There’s been some honestly crazy talk about Canada becoming our 51st state in the news. Leaving aside the fact that Canada is actually bigger than the US, only 13% of Canadians actually want this. David Olive of the Toronto Star thinks it’s funny because many Canadians think of Michigan as Canada’s 11th province. He makes some humorous points but concludes with some compelling facts:
Canada is Michigan’s biggest trading partner, accounting for about 41 per cent of Michigan’s exports, or approximately $40 billion per year. And so, at its own expense Canada is nearing completion on a $6.4-billion second bridge across the Detroit River, named for Red Wings legend Gordie Howe.
Thousands of people commute each day from their homes in Michigan to their work in Canada and vice versa. Let’s join Michigan to Canada so that those nurses, engineers, municipal workers and computer programmers can more easily travel within the same country. The pandemic played havoc with those commuters, when the international crossing was closed.
Let’s scrap that border before the next pandemic.
As someone who has regularly visited Canada all my life; vacationing on Sugar Island & St Joseph Island, skiing in Searchmont, enjoying music in Toronto, and zipping across to Windsor with just my enhanced Michigan license whenever the mood strikes me, I’m giving that a big amen!
James shared the photo of the Ambassador Bridge back in February of 2018 writing: Fog covers the cities of Windsor, ONT and Detroit, MI. The Ambassador Bridge connects the two cities. 5 shot panorama stitched in Lightroom. Shot from Detroit Riverside Park.
There’s more pics in his Detroit gallery on Flickr including the photo of the two nations looking downriver.
Overall, the report found 82% of Canadians do not want to become the 51st state with only 13% saying they would.
Michigan in Pictures 
Works for me! Half of my family is Canadian!
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I meant to say that I would be ok with Michigan becoming a province. The title and article were a bit conflicting! LOL!
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That was the intention & I agree … more than the reverse at least!
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I’m Canadian and my family are Americans. I was born in the United States and I am Canadian. I would love for Michigan to be an 11th province of Canada because the ambassador bridge is close and the Detroit river is close. I’m down with Michigan as the 11th province. Put my name down on the vote, I’m gonna vote for that right now. Michigan as the 11th province of Canada would make a lot of sense and that would be awesome and more better.
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First, beautiful photos James! I think it should be easier for Canada/Michigan – I do get why not all Canadians would like the idea. As you recently learned, I am a Canadian citizen who has lived here for 57 years, having moved here when I was 10. I still have a green card and I have to renew it this year (every ten years). What I have to go through to get that card is just incredible. My biggest issue last time wa I don’t have any fingerprints as I had used a keyboard for so many years (legal secretary) and online a lot, so I have worn my fingerprints off. I have to renew in 2025, so I am hoping it goes more smoothly.
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Michigan as an 11th province is another good idea. I like it a lot, that would make a lot of sense because Michigan is close to the ambassador bridge and Michigan as the 11th province would be awesome. I think it would be a better idea. I’ll vote for that. I’m voting for it right now.
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🙌
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