Patriotism on display in Steinbach, Winnipeg

As more than 1,000 “Hands off” rallies took place across the U.S. on Saturday, and a day before Manitoba’s own Rally for Canada took place at the Manitoba Legislature, two Steinbach residents hit Main Street to share their sentiments.

For Heather Flynn and Angela Baziuk, it was an opportunity to show solidarity for those in the U.S. upset about tariffs, as well as show their Canadian pride.

The pair held up signs and waved a flag during their hours on the street.

Flynn said they wanted “to show national pride that we have here in Steinbach and also support pro-democracy supporters that are protesting all over the U.S. and also across Canada.”

“This is our first start at an ‘Elbows Up’ rally,” Flynn said.

She admitted the idea came about late in the week for the opportunity to support Canadian nationalism in a non-partisan, family friendly way. It also shows solidarity with other Canadians, she explained.

The pair of best friends say they shared their plan on Facebook events and a local Facebook group and hope it’s only the beginning to something bigger.

“Hopefully we’ll do more events like this in the future, showing support for Canada, freedom and values,” she said.

While the brisk wind seemed to have kept the sidewalks relatively empty, Flynn said they had been getting support from motorists.

And the message is clear according to Baziuk. “We are not going to be ever the 51st state,” she said.

The April 6 Rally for Canada in Winnipeg had much the same message with thousands of people coming out to take in performances of Indigenous dancers, the Winnipeg Symphony, Fred Penner and more.

They hoisted signs and flags, ate from food trucks and listened to speakers including Premier Wab Kinew.

“I want all the kids out there to know that this country, the true north strong and free is something for you to be proud of,” he said. “I want you to be reassured and to be confident as Canadians, and to keep working together to make this country even better than it is today, so that the country you inherit, when it’s your turn to run things, is going to live up to the vision that you have in your hearts and minds.”

Both NDP and PC MLAs attended the rally with Tory leader and Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko and leadership hopeful Obby Khan among those in attendance.

– with files from the Winnipeg Free Press