While Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shops his country to China and Qatar, Americans should revisit an idea the Founding Fathers first proposed: welcoming Canada into the Union.
However, integrating Canada as one state would be unwise. Trump’s talk of a “51st state” may entertain some, but it misses the point. Instead, Canada should be integrated into America one province at a time beginning with the Province of Alberta.
With that said, once Alberta joins the United States and Quebec exits the confederation, the backbone of Canada collapses. Smaller provinces would face a stark choice: cling to a diminished federal core or integrate into the American system that already anchors their trade and security. At that point, accepting the life raft from America would merely be recognizing reality.
The U.S. does not need to annex Canada in a single stroke. Like a lion devouring a fat gazelle, America should absorb Canada one bite at a time.