Many Albertans consider joining the United States

In Alberta, some residents are considering the idea of joining the United States. Jordon Kosikowie, an oil and gas worker, is one of them. He believes life in Alberta has been tough, and he is open to the potential for better economic opportunities in the U.S. Kosikowie runs a Facebook group for Albertans who support the idea, which now has 1,000 members. He feels there is no real "Canadian dream" for him. Despite this, a survey in January indicated that 90 percent of Canadians would not vote to become the 51st state. Only about 10 percent are in favor, with higher support coming from Alberta, where 15 percent expressed interest in the change. Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, mentioned that this minority appears to be mainly conservative men from Alberta and Saskatchewan. Another supporter, Dave Bjorkman, dreams of a united Canada and the U.S. He feels that Canada can thrive with better trade relations with the U.S. Bjorkman’s Facebook group, “Canada the 51st State,” has grown to 6,000 members. He believes Canadians often harbor resentment toward each other, which hinders national growth. Experts suggest that economic dissatisfaction drives these sentiments. Political science professor Nelson Wiseman noted that many feel disconnected from their government. They believe that their needs are overlooked in favor of larger cities. However, merging the two nations would be complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive planning and negotiation. Prime Minister Mark Carney recently commented on comments made by Trump regarding annexation. He labeled these remarks as disrespectful and counterproductive to bilateral discussions. Kosikowie believes the debate has prompted Canadians to consider their options and engage in discussions about their future.