Does Alberta really want to join the USA?

A few nights ago on a British TV news show (Newsnight) an American Republican spokesman - perhaps he was even a Congressman - asserted that not only did Greenlanders want to join the USA but when it comes to Canada, Alberta was already asking to join. I know he made the first bit up, but it was news to me about Alberta. Is there an iota of truth in his claim or that another hallucination?

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TexChik · F

All politics aside, would the quality of life and the standard of living improve for Albertans if they were to become the 51st state? Would their taxes improve, would access to goods and services improve, and would medical care improve? Would their economy improve?

I think if Alberta managed to get it done, it would trigger a domino effect, with several neighboring provinces and territories wanting to join too.

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@TexChik You have asked good questions, but answered none. Is medical care in the US better and easier to get in the US than in Canada? My brief visit there showed me high quality transport within Calgary and good roads outside and a high standard of living compared to the UK. I'm not sure what you mean by 'improving taxes? Lower taxes and poorer services are not seen by everyone as an improvement.

HenrySpanx76 · 46-50, M

@TexChik Alberta has enough natural resources that it would survive as it's own country. They did a study showing it would potentially be in the top 10 for wealth as an independent nation

TexChik · F

@HenrySpanx76 Then why are they so adamant about becoming part of the US? They don't have the bodies. Most of Canada lives south of the line between Minnesota and Maine, protected by the US on 3 sides. Do they want to field a military? Build infrastructure etc.

HenrySpanx76 · 46-50, M

@TexChik No one in Alberta is adamant about being a 51st state. We don’t need the U.S. Now Eastern provinces may require the US one Alberta leaves, as we fund all of Eastern Canada through equalization payments.

TexChik · F

@HenrySpanx76 Funny, I just read a few articles that say their leadership thinks otherwise.

After your PM gets finished screwing Canada for a few Chinese dollars and takes their EVs and other goods, the USMCA gets renegotiated this summer, and that will include 100% tariffs on Canadian goods being sold in the US. I would suspect Alberta will be demanding to leave that disaster.