Canada 51st State
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Trudeau's Mar-a-Lago visit sparked Trump's pursuit of Canada as 51st state
Our former PM's meeting with the President seemed like a good idea in November but now looks like the biggest blunder of his political career
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Mar 15, 2025 • Last updated 12 hours ago • 3 minute read
Justin Trudeau beside Donald Trump at a dinner table.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, shared this image to social media a day after meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Fla.
What if Justin Trudeau had never gone to Mar-a-Lago in late November?
There’s a good chance he would still be prime minister and no one would be talking about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Instead, it appears Trudeau precipitated his own demise and the current threats that Canada faces about being absorbed by the United States.
Trudeau rushed down to Donald Trump’s Florida resort on Nov. 29, 2024 – just days after Trump had threatened Canada with 25% tariffs on all goods.
It was a bold move that initially made Trudeau look good. Unfortunately, Trudeau delivered the wrong message and started Trump down the path of pursuing Canada as the 51st state.
Time and again, Trump has told variations of the same story of what was said over the dinner table. Trudeau was asking Trump not to impose tariffs on Canada and when Trump asked him why, Trudeau gave an answer that will haunt him – and perhaps the country – for years to come.
“He said, Canada would dissolve, Canada wouldn’t be able to function,” Trump said while recalling the conversation in a recent media appearance.
At that point, Trump suggested Canada that become a state if we are so reliant on the United States. It’s not clear if Trump was serious then or joking, as it has been described, but the American president is serious now.
What is shocking is that Trudeau’s words, the words of our own prime minister, put us in this position. When I first heard Trump make the claim, I assumed it was an inaccurate portrayal or embellishment of some kind on his part to make himself look good.
But several people with knowledge of the meeting have confirmed Trump’s description of the conversation is accurate. After this story was initially published online, more people reached out to verify not only that it was accurate, but also that Trudeau volunteering how Canada couldn’t survive tariffs is what prompted Trump to push the 51st state idea.
It is unbelievable that Trudeau would make such statements, which made Canada appear weak and helpless while he was trying to negotiate a tariff exemption for Canada, but he did.
Since then, Trudeau’s government self-imploded, his political career came to a less than stellar end, and Trump has become obsessed with taking over Canada.
“Canada would be great as our cherished 51st state,” Trump said in one of his many pronouncements on the issue over the last week.
At times, he belittles Canada, saying that as a country we have very little. Then he flips and describes how great our two countries would be united as one.
Trudeau, meanwhile, called for Canadians to stand tall and take pride in our country on his way out the door. That’s a bit rich for a man who spent years describing Canada as a genocidal state, a post-national state with no core identity for most of his time in office.
On the day that 25% tariffs were imposed by the Americans, Trudeau said Trump wants to ruin our economy to try and take it over.
“What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that’ll make it easier to annex us,” Trudeau said.
Sadly, it’s Trudeau who put us in this position in more ways than one.
Firstly, there are the words that he spoke in Mar-a-Lago giving Trump the idea. Secondly, there is the horrible mismanagement of the Canadian economy by his Liberal government for the last decade.
Rather than expand markets, approve LNG exports to Europe and Asia, fast-track west to east pipelines, Trudeau proffered lazily depending on easy trade with the Americans while leaving natural resources in the ground and virtue signalling on climate change.
In 2022, Canada sent 76% of its exports to the United States. That’s higher than the 60% we sent to Britain and the rest of the British Empire in the late 1890s. And militarily, we are more dependent on the United States for defence than we were on Britain at that point.
Trump now realizes this and is looking to capitalize on it.
While I supported Trudeau going to Mar-a-Lago at the time, it now looks like the biggest blunder of his political career.
He should have stayed home.
blilley@postmedia.com
torontosun.com
Our former PM's meeting with the President seemed like a good idea in November but now looks like the biggest blunder of his political career
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Mar 15, 2025 • Last updated 12 hours ago • 3 minute read
Justin Trudeau beside Donald Trump at a dinner table.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, shared this image to social media a day after meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Fla.
What if Justin Trudeau had never gone to Mar-a-Lago in late November?
There’s a good chance he would still be prime minister and no one would be talking about Canada becoming the 51st state.
Instead, it appears Trudeau precipitated his own demise and the current threats that Canada faces about being absorbed by the United States.
Trudeau rushed down to Donald Trump’s Florida resort on Nov. 29, 2024 – just days after Trump had threatened Canada with 25% tariffs on all goods.
It was a bold move that initially made Trudeau look good. Unfortunately, Trudeau delivered the wrong message and started Trump down the path of pursuing Canada as the 51st state.
Time and again, Trump has told variations of the same story of what was said over the dinner table. Trudeau was asking Trump not to impose tariffs on Canada and when Trump asked him why, Trudeau gave an answer that will haunt him – and perhaps the country – for years to come.
“He said, Canada would dissolve, Canada wouldn’t be able to function,” Trump said while recalling the conversation in a recent media appearance.
At that point, Trump suggested Canada that become a state if we are so reliant on the United States. It’s not clear if Trump was serious then or joking, as it has been described, but the American president is serious now.
What is shocking is that Trudeau’s words, the words of our own prime minister, put us in this position. When I first heard Trump make the claim, I assumed it was an inaccurate portrayal or embellishment of some kind on his part to make himself look good.
But several people with knowledge of the meeting have confirmed Trump’s description of the conversation is accurate. After this story was initially published online, more people reached out to verify not only that it was accurate, but also that Trudeau volunteering how Canada couldn’t survive tariffs is what prompted Trump to push the 51st state idea.
It is unbelievable that Trudeau would make such statements, which made Canada appear weak and helpless while he was trying to negotiate a tariff exemption for Canada, but he did.
Since then, Trudeau’s government self-imploded, his political career came to a less than stellar end, and Trump has become obsessed with taking over Canada.
“Canada would be great as our cherished 51st state,” Trump said in one of his many pronouncements on the issue over the last week.
At times, he belittles Canada, saying that as a country we have very little. Then he flips and describes how great our two countries would be united as one.
Trudeau, meanwhile, called for Canadians to stand tall and take pride in our country on his way out the door. That’s a bit rich for a man who spent years describing Canada as a genocidal state, a post-national state with no core identity for most of his time in office.
On the day that 25% tariffs were imposed by the Americans, Trudeau said Trump wants to ruin our economy to try and take it over.
“What he wants is to see a total collapse of the Canadian economy, because that’ll make it easier to annex us,” Trudeau said.
Sadly, it’s Trudeau who put us in this position in more ways than one.
Firstly, there are the words that he spoke in Mar-a-Lago giving Trump the idea. Secondly, there is the horrible mismanagement of the Canadian economy by his Liberal government for the last decade.
Rather than expand markets, approve LNG exports to Europe and Asia, fast-track west to east pipelines, Trudeau proffered lazily depending on easy trade with the Americans while leaving natural resources in the ground and virtue signalling on climate change.
In 2022, Canada sent 76% of its exports to the United States. That’s higher than the 60% we sent to Britain and the rest of the British Empire in the late 1890s. And militarily, we are more dependent on the United States for defence than we were on Britain at that point.
Trump now realizes this and is looking to capitalize on it.
While I supported Trudeau going to Mar-a-Lago at the time, it now looks like the biggest blunder of his political career.
He should have stayed home.
blilley@postmedia.com
LILLEY: Trudeau's Mar-a-Lago visit sparked Trump's pursuit of Canada as 51st state
If Justin Trudeau hadn't gone to Mar-a-Lago, he may still be prime minister and there'd be no talk of Canada becoming the 51st state.
Bob Rae, the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, says U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggression towards isn’t about fentanyl at the border, it’s about stealing Canada’s land and resources.
By annexing Canada and Greenland, he said Trump would acquire “massive wealth” and rule over the Northwest Passage and its surrounding waters.
Rae reposted it 30 minutes later, emphasizing that the president’s goal is “a colossal land, water and resource grab” and that the tariffs are a means to weaken the economy and allow for an easier takeover, echoing warnings from other Canadian leaders.
“We’re not talking ‘purchase’ or ‘buying’. We’re talking theft by force,” the 76-year-old wrote, adding, “Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives.” Good times.
apple.news
By annexing Canada and Greenland, he said Trump would acquire “massive wealth” and rule over the Northwest Passage and its surrounding waters.
Rae reposted it 30 minutes later, emphasizing that the president’s goal is “a colossal land, water and resource grab” and that the tariffs are a means to weaken the economy and allow for an easier takeover, echoing warnings from other Canadian leaders.
“We’re not talking ‘purchase’ or ‘buying’. We’re talking theft by force,” the 76-year-old wrote, adding, “Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives.” Good times.
Bob Rae says Donald Trump’s goal in Canada is ‘theft by force’ — National Post
‘Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives,’ 76-year-old Canadian ambassador to the United Nations writes on X
Oh no , head for the hills .Bob Rae, the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, says U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggression towards isn’t about fentanyl at the border, it’s about stealing Canada’s land and resources.
By annexing Canada and Greenland, he said Trump would acquire “massive wealth” and rule over the Northwest Passage and its surrounding waters.
Rae reposted it 30 minutes later, emphasizing that the president’s goal is “a colossal land, water and resource grab” and that the tariffs are a means to weaken the economy and allow for an easier takeover, echoing warnings from other Canadian leaders.
“We’re not talking ‘purchase’ or ‘buying’. We’re talking theft by force,” the 76-year-old wrote, adding, “Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives.” Good times.
Bob Rae says Donald Trump’s goal in Canada is ‘theft by force’ — National Post
‘Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives,’ 76-year-old Canadian ambassador to the United Nations writes on X
What kinda glue is he huffing?Bob Rae, the Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, says U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggression towards isn’t about fentanyl at the border, it’s about stealing Canada’s land and resources.
By annexing Canada and Greenland, he said Trump would acquire “massive wealth” and rule over the Northwest Passage and its surrounding waters.
Rae reposted it 30 minutes later, emphasizing that the president’s goal is “a colossal land, water and resource grab” and that the tariffs are a means to weaken the economy and allow for an easier takeover, echoing warnings from other Canadian leaders.
“We’re not talking ‘purchase’ or ‘buying’. We’re talking theft by force,” the 76-year-old wrote, adding, “Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives.” Good times.
Bob Rae says Donald Trump’s goal in Canada is ‘theft by force’ — National Post
‘Fighting back will (be) hard, but it is the fight of our lives,’ 76-year-old Canadian ambassador to the United Nations writes on X
B.C. company apologizes for ad with '51st state' reference
Herbaland Naturals' cheeky message appears to have fallen flat, sparking backlash on social media.
Author of the article:Cheryl Chan
Published Mar 19, 2025 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 3 minute read
A B.C. company says it will remove its ad at a Vancouver SkyTrain station that jokingly referred to Canada as the 51st state.
Herbaland Naturals, Canada’s largest gummy vitamin manufacturer, faced a backlash after a large ad plastered on a wall at Vancouver City Centre Station was shared on social media.
The ad featured some of the company’s product against a white maple leaf with large text saying “Herbaland proudly made in (the 51st state) Canada” with “the 51st state” crossed out. It’s trying to appeal to the flourishing Buy Canadian movement in the country, which is being driven by trade tensions and threats of annexation by U.S. President Donald Trump.
But the cheeky message fell flat, with critics describing the ad as “moronic,” “misguided,” and a “good way to get boycotted.”
“Seems like a bad idea poorly executed,” said one commenter on Reddit, where the photograph was shared Tuesday.
Some people who saw the ad online weren’t clear as to whether the company was joking or not: “It looked like the store wrote 51st state and someone else scratched it out. Must say, not the best idea,” said a commenter.
Other people got the joke but didn’t think it was appropriate.
“That really bothers me, the idea that it’s being normalized … even by joking people can become desensitized to the most offensive ideas,” said another.
Responding to the backlash, the company apologized for the ad and said it’ll be removed on Wednesday.
“To be clear, Herbaland does not support the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state,” it said on an Instagram post Tuesday evening. “Our goal with this mural was to take a stand against the idea of being the 51st state, which is why we crossed it out, but we can see that even mentioning this notion, even to disagree with it, is in poor taste.
“We fully believe in Canada’s independence and unique identity.”
The ad blunder highlighted the pitfalls for companies jumping on the Buy Canadian bandwagon without thinking strategically about their target audience and failing to focus on their mission and values, said Morgan Westcott, associate dean of marketing management at BCIT.
In Herbaland’s case, the underlying concept behind the ad wasn’t the right approach, she said.
“If you’re trying to leverage patriotism and trying to leverage the consumer that cares about Canadian sovereignty, they’re not going to take this as a joke.”
There are also many people who are anxious about the economy or their jobs during these uncertain times and the ad’s attempt at humour could be potentially upsetting.
That’s a shame, noted Westcott, because Herbaland is a local Certified B Corp. that promotes values of inclusivity, sustainability and accountability.
“They’re very engaged and a very committed Canadian company. It’s not like they’re just slapping a maple leaf on something.”
She said Herbaland has done the right thing in apologizing and taking down the ad. She said they should lean into the strong values they already have, perhaps even hop on to Reddit to communicate directly with their critics there.
“I would encourage them to do something classically Canadian and take accountability, say we got it wrong, we’re sorry, and this is how we are going to make it right.”
chchan@postmedia.com
instagram.com
torontosun.com
Herbaland Naturals' cheeky message appears to have fallen flat, sparking backlash on social media.
Author of the article:Cheryl Chan
Published Mar 19, 2025 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 3 minute read
A B.C. company says it will remove its ad at a Vancouver SkyTrain station that jokingly referred to Canada as the 51st state.
Herbaland Naturals, Canada’s largest gummy vitamin manufacturer, faced a backlash after a large ad plastered on a wall at Vancouver City Centre Station was shared on social media.
The ad featured some of the company’s product against a white maple leaf with large text saying “Herbaland proudly made in (the 51st state) Canada” with “the 51st state” crossed out. It’s trying to appeal to the flourishing Buy Canadian movement in the country, which is being driven by trade tensions and threats of annexation by U.S. President Donald Trump.
But the cheeky message fell flat, with critics describing the ad as “moronic,” “misguided,” and a “good way to get boycotted.”
“Seems like a bad idea poorly executed,” said one commenter on Reddit, where the photograph was shared Tuesday.
Some people who saw the ad online weren’t clear as to whether the company was joking or not: “It looked like the store wrote 51st state and someone else scratched it out. Must say, not the best idea,” said a commenter.
Other people got the joke but didn’t think it was appropriate.
“That really bothers me, the idea that it’s being normalized … even by joking people can become desensitized to the most offensive ideas,” said another.
Responding to the backlash, the company apologized for the ad and said it’ll be removed on Wednesday.
“To be clear, Herbaland does not support the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state,” it said on an Instagram post Tuesday evening. “Our goal with this mural was to take a stand against the idea of being the 51st state, which is why we crossed it out, but we can see that even mentioning this notion, even to disagree with it, is in poor taste.
“We fully believe in Canada’s independence and unique identity.”
The ad blunder highlighted the pitfalls for companies jumping on the Buy Canadian bandwagon without thinking strategically about their target audience and failing to focus on their mission and values, said Morgan Westcott, associate dean of marketing management at BCIT.
In Herbaland’s case, the underlying concept behind the ad wasn’t the right approach, she said.
“If you’re trying to leverage patriotism and trying to leverage the consumer that cares about Canadian sovereignty, they’re not going to take this as a joke.”
There are also many people who are anxious about the economy or their jobs during these uncertain times and the ad’s attempt at humour could be potentially upsetting.
That’s a shame, noted Westcott, because Herbaland is a local Certified B Corp. that promotes values of inclusivity, sustainability and accountability.
“They’re very engaged and a very committed Canadian company. It’s not like they’re just slapping a maple leaf on something.”
She said Herbaland has done the right thing in apologizing and taking down the ad. She said they should lean into the strong values they already have, perhaps even hop on to Reddit to communicate directly with their critics there.
“I would encourage them to do something classically Canadian and take accountability, say we got it wrong, we’re sorry, and this is how we are going to make it right.”
chchan@postmedia.com
Herbaland on Instagram: "We hear you, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion or frustration our mural may have caused. We never intended to misrepresent our values or make anyone feel unheard. To be clear, Herbaland does not support the idea o
269 likes, 222 comments - herbalandnaturals on March 18, 2025: "We hear you, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion or frustration our mural may have caused. We never intended to misrepresent our values or make anyone feel unheard. To be clear, Herbaland does not support the idea of...
instagram.com
B.C. company apologizes for ad with '51st state' reference
Herbaland Naturals' cheeky message appears to have fallen flat, sparking backlash on social media. Find out more.
With talk of a 51st state, a mystery: Why is Trump obsessed with Canada?
But many Canadians are simply confused.
44K views · 1.2K reactions | It's weirdly quiet over in honkhonkville. #canada #truth #patriot #Canadian #FreedomConvoy #f#FreeDumbConvoy #truth | Simon King
It's weirdly quiet over in honkhonkville. #canada #truth #patriot #Canadian #FreedomConvoy #f#FreeDumbConvoy #truth.
www.facebook.com
Valid point.
Where ARE all those Convoy Patriots at??
Watching and crying about the state of the country .44K views · 1.2K reactions | It's weirdly quiet over in honkhonkville. #canada #truth #patriot #Canadian #FreedomConvoy #f#FreeDumbConvoy #truth | Simon King
It's weirdly quiet over in honkhonkville. #canada #truth #patriot #Canadian #FreedomConvoy #f#FreeDumbConvoy #truth.
Valid point.
Where ARE all those Convoy Patriots at??
Meet some who want to join a 51st U.S. state
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Fakiha Baig
Published Mar 22, 2025 • 3 minute read
EDMONTON — Jordon Kosikowie has been thinking a lot about what would happen if Alberta joined the United States.
The 35-year-old works in the oil and gas industry in the Edmonton area and says life has been hard in recent years. So he’s open to the idea if it brings more prosperity.
“If there’s an opportunity for me to put more money into my pocket, why not converse about it?” said Kosikowie, who runs a Facebook group for Albertans who want to be a part of a 51st U.S. state. The group has grown to 1,000 members since it was created a few months ago.
“There’s no Canadian dream. I still don’t foresee myself owning a home.”
Kosikowie represents a small fraction of Canadians who say they would vote to join the U.S. in a referendum, said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute.
An online institute survey of 1,653 Canadian adults in January suggested 90 per cent wouldn’t vote for Canada to become a 51st state in a hypothetical referendum.
“The 90 per cent is significant,” she said.
“That really does speak to a consensus that crosses political lines, demographic lines, regional lines, age and gender demographics, and it’s basically the only thing that Canadians agree on right now.”
But it also suggests 10 per cent of Canadians would want to join the U.S.
An online Leger poll released in March said nine per cent of Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state. Support was highest in Alberta at 15 per cent.
The online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population.
Kurl said her survey suggests those in favour of joining the U.S. are mostly conservative men living in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and those who might vote for fringe parties and are “diet MAGA,” referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
“We’re talking about slices of the population on the margins,” she said.
Kosikowie said he would want Alberta to join the U.S. because more conservatives live in Alberta and Albertans are opportunistic.
Many in the province also feel left out from the rest of Canada, he said. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has regularly butted heads with the federal government and says Ottawa has done nothing but harm the oil and gas sector.
“I support statehood, but I support more of the conversation,” Kosikowie said.
Dave Bjorkman has bigger dreams. He thinks all of Canada should be part of the U.S.
The 47-year-old from Edmonton started the Party of the Canadian Constitutionalists. He also created a Facebook group called “Canada the 51st State,” when Trump first made his annexation threat earlier this year. It now has 6,000 members.
Bjorkman said he believes both countries can prosper if they unite. He also feels Canadians are unwilling to work with one another to grow the country’s wealth.
“We don’t even love each other,” he said.
“I’ve been across Canada. All I hear is, ‘I was born in Alberta, I hate Quebec, I hate Ontario,’ or, you know, ‘I’m from B.C., I hate Alberta.”‘
He said Canada can benefit from U.S. trade relations and the U.S. can learn a lot from Canada’s universal health care.
The perceived economic benefit is what’s drawing some Canadians to the 51st state movement, said Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto.
“A lot of these people are unhappy with the current situation,” he said.
“They feel disconnected from the government. They think the government just serves big cities.
“But it’s a wild idea.”
Canadians might view the U.S. as more prosperous, he said, but a merger would create significant economic challenges.
“From a logistical point of view, an operational point of view, a pragmatic point of view, it would take probably a decade for a merger of the two countries to happen,” he said.
“You don’t just wave a magic wand and it happens, because there are all kinds of things that would have to be sorted out.”
This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Trump’s threats to annex Canada need to stop before the two countries can have comprehensive bilateral conversations about trade and security.
“We’ve called out those comments. They’re disrespectful, they’re not helpful, and they need to stop,” Carney said.
However, Kosikowie said Trump’s comments have sparked ideas in the minds of some Canadians.
“We all look at things a different way. We’re all allowed to learn and ask questions,” he said.
“It’s the beauty of Canada.”
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Fakiha Baig
Published Mar 22, 2025 • 3 minute read
EDMONTON — Jordon Kosikowie has been thinking a lot about what would happen if Alberta joined the United States.
The 35-year-old works in the oil and gas industry in the Edmonton area and says life has been hard in recent years. So he’s open to the idea if it brings more prosperity.
“If there’s an opportunity for me to put more money into my pocket, why not converse about it?” said Kosikowie, who runs a Facebook group for Albertans who want to be a part of a 51st U.S. state. The group has grown to 1,000 members since it was created a few months ago.
“There’s no Canadian dream. I still don’t foresee myself owning a home.”
Kosikowie represents a small fraction of Canadians who say they would vote to join the U.S. in a referendum, said Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute.
An online institute survey of 1,653 Canadian adults in January suggested 90 per cent wouldn’t vote for Canada to become a 51st state in a hypothetical referendum.
“The 90 per cent is significant,” she said.
“That really does speak to a consensus that crosses political lines, demographic lines, regional lines, age and gender demographics, and it’s basically the only thing that Canadians agree on right now.”
But it also suggests 10 per cent of Canadians would want to join the U.S.
An online Leger poll released in March said nine per cent of Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state. Support was highest in Alberta at 15 per cent.
The online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population.
Kurl said her survey suggests those in favour of joining the U.S. are mostly conservative men living in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and those who might vote for fringe parties and are “diet MAGA,” referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.
“We’re talking about slices of the population on the margins,” she said.
Kosikowie said he would want Alberta to join the U.S. because more conservatives live in Alberta and Albertans are opportunistic.
Many in the province also feel left out from the rest of Canada, he said. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has regularly butted heads with the federal government and says Ottawa has done nothing but harm the oil and gas sector.
“I support statehood, but I support more of the conversation,” Kosikowie said.
Dave Bjorkman has bigger dreams. He thinks all of Canada should be part of the U.S.
The 47-year-old from Edmonton started the Party of the Canadian Constitutionalists. He also created a Facebook group called “Canada the 51st State,” when Trump first made his annexation threat earlier this year. It now has 6,000 members.
Bjorkman said he believes both countries can prosper if they unite. He also feels Canadians are unwilling to work with one another to grow the country’s wealth.
“We don’t even love each other,” he said.
“I’ve been across Canada. All I hear is, ‘I was born in Alberta, I hate Quebec, I hate Ontario,’ or, you know, ‘I’m from B.C., I hate Alberta.”‘
He said Canada can benefit from U.S. trade relations and the U.S. can learn a lot from Canada’s universal health care.
The perceived economic benefit is what’s drawing some Canadians to the 51st state movement, said Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto.
“A lot of these people are unhappy with the current situation,” he said.
“They feel disconnected from the government. They think the government just serves big cities.
“But it’s a wild idea.”
Canadians might view the U.S. as more prosperous, he said, but a merger would create significant economic challenges.
“From a logistical point of view, an operational point of view, a pragmatic point of view, it would take probably a decade for a merger of the two countries to happen,” he said.
“You don’t just wave a magic wand and it happens, because there are all kinds of things that would have to be sorted out.”
This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Trump’s threats to annex Canada need to stop before the two countries can have comprehensive bilateral conversations about trade and security.
“We’ve called out those comments. They’re disrespectful, they’re not helpful, and they need to stop,” Carney said.
However, Kosikowie said Trump’s comments have sparked ideas in the minds of some Canadians.
“We all look at things a different way. We’re all allowed to learn and ask questions,” he said.
“It’s the beauty of Canada.”
’No Canadian dream’: Meet some who want to join a 51st U.S. state
Jordon Kosikowie has been thinking a lot about what would happen if Alberta joined the United States.
