'Uncle Sam,' an elderly man with sharp eyes and a strong jaw, wearing a top hat and a coat with a bow tie, pointing his finger, saying, 'I Want You'. As if that statement itself is the drumbeat of war. America has always used this fictional character to call upon its citizens to join wars. America's neighbour Canada, however, has always been peace-loving, much like that gentle neighbour with whom no one ever disputes. Since 1812, only doves of peace have flown across the border between the two countries. But coming to 2026, that picture has completely changed. Fearing Uncle Sam's bullying, Canada today has to seek refuge with a new protector, who is affectionately called 'Jenny Aunty'.
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Jenny Aunty's call for the people's army
Jenny Aunty is actually Canada's top military officer, General Jenny Carignan. She is being called Jenny Aunty. Jenny Aunty has made it clear that in these difficult times, soldiers alone will not suffice. What is needed is the participation of ordinary people.
She wants to create a Civil Defence Force, that is, a force of ordinary people. And so, just like Uncle Sam, she is telling everyone from 16-year-old teenagers to 65-year-old elderly people, 'I want you. '
Jenny Aunty is looking for ordinary people who can fly drones, are skilled in cyber technology, or can operate heavy machinery like bulldozers. The goal is one: to create a massive force of nearly 4 lakh ordinary citizens. Who will stand as the country's shield when needed, whether in war or natural disasters?
Why the sudden development?
Until last year, if someone said there could be a military conflict between America and Canada, people would have called them crazy. Even though Trump repeatedly threatened to make Canada America's 51st state, Trump himself had ruled out the possibility of military operations in Canada. His path was economic pressure.
However, after what happened in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, nothing can be dismissed as unrealistic anymore. After America lifted Nicolas Maduro from his palace and brought him away, Canada can no longer remain at ease. Especially with the way the Trump administration is repeatedly sending messages about wielding power throughout the entire Western Hemisphere, Ottawa is worried.
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Trump's economic aggression has already made it clear that the relationship between the two countries is no longer what it used to be. And just because Trump says today that he won't conduct military operations doesn't mean he won't do so tomorrow—there's no guarantee of that, according to Canada's leadership.
Canada wants to follow the Finland model to counter America's potential military aggression. Finland is a country bordering Russia. There's no certainty about when Putin might invade their country like Ukraine.
So Finland has built huge bunkers underground in advance to protect its citizens. Inside those bunkers are swimming pools, saunas, and playgrounds. This means Finns can take shelter in bunkers for extended periods if necessary.
Jenny Aunty had sent her team to Finland to learn how to build such bunkers. But the problem is, Canada is 30 times larger than Finland. Building bunkers everywhere in this vast country is impossible. So Canada's hope now is not bunkers, but the country's human resources. Aunty Jenny wants to keep a force of ordinary people ready.
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An ominous sign for India?
Canada's situation indicates a terrible change in world politics. If America, which has been Canada's greatest friend for the past 200 years, with whom they have fought side by side in war after war, becomes a cause of terror today, then where is the security of the rest of the world's countries? Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to befriend Donald Trump are not even a decade old. Is India's position in Indian Ocean politics or in South Asia actually secure? Questions are beginning to arise.
Today, Canada is telling its citizens to learn to operate drones, to prepare for cyber warfare. Jenny Aunty has become necessary. Because they have understood that Uncle Sam's 'friendship' can turn into enmity at any moment if needed. The message for India is also clear—in the muscle-flexing game that has begun on the chessboard of geopolitics, no one is safe anymore. Geopolitical analysts say Jenny Aunty's call is actually the helpless cry of a peace-loving nation. Those who are handing over the responsibility of resistance to ordinary people as a last resort to save their sovereignty.
