Social media gets a bad rap. It’s blamed for dividing people, spreading misinformation, and amplifying outrage. And yes, it can do all those things. But in moments that matter, it can also do something incredible—it can bring people together. That’s exactly what happened when Trump slapped tariffs on Canadian goods, and Canadians, in response, put their elbows up.
If you’re Canadian, you already know what elbows up means. It’s a hockey phrase, a warning that things are about to get rough, that we’re not playing nice anymore. But over the past week, it’s become something more. It’s become a rallying cry for Canadians to stand up for our country, to push back against economic bullying, and to take personal action—by shopping Canadian, rethinking American vacations, and fiercely defending our sovereignty.
I ran an analysis of how elbows up and #elbowsup were used on social media over the past seven days, and the results tell a powerful story.
- Engagement peaked on March 4th, the day the U.S. officially imposed tariffs and Trump bragged about it in his speech to Congress. That was the moment Canadians realized there would be no deal, and the frustration exploded online.
- The phrase elbows up saw significantly more engagement than #elbowsup, meaning it wasn’t just a hashtag people were jumping on—it became part of organic conversations. This tells me that people who don’t normally engage in online activism were moved to speak out.
- 57.9% of the posts using “elbows up” had a positive sentiment, reflecting Canadian pride and solidarity. The hashtag #elbowsup, on the other hand, was more evenly split—49.3% positive, 50.7% negative—likely due to a mix of defiant pride and outrage over the tariffs.
This wasn’t just a passing internet trend. It was a national conversation, fueled by frustration, determination, and a shared belief that Canada is not for sale.
More than Just A Hashtag
This wasn’t some organized campaign. Elbows up spread organically—a sign that it resonated deeply with people across the country. Mike Myers gave it an extra push.
On Saturday Night Live, he showed up in the closing sequence wearing a “Canada is Not for Sale” t-shirt. He looked straight into the camera, mimed elbows up, Canada, and gestured exactly how a hockey player throws their elbows against an opponent.
That moment cemented elbows up as more than just a phrase. It became a symbol of defiance. A reminder that while we may be polite, we are not pushovers.
And let’s be clear—this wasn’t just about tariffs.
Trump has been making disparaging remarks about Canada for years. He’s referred to us as the 51st state. He’s called our Prime Minister a Governor, dismissing Canada as if we’re nothing more than an American state. Canadians are furious.
That’s why elbows up struck such a nerve. It wasn’t just about trade—it was about our identity and our sovereignty. It was a way of saying:
- We will not be dismissed.
- We will not be bullied.
- We will not let the U.S. dictate our economy, our policies, or our future.
And for many, that defiance turned into action—choosing to buy Canadian, rethink travel to the U.S., and push back against the idea that we are anything less than a strong, independent nation.
Social Media Unites Us
This is why I still believe in social media.
We spend so much time talking about the negatives—the division, the hate, the scams. But this past week was a reminder of what social media can do:
- It gave Canadians a voice.
- It spread a message of solidarity.
- It gave frustration an opportunity to take action.
So the next time someone tells you social media is nothing but a cesspool, remind them of this moment. A moment when it wasn’t about algorithms or influencers or clickbait. It was about real people, standing up for their country, connecting with each other, and proving that even in the digital age, community and collective action still matter.
Canada is not for sale. And when we’re backed into a corner, we don’t back down—we throw our elbows up.
Listen here:
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