People love a good map-drawing session. Especially when things get tense in Ottawa. You’ve probably seen the memes or the angry Twitter threads. There’s a persistent rumor that floats across the border every time a federal election doesn't go a certain way: the idea that Canada is about to lose a limb. Specifically, the western ones. If you're wondering which Canadian province wants to join the US, the answer isn't a simple "this one." It’s a messy, historical, and deeply emotional conversation mostly centered on Alberta, with some ripples in Saskatchewan.
But let’s be real. It’s not like there’s a formal application sitting on a desk in Washington D.C. right now.
The sentiment is real, though. It’s born from a feeling of being ignored. Alberta, the powerhouse of Canada’s oil patch, often feels like the bank account of the nation—constantly depositing money into the federal system while getting lectured by politicians in Ontario and Quebec about its industry. This isn't a new fight. It goes back decades. When you hear people talk about "Wexit" (Western Exit), they aren't just talking about leaving Canada; a vocal minority is actively suggesting that the 51st state should have a maple leaf on it. Or, more accurately, a wild rose.
Why Alberta is the name that always comes up
It’s almost always Alberta. Why? Because the economic ties between Alberta and the United States are already massive. If Alberta were a country, it would be one of the largest oil producers in the world. Much of that oil flows south. The pipelines, the corporate headquarters, and the cultural "cowboy" ethos of the province often feel more aligned with Texas or Montana than with the urban centers of Montreal or Toronto.
When Pierre Trudeau—father of the current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau—introduced the National Energy Program in the 1980s, it sparked a rage in the west that never truly died. It’s a generational grudge. Fast forward to today, and you have groups like the Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta or the Free Alberta Strategy. While their primary goal is often outright independence, the "annexation" conversation is the logical next step for those who realize a landlocked country (which Alberta would be) faces some pretty brutal trade hurdles.
Joining the US solves the "landlocked" problem instantly.
The Wexit movement and the 51st state dream
You might have heard of Peter Downing. He was one of the early, loud voices behind the Wexit Canada movement. His argument was pretty straightforward, if controversial: Canada is "unreformable." The logic follows that if the federal equalization system continues to take billions from Alberta to fund services in other provinces, Alberta is better off walking away.
📖 Related: Fire in Idyllwild California: What Most People Get Wrong
But where do you go?
Some advocates have pointed toward the US as a natural fit. They see a Republican-heavy US Senate as a place where Alberta’s resource-based economy would be protected, not phased out. It’s a seductive thought for someone losing their job in the oil sands. "They want our oil, they like our values, and they don't tax us to death," is the general vibe of the argument.
However, don't mistake loud voices for a majority.
Polling on this is wild. Depending on when you ask—usually right after a federal carbon tax hike or a pipeline cancellation—support for "separation" can spike to 25% or even 30% in Alberta. But support for actually joining the US? That’s much lower. Most Albertans are fiercely proud Canadians who just want the rest of the country to stop "kicking them in the teeth," as one local rancher once told me. They want a better deal, not a new passport.
Saskatchewan and the "Buffalo Party"
It’s not just Alberta. Saskatchewan has its own version of this frustration. The Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan emerged as a surprisingly strong force in recent provincial elections, taking second place in several ridings. They aren't explicitly saying "let’s join America," but they are pushing for a level of autonomy that makes the border look more like a suggestion than a hard line.
The economic reality is that the "prairie provinces" feel like a distinct unit. If one moved, the other would almost have to follow. Can you imagine a map where Alberta is a US state, but Saskatchewan is still part of Canada, sandwiched between the US and the Canadian Shield? It would be a geographic nightmare.
👉 See also: Who Is More Likely to Win the Election 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
The massive hurdles nobody likes to talk about
Let's get into the weeds. If a province actually tried this, it wouldn't be as simple as changing the flags. There are massive, almost insurmountable obstacles.
- The Canadian Constitution: Leaving Canada is hard. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the Reference re Secession of Quebec (1998) that a province doesn't have the right to leave unilaterally. There would have to be a "clear majority" on a "clear question," followed by negotiations with all the other provinces. It would be a legal circus that would last decades.
- The US Side of Things: Would the US even want Alberta? Adding a state changes the balance of power in Congress. Democrats would likely fight tooth and nail against adding a province that would almost certainly send two rock-ribbed Republicans to the Senate.
- First Nations Sovereignty: This is the big one people forget. Huge portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan are covered by Treaties (like Treaty 6, 7, and 8). These agreements are with the British Crown and the Canadian government. Indigenous leaders have made it very clear that their lands are not "Alberta's" to take to the US.
Honestly, the legal battle over land rights alone would probably stall any annexation move for a century.
Is there a "Cascadia" option?
On the other side of the Rockies, you occasionally hear about British Columbia joining the US, but in a very different way. This is the "Cascadia" movement. It’s the idea that BC, Washington state, and Oregon have more in common with each other than they do with their respective capitals.
This isn't really a "join the US" move so much as a "let’s all start our own eco-republic" move. It’s the polar opposite of the Alberta-US argument. While Alberta wants to join the US to save its oil industry, Cascadia enthusiasts want to leave their countries to protect the Pacific Northwest biosphere. It's fascinating, but even less likely to happen than Wexit.
Why this conversation keeps happening now
The reason you're seeing people search for "which Canadian province wants to join the US" more often lately is the deepening polarization in Canadian politics. The divide between the "Laurentian Elite" (the power centers in Ottawa and Toronto) and the resource-based economies of the West is wider than it has been since the 80s.
Social media feeds this. A single guy in a truck in Red Deer can film a rant about joining the US, and it gets a million views. It feels like a movement. In reality, it’s often a cry for help. It’s a way of saying, "If you don't start valuing what we bring to the table, we're going to start looking for a new table."
✨ Don't miss: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
What actually happens next?
Most experts, including historians like Nelson Wiseman, suggest that these movements are cyclical. They flare up when the economy is down and the Liberals are in power in Ottawa. They tend to simmer down when a Conservative government takes over or when oil hits $100 a barrel.
Instead of a 51st state, what we’re more likely to see is "Independence Lite." This looks like:
- Alberta creating its own provincial police force (replacing the RCMP).
- Alberta collecting its own income taxes (like Quebec does).
- Provinces demanding more control over immigration and resource development.
Practical takeaways for the curious
If you're watching this play out, don't expect the map to change anytime soon. But keep your eyes on a few key indicators. Watch the Provincial-Federal meetings on healthcare and taxes. If Alberta continues to opt-out of national programs, they are effectively building the infrastructure of a separate state without ever having to fight a war or pass a US Congressional vote.
The "separation" talk is a pressure valve. It allows people to vent their frustrations about a system that feels rigged against them. While the idea of Alberta or Saskatchewan joining the US makes for a great "What If" history documentary, the reality of trade, indigenous land titles, and sheer Canadian stubbornness makes it a long shot.
If you want to understand the depth of this, look into the "Fair Deal Panel" report commissioned by the Alberta government. It outlines exactly what the province wants. It’s not a US zip code; it’s respect, autonomy, and a bigger slice of the pie they’re baking.
Keep an eye on the Sovereignty Act in Alberta. It’s the closest thing to a "soft exit" we’ve ever seen. It allows the province to refuse to enforce federal laws it deems unconstitutional or harmful to its interests. It’s not joining the US, but it’s definitely moving further away from Ottawa. That’s the real story to follow in 2026.
To stay informed, follow local Western Canadian outlets like the Calgary Herald or Western Standard, which cover these regional tensions with much more nuance than the national broadcasters. Understanding the specific grievances in the Equalization Formula is also key—it's the boring math behind the very loud protests. If that formula doesn't change, the "join the US" talk isn't going anywhere.