Some people in Regina are worried for the future because of U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable actions.
“I have no hope for my future with Trump because I know we don’t even live in the U.S.,” said Makenzie Lutes, who works in retail. “But the US politics affect Canada clearly.”
Randee Melancon, a critical thinking professor at Campion College, has even changed the way she teaches because of Trump’s presidency.
“When I was first teaching I’m gonna be neutral and try to present all the sides of the issues and I tried to stay away from controversial issues because I don’t want to upset anybody,” said Melancon. “But after Trump’s first time as president and through COVID it became more and more obvious to me that we need people who can think critically.”
Melancon’s course helps to understand what bias and what questions students should ask when reading articles.
“Politicians really play on our fears and for me that’s a big part of the critical thinking course,” said Melancon. “To understand in moments when we feel afraid we’re a lot more likely to take on an idea that we might not under other circumstances.”
Trump has put 50 per cent tariffs on steel, aluminum in Canada doubling from the 25 per cent he had put into making more goods expensive, putting many Canadians in a state of fear.
Louise Keith, who owns a home in Surprise, Ariz., spends around half the year in the states but after recent statements from Trump she no longer feels safe to be in the U.S.
“We are now talking about if we want to sell the home and start renting,” said Keith “But only if things start to get worse.”
Lutes has worries about being a queer woman even in Canada because many American policies are going to influence Canadian politics.
“They’re all against LGBTQ, abortion rights and women’s health,” said Lutes. “I’m terrified and it’s constantly on my mind.”
With being a woman it seems like it’s not clear where their rights are going to lead for the future.
“We might not have the rights that we do,” said Lutes. “We might have we might not get the rights that our grandma fought for”
With tariffs being threatened London Drugs has made a conscious effort to draw attention to the fact they are Canadian and selling Canadian products as people are trying to buy locally.
“We are Canadian,” said Jen Zukowski, department manager and general merchandise with London Drugs. “So we make a great effort to carry products from Canada and we’re highlighting them.”
Making an effort to shop Canadian is just a small start many people are making to show their support to Canada.
“When I go grocery shopping I support local because we don’t want to support that,” said Lutes. “But It costs even more to be a good person.”
With everything going on in the States it seems to bring Canada together as many people realized how much we rely on the U.S.
“It is sort of unifying us against an outside threat,” said Melancon. “I think for the first time in a very long time Canadians are seeing themselves as Canadians. We’re able to come together a little bit more on some issues.”
