A new separatist movement located in Alberta is calling on the province to leave Canada and join the United States as its 51st state. Provincial Facebook group “Canada the 51st State”—which recently exploded from 1,000 to over 6,000 members in a matter of months. This grassroots movement is an example of the growing anger and frustration directed at the federal government. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is a vocal supporter of this idea. She’s frequently butted heads with the federal government and in particular their oversight of the oil and gas industry.
This new popular unrest is driven by legitimate economic grievances, a lack of faith in the current political establishment and economic policy. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has criticized the federal government for allegedly harming the oil and gas industry, which is crucial to the province's economy. Smith contends that these policies have done nothing but damage the sector. The thousands of Albertans who depend on agriculture to make a living are the ones suffering.
His fledgling Party of the Canadian Constitutionalists, started by the 47-year-old Edmonton-area native, is riding this separatist wave. This is the view of 35-year-old oil and gas worker Dave Bjorkman, who lives just outside of Edmonton. Bjorkman, who has gone through a tough patch in recent years, is convinced that moving in tandem with the U.S. would pay dividends.
"Canadians might view the U.S. as more prosperous," said Dave Bjorkman.
No matter how much the idea of this merger excites some Canadians, big obstacles still lie ahead. In January, a new online institute which surveyed 1,653 Canadian adults. The survey results found that 90 percent of them were against the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state. This was confirmed in a March Leger poll. It showed that just nine percent of Canadians were in favor of such an action.
The economic promise pulls many Canadians into this movement. As University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman meets an interesting point. He observes that most advocates of the 51st state movement are lured in by the promised economic benefits. As Wiseman cautions, a merger would bring with it enormous economic hurdles.
Jordon Kosikowie started the “Canada the 51st State” Facebook group after Donald Trump’s annexation threat earlier this year. For one, he understands that people are motivated by many different things.
"We all look at things a different way. We’re all allowed to learn and ask questions," said Jordon Kosikowie.
Kosikowie further laments the lack of a “Canadian dream,” as he describes it, thinking aloud about his own unsustainable economic forecast.
"There’s no Canadian dream. I still don’t foresee myself owning a home," remarked Jordon Kosikowie.
Fakiha Baig calls attention to the strong consensus amongst Canadians that we do not want to join the U.S.
"That really does speak to a consensus that crosses political lines, demographic lines, regional lines, age and gender demographics, and it’s basically the only thing that Canadians agree on right now," said Fakiha Baig.
