Overview

• Maine Sen. Joseph Martin sent the letter to B.C. MLA Brennan Day proposing that B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba seek U.S. statehood via local referendums.
• Martin described the move as “adoption” rather than annexation and called Canadians “kindred spirits” attracted to the U.S. Constitution.
• The letter disparaged Canada’s Charter of Rights, parliamentary government, monarchism, bilingualism and multiculturalism as “political baggage.”
• Brennan Day confirmed the letter’s authenticity before publicly repudiating the proposal as “nonsense” and questioning Martin’s motives.
• Martin has not responded to reporters’ inquiries and no official action has followed from U.S. or Canadian governments.