Scott Strom: Don’t put a muzzle on Canadian trade partners An effort to silence Hydro-Quebec and other companies from our trading partner to the north are just political noise, the Pittsfield Republican writes. By Scott Strom Share During my 20 years in the United States Navy, I worked with members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Our neighbor to the north has a small military relative to our own but their service members are dedicated to keeping peace around the world. Canada is a fellow NATO member. They offered safe airspace to land stranded American aircraft on 9/11. Canada is our friend.