Moreover,
Trump america canada: two american:
In the United States. However, the rise of tensions since Donald Trump’s arrival in politics pushes some Americans to seek a better life abroad, especially in Canada. Nevertheless, This is the case of two American pastors who settled in London in Ontario. Therefore, If they continue to believe in the promise of a better life in the country of the unifolié. Therefore, their journey to the Canadian Eldorado is far from being a long quiet river.
Robert Apgar-Taylor remembers perfectly the day when her husband Robert Taylor (we will call her Rob in order to differentiate them). However, crossed the Canadian border.
We took a photo at the border. Furthermore, It was winter. Nevertheless, We wore our checkered shirts and our hats and have shown our immigration documents with the moving truck behind us. For example, We were trump america canada: two american so excited
RADCONT ROBERT APGAR-TAYLOR.
Robert Apgar-Taylor and her husband Robert Taylor when they arrived in Canada.
Photo : Robert Apgar-Taylor
It was in December 2022. However, Robert. However, a reverend of the United Church of Christa progressive American church, had just obtained a post in a parish of the United Church of Canada in London, Ontario.
When Trump was elected [pour la première fois]we thought of leaving. For example, but we said to ourselves that our reaction was excessive and that things could not go so bad. Meanwhile, […] But things went as bad as we imagined.
From the election of Donald Trump in 2016, the couple watched the political climate deteriorate with their country and the measures hostile to LGBTQ+ rights.
Donald Trump was taken in front of a church. For example, a Bible in hand, after the dispersion of demonstrators on June 2, 2020. Meanwhile, “We have a big country,” he said.
Photo : Associated Press / Patrick Semansky
First. Meanwhile, there was the withdrawal of a page dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community on the White House website only a few hours after Donald Trump’s sworn in 2017, says Robert Apgar-Taylor.
Then. the violent repression of anti -racism demonstrators with rubber bullets and tear gas in front of the president’s residence in 2020 and finally the attack on the Capitol a year later.
I could not believe that we dismantled the constitution. the safeguards of civil society and that people followed [Donald Trump] blindly
recalls Rob, who trump america canada: two american was a police officer for the city of Washington DC at the time.
The United States Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas during an official photograph on October 7, 2022 in Washington.
Photo : Getty Images / Alex Wong
As an openly homosexual pastor, Robert Apgar-Taylor says he has received a death threat.
After the shooting at the synagogue Tree of Life From Pittsburgh in 2018, his church also has trump america canada: two american a security guard.
Of the [le début de la messe] At 11:00 am, the key doors were closed. […] This is reality when you are the only openly cheerful pastor – which dares to denounce what is happening
he says.
But for the couple, the blow of grace was brought in 2022, when the United States Supreme Court invalidated ROE C. Wade, who guaranteed the right to abortion nationally.
On that day. conservative judge Clarence Thomas suggested that the Court should also reconsider other acquired rights, such as the right to contraception, homosexual relations and homosexual marriage.
Fifteen seconds after hearing the news, Rob looked at me and told me “it’s enough. We have to leave”
recalls Robert Apgar-Taylor.
Trump america canada: two american
Dozens of requests
Robert. Rob are not the only ones to covet Canada since Donald Trump’s arrival in politics.
In the two weeks following the re -election of the real estate magnate in November 2024. the couple said they received around thirty messages from Americans asking them how to settle in the north of the border.
Since the re-election of Donald Trump. Robert Apgar-Taylor and her husband have received around thirty messages from Americans wishing to settle in Canada.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
The United Church of Canada said it was. contacted by around twenty members of the American clergy wishing to obtain a position in Canada since January. Before, she received only three to five requests annually.
Immigration. refugees and citizenship Canada indicates, for its part, having received 4,634 immigration requests of all kinds from Americans between January and April 2025, compared to 3,914 during the same period in 2024, 4,031 during the first four months of 2023 and 3,640 for trump america canada: two american the same period in 2022.
Flee
Besides, at the United Church First-St. Andrew’s From London. located just a few kilometers from the parish where Robert Apgar-Taylor works, another American now officiates the masses: the Reverend Joshua Lawrence.
Joshua Lawrence in front of the FIRST-ST church. Andrew’s from London, Ontario.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
The activist for civil rights trump america canada: two american from Texas settled in London with his wife Amarie Collins-of African-American descendants-and their young son four years ago to flee what the pastor considers as a rise in racism. intolerance since the advent of the movement MAGA in the United States.
There have been acts of violence. […] Black churches have been burned in the south. The question of slavery. the emergence of Ku Klux Klan, white terrorism, all these things, began to resurface in other forms, encouraged by the actions of Donald Trump
he says.
Joshua Lawrence and his wife’s son, going to Canada for the summer.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
Quickly. Additionally, the Reverend, who thought he was working in a progressive parish, saw these tensions surfaced within his church.
He says he has received an email suggesting that his wife leave the parish. Then, it is to him that we showed the door because of his values deemed too liberal, he maintains.
He adds that in his former parish. openly display his support for the LGBTQ+ community and to the fight against racism, as he does in Canada now, would have been very risky.
I have often wondered if I could do trump america canada: two american it without risking receiving threats or that the church is attacked
he deplores.
Le Canada, a Eldorado?
For pastors, obtaining the coveted Canadian Permanent Residence is far from guaranteed.
The two men benefit from a work visa linked to the United Church of Canada. They thought they were obtaining permanent residence after six months to two years in Canadian soil. but the recent lowering of permanent immigration thresholds by Ottawa has thwarted their plans.
Robert Apgar-Taylor (left) and Robert Taylor (right), at home in London in Ontario.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
As long as they will not have the status. Robert Apagar-Taylor and her husband will not be able to buy a house without having to pay a tax of 25 % imposed on foreign buyers in Ontario (new window).
Consequently. the pastor was forced to postpone his three -month prostate cancer operation when the couple had to move the apartment he praised urgently.
I couldn’t have moved and move at the same time. […] I was destroyed.
he said.
Joshua Lawrence. his wife are often forced to live separated since the midwife and technician in ultrasound of training has still not obtained the equivalences necessary to work in his trump america canada: two american field in Ontario.
She therefore spends several weeks a month in the United States to make a living.
At times, we wondered if we had made the right decision
admet Joshua Lawrence.
Immigration lawyer Greg Willoughby also warns the Americans who would be tempted by a life in Canada.
When Trump was elected the first time. I received calls from people who asked if there were specific immigration options for Americans and the answer is no.
Immigration lawyer Greg Willoughby.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
In an email. immigration, refugees and citizenship Canada declaration indicates that the processing deadlines for immigration requests depend on various factors, including immigration targets, the complexity of the files, the security checks and the speed with which the applicants respond to requests for information
.
Trump america canada: two american
Finally Be able to breathe
Despite the pitfalls, Robert, Rob and Joshua keep hope.
We always believe that this investment will allow us to have a good quality of life
dit Joshua Lawrence.
Robert Apgar-Taylor is a long-standing activist for the rights of the LGBTQ+community.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
In their basement, Robert Apgar-Taylor and her husband contemplate family photos displayed on the wall.
They miss it every day.
The five children of Robert Apgar-Taylor. her husband Rob still live in the United States with their grandchildren.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Prasanjeet Choudhury
Returning to the United States is not, however, an option for the couple.
The year Robert. Rob moved to London, two of their friends were attacked in separate attacks because of their sexual and gender identity.
We do not realize how much we hold our breath until we no longer have to remember it. This is how we feel in Canada
conclude robert apgar-taylor.
Further reading: Shots sow the stir in old-Montreal Sunday evening – Wokism has elected Trump – Sherbrookois conductor François Bernier would have made another victim – Federal budget | Liberals wish to bring “certainty” to investors – What to do with tons of waste from the old house in Radio-Canada?.
