B.C. is the province least likely to want to join the United States, new poll suggests

British Columbians have little appetite to sever ties with Canada and join the United States, according to new polling.

Research Co. recently polled Canadians and found that the notion of a province benefitting from becoming the 51st state resonates most in Alberta, where 30 per cent of respondents said the province would benefit from joining the U.S.

Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario saw 29 per cent of respondents say the same. Quebec registered at 24 per cent, Atlantic Canada at 24 per cent, and B.C. at just 18 per cent.

“The appeal of a province joining the United States varies greatly by age,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.

“While only 10 per cent of Canadians aged 55 and over perceive benefits, the proportion rises to 27 per cent among those aged 35 to 54 and to 40 per cent among those aged 18 to 34.”

CTV News obtained this study on the same day U.S. president-elect Donald Trump took aim at Canada again, saying it would be "a great idea" to make it America's "51st state."

"No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense!" Trump wrote Wednesday morning on Truth Social.

"Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st state. They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st state!!!"

Political scientists on both sides of the border in Bellingham, Wash., and Vancouver, B.C., say the ongoing 51st state comments could simply be a negotiating tactic as the two sides wrestle over the threatened 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods after Trump enters the Oval Office in January.

“I think we're in a dangerous moment where Donald Trump, who we know operates as a kind of political bully who finds the weak points and relentlessly attacks them, even if it's only in what seems to be a joking sort of way,” said Stewart Prest, a political science professor at UBC.

“He is relentless in that sense. Once he smells that kind of weakness.”

Trump's comments come amid ongoing turmoil in Ottawa. Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland resigned from her position with the Liberal government, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been called to step down. Since Trump’s initial comments on Canada becoming the 51st state earlier in the month, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has gone so far as to threaten to cut off his province's energy supply to the bordering states should the tariffs come into effect.

“Obviously, Canada's response would be most effective with a robust and united federal government leading the charge,” said Prest.

“But just as clearly, the federal Liberals are encumbered with this debate over the future of Justin Trudeau and unable to exercise that kind of leadership.”

Prest believes the fight will fall to the premiers, all of whom depend on trade with the United States for the continued prosperity of their voters. 

The Research Co. poll was conducted online from Dec. 13 to 15 among 1,001 Canadian adults. The results were weighted to census data for age, gender and region. Research Co. says the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.