Justin Trudeau’s neighbourly response to help battle California wildfires sends a pointed message to Donald Trump

 Fuelled by Trump’s inflammatory comments suggesting Canada is an economic freeloader and a national security vulnerability, Canada is putting its all-of-country effort on full display, writes Allan Woods.

The California wildfires raging and ripping through Los Angeles are catastrophic, even if the homes being destroyed belong to some of the world’s wealthiest and most famous (and presumably well-insured).

But they’re presenting Canada with a timely opportunity to do what Canada has always done when its southerly neighbour is in need — as well as a chance to send America a pointed political message.

At a time when U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has thrown the world into a tizzy with threats to invade Greenland and Panama, and turn Canada into the 51st state, government officials north of the border have responded with the video of a yellow Canadian water bomber — an iconic Canadair — buzzing through the smoke-darkened skies of L.A. and dropping its liquid load in defence of a home menaced by flames.

The video has been in heavy rotation on the social media account of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — and shared by the Liberal caucus and cabinet. It’s notable for its sly and simple three-word message: “Neighbours helping neighbors.”

But this time, fuelled by Trump’s inflammatory comments suggesting Canada is an economic freeloader and a national security vulnerability, Canada is putting its all-of-country effort on full display.

Alberta is sending 40 front-line firefighters, known in the U.S. as “hotshots.” British Columbia, which has a long-standing firefighting relationship with California, is dispatching a team of senior officials to help lead the efforts in Los Angeles.

And it’s Quebec that is going video viral with its contribution of airplanes, known as Super Scoopers, which buzzed the beachfront while filling up on water, then soared to the skies on their mission to douse the flames, earning an official mention from the White House as well as another round of headlines when one was damaged in a mid-air collision with a drone.

Ontario has offered more water bombers and another 200 personnel. They’re ready to answer if called upon, as are the Canadian Armed Forces, the Coast Guard and Natural Resources Canada.

Premier Doug Ford, who had been trying to tamp down Trump’s aggression with threats of retaliation, said the province would “spare no expense to help our closest friends and allies.”

That point was underscored by the federal government’s unusual act of exhaustively listing the resources that have been sent and are standing by to help America in an emergency.

https://www.thestar.com/news/analysis/justin-trudeau-s-neighbourly-response-to-help-battle-california-wildfires-sends-a-pointed-message-to/article_7d1b6c0e-d058-11ef-b3e3-1fff14837d7e.html