Fifty-year-old Gordie Howe of the New England Whalers delivers one of his well-known elbows to the head of Quebec Nordique forward Curt Brakenbury on Dec. 17, 1978.DOUG BALL/The Canadian Press
Canadians are a patriotic people.
While not always apparent, that patriotism has become louder in the days and weeks since newly re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump launched hostile trade attacks on his country’s northern neighbour.
From threatening tariffs on all Canadian exports into the United States, to Mr. Trump’s repeated statements that Canada should cede its sovereignty and become the 51st state, the challenges with the U.S. seem to have lit a flag-waving fire in Canadians.
On March 9, hundreds of people gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa for the “Elbows Up Canada” rally. The core message was simple: Canada is not for sale.
People hold Elbows Up signs during a rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 9, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
This rally was but one manifestation of a wave of pride and unity sweeping across Canada, as people choose to support their national economy by buying Canadian products (and boycotting American ones), and redirecting U.S. travel plans to Canadian destinations.
The hashtag #ElbowsUp has graced thousands of social-media posts, calling on Canadians to keep strong in this trade war.
Politicians, including outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, have vocalized the phrase, evoking Canadian pride.
What does the phrase ‘Elbows up’ mean?
“Elbows up” is a hockey term describing an effective way to protect yourself from an opposing player. The phrase was coined by Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, who was famously called Mr. Elbows, for his signature way of keeping at a distance on the ice.
Flowers are shown at the base of a Gordie Howe statue at the Sasktel Centre in Saskatoon.The Canadian Press
The phrase recently gained traction after Canadian comedian Mike Myers made headlines for defending his country of birth on television, by taking a sartorial swipe at Mr. Trump over his repeated musings about annexing Canada.
Mr. Myers, 61, made a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live on March 1. At the end of the show, he wore a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Canada is not for sale.” Standing on stage beside host Shane Gillis, Mr. Myers repeatedly pointed at his shirt, which was also emblazoned with a Canadian flag.
“Elbows up,” Mr. Myers said, gesticulating as the closing credits started to roll.
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Earlier in the episode, Mr. Myers participated in a sketch about the heated exchange between Mr. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. As part of the skit, Mr. Myers played a chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk, who interrupts the presidential meeting – a portrayal that poked fun at the Tesla chief executive and presidential adviser for his real-life antics by characterizing him as an automaton villain.
Canadians are showing national pride in different ways
From consumers choosing to boycott American products, to companies capitalizing on the nationalist fervour, Canadians are putting up a show of strength and unity.
Nova Scotia-based chocolate and confectionery brand Peace by Chocolate released an Elbows Up Canada Bar, clad in red-and-white maple-leaf wrapping.
The brand is a classic Canadian immigrant success story, owned by the Hadhad family, who fled Syria as refugees, set up a successful business in the Atlantic town of Antigonish, N.S., and have since become synonymous with great-tasting chocolate sold across the country.
Notably, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May presented a bar of Peace by Chocolate to then U.S. president Joe Biden during his state visit to Ottawa in 2023.
Canadian stores and restaurants are also getting in on the action. Greens and Beans Deli in New Westminster, B.C., put out a call to its customers to help determine what might go into an Elbows Up sandwich. In the end, they have a meal made up of turkey, Canadian bacon, lettuce, tomato and maple mayonnaise on toasted sourdough, served with a side of ketchup chips or elbow macaroni salad.
A description of the Elbows Up sandwich at the Greens and Beans deli in New Westminster, B.C.The Globe and Mail
Canadian sporting-goods brand Sportchek, a subsidiary of Canadian Tire, also made a cheeky reference to the growing movement by promoting the elbow guards it sells.
The orchestra of the Royal Canadian Ballet, who don’t typically perform anthems before shows, led a rousing rendition of O Canada before a performance of Swan Lake in Toronto this week.
Canadians are also extending the phrase as a form of solidarity with other countries, as news of Mr. Trump’s policies affecting places such as Australia and Greenland comes into play.
“Elbows up Greenland” and “Elbows up Australia” posts have started to pop up online.
With reports from Rita Trichur and The Canadian Press
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