When I was a little girl, our family friends took me and my brother and sister on annual camping trips to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick. It became the highlight of our year and a trip we anticipated with great joy. We loved to walk among the Flower Pots at low tide and marveled at the rush of waters at high tide. The magnificence of the area instilled in me an awe and appreciation for the power and the beauty of nature that has guided my life.
As an adult I introduced my future husband to the glories of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He took me to Prince Edward Island and, later, we shared a glorious trip to Victoria in British Columbia. Quebec City, Montreal, and Toronto offered their own special brand of natural wonders, old-world and new marvels, and delicacies that tantalized our taste buds.
My son experienced similar enjoyment during our family camping trips to Canada. I’m hoping our grandchildren will have the same opportunity to wander among the Flower Pots and see the power of Fundy tides.
That is why a statement by an executive with the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick brought me to tears. She said tourism operators in Canada will continue to welcome U.S. visitors as they always have and “make sure that they get the best experience and that they enjoy their stay.” And she noted, “It’s not everybody who thinks like the president.”
In a different year, in a normal time, such a statement would never be necessary. Canada and our state of Maine have always welcomed each other’s citizens and enjoyed a warm and friendly relationship. We understand why Canadians would boo our flag and national anthem now—we are embarrassed, ashamed, and outraged at what Trump and his minions have done to our country and the vile actions they have taken against our friends in Canada and the rest of the world.
So I am tearfully grateful that Canadians continue to value our friendship as individual Americans. We, too, bear a heavy burden as we witness the destruction of our national ethos, the elimination of a safety net for our citizens, and the threats to our security, our democracy, and our constitution.
We are doing what we can: participating in protest marches, contacting members of Congress, speaking out. We hope that will be enough, but we know it will be a long, hard battle.
Therefore, we welcome the chance to seek comfort and enjoy some time among friends in Canada. You’ll be able to spot me when I visit: I’ll be wearing my Kamala ball cap.