NewsCross-border aspirations: One in five Americans eye Canada

Cross-border aspirations: One in five Americans eye Canada

20% of Americans would like their state to become part of Canada, while only 9% of Canadians see Canada as the 51st state of the USA.

A merger of the USA and Canada. Surprising poll
A merger of the USA and Canada. Surprising poll
Images source: © Getty Images | Jeremiah Thompson
Anna Wajs-Wiejacka

The latest public opinion poll conducted by the company Leger reveals that 20% of Americans are interested in having their state join Canada as a new province. Among young Americans, aged 18 to 34, as many as 30% would prefer living in Canada. On the other hand, 63% of Americans oppose this idea, while 17% have no opinion.

In Canada, only 9% of residents would like to become the 51st state of the USA. As many as 85% of Canadians reject this proposal, and 5% have no opinion. In the age group 18 to 34 years, 18% expressed interest in joining the USA.

Political preferences also play a role in these opinions. Among Conservative Party of Canada voters, 16% support joining the USA, and among Green Party voters, it's 12%. The most supporters of this idea are among the supporters of the populist People's Party of Canada (PPC) – 30%.

American political preferences

In the USA, 21% of Democratic voters would like to have their state join Canada, and among Republicans, the interest is 17%. The survey was conducted from March 21 to 23 by the company Leger. The results show that the idea of joining Canada to the USA is rejected by 95% of Liberal Party voters, 90% of New Democratic Party voters, 97% of Bloc Québécois voters, 88% of Green Party voters, 75% of Conservatives, and 59% of PPC voters.

The Trump administration suggests that Canada should become the 51st state of the USA, which would bring economic and military benefits. The White House spokesperson emphasizes that the cost of living in Canada is higher than in the USA, and joining could lower it. Former US Ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, criticizes this idea as absurd.

Trump expresses hope that the border between the USA and Canada will cease to exist, creating the safest country in the world. He emphasizes that the anthem "O Canada" will continue to play as the anthem of the new state. His vision assumes that Canada will become an integral part of the most powerful nation in the world.

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