Vocal group in Canada wants to make it the 51st state of America
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A small but vocal minority of Canadians support the idea of their country becoming the 51st US state, citing economic and political frustrations, though the vast majority reject the notion, recent polls suggest.
According to a January survey by the Angus Reid Institute, 10% of Canadians would back US statehood, while 90% oppose it outright. Supporters argue that joining the United States could provide greater economic opportunities and lower taxes. However, economists and political analysts warn that such a move could have severe economic consequences for Canada.
The idea gained renewed attention after US President Donald Trump, in a December meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made comments about Canada becoming a US state. While initially dismissed as a joke, Trump's remarks, combined with economic pressures such as US tariffs on Canadian goods, have fueled debate among fringe groups.
In Alberta and Saskatchewan, where dissatisfaction with federal policies is highest, some individuals have pushed for closer ties with the US. A billboard in Bowden, Alberta, featuring Alberta Premier Danielle Smith alongside Trump with the message "Let's join the USA!" has sparked controversy. Smith, however, dismissed the idea, saying there is "no enthusiasm" for it.
Ryan Hemsley, a Victoria resident who supports US statehood, argued that joining the US would provide better job opportunities and lower taxes. "I know that just based on my work ethic, I would be able to make more money," he said. Others who back the idea cite grievances with vaccine mandates, the British monarchy, or Canada's healthcare system.
Experts, however, dispute claims of economic benefit. Jim Stanford, an economist with the Centre for Future Work, said that while the US has a higher GDP per capita, Canadian workers generally earn more and pay less in out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
"Americans don't get paid in per capita GDP; they get paid in wages," Stanford said. "The idea that Americans have access to more opportunity that Canadians are denied is absolutely false."
Polls indicate that while some Canadians express dissatisfaction with their country's leadership, few seriously advocate for statehood. A separate Ipsos poll found that 30% of Canadians would consider joining the US if granted citizenship and asset conversion to US dollars, though experts suggest such opinions often shift when the broader implications are considered.
Despite gaining attention on US conservative media, political analysts say the movement remains marginal. "No major policy initiative, let alone annexation, is going to happen unless mainstream political leaders support it, and they don't," said Jared Wesley, a political scientist at the University of Alberta.
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