Google has spoken out after Canadians claimed to have spotted an 'error' on their Google Maps which has left them concerned.
President Donald Trump has been floated the idea of joining the US and it's northern neighbor together.
Earlier this month, he issued 'catastrophic' tariffs on the country to halt drug production coming into the US, however, he has spoken about erasing the 5,525-mile border, which he argues would be for the benefit of trade.
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Despite his comments initially been seen as a joke by the Canadian government as a joke (via AP), his seriousness has made them realise this is no laughing matter.
And now, Canadians have claimed a term used on Google Maps to refer to the parks is a 'sign' that the US is possibly taking steps to acquire the country.
Users have noticed that some provisional parks in Canada have been identified as 'state' parks on the platform, with one resident, Rachel Deren, telling CTV News: "I would like to draw attention to this disgusting display of American oppression of Canadian culture and autonomy.
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"This alarming revelation has stirred many who have noticed, as it is an attack on our Canadian identity."
Among the parks that have been 'incorrectly' labelled are Mount Robson Park, Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park, and Pinecone Burke Provincial Park.
The woman said Google Maps users are reporting the 'incorrect designations' to the tech giant in the meantime, adding: "We are proud to be Canadian and will remain so despite attempts like this from our ever increasingly hostile neighbours to the south."
In response, a spokesperson for Google told Vancouver Is Awesome that the 'state' label is a technical term that has been around for years on the app and is reference to the general government.
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“We have not made any recent changes to the way we label parks in Canada – the vast majority of these parks have had their existing labels for several years. We're actively working to update labels for parks in Canada to avoid confusion,” they said.
Others on Reddit have also been documenting what they consider a 'worrisome' trend', however, some have pointed out that is not a 'sign' America is inching closer to acquiring it as a state, as one claimed it was 'stoking unnecessary hysteria'.
What would happen if Canada joined the US?
If it were to happen, the North American map would be drastically reimagined and transformed - as would the political landscape.
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Only Hawaii would be left as the only non-contiguous state while Canada's hefty population of almost 42 million would make it the largest state of all.
Politically speaking, this would make it bigger than California and necessitate two senators as well as 55 House seats, in turn reducing the number of other state delegations to make room for the new Canadian members.
Essentially, Canada would become the prized possession in all presidential races and could dwarf the impact of swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, The Independent reports.
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But to add a state, congress would have to agree to it with a House majority, with the constitutional rules indicating it would need a minimum of 60 votes in the 100-member chamber to pass.
The Constitution's Admissions Clause, Article IV, Section 3, states: "New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress."
If passed, the president would have to sign it into law - something which Trump clearly isn't hesitant to do.
Could Canada refuse to become a US state?
Technically, residents within a territory don't have to vote to join the US, but it's more than likely Canada would have a referendum to determine voters' feelings before any plans are set in stone.
It's pretty unlikely Canada would be keen on the idea as ever since Trump's tariff threats, Canadian sports fans have taken to booing the US national anthem at NBA and NHL games, in an apparent hit back against the idea, The Independent further reports.
And Trudeau has similarly stood strong on even entertaining the idea - bluntly stating (via the BBC): "It's not going to happen."
Of course, public opinion wouldn't matter if the US simply take it by force, but this is even more unlikely.
Is Trump serious about Canada?
In comments made about the potential acquisition of the country, Trump said: "If people wanted to play the game right, it would be 100 percent certain that they'd become a state."
He also said Canada would be 'much better off' being a US state, reports Forbes, while Trudeau has warned business leaders that Trump's vision is a 'real thing'.
Topics: California, Canada, Donald Trump, Google Maps, Hawaii, Justin Trudeau, Michigan, Politics, US News, World News
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