Residents show support for Trump’s 51st state proposal on election night

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This article was published 28/04/2025 (328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A duo dressed up in pro-Trump attire to visit a Kildonan-St. Paul polling station at the eleventh hour on Monday to promote their support for Manitoba joining the United States.

Dan Kohanchuk, 39, wore a red “Make America Great Again” baseball cap to a polling station in Garden City Shopping Centre. Simon Szklarski, 34, chose a baseball cap with “Great State of Canada” and “51” embroidered on it.

“If there was a 51st state option on the ballot, I would 100 per cent check that off — 110 per cent,” said Kohanchuk, an entrepreneur with an apparel company who designs hats that show his affinity for U.S. President Donald Trump.

Kohanchuk said he settled on a vote for Conservative MP Raquel Dancho because he believes in her party at large, even though leader Pierre Poilievre has indicated he would maintain Canada’s sovereignty.

Szklarski said he was frustrated no candidates were campaigning on joining the U.S. and did not vote in protest. He decided to tag along with his friend for moral support, he said.