As a Toronto native studying at Northwestern, I have a unique perspective on the political landscapes of both the U.S. and Canada. In Canada, nearly a decade of governance under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party of Canada has led to widespread frustrations over ballooning deficits, mismanaged immigration policies and allegations of corruption, among other concerns.
With Trudeau’s recent resignation, the question of Canada’s future leadership looms larger than ever. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has floated the audacious notion of Canada joining the U.S. as its 51st state. In a recent Leger survey, 82% of Canadians opposed joining the U.S., citing pride in policies like universal healthcare and stricter gun control. Though far-fetched, this thought experiment underscores a deeper point: Canada urgently needs fresh political leadership and a renewed vision, not an annexation.
Nine Years of Stagnation and the Need for Change
While it’s highly improbable that Canada joins the U.S., Canada still possesses its own challenges. After nearly nine years under Trudeau, the country faces significant hurdles. Federal deficits have soared, leaving Canada more vulnerable in times of economic uncertainty. Immigration, a once-celebrated pillar of our national growth, has become plagued by backlogs and policies that fail newcomers. Allegations of political corruption and cronyism — ranging from the SNC-Lavalin affair to questionable spending decisions — have tarnished the government’s reputation for transparency.
Additionally, Canada lags behind the U.S. in several economic metrics. According to the World Bank, the U.S. enjoys a higher GDP per capita, reflecting robust income and growth opportunities. Many of my peers have crossed the border for stronger prospects in entrepreneurship, research and innovation. This “brain drain” has real consequences: when highly skilled Canadians leave, we deprive our own nation of the talent and innovation necessary to compete globally.
Unlike the U.S’s presidential system, Canada’s parliamentary system is designed to allow leadership changes without waiting for a fixed election date. However, in practice, extended dominance by one party can foster complacency.
Nine years under the same leadership is too long, regardless of party affiliation. Polls show Trudeau’s approval ratings have significantly declined in recent years, reflecting public dissatisfaction. The Canadian electorate is eager for a new vision and bold solutions to pressing issues such as housing affordability, public safety and tax reform.
Charting a New Path Forward
The fact that Trump’s 51st-state gambit gained media traction is a wake-up call: Canada must address its challenges and revitalize its leadership from within. We do not need annexation to spur economic growth or secure a stronger global standing. Instead, we need proactive, innovative governance that seizes on Canada’s many assets — our educated workforce, an abundance of natural resources, democratic values and reputation for stability and fairness.
Housing affordability is one area requiring decisive action. Skyrocketing costs in major urban centers, including Toronto and Vancouver, have made homeownership a dream slipping out of reach for ordinary Canadians.
“Toronto is ranked as the world’s worst housing bubble, and Vancouver is the third most unaffordable housing market on Earth, worse than New York City, London, England and Singapore,” the Conservative Party of Canada said.
A renewed political will could bring about new policies — like “removing gatekeepers and political red tape” — that encourage widespread development.
With regard to public safety, Canada needs to strengthen community policing and tackle the root causes of crime, rather than adopting the U.S. model of heavier incarceration. Meanwhile, tax reforms could incentivize entrepreneurship and scale-ups, helping to keep Canadian talent at home rather than losing our best and brightest to Silicon Valley, or, in my case, Chicago.
Ultimately, such a vision cannot come to life without fresh leadership in Ottawa — leaders who are willing to break from complacency. Canada’s parliamentary system has the ability to deliver that leadership if voters demand it. We must hold politicians accountable, push them on policy details and stay engaged in the political process beyond election day.
A Renewed Canada Worth Returning To
From my vantage point in Evanston, it is clear that Canadians have all the ingredients to foster a thriving economy and inclusive society — if we seize the moment. I left Toronto in pursuit of opportunities that seemed more accessible in the U.S. But in my heart, I would readily embrace a Canada full of innovation, opportunity and robust leadership — one that not only entices expats like me to return, but also welcomes newcomers with a future-oriented mindset.
“Canada will never be the 51st state,” as stated by many provincial and federal leaders, including liberal Trudeau and conservative Pierre Poilievre.
It’s time Canada focuses on building a country strong enough, dynamic enough and visionary enough that nobody — least of all our American neighbors — would ever dare think otherwise.
Dylan Meretsky is a Weinberg senior. He can be contacted at [email protected]. If you would like to respond publicly to this op-ed, send a Letter to the Editor to [email protected]. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect the views of all staff members of The Daily Northwestern.