Donald Trump’s recent comments about annexing Canada have sparked outrage and ridicule across the northern border, with Green Party leader Elizabeth May issuing a sharp rebuttal.
During a press conference on Wednesday, May dismissed Trump’s proposal to take over Canada by economic force, instead flipping the script with her own counteroffer: welcoming California, Oregon, and Washington into Canada as provinces.
“We got a deal for you,” May said. “You think we want to be the 51st state? Nah. Maybe California would like to be the 11th province. How about it? California, Oregon, Washington?”
May extended her invitation to the governors of the three West Coast states—Gavin Newsom (California), Tina Kotek (Oregon), and Jay Inslee (Washington)—highlighting the benefits of Canadian membership.
“Want to put a referendum to your citizens?” May said. “This is what you get: free healthcare. Universal healthcare.”
Her remarks were a response to Trump’s claim that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state, a statement he doubled down on by threatening to use “economic force” to achieve the merger.
May’s comments followed Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s slight jab, who jokingly proposed that Canada purchase Alaska and Minnesota instead. “How about if we buy Alaska? And we’ll throw in Minnesota and Minneapolis at the same time,” Ford said earlier this week.
Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also weighed in, rejecting Trump’s proposal outright. “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become a part of the United States,” Trudeau said in a statement.
Canada isn’t the only country Trump has expressed interest in acquiring. The incoming president also suggested the possibility of purchasing Greenland and taking control of the Panama Canal.
With Trudeau stepping down as Prime Minister, Canada faces a transitional period in its leadership, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Canada relations under new leaders. However, Trump’s remarks have united Canadians across the political spectrum in rejecting any notion of annexation.
“We’re not a big nation for braggarts and bullies,” May said. “We like to think we’re of service in the world.”
