Canada has long faced calls to join the U.S.: A short history of saying nope to the American dream

By Kevin Jiang – Toronto Star

Canada might be America’s staunchest ally, but it’s a relationship many Canadians prefer to keep at arm’s length.

From burning down the White House during the War of 1812 to politicians being branded traitors for growing too cosy with the U.S. in recent decades, Canadians’ at-times rocky relationship with America has become embedded in our national identity.

It’s a centuries-old sore spot that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump may have stumbled on during a recent dinner with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when he reportedly joked that Canada could become America’s 51st state.