AMERICAN CITIZEN - By Bernard Bujold -
Many people are wondering about the origin of Donald Trump's idea to include Canada with the United States!
In fact, the project is not new in Canadian history, and the last inspiration, before Donald's, dates back to the days of René Lévesque...
I grew up in Gaspésie, near New Carlisle, where René Lévesque was born. I know him well, having worked directly with him at the Quebec National Assembly after his election in 1976 when I was just starting my career as a journalist.
Lévesque was profoundly American at heart, from his own beginnings in journalism with the U.S. Army (1944-45), and throughout his life, he was influenced by the American style and spirit.
Lévesque was a rebel and a great communicator like Trump, but his life path was less fortunate than Donald's, as René had no financial wealth, a more insecure personality than Trump when it came to power, and ultimately a different political destiny.
If Quebec's separation had come about, it would have brought the territory closer to several American states and further away from several Canadian provinces.
Personally, I had long dreamed of moving to the United States, but at every opportunity, the momentum of my career in Canada and Quebec held me back. So, I had to content myself with observing from a distance the eras of John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and other presidencies.
Now an old man, my American dream will probably never be realized. That's why I'm living by a sort of proxy through Donald Trump's adventures, to compensate a little for my youthful dreams!
