Canadians have noticed an unusual labeling issue on Google Maps, leading to speculation that it could be a “sign” of the U.S. pushing to make Canada the 51st state. Several Canadian provincial parks, including Mount Robson Park and Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park, were mistakenly labeled as “state parks.”
Some residents saw this as an “attack on Canadian identity,” with one person stating, “This is a disgusting display of American oppression.” However, Google quickly responded, clarifying that the “state” label is a long-standing technical term used for government-owned parks and not a political statement. They assured users that updates were being made to prevent further confusion.
The incident comes amid tensions between Canada and the U.S. after Trump suggested that Canada would be “much better off” as an American state and imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian imports. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the idea, saying, “It’s not going to happen,” Trump’s recent comments have sparked concerns among some Canadians.
Despite speculation, experts say that adding Canada as a U.S. state would require significant legal and political hurdles, including approval from both the U.S. Congress and Canadian lawmakers. For now, the labeling issue remains a technical glitch rather than an indication of any major geopolitical shift.
