Relationship Between Canada And The United States

Today, Canada and the United States are always mentioned in the same conversation. Being neighbouring allies, major trading partners, and having a long history of cooperation between each other, makes it difficult to show what Canada has to offer. We, as a country, have slowly been assimilated into American culture. Due to this loss of identity, Canada has become the United States shadow. As Canadians, we have become an extension of the United States, which has caused our individuality as a nation to be lost. This notion will be shown through Canada’s economic ties with the United States, defence relationship, and America’s dominance of media in Canada. The Canadian economy largely resembles the United States. This is due to similarities
in living and production standards. Today, Canada stands as the 9th largest economy in the world. This immense growth in Canada’s economy is dependant on countries like the United States.
The manufacturing industry in Canada is huge as labour cost is low which attracts the attention of major automobile companies in the U.S. By doing so, the cars sold and owned in Canada are mostly American brands. In fact, as of April 2018, the top three brands of cars sold in Canada are Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet which is American. Although the cars are made in Canada, the majority of them are American, showing how Canada’s automobile industry is largely controlled by the U.S. Furthermore, the softwood lumber industry in Canada, providing thousands of jobs for people, is one of the most important relationships with the United States. The United States market has depended on imported lumber for the past 25 years. The lumber has injected nearly $23 billion
into Canada’s economy. This displays the immense impact the trade relations with the U.S has on Canada’s economy. Consequently, it shows how Canada has become an extension of the United States. Although much of the trade is linked with the U.S, China has also a significant impact on Canada’s economy. Over the past couple years, China’s economy has begun to slowly climb up to the top. Meanwhile, Canada has fallen behind countries like Australia. By doing so, the relationship with China becomes more important for the economic growth of Canada. Even so, United States continues to stay at the top and will be Canada’s number one trade partner for many years to come.
The United States is easily Canada’s most important defence. The relationship which exists between the two nations allows for greater security. Furthermore, the gap in army supplies and forces displays how weak Canada is compared to the U.S. In Canada, the military budget is $15.5 billion compared to the United States $554.2 billion. Meaning, if the United States decided to invade Canada, the country would be taken down fairly easily. To continue, Canada has only 100 fighter aircrafts while the States has 3,318. Due to this, Canada has a larger incentive to keep close ties to America and follow in their footsteps. This works to show how Canada has become a shadow of the United States. After Canada became independent, the country looked to the U.S for protection. They accepted, but only if Canada would fight on their side in wars. This is the complete opposite of independence and completely contradicts everything Canada should stand for. Even though our army does not stand up to the United States, the small size makes it so that army courses are advanced which allows for troops to be highly trained and capable. Every soldier in the Canadian army is taught to use a compass, radio, light and medium machines, and the rocket launcher, which few other militaries do. This allows for quality over quantity. Even so, the United States budget and superior air force puts our country to shame, no matter how well our troops are trained. This further exemplifies the extent to which Canada needs the U.S. Both the economic and defence relationships with the United States play a big role in Americanizing Canada.
Although this is true, America is starting to take over within the country as well. The United States dominance of media in Canada shapes countless individuals’ minds into thinking the ‘American’ way. One of the main ways the States are able to manipulate Canadians is through music. Between a variety of genres, it is clear that America has become the leader of modern day music. On Spotify, the biggest music program, 70% of the top played songs in Canada are from American artists. In Canada, many people have been persuaded by the songs they listen to, to act or be a certain way. Most of these songs are made by Americans. Although music is one of the biggest influencers, movies in Canada have the same effect. A movie known as Avengers: Infinity War broke the Canadian box office on opening day with $19.77 million in sales. This movie was produced by Marvel Studios, an American company. These movies influence the susceptible youth and the Americans slide in subtle, but powerful messages to make the public think or act a certain way. In 2015, Canada’s top movies were put into a list with the top movie called Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Which only made $5 million worldwide. Meanwhile, the Avengers: Infinity War made $250 million only in North America. The difference is clear; the States rule the movie industry. Although the music industry is mainly American, many Canadian
artists such as Drake, The Weeknd and Justin Bieber are constantly on the top of the charts. In fact, Drake’s, song God’s Plan, was No.1 on the billboard chart, allowing him to break various previously held records in the process. Even so, it is clear that the media in Canada is fully dominated by Americans. By doing so, our youth are becoming more and more Americanized.
As an independent and free country, it is important that we stay that way. As Canadians, we take pride in our ability to accept all cultures and walks of life. Even so, it is important that we do not lose our identity as a country in the process, not being a mere shadow of the States. If so, Canada will lose what makes it special, the ability to be different. All in all, it is clear that Canada has become an extension of the United States, slowly being assimilated into American culture. The Americanization of Canada is mostly done through Canada’s economic ties with the United States, defence relationship, and America’s dominance of media within Canada.