The rush to show patriotism amid a looming trade war with the United States has arrived in British Columbia.
Canada Flags are flying off the shelves at the Flags Outlet in Coquitlam, a store that’s been in business for decades. Over the years, they’ve only seen a few sudden spikes in business; such as for American flags after Sept. 11, 2001.
“We’re about 10 times what it would normally be,” said Heather Stone, the general manager of the store.
Stone went on to say that the recent spike in business is due to Canadians growing tired of their southern neighbours and wanting to embrace and flaunt their national pride.
This resurgence is being seen across the country, including in Barrie, Ont., at Flags Unlimited, which reported a 30- to 40-per-cent increase in sales compared to 2024.
Craig Baird and his popular social media account Canadian History Ehx posts Canadian content daily to its nearly 57,000 followers.
Baird explained to CTV News that his online engagement has increased, and there appears to be unity across the country, with nationalism rising as it did during the World Wars, large-scale sporting events and other proposed tariff hikes.
“We actually did see it in the 1890s when the McKinley tariffs came in the United States. And it really mirrors a lot of what’s happening now,” said Baird.
Back then, Baird explained, the United States brought in tariffs of 25 to 50 per cent in an attempt to promote the economy in America and to promote American businesses, forcing Canada to shift to other trade partners.
He said Canada tends to have simmering patriotism below the surface, and it makes an appearance times of need.
This week, all of Canada’s living former prime ministers called on Canadians to express their national pride and wave the maple leaf as U.S. President Donald Trump continues his threats against this country’s economic security and sovereignty.
In a joint statement, former prime ministers Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper encouraged people to “show the world that we are proud of our history and proud of our country.”
Feb. 15 marks Flag Day and the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag.
University of British Columbia history associate Prof. Bradley Miller has been monitoring the shift in Canadian culture and says the country faces an introspective period.
“It’s a little unusual for us to have moments of national patriotism tinged with emotions like aggression and annoyance,” said Miller.
“But, Trump has triggered this in us.”
Miller went on to say that Canada has faced self-reflection in recent years, such as after the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
He says this has prompted Canadians to have all kinds of deep discussions and the recent external U.S. threat has once again flared the conversation.
Although Canadians are feeling nationalistic, the feeling could be short lived. Miller explained it could be dependent on how the tariffs affect the Canadian economy.
