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GardenGnome
GardenGnome's Journal
GardenGnome's Journal
July 7, 2025
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/03/28/canadians-us-border-trouble-trump-security/
This nonsense is beyond belief
A friend of mine follows a UK blogger. This Brit posted that she ran into a spot of bother recently trying to enter US. She has her own YouTube channel with scores of thousands of subscribers. Immigration looked through her devices and came across her channel. A number of her viewers, not her, had posted negative comments about the state of affairs in US. The Brit was banned on the spot from entering US for 5 years!
Edited:
Well, I have to apologize. I got this story from my friend's husband and he confused two stories. It involved a couple from Ontario, and she is trying to find the details for me. I'll post that story here, with sources, when/if she's able to find it.
However, as I mentioned in a reply below to Shellback Squid, these bans are increasingly common. Here's another article, also from 2019, from MLT AIKINS. "5-year Travel Bans: An Increasing Concern for Canadians Travelling to the U.S. for Work or Pleasure"
https://www.mltaikins.com/insights/5-year-travel-bans-an-increasing-concern-for-canadians/
And here is a March 28, 2025 story from CityNews Everywhere. "Trump’s stronger stance on border security leads to trouble for Canadians driving into the U.S."
One immigration lawyer says there are more reports of Canadians being detained at the border or green card holders being put in deportation centres since the United States Trump administration’s enforcement-oriented policies went into effect.
...
“It seems like the pendulum has swung a lot from low enforcement under the Biden administration to almost going on steroids here for the Trump administration,” Saunders told 1130 NewsRadio.
He thinks this could become a trend for the next four years, and we’re only two months into the Trump administration.
...
“You hear story after story. You hear about the students who are being put in detention and deported on student visas. You’re hearing about all of these detentions, whether it’s British citizens, Canadian citizens, so yes, you’re hearing more,” Saunders explained.
...
“It seems like the pendulum has swung a lot from low enforcement under the Biden administration to almost going on steroids here for the Trump administration,” Saunders told 1130 NewsRadio.
He thinks this could become a trend for the next four years, and we’re only two months into the Trump administration.
...
“You hear story after story. You hear about the students who are being put in detention and deported on student visas. You’re hearing about all of these detentions, whether it’s British citizens, Canadian citizens, so yes, you’re hearing more,” Saunders explained.
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/03/28/canadians-us-border-trouble-trump-security/
July 5, 2025
https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/meet-one-of-the-u-s-health-care-workers-moving-to-nanaimo
Healthcare Workers Moving to Canada
This article recently appeared in a web newsletter that serves the Cowichan, Nanaimo and Comox Valley regions on Vancouver Island, B.C. It refers to Todd Maffin, who created the Nanaimo Infusion event, inviting Americans to visit Nanaimo this past April, who has altered his website "to add resources for people interested in moving to Vancouver Island and working in the health-care system." There's a link to his site in the article.
U.S. health-care workers are flocking to Nanaimo, and at least one told The Discourse their move is a direct spin-off from the Nanaimo Infusion event that welcomed hundreds of American visitors to the city this spring.
Brandy Frye is a registered nurse from Califorina who was in Nanaimo this week with her 13-year-old son Bruce to meet her new boss at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital — where she’ll be working in the emergency department.
Frye said the reason she’s moving to Nanaimo is because she doesn’t see a future for her son in the U.S. under the Trump administration.
“I’m not proud to be American anymore,” she said. “I just can’t believe this is happening. But it is, so I’m making calculated steps to ensure that my son has a future, because I really don’t see a future there.”
https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/meet-one-of-the-u-s-health-care-workers-moving-to-nanaimo
April 7, 2025
Right now, more than ever, I'm grateful to live in Canada where the government believes their job is to make life work for all Canadians, not just the ones with a whole lot of money.
Carney unveils year-long plan to support retirees amid trade war
Liberal Leader Mark Carney is promising temporary supports to help retirees cope with U.S. tariffs that are punishing markets around the globe.
Carney announced in Victoria on Monday that he will lower the minimum amount that must be withdrawn from a Registered Retirement Income Fund by 25 per cent.
...
Carney also pledged to boost the Guaranteed Income Supplement by five per cent to help low-income seniors.
The Liberal party says that measure would provide those seniors with up to $652. Both the GIS and investment measures would last for only a year.
...
https://nowtoronto.com/news/carney-unveils-year-long-plan-to-support-retirees-amid-trade-war/
Carney announced in Victoria on Monday that he will lower the minimum amount that must be withdrawn from a Registered Retirement Income Fund by 25 per cent.
...
Carney also pledged to boost the Guaranteed Income Supplement by five per cent to help low-income seniors.
The Liberal party says that measure would provide those seniors with up to $652. Both the GIS and investment measures would last for only a year.
...
https://nowtoronto.com/news/carney-unveils-year-long-plan-to-support-retirees-amid-trade-war/
Right now, more than ever, I'm grateful to live in Canada where the government believes their job is to make life work for all Canadians, not just the ones with a whole lot of money.
March 30, 2025
https://rdnewsnow.com/2025/03/30/american-invasion-of-canada-would-spark-decades-long-insurgency-expert-predicts/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other
The article says if only 1% of Canadians resisted, that would be 400,000 insurgents. Given the huge economic resistance, I suspect the numbers would be much higher.
American invasion of Canada would spark decades-long insurgency, expert predicts
HALIFAX — If U.S. President Donald Trump fails in his stated goal of annexing Canada through economic force, what would happen if he ordered the world’s most powerful military to invade?
Some experts and academics say it’s a notion too preposterous to even contemplate. But Aisha Ahmad isn’t one of them.
...
“But a conventional military victory is not the end of this story. It’s just the beginning.”
...
“Canada is a gigantic country with 40 million people who really don’t want to be Americans,” Cohen said in an interview. “(An invasion) would be a monumental enterprise. The opposition to it would be across the board in the United States. And who the hell wants 40 million progressives in the United States? It makes no sense.”
Some experts and academics say it’s a notion too preposterous to even contemplate. But Aisha Ahmad isn’t one of them.
...
“But a conventional military victory is not the end of this story. It’s just the beginning.”
...
“Canada is a gigantic country with 40 million people who really don’t want to be Americans,” Cohen said in an interview. “(An invasion) would be a monumental enterprise. The opposition to it would be across the board in the United States. And who the hell wants 40 million progressives in the United States? It makes no sense.”
https://rdnewsnow.com/2025/03/30/american-invasion-of-canada-would-spark-decades-long-insurgency-expert-predicts/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other
The article says if only 1% of Canadians resisted, that would be 400,000 insurgents. Given the huge economic resistance, I suspect the numbers would be much higher.
March 30, 2025
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7482671?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user/cbcnews
Let’s hear it for Michigan!
Detroit congressman co-sponsoring bill to prevent U.S. from invading Canada
CBC News
The Michigan congressman who is co-sponsoring a bill to prevent the United States from invading Canada says he and other Democrats have brought the bill forward because they are alarmed by U.S. President Donald Trump's expansionist rhetoric.
Shri Thanedar is one of the backers of H.R. 1936, dubbed the No Invading Allies Act, which requires congressional approval for any use of force against Canada, Panama or Greenland.
"Recent statements by President Trump about Canada being the 51st state or redesigning, redrawing the boundaries between the two states is very troubling," said Shri Thanedar, the congressman for Michigan's 13th district, which includes Detroit and some of its eastern and southwestern suburbs.
"Canada is an ally, a friendly country. We have a great relationship with Canada. They are a great neighbour and we have great commerce between the two countries."
...
Shri Thanedar is one of the backers of H.R. 1936, dubbed the No Invading Allies Act, which requires congressional approval for any use of force against Canada, Panama or Greenland.
"Recent statements by President Trump about Canada being the 51st state or redesigning, redrawing the boundaries between the two states is very troubling," said Shri Thanedar, the congressman for Michigan's 13th district, which includes Detroit and some of its eastern and southwestern suburbs.
"Canada is an ally, a friendly country. We have a great relationship with Canada. They are a great neighbour and we have great commerce between the two countries."
...
https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7482671?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user/cbcnews
Let’s hear it for Michigan!
March 30, 2025
https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/maga-maple-meltdown?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user%2FSubstack
The very best kind of Canadian incompetence.
MAGA MAPLE MELTDOWN
Great piece by Charlie Angus.
I don't do conspiracy theory, but if I was afflicted with that weird mindset, I might be inclined to think that Premier Danielle Smith is some kind of sleeper agent for the Liberal party.
How else to explain how she is doing everything in her power to tie Pierre Poilievre to Donald Trump?
A long-time political arsonist, Smith has approached our unprecedented national crisis with malevolent glee. She has promoted breaking up the country and posted photos of herself hanging out with those who sell out our nation. She seems to go out of her way to offend Canadians and our growing sense of patriotic determination.
She says it's all about helping Pierre Poilievre get elected Prime Minister. But, as Smith presents it, Poilievre will be a junior partner in a larger MAGA narrative.
...
How else to explain how she is doing everything in her power to tie Pierre Poilievre to Donald Trump?
A long-time political arsonist, Smith has approached our unprecedented national crisis with malevolent glee. She has promoted breaking up the country and posted photos of herself hanging out with those who sell out our nation. She seems to go out of her way to offend Canadians and our growing sense of patriotic determination.
She says it's all about helping Pierre Poilievre get elected Prime Minister. But, as Smith presents it, Poilievre will be a junior partner in a larger MAGA narrative.
...
https://charlieangus.substack.com/p/maga-maple-meltdown?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user%2FSubstack
The very best kind of Canadian incompetence.
March 30, 2025
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/britain-has-been-paying-a-high-price-for-uncle-sam-s-craziness-it-s-time-to-turn-to-europe/ar-AA1BUeoj
ETA: There is a glitch in the piece, though. It suggests the American Revolution which began in 1776 was a back stab to those opposing Napoleon. He was 7 years old in 1776 and was not commissioned in the Royal Army until 1785. He did not seize power by staging a coup until 1799. Oops.
Britain has been paying a high price for Uncle Sam's craziness.
Story by Simon Tisdall
America spells trouble for Britain. That’s undoubtedly true in the age of Trump – but maybe it’s always been so. The White House’s undisguised contempt for loyal allies in the UK and Europe necessitates a robust reciprocal rethink. How healthy – and desirable – is this partnership? Has it caused more problems than it’s worth?
...
As I write my last foreign affairs commentary for the Observer, I look back over nearly 50 years and wonder, firstly, at the false narrative, not confined to Donald Trump, that American altruism is exploited by “freeloading” European Nato allies. What tosh! US troops and missiles are based here primarily to defend the US. Since 1945, Washington has viewed Europe as its first line of defence against Russia. Germany was the US’s preferred cold war battlefield, Britain its airfield. Perish the thought that Americans might actually fight on their own soil (except against each other). US wars are typically waged in faraway places. That’s why the 1962 Cuba missile crisis came as such a shock.
...
Are US policymakers innately incompetent, uninformed or simply unlucky? It scarcely matters as long as Britain and Europe feel locked in a toxic relationship from which there is no escape. Except Trump and his good ’ol boys, oozing online hillbilly hostility, unwittingly offer a chance of deliverance to those bold enough to take it.
...
Such rudeness and condescension do not come out of nowhere. We British know; those ugly Americans learned their imperial arrogance from us. What’s new is Trump’s debasement and corruption of America’s constitutional and democratic tradition. Moral authority is being lost, and with it the right to lead.
...
...
As I write my last foreign affairs commentary for the Observer, I look back over nearly 50 years and wonder, firstly, at the false narrative, not confined to Donald Trump, that American altruism is exploited by “freeloading” European Nato allies. What tosh! US troops and missiles are based here primarily to defend the US. Since 1945, Washington has viewed Europe as its first line of defence against Russia. Germany was the US’s preferred cold war battlefield, Britain its airfield. Perish the thought that Americans might actually fight on their own soil (except against each other). US wars are typically waged in faraway places. That’s why the 1962 Cuba missile crisis came as such a shock.
...
Are US policymakers innately incompetent, uninformed or simply unlucky? It scarcely matters as long as Britain and Europe feel locked in a toxic relationship from which there is no escape. Except Trump and his good ’ol boys, oozing online hillbilly hostility, unwittingly offer a chance of deliverance to those bold enough to take it.
...
Such rudeness and condescension do not come out of nowhere. We British know; those ugly Americans learned their imperial arrogance from us. What’s new is Trump’s debasement and corruption of America’s constitutional and democratic tradition. Moral authority is being lost, and with it the right to lead.
...
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/britain-has-been-paying-a-high-price-for-uncle-sam-s-craziness-it-s-time-to-turn-to-europe/ar-AA1BUeoj
ETA: There is a glitch in the piece, though. It suggests the American Revolution which began in 1776 was a back stab to those opposing Napoleon. He was 7 years old in 1776 and was not commissioned in the Royal Army until 1785. He did not seize power by staging a coup until 1799. Oops.
March 20, 2025
Expert in Soviet and Ukrainian history, Andrea Chalupa joins PoliticsGirl and human rights activist and expert in Russia and disinformation, Marcus Kolga, to discuss how important it is Canada not follow America down the path to authoritarianism laid by Russian influence and disinformation. Canadians need to understand they’re dealing with the same psychological warfare that was successful in America, and use the US as a cautionary tale. Donald Trump isn’t kidding when he says he wants to take over Canada, so Canadians need to vote for the leader who isn’t in bed with those who would let that to happen…
Canada's NEXT MOVES to STOP Trump Takeover PoliticsGirl
Expert in Soviet and Ukrainian history, Andrea Chalupa joins PoliticsGirl and human rights activist and expert in Russia and disinformation, Marcus Kolga, to discuss how important it is Canada not follow America down the path to authoritarianism laid by Russian influence and disinformation. Canadians need to understand they’re dealing with the same psychological warfare that was successful in America, and use the US as a cautionary tale. Donald Trump isn’t kidding when he says he wants to take over Canada, so Canadians need to vote for the leader who isn’t in bed with those who would let that to happen…
March 19, 2025
For people receiving SS but living outside the US
If you've tried to get an online account with Social Security you will have found you need a U.S. address in order to open an account. I've tried twice and failed, the last time only a few weeks ago. Today, I did a search and found this:
US Citizens Overseas can now create Social Security Accounts online
US citizens living overseas can now create a personal my Social Security account and access many of our online services using their ID.me credential.
With a my Social Security account, you can:Check your earnings.
Get your benefit estimates.
Check the status of your application or appeal.
View, print, or save a benefit verification letter (Social Security is unable to mail to a foreign address).
Change Special Notice Options (SNO Notices).
Access some representative payee services.
View, Print, or save replacement SSA-1099/1042S tax statement (Social Security is unable to mail replacement statements to a foreign address).
Access online notices.
Request a replacement Medicare Card.
Until now, you needed a U.S. mailing address to access Social Security's my Social Security account and use the online services. Now, individuals without a U.S. mailing address can create a personal my Social Security account and use the online services with an ID.me credential. If you don't already have an ID.me credential:Go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
On the my Social Security page, select the 'Create an Account' button and then select 'Sign in with ID.me.'
Select the 'Create an ID.me account' link and follow the instructions.
On ID.me's 'Verify Your Identity' screen, select the 'I don't live in the United States' link at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions to complete the registration- process.
Once you create your credential, you will be returned to the my Social Security webpage for the next steps.
If you already have an ID.me credential, select 'Sign In' from the my Social Security page and then sign in to ID.me. You will be redirected to your my Social Security account.
Note: If you had a my Social Security account prior to moving overseas, you will need to create an ID.me credential to use it from an international address.
For more information please visit the Office of Earnings and International Operations webpage.
https://www.americansabroad.org/us-citizens-overseas-can-now-create-social-security-accounts-online
I haven't tried this yet.
March 11, 2025
'Reeks of betrayal,' Canadians are reacting to altered LCBO wine labels that mock Wayne Gretzky...
Photos of altered LCBO labels on Wayne Gretzky’s wines that mock the Canadian former NHL star are receiving some laughs from Canadians online....
...
The poster claims that the signage was seen at an LCBO in Toronto, but did not disclose the exact location.
...
“This mediocre Ontario Chardonnay reeks of betrayal. Expect hints of moral rot, fermented in the casks of vast wealth”, one description reads, adding flavour notes of “acrid and treasony.”
...
An LCBO spokesperson says the agency is looking into the legitimacy of the product label tampering claims, noting that these images may have been photoshopped.
https://nowtoronto.com/news/canadians-are-reacting-to-altered-lcbo-wine-labels-that-mock-wayne-gretzky/
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