CANADA-US UNIFICATION: BEYOND TRUMP’S “ANNEXATION”

by Promod Puri

Donald Trump wants to see Canada join the U.S. as its 51st state.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and most Canadians perceive this overture as an outright annexation, and no, it’s not a joke. But Trump, ever the dealmaker, calls it a “great idea,” claiming both nations will benefit from becoming one.

Given Trump’s business instincts and penchant for impulsive declarations, one can’t help but question the real motive behind this “great idea.” His musings on Greenland, Gaza, and the Panama Canal suggest an evolving Executive Order shopping list.

However, Trump’s suggestion, if taken from a different and radical perspective, aligns with the amicable message inscribed on the Peace Arch monument at our border crossing: “Children of a common mother.”

The world is shrinking with the advent of the internet and global communication. Cultural differences increasingly take the form of festive celebrations rather than rigid divisions, especially in cosmopolitan hubs.

Meanwhile, environmental crises and economic interdependence make national boundaries seem like outdated relics. So, the idea of merging nations for peace and prosperity does deserve serious contemplation.

If we dream of a world without walls, where no immigrant or refugee is left stranded, then the notion of breaking borders isn’t so far-fetched. That said, I must part ways with Trump’s hidden motives under this “great idea” of annexation.

But if we are to entertain such a merger, let’s do it on our terms. My proposal? Call the new entity the Canadian States of America (CSA).

This way, we finally solve the naming confusion surrounding the United States of America—which currently implies ownership of the entire continent. The CSA would be a more precise and geographically honest designation, encompassing just the U.S. and Canada.

Under this union, the shaky Canadian dollar would become history, replaced by the mighty Greenback. And speaking of currency, our new bills should feature Canadian political stalwarts past and present. Of course, to keep things fair, we can also include grinning ex-U.S. presidents, like George W. Bush, the man who uncovered Weapons of Mass Destruction in Saddam Hussein’s refrigerator. Or Barack Obama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize while overseeing drone strikes that killed countless innocent Afghanis. A genuinely bipartisan currency!

Moving beyond economic benefits, Canada brings to the table a deep commitment to multiculturalism and humane immigration policies. Unlike Trump’s administration, which has brutally rounded up and expelled migrants, Canada has upheld due process, even for those deemed illegal.

However, before signing any unification treaty, Canada must secure guarantees on critical issues. First is gun control. The CSA must outlaw gun ownership among mentally unstable individuals, particularly estranged U.S. veterans, whose access to firearms has fueled mass shootings. Safety and security for all Canadian and American citizens should be non-negotiable.

Moreover, the merger must ensure that each province or state enjoys full autonomy, allowing regions to govern according to their unique identities and interests. The political systems of both nations will also require a fundamental overhaul—not just a merger, but an evolution.

Let’s face it: democracy, as it currently stands, has become a corrupted, untrustworthy, and often dysfunctional system, easily hijacked by authoritarian tendencies. Trump has already showcased his taste for autocratic rule through a flurry of Executive Orders.

Meanwhile, India presents another cautionary tale: Modi’s strongman rule has turned democracy into an iron-fisted regime.

A new constitutional framework is needed, one that I call Democratic Humanism. https://promodpuri.com/2024/03/09/8378/ This evolution of governance would prioritize science, ethics, and sustainability in policymaking. The scientific community must be encouraged to actively shape national policies, ensuring rational, evidence-based decision-making rather than political theatrics.

Democratic Humanism would integrate ethical and spiritual considerations, fostering a system that truly serves humanity and the environment.

With this vision, the Canada-U.S. unification gains a meaningful purpose.

After all, from a universal perspective, the world itself is one nation—a shared planet inhabited by a multiracial, multicultural society. The real goal should not just be a North American merger but a world where artificial boundaries dissolve and humanity moves forward as a united whole.