Republicans warned of 'another California' if Canada becomes a state

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Mar 31, 2025

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A prominent Canadian politician told conservatives in Florida that if President Trump succeeds in making Canada the United States’ 51st state, voters up north would make sure no Republican ever lives in the White House again.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shared her theory with conservative podcaster Ben Shapiro during a Florida fundraising event.

“That would be like adding another California to your electoral system, and [you] would never have a Republican president in the White House again,” the United Conservative Party leader said in a private speech delivered last week, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Smith reportedly said Canadians have “hurt feelings” after Trump insulted their former leader by referring to him as a governor and slapped tariffs on goods coming over the United States’ borders. She also suggested that compared to Americans, Canadians tend to lean liberal, which may not work out well for the GOP when elections roll around.

With its population of just under 40 million people, California is represented by 52 lawmakers in the House of Representatives — 43 of whom are Democrats. Both of the state’s Senators sit on the same side of the aisle.

Canada, which is home to roughly 41 million citizens, would presumably be represented by at least that many members of Congress if it became a U.S. state. Considering that nation’s relatively progressive sensibilities, getting Canadians to support the Republican party would appear to be a heavy lift.

“So I would just caution you that it’s probably best for us to just stay friends, and friends should never move in together,” Smith told Republicans in Florida.

Shapiro reportedly agreed that conservatives in Canada would probably have a stronger showing in April’s Canadian elections if Trump scaled back a looming trade war.