.

"We just want to continue to grow this community of people who care about what happens to other people in the world, to bring people together, and to have our voices heard. If it starts on the streets, eventually it will hopefully make its way to other places in government, even the U.S. administration, and things could start to change."

Stratton said her message to other Canadians is not to give up hope.

Longtime northern Ontario MP Charlie Angus, who spoke at the rally, said it's extremely important for Canadians to come together to show that Canada is strong. He has said he won't seek re-election.

"We will never, ever, ever be the 51 state," Angus said to the cheering crowd. 

Angus then led a chant of "elbows up!"

The "elbows up" hockey phrase — which originated with the legendary player Gordie Howe — has become a rallying cry after comedian Mike Myers, who grew up in Scarborough, mouthed the words on a March 1 episode of Saturday Night Live while wearing a "Canada is not for sale" T-shirt.

'This is our country,' MP says

In an interview earlier, Angus said: "This is our country. We are not giving it up. The whole world is watching Canada right now. If Donald Trump can threaten us and take away our nation, he can do it to anybody. But what's really surprised Donald is that he thought that we were going to be pushovers." 

"Since we have seen these unprecedented threats against our nation, the insults against our people, the claim that we don't even have a right to exist as a democratic, independent people, ordinary Canadians have been standing up."

The rally had to be moved across the street after Toronto police asked the crowd to leave the premises of the U.S. consulate.

Cathy Hunt, a demonstrator, said she was there to show her support for Canada.

"I'm here to stand with my fellow Canadians and let the United States, the American consulate, know that they cannot threaten our sovereignty," Hunt said. "We take it very seriously and we won't tolerate it."

Similar demonstrations planned in cities across Canada

True North Strong planned similar demonstrations on Monday in front of U.S. consulates in Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver and in front of the U.S. embassy in Ottawa.

The demonstration in Toronto comes after a rally in Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday. That rally was billed as a "peaceful show of unity, resilience and strength" following U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, Trump's insults and threats.

On March 4, the U.S. slapped 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods. Most of those tariffs were subsequently paused until April 2. 

Trump is expected to introduce reciprocal tariffs on April 2, which he has argued will be based on fairness: If a country has tariffs on U.S. goods, it will be targeted. If a country has economic policies or trade barriers the Trump administration views as unfair to American businesses and workers, it could also be hit. 

Canada has been told by Trump officials it will be hit with reciprocal tariffs, though it remains unclear what that tariff rate will be.