Candid Comment - What Jean Chrétien Said in Gander — And Why It Is Trending

Jean Chrétien, 92, and still tough as nails yet gentle as a dove, delivered a memorable speech in Gander during the 25th anniversary remembrance service for the victims of 9/11 and the passengers and crews of 38 aircraft that were diverted to Gander, N.L. 

And what a speech it was, specifically near its end when he addressed the American people and their leaders. He spoke with authority, but not as a politician, not as a Liberal, but as a proud Canadian speaking to his American friends. He told the truth; he made it clear what Canada would do in the face of bullying, and he stated that even
though things were tough between America and Canada, we would still be there to help. 

The key phrases he used in his speech are as follows.

“Never mistake our generosity for weakness.”
“Never mistake our tolerance for lack of determination.”
“Never, never mistake our kindness for softness.”
“We bow to no one.”

Mr. Chrétien also stated that helping the weakest is actually a strength. That honest friends tell the truth and that respect matters. And no matter what anyone throws at Canada, we won't bend on a knee to anyone. But we still help when asked. Gander is the most famous of the 17 Canadian airports that received diverted aircraft during Operation Yellow Ribbon. More than 200 aircraft landed on Canadian soil; 38 landed in Gander, N.L. Americans came back 25 years later to Gander. Many of the plane people, as they are called, went back to the original homes in Newfoundland and Labrador they were housed in during the original crisis. I watched the full celebration; no one turned their back to the American flag, nor did they sit during the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. During the speech by Ambassador Hoekstra, no one heckled, and at the end, the audience offered polite applause. Canadians showed they had class and remembered what they were there to do, which was to honour the dead of 9/11 and welcome back those who got stranded during 9/11.

The message of strength was intended for the American people as well as the American leadership. Mr. Chrétien was also signalling to the US and the world that Canada still has a lot to offer. But we won't let anyone walk all over us.

While that stance has had mixed success, it is actually worth mentioning that Canada has been able to push back when it counts. 

1. Canada retaliated against U.S. steel and aluminium tariffs in 2018 and 2019

In 2018, the United States imposed tariffs of 25% on Canadian steel and 10% on Canadian aluminium. Canada responded with reciprocal, dollar-for-dollar tariffs on U.S. steel, aluminium, and other goods. The Canadian government said the counter tariffs covered C$16.6 billion in imports from the U.S., matching the value of Canadian exports affected by the U.S. tariffs (canada.ca). Some of the goods affected included maple syrup, ketchup, and lawnmowers.

Why it counts: Canada did not absorb the tariffs. It answered with its own targeted tariffs and maintained pressure until the U.S. lifted its tariffs in May 2019. (canada.ca)

Useful links:

• Government of Canada: countermeasures in response to U.S. tariffs (canada.ca)
• Government of Canada: Canada eliminates countermeasures after the U.S. lifts tariffs (canada.ca)
• Canada Gazette: United States Surtax Order on other goods (gazette.gc.ca)

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2. Canada stood firm in the “Turbot War” with Spain and the EU in 1995

In 1995, Canada confronted foreign overfishing in international waters just outside its 200-mile limit off Newfoundland. How? Using the coast guard vessel Cape Roger, Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials seized the Spanish fishing trawler Estai in international waters. The Canadian government argued that foreign fleets were threatening vulnerable fish stocks. A Canadian Senate timeline describes the seizure and notes that Spain brought proceedings against Canada at the International Court of Justice. (sencanada.ca)

Why it counts: Spain and the European Union strongly objected, but Canada used enforcement, diplomacy, and public pressure to force attention regarding the conservation of straddling fish stocks. The dispute helped push international focus toward stronger rules for high-seas fisheries enforcement.

Useful links:

• Parliament of Canada / Senate timeline on the Turbot War (sencanada.ca)
• IISD paper discussing the dispute and the seizure of the Estai (iisd.org)

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3. Canada asserted Arctic sovereignty in the Hans Island dispute with Denmark from 1973 to 2022.

Canada and Denmark both claimed Hans Island, known in Inuktitut as Tartupaluk, between Ellesmere Island and Greenland. The dispute was sometimes lightheartedly called the “Whisky War,” but it was still a sovereignty issue. No military involvement was undertaken. In 2005, Canada and Denmark issued a joint statement acknowledging they had different views on sovereignty but committed to resolving the issue within their strong bilateral relationship. (canada.ca)

In 2022, Canada, Denmark, and Greenland reached an agreement dividing the island and creating a land boundary. Canada described the deal as a peaceful, international-law-based resolution of a long-standing sovereignty dispute. (canada.ca)

Why it counts: Canada did not drop its claim or accept another country’s assertion of sovereignty. It maintained its position for decades and ultimately secured a negotiated boundary.

Useful links:

• Government of Canada: 2022 boundary dispute resolution (canada.ca)
• Government of Canada: 2005 Canada–Denmark statement on Hans Island (canada.ca)
• Government of Canada Arctic foreign policy referencing Hans Island/Tartupaluk (international.canada.ca)

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4. Canada resisted U.S. pressure to join the Iraq War—2003.

In 2003, Canada declined to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq without explicit United Nations authorization. The decision was controversial, especially because the United States was Canada’s closest ally and largest trading partner, but Canada maintained that the war lacked proper international legitimacy. However, Canada remained engaged with the United States and allies in other security operations, including Afghanistan.

Why it counts: This is one of the clearest modern examples of Canada saying “no” to pressure from a much larger ally on a major military issue.

Useful links to use:

• Government of Canada / Parliament records on Iraq War debates
• CBC archives on Jean 
• Chrétien and the Iraq War decision
• Canadian Encyclopedia entry on Canada and the Iraq War

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So why is this message resonating? Because it speaks to Canadian resolve and resilience. It reminds people that Canada can practise soft but strong diplomacy and that our military commitments, sovereignty, and culture must be taken seriously. These are not bargaining chips.

Debate is fair. Disagreement is fair. But treating Canada’s sovereignty or identity as something to be folded into trade negotiations is not.

Canada is not a client state of the United States or anyone else. Canada is not joining the United States as a 51st state. That discussion is over. It is time to move on.

That is why Chrétien’s message landed. It says, "Get serious about trade, stop the memes and shade throwing, and come to the table professionally." Prime Minister Mark Carney put it bluntly when he said the tactic was “beneath their office.” Mr. Chrétien clarified the message and the tone. 

I hope you found this article interesting. I have included some links below that show how Canada has dealt with situations where it had to push back. Feel free to comment and share this article. 

Thanks for reading.

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C. T.

Learn more: Please note that there are links to items not mentioned in this article. These links are starting points for a deeper understanding of how Canada reacts when it needs to.

1. Archived - Updated - Countermeasures in Response to Unjustified Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum Products - Canada.ca
2. Canada Eliminates Countermeasures as the United States Lifts Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum - Canada.ca
3. Canada Gazette, Part 2, Volume 152, Number 14: United States Surtax Order (Other Goods)
4. Transcripts & Minutes - Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (37th Parliament, 2nd Session)
5. Conserving the Peace: Resources, Livelihoods and Security
6. Canada and Denmark Issue Statement on Hans Island - Canada.ca
7. Boundary dispute - Canada.ca
8. Canada’s Arctic Foreign Policy
9. From the Archive: Sanctions agreed against apartheid-era South Africa | Commonwealth
10. The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney (Canada)