Published Apr 06, 2025 • 3 minute readA crowd of several hundred spectators braved the elements to participate in the Elbows Up, Canada! rally at Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing on Sunday. Photo by George MyrerA cold, rainy day didn’t dampen the spirits of the enthusiastic crowd that gathered for the Elbows Up, Canada! event in Dartmouth on Sunday afternoon.Several hundred people braved the elements to celebrate Canadian unity and were treated to a first-rate Nova Scotia kitchen party at Alderney Landing. Elbows Up, Canada! organizer Peter Wall. Photo by George Myrer“There was great energy, great spirit despite the terrible weather,” said Elbows Up, Canada! organizer Peter Wall, who co-hosted the event with popular meteorologist Cindy Day.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“It shows that people want to gather at this moment in time, do things in person and feel the energy and feel the spirit. We live in a digital world these days, so much of our life is spent in front of a screen. It’s important to get together and it showed today even in the rain.”Among the celebrities to take the stage were Bubbles (Mike Smith) and Ricky (Robb Wells) of Trailer Park Boys’ fame, actor/comedian Shaun Majumder and recording artists Jimmy Rankin, Jah’Mila and George Woodhouse. House band Blueberry Grunt opened and closed the show with a variety of popular Maritime tunes. Trailer Park Boys’ Bubbles (Mike Smith) and Ricky (Robb Wells) entertain the crowd at the Elbows Up, Canada! event on Sunday. Photo by George MyrerHalifax Mayor Andy Fillmore, Africville Museum’s Executive Director Juanita Peters, Elder Debbie Eisan of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and Acadia political science students Anne Christie and Lucy Goddard all passionately spoke about what it means to be Canadian in a time of political upheaval.Elbows Up, Canada! was created to help Canadians become reacquainted with their love of country during a time of constant threat of tariffs and talks of becoming the 51st state by United States President Donald Trump.Article contentThe movement’s name was influenced by Canadian actor Mike Myers, who mouthed the words, Elbows Up at the end of a recent Saturday Night Live episode. Gerri Haines, left, and Jeff MacPherson of Cole Harbour show their signs at the Elbows Up, Canada! rally on Sunday. Photo by George MyrerPeters asked the crowd to ignore the noise from some of our southern neighbours and remember the two countries have a long history as allies.“Don’t let this moment in time let you forget who your friends are,” said Peters. “Don’t let one person tell you that we have enemies where they do not exist. “We know because we already experienced it. In 1917, two ships collided out there in the harbour and who was the first to the rescue, Boston in a big way. “And in 1998, when the airplane crashed off Peggys Cove, who came to the rescue, the U.S. Navy within hours. And they are still our friends.”Peters reminded those in attendance how the Canadian flag is still one of the great symbols of freedom in the world.“We must remember that Canada is still one of the most loved countries in the entire world and there is a reason for that. We share our love, like you are here today.”Article content Acadia University political science students Lucy Goddard, left, and Anne Christie spoke at the Elbows Up, Canada! rally on Sunday. Photo by George MyrerWall was impressed by Acadia students Christie and Goddard and the message they delivered as the next generation of Canadians. He said it was the first time they added youthful voices to the rally and something they will continue in the future stops across the country.“Any chance to get up and talk about Nova Scotia, talk about Canada and what our community means to us, is important,” said Christie.“Right now, so much of what is happening politically is negative and that affects us so much because this is what we study,” added Goddard. “To have this type of positive opportunity to share a very communal sentiment of strength and power from Canada just feels so nice.” Cape Breton musician Jimmy Rankin performed at the Elbows Up, Canada! rally. Photo by George MyrerThe Dartmouth rally was the third held by Elbows Up, Canada!, following the ones in Ottawa and Toronto. The theme“I think it’s important that we keep the message positive,” said Wall. “It’s so easy in this day and age to lean into partisanship and division and what divides us. But I think one thing we have seen in the last couple of months that has brought us together is the love of our country. “This showed today and at our other events.” Jill Bruce, right, and Jim Macdonald show their signs at the Elbows Up, Canada! rally at Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing on Sunday afternoon. Photo by George MyrerDartmouth’s Jill Bruce said she attended the event because she believes in Canada and that it is time for us to stand up for our rights.“I am very much against what Trump is doing and I support our country and our sovereignty,” said Bruce, who held a sign saying, Never 51. “I’m past being nice. I think what he is doing is trying to undermine us as a people and a country. We can’t be passive, we have to stand up.”Article content
Elbows Up, Canada! rally turns into a true Nova Scotia kitchen party
