Staff Reports
Kevin O’Leary, widely known as the “Mr. Wonderful” of the hit show “Shark Tank,” is diving into the deep waters of international diplomacy with a bold proposal that echoes President-elect Trump’s recent musings about Canada. O’Leary suggests that instead of merely keeping the border intact, the two North American nations could create a sort of economic union to better combat the increasing threats posed by countries like China and Russia. Though it’s just talk for now, the notion that Canada could join the U.S. is tickling the minds of many conservative commentators.
Trump, in his typically colorful way, threw out the idea on Truth Social that Canada should become the 51st state. This sparked O’Leary’s thoughts on the potential economic perks of erasing the border and merging resources. O’Leary pointed out Canada’s vast wealth of resources, including its immense energy reserves, likening the Canadian population to that of California. This friendly jab at Canada’s demographic composition seems to suggest that if California can make it, why can’t Ontario or Alberta do the same under the mighty U.S. flag?
However, it’s essential to approach this idea with caution. O’Leary’s propositions resemble a plan more akin to that of the European Union than an outright annexation. Economic unions have their complexities, as seen with the EU’s various challenges. While O’Leary might have his heart in the right place, merging economies and introducing a common currency is no small feat, especially when considering the cultural and political landscape of Canada. The thought of harmonizing tax codes and trade practices might seem appealing, but Canadians should remember that fiscal mismanagement is as close as their own government’s backdoor.
There's 41 million Canadians sitting on the world's largest amounts of all resources, including the most important, energy and water. Canadians over the holidays have been talking about this. They want to hear more. What this could be is the beginning of an economic union. Think… pic.twitter.com/yp5PuLgxZJ
— Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) December 26, 2024
In the conversation around such unionization, a significant point of agreement emerges: nobody wants Justin Trudeau anywhere near the negotiations. O’Leary’s sentiment aligns with the conservative belief that the current Canadian leadership struggles to represent the interests of its citizens effectively. Instead of Trudeau, O’Leary expresses a desire to represent the Canadian populace himself, suggesting he’d rather begin dialogue on potential partnerships without interference from the current administration. He playfully implied he would start crafting this narrative at Mar-a-Lago, which is undoubtedly a nod to Trump’s personal brand and political savvy.
Most Americans would likely find the concept of driving to Canada without crossing borders to be rather appealing. However, it remains clear that any effort to unite the two countries politically would be met with significant obstacles, including the existing political climate in Canada. The idea of Canada voluntarily merging into the U.S. seems far-fetched as long as Eastern Canada continues to have its proclivities toward leftist politics. Separating each province or territory into their distinct states could be a way forward, but it raises serious questions about governance and representation.
In the end, the concept of an economic union may be more feasible than an outright annexation. Canada has much to offer, and a collaborative partnership on security and economic fronts could benefit both nations. Nonetheless, maintaining national sovereignty and a sense of identity is essential for Canadians. The prospect of stronger ties might be appealing, but it must come with the scrutiny and vigilance that modern geopolitics requires—something the current Canadian government appears to lack.
