Director’s backup plan: head north

If things go awry for Michael Moore after the release of his latest politically charged documentary, he says he has a plan: He’s moving to Canada.

It’s a pronouncement so common among aggrieved U.S. liberals that it borders on a political trope. But Moore says he’s serious about his plot to vacate the U.S., and not only because of his long-standing affinity for Canada.

For Moore, the prospect of becoming a political refugee seems starkly plausible under the leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he portrays in Fahrenheit 11/9 as a geopolitical threat.

Trump “absolutely hates democracy, and he believes in the autocrat, in the authoritarian,” Moore says.

Among his credentials for citizenship if he needs asylum, Moore boasts about his grandfather’s Ontario roots, as well as his devotion to the Canadian-made BlackBerry.

Still, Moore believes Trump’s influence, to a limited extent, has already seeped across the border. He expressed disappointment about the June election of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose fiery brand of populism championing the “little guy” and railing against so-called elites has drawn comparisons to Trump.

“Clearly, anyone can fall for it. Even Canadians can get played,” said Moore. “But look, Doug Ford would have to go a long way to match Trump.”

This assessment is consistent with Moore’s view that Canada’s problems barely register relative to the five-alarm fires he sees the U.S. as facing on several fronts.

“Canada has a lot of problems. You don’t need an American to come here and tell you what your problems are,” said Moore. “But (you shouldn’t) think for a second that you’re anywhere near what we have to take care of and correct.”