My house is 206 years old, built in part from rubble after the Americans burned it on Dec. 10, 1813.

Out the window is a fine view on the U.S. side of the river of hulking Fort Niagara, built by the French, then occupied by the British and taken over after the revolution by Yanks. It’s now operated by the Coast Guard.

Canadians — then made up of British troops, colonists and Indigenous allies — fought a bloody and protracted war with the aggressive, territorial, expansionist, manifest-destiny Americans for a couple of years.

They totally burned NOTL and sacked Fort George. We eventually got to Washington (woo-hoo!) and burned the president’s house — which was subsequently painted white.

In the river there were fighting ships. By night there were incursions. The battle front was miles long up and down the river.

The Americans lost 15,000 soldiers. Our guys counted 8,600 dead. Disease killed more than bullets and ship-borne artillery. Over 20,000 prisoners were taken and 4,500 men were wounded. Between seven and nine thousand First Nations fighters perished.

My street, Prideaux, was apparently within range of the U.S. cannons from across the river. At the moment of the war’s outbreak, it was the main commercial thoroughfare. But after the conflict, stores and businesses moved a block south, to Queen Street, the local tour guides say, to be out of range when the next U.S. assault took place.

Why was there a war with America?

Trade restrictions and U.S. expansionism. Britain blockaded U.S. trade with France (they were in conflict). And the president, James Madison, was aggressively pushing out the American borders, instrumental in the Louisiana Purchase, and in acquiring most of Florida from Spain.

The thirst for dirt spilled over the northern border. The Yanks attacked Canada. My house was incinerated.

In the past eight weeks, Donald Trump has said clearly Canada should be the 51st state. He’s mocked the PM and called him “Governor” repeatedly. On calls between Trump and Trudeau, plus their officials, the American president has said …

• The border should be redrawn because the 1908 treaty is not valid.
• Americans should have more control over the water resources, including the Great Lakes.
• U.S. banks should have greater access to the Canadian market.
• The GST is unfair because it makes U.S. imports more expensive.
• Canada floods the U.S. with drugs and migrants.
• The U.S. is victimized because Canadian exports exceed imports.
• He will tariff our goods and break the free trade deal (and did).
• The U.S. should have access to our dairy and poultry markets.
• Canada should be part of the USA, and “economic force” could be used to force annexation.

Outgoing Justin Trudeau, in the thick of the nascent trade war responded: “What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that’ll make it easier to annex us.”

A few months ago that would have sounded like the ravings of a Canadian leader who fell out of a coconut tree.

The relationship between the two countries, after all, has been just ducky for two centuries. We’ve helped each other. Fought together. Traded everything. Built stuff together. Defended each other. Aided and comforted each other. And lovingly punched each other at the blue line.

Trump is being an alpha-male, out-of-his-lane, bully who has abandoned his key election promises (make life cheaper and fairer) to become the new James Madison, only better. A king. 

It’s gone too far. Every act of resistance is justified. Canada cannot be annexed, occupied or held. Americans made a grave error.

Trump will go. The memory will not. There are still scorched timbers in my basement. 

Garth Turner is a NOTL resident, journalist, author, wealth manager and former federal MP and minister. garth@garth.ca