Meet the Canadians ‘over-the-moon’ at the prospect of joining the US

New York Post - Mar 15th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Some Canadians, particularly in Alberta, are excited about President Trump's proposal to make Canada the 51st state in the US. Enthusiasts like Peter Downing and Shawn Harvey feel more aligned with US policies, particularly due to Trump's stance, which contrasts with former PM Justin Trudeau's perceived anti-oil and gas approaches. This sentiment is strongest in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada's major oil-producing provinces, where the 'Wexit' movement has found traction. The campaign has sparked billboards and mobile ads, with advocates like Dennis Modry planning to engage with US officials.

The push for Alberta's secession from Canada is partly fueled by dissatisfaction with federal policies such as equalization payments, seen as unfair by richer provinces. Joining the US is viewed as a path to lower taxes and more favorable policies. The movement's momentum is evidenced by merchandise and public endorsements, including Elon Musk's supportive comments. However, any move towards statehood requires a referendum and widespread local support, highlighting both the complexity and the potential for significant geopolitical shifts.

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RATING

4.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article explores a provocative and controversial topic—Alberta potentially joining the U.S.—which is timely and relevant given current political and economic debates in Canada. It presents the perspectives of a specific segment of Albertans who support this idea, highlighting their economic grievances and political dissatisfaction.

However, the article's accuracy and balance are limited by a reliance on anecdotal evidence and a lack of comprehensive data or expert analysis. The narrative is skewed towards the sentiments of the '51st Staters' without offering counterarguments or insights from a broader range of perspectives. This affects the article's overall credibility and impact.

While the article is engaging and readable, it would benefit from additional context, transparency, and a balanced exploration of the issue to enhance its public interest value and potential to influence public opinion. The controversial nature of the topic is a strength, but it also requires careful handling to avoid misinformation or undue polarization.

RATING DETAILS

4
Accuracy

The story contains several claims that require verification and are not fully substantiated by available evidence. For instance, the claim that President Trump suggested making Canada the 51st U.S. state is significant and requires corroboration from credible sources. The article also mentions Albertans expressing enthusiasm for joining the U.S., citing individuals like Peter Downing and Shawn Harvey. However, these are anecdotal and do not represent the broader public opinion, which would need more comprehensive data.

Additionally, the description of Alberta as the 'Texas of Canada' due to its oil wealth and conservative leanings is a widely recognized characterization, but the article could benefit from supporting data or expert commentary to provide a fuller picture. The mention of the Wexit movement and its growth under Trudeau's policies is factually grounded, yet the extent of its influence and support is not clearly defined.

The article's claim about billboards and merchandise promoting U.S. union needs visual evidence or reports from multiple sources for verification. Similarly, Elon Musk's alleged comment on social media should be directly sourced to ensure accuracy. These gaps in sourcing and verification lower the overall accuracy score.

5
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of Albertans who support the idea of joining the U.S., focusing on individuals like Peter Downing and Shawn Harvey. It highlights their economic grievances and political dissatisfaction, particularly with federal policies perceived as anti-oil and gas. However, it lacks a balanced representation of opposing viewpoints from those who might support remaining part of Canada or who oppose the idea of joining the U.S.

The narrative is skewed towards the sentiments of the '51st Staters' without offering counterarguments or insights from Canadian government officials, policy analysts, or other stakeholders who might provide a broader context. This omission creates an imbalance in the article's presentation, as it does not fully explore the complexities of the issue or the potential implications of such a drastic political change.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting the narrative in a straightforward manner. It uses direct quotes and vivid descriptions to convey the sentiments of the individuals featured, which aids in reader comprehension.

However, the article could improve in providing clearer context and explanations for complex political and economic concepts, such as equalization payments and the legal process for a province to secede or join another country. These concepts are mentioned but not thoroughly explained, which could hinder understanding for readers unfamiliar with Canadian politics.

Overall, while the article is readable and engaging, it would benefit from additional context and clarification of key terms and processes to enhance reader understanding.

3
Source quality

The article relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and quotes from individuals like Peter Downing and Shawn Harvey without providing broader statistical data or expert analysis to support its claims. It lacks authoritative sources or references to credible studies, surveys, or official statements that could lend weight to the narrative.

The absence of diverse sources, such as political analysts, government officials, or academic experts, diminishes the reliability of the information presented. Additionally, the article does not cite any official documents or statements from the U.S. or Canadian governments, which would be crucial in verifying claims about potential political changes. The reliance on individual opinions without broader context or verification from authoritative sources impacts the overall source quality.

4
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the methodology behind its claims or the basis for selecting the individuals quoted. It lacks transparency in terms of how the information was gathered, which can affect the reader's ability to assess the impartiality and credibility of the content.

Moreover, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the perspectives presented. For example, it does not explore the motivations behind the individuals' support for joining the U.S. or the potential political or economic interests at play. This lack of transparency in the reporting process and the absence of context regarding the sources' backgrounds and motivations affect the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-remarks-on-canada-becoming-the-51st-state-raise-a-lot-of-questions
  2. https://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=390325%3Futm_source%3Dpolitipage
  3. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=371194http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D371194
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2fgN01mra0