On March 15, 2025, Bob Rae, the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, publicly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive posture toward Canada, asserting it pivots around threats to steal Canadian land and resources rather than focusing on border issues like fentanyl. Rae's comments emerged during a time of rising tensions and trade disputes between Canada and the U.S., and he took to social media platform X to share his views.
Rae posted a map illustrating the upper reaches of North America, the Arctic Circle, and parts of northern Europe, framing it as part of Trump’s alleged plan to annex Canada and Greenland for significant prospective wealth. “By annexing Canada and Greenland, Trump would acquire massive wealth and rule over the Northwest Passage,” Rae explained. Following this initial post, he emphasized half-an-hour later, “We’re not talking ‘purchase’ or ‘buying’. We’re talking theft by force.” His words articulate a strong denunciation of what he perceives as Trump's intention for “a colossal land, water and resource grab,” driven by tariffs aimed at weakening the Canadian economy.
Earlier on the same day, Rae reposted remarks made by Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, who shared video footage featuring Trump declaring, “Canada only works as a state.” Rae decried these statements as direct assaults on Canadian sovereignty, echoing concerns voiced by other political figures across Canada.
On March 16, Rae hosted commentary on the broader effects of Trump's administration, claiming, “The Trump administration's tactics are having the most pronounced effects on public opinion and attitudes.” He also acknowledged the Governor of Colorado for declaring March 15 as Colorado-Canada Friendship Day, noting the significance of such gestures amid rising hostility.
Across Canada, this political climate has incited various expressions of frustration. Notably, the Rage Room, located in Halifax, has capitalized on this sentiment through its promotional event called “SMASH The Tariffs Special Event.” Patrons, upon purchasing their regular smash room packages, received free framed images of Trump to destroy at will.
A young participant, 14-year-old Matthew Burke, expressed his discontent with Trump’s policies, stating simply, “It’s about how he’s treating this country,” after smashing the president’s picture with a baseball bat. Meanwhile, his 17-year-old sister, Lillian, achieved 13 solid hits on her own Trump picture using a golf club, explaining, “He is not a very smart man and he is currently doing some not very smart things.” This playful sentiment contrasts sharply with Rae's more serious rhetoric but highlights the pervasive anger among Canadians toward perceived threats from the U.S.
Terry LeBlanc, the owner of Rage Room Halifax, noted the overwhelming response to the event, indicating many Canadians are feeling anxious and upset due to Trump’s economic pressures and threats of annexation: “It’s actually been overwhelming, the response,” he commented. His establishment, which allows patrons to vent their frustrations by smashing old items, has become the site where communal concerns transform from abstraction to physical action.
Interestingly, studies have shown the psychological effects of such “venting” through destruction may not always lead to desirable outcomes. An article on Verywell Mind highlighted research indicating aggressive outbursts could perpetuate violent responses to stress, rather than alleviate them. Nevertheless, LeBlanc reports, “Most people who walk out of here have a big smile on their face,” underscoring how many patrons find satisfaction through destruction when provoked by political grievances.
While Rage Rooms have become part of modern stress relief culture, they also serve as a valuable barometer measuring public sentiment. Since opening nearly seven years ago, LeBlanc has welcomed clients from various backgrounds, including one executive who donned a sharp business suit to smash teapots. “There’s something about breaking something…,” he joked, indicating how satire and serious social commentary intertwine when dealing with frustrations about leadership.
The juxtaposition of Rae's politically charged denunciations with the revelry observed within the Rage Room reflects deep societal unrest across Canada. With both its political leaders and ordinary citizens focusing on the perceived threats posed by U.S. policies, the relationship between Canada and the U.S. may be at its most fragile point in recent years.