I do not for one second believe there is any real chance that Canada will merge with the United States in any way (Except for one means which I address below), but that isn’t stopping President Donald Trump from continuing to talk about the possible “deal” as if it could actually happen. This is the same deal about which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Who my granny assures me is “One good lookin’ fella”) said that there wasn’t a “snowball’s chance in hell” of ever happening. Yes, this one:
BREAKING – Justin Trudeau:
“There's not a snowball's chance in hell that Canada will ever be the 51st state"
I’m on Canada‘s side on this one. Anybody who isn’t is insane. pic.twitter.com/OdIg1pTPKw
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) February 12, 2025
Alright. So, to the extent that Canada has an official position, that’s it – not a chance. And Donald Trump is supposed to be sophisticated enough to know this. But he keeps on talking about it as if this was possible and one has to wonder whether Trump is thinking about his good friend Vladimir Putin and his attempt to annex property by invasion. Is Trump fantasizing a bit? Maybe hoping that at least parts of Canada want to come over (He probably wants Alberta, Rocky Mountain high, cattle, conservatives, oil, and two major cities – much like Colorado) as part of his expansionist dream:
“Canada, their taxes would come down greatly. Their security would go up greatly. Amazing things happen to Canada; and really, Canada in this particular — why would we pay $200 billion a year in subsidies to Canada when they’re not a state? You do that for a state, but you don’t do that for somebody else’s country; so I think Canada is going to be a very serious contender to be our 51st state.
“I spoke to Governor Trudeau on numerous occasions, and we’ll see what happens; but it just sets up so good for them. Look, the people would pay much less tax than they’re paying right now. They’d have perfect military protection.
“Sets up so good for them”? I don’t know a single Canadian who is doing anything but laughing his ass off about this – and I have talked to a few of my relatives up there. “If you bring a circus, expect a … ” As they follow American politics for sport. Not a single one of them has any interest in joining the U.S. – Canadian healthcare would be as big a reason as any. Ask Canadians about their healthcare system and they’ll complain right up until you talk about modifying it or taking it away, then you have a fight on your hands.
As for the subsidies? Well, I am pretty sure that the U.S. is getting something for that $200 billion and if not – are we actually going to blame the Canadians for our stupidity?
“They don’t have any military protection, essentially, because — and you take a look at what’s going on out there. You have Russian ships; you have China ships; you have Chinese ships; you have a lot of ships out there and, you know, people are in danger. This is a different world today. It’s a different world. They need our protection, yes.”
Canada’s biggest weapon as a matter of national defense is its immense size. Go ahead, try and “take it” – you can start in Victoria and work your way east and be in St. Johns in a decade. The Canadians don’t need the sort of defense we have down here because we have joint defense agreements. Canada has an impressive air force (Something a massive landmass country should have) which helps with NORAD and joint defense. But I have to say, the Canadians don’t spend nearly as much time worried about their military, knowing they can build one right quick should the need ever come about.
Now, there are scenarios where I could see parts of Canada joining parts of the U.S. If the country were to start to rip itself apart, I could foresee a country like “Pacifica,” in which Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, all team up. In such a situation I could see Alberta going wherever Colorado and Montana went. It is very easy to envision the wealthiest part of Canada, Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area – bigger than Houston, as going wherever New York, Philadelphia, and Boston went. Toronto isn’t as big as NYC but much much bigger than Boston or Philadelphia, it would be a good fit among them. A splintering U.S. is the only way that I could see parts of Canada splintering as well, going to the regional “nations” with perhaps joint defense agreements.
But I think Donald Trump is dead serious. I think he believes that he can charm Canada into joining the U.S. or – and this is where it gets a bit scary, “Pressure” Canada from a financial standpoint, perhaps even putting Canada through some pain. Have no doubt, I suspect he would literally have to invade to convince Canadians to give up any of their sovereignty, and even if the U.S. got tough, Canada has a lot of friends in this world, from Europe, to South Korea and Japan… They will surely be just fine.
Yet Trump keeps bringing it up while insulting Trudeau. One cannot help but wonder if Trump is stretching out his inner Putin. Now that’s a bit scary. It is time for Trudeau to start talking about the 11th province starting to get a little bit whiny and needy, perhaps time to shut it up. Maybe Trudeau should call up PM Trump?
God Bless: I can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter – ‘X” at @JasonMiciak and now on Bluesky.
Hey Canada…if this nazi invades…be sure to take volunteers for your military. This is no longer my homeland after the gop nazis have thrown us under the bus. I can actually see where shooting some of these nazis would be a GOOD THING for the children of the world. Kurt Vonnegut tells the tale of looking up his old war buddy, also taken prisoner in the Battle of the Buldge, and who also lived through the bombing of Dresden. His buddies’ wife acted like a bitch, knowing Vonnegut was writing a book about the war, thinking he was going to glorify it. He corrected her, saying his book, later named Slaughter House Five, was an anti-war book. He said the subtitle would be: the Children’s Crusade. She was nice to him after that. So Kurt…sign me up for the Children’s Crusade!!!!! Let these child killers fall like leaves in autumn.
We’ll be right next to you!
I think it may be a sign of his dwindling mental capacity. Like when they asked him about visiting the crash site on the East River and he said “do you want me to go swimming?” It just might be a sign of him losing his marbles. He comes up with a lot of unrealistic ideas. Look at what he says about Gaza. He’s basically fruit loops.
Not a bad theory. He does seem obsessed with this “Gov. Trudeau” thing. It is very unbecoming of an American president. Perhaps use it one time as a soft joke. Anything more and it almost looks insecure on Trump’s part.
jason
his persistence has broken the famous Canadian patience. most of them are boycotting all American goods, refusing to travel here, the duty free shop on our side of the border are empty. you can’t just insult and threaten their sovreignty. Trudeau doen’t even have to impose retaliatory tariffs, the trade relationship is unraveling.
If T persists in making his “jokes” about “Governor Trudeau” after the upcoming Canadian election, you will know his mind us gone.
And all because Natasha slipped him some tongue. I guess France is next. She does like the handsome ones in power.
My mistake, when I said the East river I meant the Potomac.
Regret to inform the orange person that Canada decides its own destiny, and that won’t include becoming a 51st state. However, Canada may entertain the idea of some progressive states becoming Canadian provinces.
Yes, taxes are higher in Canada, but then you don’t have to mortgage your home to have an operation. Assault rifles are banned and mass shootings are rare. Our paper-based voting system is simple and works exceptionally well. A non-partisan federal elections commission strictly limits political contributions, including those of corporations. There are no PACs.
Our political system is also relatively simple. We have two principal parties, the left-leaning Liberals and the right-leaning Conservatives, a smaller left wing and union-orientated New Democratic Party, a Quebec-focused Bloc Quebecois Party, and some minor special interest parties like the Greens.
Parliament is bicameral, consisting of a elected House and an appointed Senate. Most political power is concentrated in the House and on the governing party, headed by the Prime Minister. We don’t elect him or her directly, but instead elect members and the leader of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister. The official head of state in Canada is the King, represented by the Governor General, but this is largely a symbolic role.
We have a constitution that started out as an act of the British parliament, was repatriated by Justin’s father, and now resides in Canada as an act of Parliament, along with a Charter of Human Rights. This provides the legislative bedrock for the country, as interpreted by the Supreme Court and subordinate courts. Constitutional issues don’t arise nearly as frequently in Canada as the US, and our courts aren’t jammed with lawsuits. The per capita rate of lawyers is much lower in Canada, and again people don’t generally mortgage their homes to pursue legal remedies.
Our climate is temperate to downright terrifying, but global warming is going to moderate that and open up some very fertile agricultural land. There’s no shortage of water or energy, and the transportation system is efficient but currently focuses on north-south. That’s going to be re-aligned to east-west starting right about now.
Bottom line: Canada is a stable, friendly, inclusive democracy and a great place to work and safely raise a family. For those who value these principles, come on up and make us better!
Well, you made this Canadian heart proud. Yes, I’m still dual citizen, haven’t lived there since I was 11 (Now 50s), but it still feels like home, especially when I get the Hawkins’ brand Cheezies. Born in Edmonton (Western Conservative Canadians) then moved to Toronto at age 6 (Uber cool liberal Canadian) and would easily move to BC at the drop of a hat (Kelowna).
Yes, there is a lot to love about Canada. When I hear Americans worry about winters, I suspect few of them know of the many cheap flights leaving from major cities to “sun” cities down in Mexico. Many middle class people go at least once, maybe twice a winter for a 5 day period of sun/fun.
And yes, there actually are some “winners” in global warming and none bigger than Canada. The farm land will go ever north, so will grazing, so will people, as winters continue to be less of a big deal. As you say, water and power are everywhere. It will become increasingly an “eco-nut haven” (IMO) as it has so much unspoiled land just about everywhere more than 500 miles north of the U.S. border.
Anyway, that and Cheezies. Oh, and my daughter has proven her Canadian bona fides (She is also a citizen) by loving gravy on french fries.
jason
would love to but it probably isn’t that simple, especially for a retiree.
He wants to be just like Putin and have a continent of his very own to reign over as Emperor. Hence his desire to annex Canada and Mexico. Ain’t gonna happen.