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By Doug Zanger, Americas Editor

October 15, 2016 | 2 min read

Call it a NAFTA thing (though Mexico might think otherwise — thanks, Trump), neighborliness or just simply the friendly, Canadian way. Regardless of how you cut it, Canadians have been contributing their own messages of support, cutting through the nasty rhetoric of this year’s presidential campaigns in a new social campaign from Toronto-based creative agency The Garden.

#TellAmericaItsGreat is in direct relief to Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” rally cry that has his supporters angrily foaming at the mouth. The social campaign largely relies on video from Canadians to simply tell the world why America is, in fact, great. Though it is intended as an opportunity to spread some good vibes, the fact is that America’s neighbor to the north will be impacted by the result.

“There’s been so much negativity in this election and with the outcome having the potential to impact our own country, we thought it was important to remind our American neighbours that we think that they are actually pretty great,” says Shane Ogilvie, co-founder, The Garden. “While America may not be perfect, we still believe the good stuff far outweighs their challenges. That’s why, as some of their closest friends and neighbours, we wanted to take a minute to remind America just how great we think they are.”

So far, videos have pointed out some of America’s strengths. They range from the serious, such as a strong academic environment, confidence, swagger and the “smarts” of Americans — to the whimsical such as the importance of Captain America, cheap beer and, in a cute nod to Canada’s accent, how Americans even “talk great”.

Said one contributor, summing up the ethos of the campaign, “I think you forget how special you are.”

Taking it one step further, one comment on the main video's YouTube page asked, "Can we have Justin Trudeau, please?"

Because it is 2016, right?

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