It’s a complicated time to be a certain kind of conservative in Canada. For years, many Canadian right wingers have considered themselves supporters of Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. Ontario premier Doug Ford even referred to himself as an “unwavering” supporter of Trump. This dynamic has always been tricky to navigate, as Canadian identity — to the extent it exists — is deeply bound up with being “not American” while harboring an insecure yearning to be noticed by the United States.

But now, as Trump talks of annexing Canada with “economic force” and making it the fifty-first state — just as Canadians prepare for a probable spring election, quite a time to get noticed — the institutional right north of the forty-ninth parallel is walking a much finer line.

Mainstream conservative politicians have been quick to dismiss Trump’s remarks about making Canada a California North. Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre stated emphatically on X/Twitter that “Canada will never be the 51st state. Period. We are a great and independent country.” He also says he’ll “put Canada first” — whatever that means.