Rethinking borders: Surprising support for US‑Canada exchange

Leger's latest public opinion poll reveals that 20% of Americans are interested in having their state join Canada as a new province. Among young Americans, aged 18-34, 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 their country 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 18-34 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%.

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 21-23 March 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 Quebecois 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 emphasises 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, criticises 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 emphasises 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.