I have made it very clear that I oppose making Canada the 51st state. 

First of all, each province should be its own state, and no way do we want the liberal provinces or Quebec. If we play our cards right, we could get 6-8 new Republican senators without having to put up with Ottawa or Vancouver. 

If we're really smart, we can give the Canucks California, Oregon, and Washington. I think the trade is more than fair. 

I am worried, though, that Trump has inspired a dangerous backlash. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, is very offended by Trump's musings about bringing Canada into our fine country and is threatening to fight us. 

BREAKING: Canada Member of Parliament and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh issues a stern warning to President-elect Trump.

"If you think you can pick a fight with us, there will be a price to pay."

"Our country's not for sale. Not now, not ever [...] We're ready to… pic.twitter.com/bIXQgSk4tE

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 12, 2025

I am quaking in my boots, Jagmeet, as are all Americans. 

Maybe I am off base on this, but Trump is not actually serious about incorporating the country of Canada into the United States. I think most of this bluster has been about crippling Justin Trudeau, and that has worked beautifully. 

And it's clear that Trump is using his bully pulpit to set up trade negotiations with Canada and doing his trademark trolling. He is the big man on campus and revels in it, but when asked, he made clear that he had no intention to "fight" Canada or Jagmeet Singh to annex the country. And the likelihood that Canada would vote to dissolve seems remote. 

Canada will never be the 51st state. Period.

We are a great and independent country.

We are the best friend to the U.S. We spent billions of dollars and hundreds of lives helping Americans retaliate against Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks. We supply the U.S. with billions of dollars of…

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) January 7, 2025

No doubt some fed-up Canadians in the Western provinces wouldn't be unhappy to live in Trump's America after years of living under Justin Trudeau's leadership. Trudeau's policies have hurt the country so much that if it became the 51st state, it would rank at the bottom in per capita income. 

Canada has the housing prices of New York (avg. 450K USD)

the wages of Mississippi (avg. $39,500 USD/yr)

the economy of Alabama (Real GDP $47k USD per person)

and taxes higher than all 50 US states.

— Tablesalt 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@Tablesalt13) November 7, 2024

Canadians are soon going to be rid of the appalling governance of Justin Trudeau and soon after that the Liberals who have been destroying the country. Pierre Poilievre won't begin his term as Prime Minister by signing away the sovereignty of his country, and I doubt that Trump would demand it. 

“The authoritarianism that crept in has taken over. Canadians are afraid to speak up. Becoming the 51st state would mean we would at least get the First Amendment because free speech is ultimate freedom for me.” https://t.co/vOtAZLJyEL

— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) December 28, 2024

What I don't know is whether Trump is inclined to give Poilievre a foreign policy win as a new Prime Minister. Both men could come to a deal later in the year, with both being able to claim a win.

🇨🇦 Pierre Poilievre HITS BACK:

Trump says trade is unfair. Pierre responds with POWER:

“You’re buying our oil at a discount. We should build more refineries, bypass you, and you can buy from Venezuela and Iran.”

🔥 This is the leadership Canada needs. Smart. Strong.… pic.twitter.com/crB47H3mY1

— Marc Nixon (@MarcNixon24) January 10, 2025

Trump gets more border security and perhaps some trade concessions, while Poilievre can show that he can stand tall to protect Canada's interests. If done right, it could be a win-win. 

It's hard to believe but at one point Canada's GDP Per Capita was actually higher than the US.

Now, there is a $30.5k USD gap.

GDP Per Capita, USD:

Canada - $54.87k
US - $85.35k pic.twitter.com/Fj80uERtmS

— Kirk Lubimov (@KirkLubimov) June 14, 2024

If they are really smart, they can announce some sort of economic union, whatever that might look like. In any case, it made sense to hit Trudeau where it hurts, and it makes no sense to undermine Pierre Poilievre as he enters office later this year. 

Trump is unpredictable, so who knows what he will do? But if history is any guide, he will find a way to come out with a win. I hope he hands Poilievre one as well. 

But one this is certain: Jagmeet Singh isn't going to be leading anyone to the front lines in the great North American war. 

Besides, where will Canada get the guns to fight? Smuggle them across the border?