Michael Bublé made a passionate speech defending Canada amid Donald Trump‘s apparent plans for the country, declaring that Canada is “not for sale”.
Bublé spoke about his home country while presenting the Juno Awards, Canada’s biggest music awards show, on March 30.
“I’m a hometown kid who never left,” he said. “And as I stand here and I look out at my fellow artists in a sold-out arena with millions watching at home, I’m proud to be Canadian,” before adding, “I’m proud that when they go low, we go high.”
Bublé continued: “Bottom line, we love this country. We love it, and when you love something, you show up for it. And we always will. We will because we’re formidable, because we’re fearless, because we don’t just acknowledge our differences — we embrace them. Because they don’t just make us stronger; they make us a hell of a lot more interesting.”
“We’re the North, the Pacific, we’re the Atlantic, we’re the Great Lakes, we’re the Rocky Mountains, and we are the wide open spaces. Folks, we are one of a kind. We are beautiful. We are the greatest nation on earth! And we are not for sale!”
Trump has imposed various tariffs on Canadian exports since he retook office in January, prompting fears of a trade war between the nations. He has also claimed he could annex Canada to become the newest state of America.
This prompted widespread backlash from figures in Canadian politics and entertainment, including new prime minister Mark Carney.
Mike Myers also took a stand against the idea of Canada becoming part of the US during a recent appearance on Saturday Night Live. At the show’s close, Mike Myers appeared in a shirt that read: “Canada is not for sale.”
Last year, Bublé revealed that he turned down the chance to be a coach on The Voice US 15 times because “most of the singers are better than” him.
“My favourite part about it is, thank God we’re not judges,” Bublé told Today. “The other shows have judges. We are coaches. And the reason I say that is because most of the singers are better than me, and I have no place ever judging anyone.
“To get to coach them and live the fantasy of having this career that I’ve had and then get to have the fulfilment of helping someone else get that? That’s the cool part.”
