An Edmonton man has penned a stark public letter, expressing hope that American institutions can restrain former President Donald Trump, whose actions he labels 'immoral' and a potential threat to Canadian sovereignty. The letter, published in the Edmonton Journal on January 14, 2026, comes amid widespread protests across the United States.
Widespread Protests and a Question of Morality
The letter references recent large-scale demonstrations in the United States, including a 'No Kings' protest in New York City on January 11, 2026. These protests were sparked by the Trump administration's actions in Venezuela and the shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.
Brian Iwanicki of Edmonton anchors his criticism in Trump's own statement that only 'my mind and my morality' limit his actions. The letter writer catalogs a series of controversies, including the $25 million settlement of the Trump University class-action lawsuit in 2016, boasts about sexual assault, and a lost civil sexual assault case in New York.
He is a convicted felon on 34 counts, Iwanicki writes, accusing Trump of using ICE as a 'private militia' to target Democratic cities and states.
A Direct Warning for Canada
The core of Iwanicki's missive is a warning for his fellow Canadians. He characterizes Trump's policies as being rooted in 'cruelty, retribution' and enriching the wealthy.
The letter concludes with a grave concern for national security: 'I hope the American people and Congress can stop his reckless autocratic behaviour before Canada is next in his sights for annexation.' This fear is framed against what the writer sees as a pattern of threatening allies, noting Trump has previously threatened Greenland, a fellow NATO member.
Local Alberta Concerns on Vulnerable Citizens
The published letters page also featured strong criticism of the Alberta government's handling of social programs, highlighting domestic anxieties. Regan Pinkoski of Sherwood Park raised unanswered questions about the UCP government's transition from the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program to the new Adult Disability Advocacy Program (ADAP).
Pinkoski, parent to a daughter with Down Syndrome, questions the lack of clarity on medical coverage, part-time work provisions, and the need for redundant medical testing. 'Why don’t you consider almost 80,000 AISH recipients worth, at the least, a web page of explanations?' the letter asks.
A third letter condemns Alberta separatist talk as 'shameful,' arguing it weakens Canada at a precarious time. The writer links the Smith government's 'blind eye' to the movement and policies impacting vulnerable citizens as a betrayal of Canadian values of unity and safety historically found in the Commonwealth.
The collection of letters presents a portrait of a community grappling with profound external political threats and internal provincial policy shifts, with Edmonton residents actively engaging in the national and international discourse.
