In response to recent comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States, Brampton City Councillor Rowena Santos has issued a strong rebuttal.
Standing across from the U.S. Consulate, Councillor Santos recorded a message directed at President Trump: “You can have my Canadian flag and my Canadian citizenship when you pry them from my cold, dead hands.”
Santos emphasized that such rhetoric endangers jobs and livelihoods, stating, “Our business community and their employees deserve representation that protects their interests, not political gamesmanship.”
She called for mature discussions to resolve trade disputes, advocating for stability and cooperation between the two nations.
President-elect Trump has recently made several statements suggesting that Canada should join the U.S. as its 51st state, a notion that has been met with significant opposition from Canadian citizens and officials.
Councillor Santos’s statement reflects a broader sentiment among Canadians who value their national sovereignty and the distinct rights and freedoms that come with it.
She urges both nations to engage in constructive dialogue to address trade issues without compromising the unique identity and autonomy of each country.