British Columbia Legislator Irked by U.S. State Senator's Proposal for Bilateral Relationship
In an unprecedented move, Republican Maine State Senator Joe Martin has put forth a proposal for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba—Canada's four western provinces—to join the United States as full states. Martin's rationale centers on the idea that these provinces, which he labels as "kindred spirits," would be better off politically and economically as U.S. states rather than Canadian provinces.
Martin's letter, which portrays the U.S. constitutional and legal system as grounded in a "Christian moral order" with true free speech, contrasts this with what he describes as "Canadian political baggage" such as bilingual federal documents, monarchy, and bureaucratic regulations. He argues that admission to the U.S. should be as full states, without conditions or dual allegiance.
The senator believes that many residents in these provinces are frustrated by what he terms as "central authority, moral decay, and bureaucratic suffocation," and joining the U.S. would offer them liberty and better governance. He sharply criticized aspects of Canadian governance and implied that the western provinces share more cultural and political affinity with the U.S. governance model than with the Canadian federal system.
This move follows President Donald Trump's controversial calls earlier in 2025 for Canada to be annexed as the 51st U.S. state, reflecting ongoing tensions and trade conflicts between the two countries that year.
The proposal has been widely rebuked by Canadian officials. British Columbia MLA Brennan Day, a legislator with the Opposition B.C. Conservative Party, described it as "nonsense." Day's response highlighted that Martin was acting outside his jurisdiction and that the proposal was rejected firmly by Canadian officials.
Day, who suspects Martin wrote to him due to rhetoric coming from Alberta, did not express interest in adopting more of the U.S. system. Instead, he questioned the wisdom of Martin's proposal, suggesting it may be burdened with unnecessary baggage. Day also emphasized that Canadians and U.S. neighbors cooperate but have distinct identities and governance systems.
The response from the governments of the four provinces mentioned was not provided. However, it is clear that the idea is unsolicited, lacks official Canadian support, and has been met with strong rejection by those provinces' leaders.
Despite the rejection, Martin believes that "millions of people currently frustrated by central authority, moral decay, and bureaucratic suffocation" would be rewarded by "liberty" if the four provinces were to join the United States. However, the overwhelming majority of Canadians, according to Day, are content with their country as it is.
The proposal by Senator Joe Martin, advocating for Canada's western provinces to transition into full U.S. states due to a perceived alignment with American politics and governance, has been met with criticism by Canadian officials. British Columbia MLA Brennan Day, who suspects Martin's proposal might be influenced by rhetoric from Alberta, considers it unnecessary baggage and questionable in wisdom. Despite Martin's belief that joining the United States would provide liberty to millions of frustrated individuals, Day asserts that the majority of Canadians are content with their current political and governance system.
