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by Tod Maffin
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▶️ All my videos • 👕 My merch • 👾 My Discord
This goof again?!
Chucklehead here is the ambassador the Americans have foisted on us.
This week, he said: “Targeting the president of the United States and his policies 10 days before an election, in a couple of weeks before a Supreme Court case would be heard… I'm sorry that does not happen in the United States of America.”
“You do not come into America and start running political ads, government-funded political ads … and expect that there will be no consequences or reaction from the United States of America and the Trump administration.”
Buddy. One province ran an ad in the World Series.
But sure, since you mentioned meddling… let’s look back.
America’s proud history of meddling
Let’s start with a CIA document called CANADA SR-49. It was declassified 12 years ago, but shows that in the 50s, the CIA and FBI operated inside Canada, monitoring Canadian politicians, spying on labour leaders and activists, often without Ottawa’s consent. Meddling.
In the early sixties, JFK couldn’t stand Diefenbaker, so the White House sent their star pollster to Canada, crossing the border under a fake name, to directly interfere and work with the opposition Liberals. That opposition leader, Pearson, was invited to a photo op at the White House. Weeks later, the Tories lost 21 seats in the House of Commons. And later, lost the government. Meddling.
Then there was the nuclear weapons pressure campaign. Canada didn’t want U.S. nuclear warheads on our soil, so Washington applied the kind of “friendly persuasion” that feels a lot like someone with their hand on your shoulder telling you it would be a shame if something happened to your continental defence relationship. The U.S. Embassy leaked classified defence documents to push Canada toward accepting U.S. nuclear warheads. Meddling.
Even as recently as the last decade Americans were interfering in Canadian governance. Multiple administrations pressured Ottawa to kill the idea of legalizing cannabis. Homeland Security officials threatened to treat all Canadians as “high-risk travellers.” American agencies warned Ottawa that border disruptions would be “inevitable.” Meddling.
And that’s not even counting American companies pouring money into lobbying here, especially in oil and gas, writing our regulations and our policy briefing papers.
T O D B I T
During the National Energy Program fight, U.S. officials tracked Canadian cabinet discussions so closely that diplomats in Ottawa often received intel before Canadian MPs did.
It’s never about “cooperation.”
America never wants cooperation. It wants acquiescence. They might call it “alignment,” or “shared security” but it’s obedience they’re after.
And the minute Canada pushes back, even a little, suddenly we’re the real threat to democracy.
Listen, Chucklehead: If you want a serious conversation about foreign meddling, great. Let’s have that conversation. You and me. But…
You don’t get to rewrite history.
You don’t get to pretend you’re the aggrieved one here.
You definitely don’t get to scold us for playing by rules you stopped respecting decades ago.
It’s time for you to stop talking.
Canadians do not need a lecture about decency from a man who, as ambassador to the Netherlands, claimed that Muslims were running around the country lighting politicians on fire.
He was born there. He was born in Groningen. A city which we, Canada, liberated in 1945.
7,600 of our soldiers were killed to free the country that gave you life, ambassador.
So with all due respect, shut 👏🏻 the 👏🏻 fuck 👏🏻 up.
Because in Canada, we don’t let bullies set our values.
— 30 —
Join the discussion about this issue now in my Discord.
The Fundraiser Chucklehead Will Hate.
Chucklehead hates queer people. He’s a contributor to Project 2025. When he was in office, he opposed gay adoption rights and gay marriage.
So I made this mug. It’s made in Canada.
I’m selling it for $29.
And I am giving every penny of profit it makes this year to The Rainbow Railroad, to help get LGBTQ+ people out of the U.S. and into safety here in Canada.
Or you can just donate straight to The Rainbow Railroad if you want.
It’s all at chucklehead.todmaffin.com
Trivia
Which U.S. President signed the 1935 Reciprocal Trade Agreement with Canada?
The Weekly Poll
How do you feel about the Canada–U.S. relationship?
Last Week:
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What You Missed This Week
There’s Still Good News Out There 💗
Three Canadian universities ranked in the global top 10, with University of Toronto in 2nd place, UBC 5th, and McGill 9th.
Kelowna charity Autism Okanagan is getting a permanent home after a local family purchased and donated an entire house, letting the organization expand services for children on the spectrum and their families.
A Mi’kmaw hereditary chief has been reunited with his one-of-a-kind jacket, adorned with national honours and rich family history, after it went missing in Montreal’s airport. The regalia-inspired piece, created by a late ancestor, was found following his public plea for help.
Moving north: A new poll found that 40% of young women would like to leave the U.S., with Canada as the top destination for American women looking to leave.
A Halifax-area mother and son were awarded Carnegie Medals for heroism after a vicious dog attack.
The Canadian passport ranks eighth in the world this month, offering visa-free access to 183 destinations and once again beating out the U.S., which sits in 11th place.
Wild Things 🦫
An Alberta “stray” cat named Katherine has been reunited with her owner after eight long years, thanks to a microchip traced by a local veterinary clinic.
Poopocalypse now: Double-crested cormorants are overrunning Toronto Islands, their acidic droppings killing trees and driving visitors away, and with a population that’s tripled in a year, officials are struggling to find a solution.
Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan was named Canada’s riskiest national park, with plains bison behind most of the incidents.
Trade Tea 🫖
Made in Ontario >: The Ontario government plans to introduce the Buy Ontario Act, which would require public-sector organizations to prioritize Ontario-made goods and services before Canadian suppliers, aiming to protect local jobs amid economic challenges and U.S. tariffs.
Canada’s ski towns are seeing a real estate boost, with domestic demand spurred by the Buy Canadian movement driving interest in vacation and recreational properties.
A new survey shows rising food costs are reshaping Canadian habits, with 4 in 5 citing food as their top expense and 1 in 5 now spending more than $600 a month on groceries.
Science & Discoveries 🌍
Sourdough stans, your time has come: Ontario researchers have launched Canada’s first fermented foods network to highlight the health benefits of staples like sourdough, kimchi and kombucha, and to help make them part of daily diets, hospital meals and national nutrition guidelines.
A dive team searching for the 1917 Rapid City wreck in Lake Ontario may have discovered an even older, exceptionally well-preserved shipwreck, offering a rare glimpse into 19th-century shipbuilding.
NASA: harsh conditions. Moss: hold my chlorophyll: Researchers found that a type of moss, Physcomitrium patens, survived nine months exposed to the harsh conditions outside the International Space Station, including vacuum, freezing temperatures, and intense UV radiation.
Researchers exploring a Sulfur Cave discovered what appears to be the world’s largest spider web, home to more than 111,000 spiders.
The Sorry Files 🤦♂
The ultimate clearance item💣: A Chatham Value Village was evacuated and closed for the day after staff discovered part of a World War II hand grenade in a donation bin, with military specialists called in to safely remove it. Police say there’s no indication of criminal intent.
Ontario’s hottest vehicles: The 2024 Honda CR-V, 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 and 2019 Honda Civic were among Ontario’s most stolen vehicles this year, while the Lexus TX Series had the highest theft rate at about one in four.
Ontario Minor Hockey is investigating after two coaches got into a fist fight following a U13 game for 11- and 12-year-olds in Lakeshore, Ontario.
Across Canada 📍
Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara says the province “stands with trans communities” as Alberta forges ahead with plans that target the rights of trans youth and adults in that province.
National PSA: “admin” is not secure. A new report found that the most common passwords in Canada are “admin,” “123456,” “gallant123,” “password,” and “1hateyou,” in that order.
WestJet is facing backlash after passengers and advocates learned the airline caps mobility aids at 300 pounds, a limit many power wheelchairs exceed.
Heffel Fine Art Auction House sold 27 works from the Hudson’s Bay Company’s art collection at a live Toronto auction, with Winston Churchill’s oil painting Marrakech leading the sales at $1.3 million.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed plans to let doctors work in both public and private health care.
Nobody asked for this: Canada has released an "ultra-rare" diamond-studded platinum coin priced at just $128,000, or, if that’s a bit steep, you can pay in six installments of $21,333 per month.
Canadians named Air Canada and No Frills among the country’s most trusted brands in their categories.
I write this newsletter because I care about this country, and I know you do too.
There’s no big media boss here. No hedge fund. Just one person with a keyboard, some facts, and a healthy dose of Canadian side-eye.
If that’s worth something to you, please consider chipping in if you can. 💚
Canada’s Market This Week
Royal Bank | |
TD Bank | |
Enbridge | |
ScotiaBank | |
Bank of Montreal | |
CP Rail | |
Shopify | |
Canadian Tire | |
Loblaws | |
Tim Hortons (RBI) | |
Dollarama | |
Rogers |