Key Takeaways:

• The article discusses heritage links between the U.S. and Canada.
• Donald Trump's comment about Canada possibly joining the U.S. is seen as an opportunity rather than a threat.
• Recent polls indicate low support for such a union among Canadians, highlighting strong national sentiments.
• Trudeau's governance is linked to a shift away from traditional Canadian identity towards a postnational perspective.

In a compelling opinion piece published by the New York Times, the author reflects on the familial connections between the United States and Canada, recollecting their great-great-grandmother's roots in Saint John, New Brunswick. The author provocatively proposes that former President Donald Trump’s jest, which implied that Canada could be better off as part of the United States, should not be perceived as a threat but instead as a unique opportunity. This assertion comes at a time when Canadian public sentiment toward such ideas is markedly cold, with only about 10% of Canadians supporting the notion of becoming part of a Greater United States.

The article notes that Canadian identity is deeply intertwined with the desire to distinctly separate itself from the U.S., a sentiment recently echoed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he described Canadian pride as firmly rooted in the expression, “Well, we’re not American.” Such contrasts reflect historical positions of both nations, with Canada traditionally viewing itself as an alternative to the increasingly radical political landscape of the U.S. over the decades.

Trudeau's leadership is suggested to signify a departure from Canada’s Anglo-Protestant heritage and multicultural ethos, pivoting towards this new identity concept as a so-called “postnational state,” indicating a lack of a unified core identity or mainstream. The opinion piece critiques this trend, suggesting it may culminate in an identity crisis for Canada, as notions of "not-Americanness" fade as a basis for national solidarity.

For more insights into the complexities of Canadian national identity in light of external influences, consider reading the full article on [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/11/opinion/o-canada-come-join-us.html).