Alberta conservatives advocate for U.S. statehood

Some Canadians, particularly in Alberta, are considering the idea of joining the United States as the 51st state. Jordon Kosikowie, a 35-year-old from Edmonton, runs a Facebook group focused on this movement. He believes that becoming part of the U.S. could bring more economic opportunities, especially since many in Alberta feel disconnected from the federal government. A survey conducted by the Angus Reid Institute shows that 90 percent of Canadians would oppose this idea in a referendum. However, about 10 percent, mostly conservative men from Alberta and Saskatchewan, support joining the U.S. The group size is small, but interest is growing. Dave Bjorkman, a 47-year-old from Edmonton, envisions not just Alberta, but all of Canada as part of the U.S. He leads a group advocating for this unification, believing it would benefit both countries economically and improve trade relations. He feels Canadians are not united or willing to work together to grow the country’s wealth. Experts say dissatisfaction with the current government contributes to this movement. Many people feel their needs are overlooked, especially outside major urban centers. However, merging the two countries would be challenging and complex, potentially taking years to implement. This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized recent comments from former President Trump regarding annexation. He called for an end to such remarks to facilitate serious discussions on trade and security between Canada and the U.S. Despite this, some Canadians like Kosikowie see these discussions as an opportunity for exploration and asking important questions about their future.