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In a show of unity with the Canadian premiers who arrived in Washington on February 12 to urge US lawmakers, lobbyists, and business groups to reject President Trump's plans for devastating tariffs, five former prime ministers have asked Canadians to fly Maple Leaf flags on Feb. 15 as a sign of solidarity.

It is the first time all 13 premiers have traveled to the American capital together.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, chair of the Council of the Federation, appealed to members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 11 to send a message to Trump that tariffs would hurt the American and Canadian economies. Incidentally, Doug Ford had called early provincial elections on Feb. 27 and has taken time out of his hectic election schedule to plead for the withdrawal of tariffs on Canadian exports to the US.

Since his return to the White House last month, Trump has rapidly implemented tariffs to reshape global trade and American foreign policy. This has surprised the world, as some trade-partnering nations have announced counter-tariffs. Trump signed executive orders to impose 25 percent levies on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States, including Canadian products, starting March 12.

The imposition of new duties was announced one week after  Donald Trump agreed to a month-long pause on his plan to slap Canada with 25 percent across-the-board tariffs on imports, with a lower 10 percent levy on Canadian energy.

As a pause was announced, all of the country's living former prime ministers are asking Canadians to fly the red maple leaf this weekend in a huge display of national pride as the country stares down U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to its economy and sovereignty.

Joe Clark, Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper have jointly written an open letter, telling Canadians to "show the flag as never before" as the country contends with "threats and insults from Donald Trump."

"Let's fly our flag with pride. Let's show the world that we are proud of our history and proud of our country," the former first ministers write. "We've had our share of battles in the past. But we all agree on one thing: Canada, the true north, strong and free, the best country in the world, is worth celebrating and fighting for."

Canada observes Flag Day on Feb.15 every year to mark the raising of the red and white maple leaf flag on Parliament Hill in 1965  for the first time to replace the Canadian Red Ensign.

The five former prime ministers said in their joint message that they have "witnessed a surge of Canadian pride and patriotism" in the wake of Trump's threats and they are heartened to see so many people "come together to express their love for our country and their determination to defend Canada's values and our independence."

Since his installation on Jan. 20, Trump has repeatedly mocked Canada's economy and military and has threatened to use "economic force" to somehow convince Canadians to join the U.S. as the 51st state. Polls show Canadians are overwhelmingly against the idea.

Just last weekend, Trump said Canada was "not viable as a country" without U.S. trade, and warned that the founding NATO member can no longer depend on the U.S. for military protection.

U.S. tariff threats and the possibility of a trade war are already having an impact on how some Canadians spend their money, with many saying they’re boycotting American products and buying Canadian.

Show of Solidarity

All six candidates in the run for the Liberal Party leadership – Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Ruby Dhalla, Karina Gould, Frank Baylis and Jaime Batiste – also issued a joint statement urging Canadians to fight the Tariff war unitedly.

Mark Carney welcomed the "show of unity and leadership" in the wake of Trump's abuse, holding  "Canada is so much bigger than our politics."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is planning a "Canada First" rally in Ottawa on Feb. 15 where participants would be encouraged to wear red and white in honour of the nation's flag.

In a letter of her own to Canadians, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said it's important "this year, more than ever" to celebrate the flag and "remind ourselves what it represents: our values, our resilience and our sovereignty."

St-Onge said there will be a special ceremony in Ottawa on Feb. 14 where officials and youth will unfurl the flag along the historic Rideau Canal.

"This national emblem represents the values we all cherish — generosity, openness, respect and equality. A flag that could not be mistaken for any other, it connects us to our national identity, to our Canadian pride and to each other," she said.

St-Onge also encouraged people to cheer for Team Canada at Saturday's much-anticipated Four Nations Face-Off hockey game. Flags will be on display as Canada, led by captain Sidney Crosby, plays the U.S. in Montreal.