Introduction

In an eyebrow-raising poll conducted by Ipsos, it has been revealed that if given the chance, 43% of young Canadians would consider voting to become American—provided certain 'perks' are guaranteed. This statistic reflects a growing concern among the youth regarding the direction of the country, particularly among young men, as highlighted by Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker.

Key Findings of the Poll

Bricker stated, “One group of people that we’re seeing in Canada these days that are having a pretty tough time with the direction of the country are young men. And in particular, they are most interested in taking a look at the opportunity in the U.S. if they were given the chance of voting for Canada joining the U.S., provided their Canadian dollars could seamlessly transition into U.S. dollars and if their citizenship could be assured. It’s pretty shocking.”

Interestingly, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has playfully referred to Canada as 'the 51st state' in several social media posts, remarks that have sparked rebuttals from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other Canadian politicians.

Support Among Young Canadians

In the poll findings, it appears that among Canadians aged 18 to 34, nearly 40% expressed they would support the idea of joining America under the conditions of guaranteed citizenship and value preservation of their assets. The interest wanes significantly, however, with only about 30% of respondents across all age groups showing any inclination towards this radical shift.

Canadian Pride and Concerns

Despite these surprising figures, Bricker emphasized Canadian pride, with a staggering 80% stating they would choose to remain in Canada if offered a direct choice between staying in Canada or joining the U.S. In contrast, around 48% of Canadians believe that Trump's remarks pose a genuine risk to Canada's autonomy, while 43% argue that they should be dismissed as inconsequential.

Perceptions of Threat and Future Concerns

The sentiment seems to swing among younger Canadians, who appear to feel a heightened sense of vulnerability regarding their nation's stability. 'Younger Canadians are more likely to think the country is under threat,' Bricker noted.

Furthermore, a smaller but notable segment of the populace—around 20%—would entertain the idea of their province becoming part of the United States, but only if provinces like Alberta and Quebec gained independence first.

General Sentiment Towards U.S. Merger

While more than 80% of respondents disagree with the notion that the merger between Canada and the U.S. is on the horizon, the concern is palpable. A striking 27% believe that Alberta or Quebec may depart from Canada within the next decade.

Conclusion and Implications

Bricker concluded, 'When you ask people whether they would support Canada becoming part of the U.S., a solid 80% say no. However, if you present the attractive offer of full U.S. citizenship combined with an equitable change of assets and currency conversion, that number leaping to 30% should give us pause for concern.'

These findings were collected between January 9 and 13, 2025, via an online survey of 1,000 Canadians aged 18 and older. It seems that undercurrents of dissatisfaction and hope for alternatives are brewing among the younger generation, potentially shaping Canada's future political landscape. Is Canada headed toward a re-evaluation of its identity? Only time will tell, but the implications of this poll cannot be underestimated.