The symbolism was striking, and impossible to miss.

Flanked by military vehicles, Prime Minister Mark Carney linked Canada’s sovereignty challenge with Ukraine’s.

Braid: Carney gives big boost to Ukraine, links Canada's sovereignty fight with theirs Back to video

And sent a message to the United States.

“There’s no qualification to our commitment because your cause — freedom, democracy, sovereignty — is our cause,” Carney told visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday in Calgary.

“Sovereignty” was the key word, thrown in the face of insulting jibes about the 51st state, and claims by U.S. cabinet secretaries that Canada doesn’t even have a military.

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To make the point, Carney spoke with a background of military vehicles rolled up for the occasion on the SAIT site.

What was first billed as remarks from the leaders turned into a full-scale Carney speech on turning this middle-power nation into a military force.

He announced plans to quickly boost Canada........

© Calgary Herald