Shields survey: 26 per cent okay with Canada as 51st state

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Taber Times

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Bow River MP Martin Shields recently sent out his February newsletter, and as is often the case, it included survey results gathered from riding constituents. The survey questions are often yes or no questions worded in a manner that plays right into the opinions of a staunchly Conservative base, and as a result, the responses are often completely lopsided in one direction or another. 

This month’s results yielded a few predictable majority responses but also a few that will come as a startling surprise to some of us. First, here are a couple of the expected results (percentages rounded to whole numbers):

Q: Do you think it would have been better for Justin Trudeau to call an election now rather than proroguing Parliament so the Liberal Party has time to find his replacement?

A: Yes – 92 per cent, No – 7 per cent, Unsure – 1 per cent (175 votes)

Q: Do you agree that Carbon Tax Carney, Carbon Tax Chrystia, and Carbon Tax Karina are all Just Like Justin?

A: Yes – 88 per cent, No – 8 per cent, Unsure – 4 per cent (175 votes)

Those are the no-brainers. Expected answers in a Conservative riding, along with some standard nickname-calling.

Then there was an unusual response.

Q: Are you satisfied that Justin Trudeau resigned?

A: Yes – 68 per cent, No- 28 per cent, Unsure – 4 per cent (172 votes)

It’s odd that only a little more than two-thirds of southern Alberta respondents were “satisfied” to see a seemingly vilified PM call it quits.

And then there were two that are worth a double-take.

Q: Would you be open to Canada becoming part of the USA?

A: Yes – 26 per cent, No – 57 – per cent, Unsure – 18 per cent (175 votes)

Q: If you personally were given the chance to become a US citizen and keep your assets in USD, would you take it?

A: Yes – 30 per cent, No – 43 per cent, Unsure – 26 per cent (173 votes)

Are you surprised? Not surprised? Granted, it’s a small sample size, but it’s not totally insignificant. That’s about 53 per cent who are either in favour of or unsure about seeing Canada annexed. And about 56 per cent who are either in favour of or unsure about becoming a US citizen and keeping their assets in USD.

Take home lesson: Next time you’re booing the US national anthem at a sporting event, don’t be surprised if you hear a Canadian in the stands next to you singing it.