Art showing Canada and the US Empire as a single wood block. Photo: Lara Jameson.
By Ekaterina Cabylis  –  Mar 28, 2025
Canada, let’s talk about codependency.
While the exploitation of Canada’s natural resources and economic control exerted by the U.S. are well known, the subtler ways America maintains its grip, through cultural influence, economic pressure, and the poaching of talent, reveal a deeper, systemic colonization. The United States has systematically prevented Canada from developing industrial independence, ensuring it remains a supplier of raw materials rather than a competitor on the global stage. The economic imbalance has been in place for decades, yet many Canadians falsely believe that Donald Trump was the catalyst for U.S. exploitation. In reality, Trump’s policies were just a continuation of a long-standing system of American economic imperialism.
One of the clearest examples of this exploitation is the Canadian oil industry, which has been controlled by American corporations for decades. The U.S. buys Canadian crude at low prices, refines it, and then sells it back at a higher cost—an arrangement that mirrors the colonial economic model used in Latin America. Pierre Trudeau’s National Energy Program (NEP) in the 1980s attempted to increase Canadian control over its own oil, but American corporate and political pressure crushed the initiative. Since the 1940s, Canadians have been told that refining oil in the U.S. is necessary, preventing Canada from nationalizing its oil industry and building a self-sufficient economy. Even today, the U.S. dictates oil prices and discourages Canada from seeking true energy independence, ensuring economic dependency regardless of who occupies the White House.
Beyond oil, the U.S. also exploits Canada’s pharmaceutical industry, using Canadian price controls to benefit American consumers while pressuring Canada to raise drug costs. Meanwhile, major American corporations dominate Canada’s banking, mining, and technology sectors, ensuring that Canadian economic policies are shaped by U.S. interests rather than Canadian needs. Trade agreements like NAFTA and its successor, USMCA, further solidify this imbalance, forcing Canada to play by American rules under the constant threat of economic retaliation. The problem isn’t Trump, it’s the entire economic system that keeps Canada tied to U.S. interests.
The Drain of Canadian Talent
The poaching of Canadian talent is another clear example of American dominance. Hockey is a prime example. While the majority of NHL players are Canadian, the league is based in the United States, and its profits largely benefit American owners. Canadian players, drawn by higher salaries and the promise of the “American Dream,” are forced to leave their country to pursue their careers. This talent drain not only robs Canada of its cultural and economic potential but also reinforces the idea that success can only be found by aligning with American institutions.
Canada could have its own thriving hockey league, with teams in northern communities using revenue to fund essential infrastructure like roads, clean water systems, and housing. Instead, the profits from Canadian talent flow into the U.S. economy, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and underdevelopment. Imperialist powers extract not just resources but also human capital from weaker nations, ensuring their continued subservience.
Cultural Dominance and the Erosion of Canadian Identity
American influence extends beyond economics into culture and identity. The overwhelming presence of American media, entertainment, and values has created a cultural landscape where Canadian identity is often overshadowed. A striking 81 percent of Americans see Canada as no different from their own blue states, like Vermont or Minnesota, while only 21 percent of Canadians agree. This gap shows how successful American cultural dominance has been in blurring Canada’s distinct national identity.
American exceptionalism: the belief in the inherent superiority of the United States—has created inferiority complex in many Canadians but also exploits Canada’s values. American society, rooted in individualism and self-interest, views Canadian empathy and multiculturalism as weaknesses to be dismissed or manipulated. This psychological colonization allows the U.S. to frame Canada as an idealistic outlier rather than a legitimate alternative, reinforcing American dominance. Imperialist powers use cultural influence to maintain control over subordinate nations.
Many Canadians mistakenly believe that Donald Trump was a unique threat to Canada’s sovereignty, but the truth is that Canada has been economically and culturally dominated by the U.S. for generations. Trump only made this exploitation more visible, it did not create it. The U.S. has controlled Canada’s oil, extracted its resources, dictated trade agreements, and poached its talent for decades. Blaming one U.S. president ignores the deeper issue: Canada’s dependency on the U.S. is by design, and it will not change unless Canadians actively fight for economic and cultural independence. Without serious efforts to reclaim control over its industries and policies, Canada will remain a neo-colony, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office.
(Substack)
Ekaterina Cabylis
Ekaterina Cabylis is a Canadian author, graphic designer, advocate for decolonial education, and collaborator with the Rise Up Initiative. With a profound commitment to critical thinking grounded in Marxism, Ekaterina supports decolonial sovereignty through creative endeavors. Ekaterina is also a self-published author and illustrator of "Community," children's literature addressing class struggle. They have contributed articles to MR Online and Orinoco Tribune, actively promoting social change and equity.
