Somewhere the ghost of a former president is shouting “vindication” from his gravesite in Tennessee.
Specifically James K. Polk. The 11th president staked his 1844 presidential campaign on the expansion of the Oregon territory that spanned from Oregon up through portions of modern-day British Columbia. Obviously, Polk was unsuccessful in nabbing the territory between the 49th and 54th parallel north, considering our modern-day border with Canada is marked in Blaine.
But that 180-year-old rhetorical skirmish is getting a 21st-century makeover. President-elect Donald Trump is calling for — seriously or not — Canada to become the 51st state. Meanwhile, the leader of Green Party Canada, Elizabeth May, has extended the invitation for Washington, Oregon and California to become new Canadian provinces.
“Hey Donald, have we got a deal for you,” May said during a press conference Jan. 3. “You think we want to be the 51st state? Nah. But maybe California would like to be the 11th province. How about it? California, Oregon, Washington, you’ve got geography in common with us.”
May went on to sell the idea of Canada to the three states’ governors including universal healthcare, the country’s strict gun laws and a woman’s right to abortion.
“We don’t have to stop there, Donald, think about it,” she continued, noting Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine could also become provinces. “You could get rid of all these states that vote Democrat.”
The Canadian lawmaker, who serves as a member of Parliament representing Saanich—Gulf Islands in British Columbia, is far from the only politician opposing Trump’s offer to become the 51st state.
Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation on Jan. 6, said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Trump’s comments were ridiculous, according to the Associated Press.
“There is no chance of us becoming the 51st state. I think that this is beneath a president of the United States,” Miller said. “I said a few weeks ago that this whole thing was like a ‘South Park’ episode.”
May’s comments also have a tinge of Independent Cascadia secession — the movement for an independent country made up of California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
Cascadia isn’t a new concept: Seattle University professor David McCloskey used the term in 1981 as a way to describe the regional identity. Following Trump’s first election in 2016, Cascadia Now — a nonprofit based in Seattle dedicated to growing awareness about the Pacific Northwest community — saw a large bump in internet traffic.
Cascadia Now didn’t respond to comment about whether the group has seen another bump in internet traffic over the past week.
Trump hasn’t responded to May’s comments. Neither has the outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee, nor members of Washington’s congressional delegation.
And like Polk didn’t get the 54th parallel, it’s unlikely Trump will gain another state, nor will Bellinghamsters become part of Canada.
So let’s pour one out for what could’ve been: Children learning about 11 provinces instead of 47 states; the Stanley Cup coming back to Canada (we’re looking at you Seattle Kraken); and perhaps easy access to the most important gourmet item — Timbits.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
