Business
Canada is Not For Sale Hats Fly Off the Shelves
A hat with the slogan “Canada is Not for Sale” gained widespread attention after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested making Canada the 51st U.S. state. The hats initially attracted notice when Ontario Premier Doug Ford wore one during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trump, sworn in as the 47th U.S. president on January 20, has repeatedly referred to Canada as the “51st State.” He claimed economic measures—not military action—would help bring Canada under U.S. control.
This aggressive stance sparked an idea for entrepreneur Liam Mooney. According to Reuters, Mooney, the founder of an Ottawa-based design firm, created the Canada is Not for Sale hats to respond to Trump’s tariff threats and remarks about annexing Canada.
The hats received widespread attention after Premier Ford wore one while meeting Trudeau and other provincial leaders in Ottawa. The gathering focused on countering Trump’s promise to impose tariffs on Canadian imports.
Mooney said tens of thousands of orders have since poured in online. He explained that the hats were designed to push back against Trump’s rhetoric in a way that promoted nationalism and unity.
“Our goal was to create a message that could unite Canadians, regardless of their political views,” Mooney said.
He also shared how the idea came about. After watching a Fox News interview where a host suggested Canada would benefit from becoming part of the U.S., Mooney and his business partner created the hats as a statement.
Where can you buy “Canada is Not for Sale” hats?
Jackpine, a company founded by Mooney and Emma Cochrane, produces the hats. They can be purchased on their website: https://strongandfreehat.ca/pages/about. Another option is https://www.canadaisnotforsalehats.ca/.
Trump’s threats against Canada
Trump has been issuing tariff threats during a tense political period in Canada. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau is set to resign in March after nearly a decade in office, while the Conservative Party leads the polls in anticipation of a federal election later this year.
In addition, Trump posted a distorted map on the social media platform TRUTH, showing Canada as part of the U.S. The caption read, “Oh Canada!” alongside the image.
During a virtual appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump demanded “respect” from Canada. He has previously referred to Trudeau as a “governor.”
“Our sovereignty is at risk when our dignity is dismissed,” Mooney said. “We have allies and friends worldwide who will stand with us to protect what’s ours.”
