“The only substantive things we have in common with Canada “ARE” the English language and men’s professional ice hockey!”
Would uniting with Canada mean we would have to change to kilometers and Celsius, and have to say "eh" at the end of every sentence (to make them feel welcome)?
I think the War of 1812 killed any sentiment in British Canada for becoming part of the US. Of course some of them were Loyalists who had left because of the American Revolution, but others were Americans who had moved into Upper Canada for farms.
Having all of Canada as one state would be ridiculous--more land area than all 50 states combined.
The average income in the US is higher than in Canada so I am doubtful about the claim that the parts of the US just south of the border are poorer than the parts of Canada just north of the border.