Tous les quatre ans, as the next US presidential election approaches, the speculation begins anew.

Will thousands of Americans move to Canada if their candidate loses?

Dans “At a Loss? Il ya toujours au Canada,” l' New York Times writes that “The pledge (to move across the border) comes mostly from left-leaning Americans who view Canada, with its universal health care and cultural progressiveness, as a liberal refuge from Red State America.”

Cependant, do people actually make the move?

L' Times reports that “…the number of United States citizens who permanently reside in Canada doubled during George W. Bush’s presidency (à partir de 5,800 dans 2000 à 11,200 dans 2008, en fonction de Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada).”

It may not be elections motivating the move, si. L' Times concludes that “pocketbook issues outweigh politics,” with far more people relocating for work than for political reasons.

Alors, what do Canadians think of Americans’ declarations to relocate after the election?

L' Washington Post conducted a twitter poll and concluded that Les Canadiens sont amusés par les menaces américaines vers le nord si leur candidat perd.

Certains des commentaires:

Cool by me as long as it’s only the good ones. Mais savent-ils de notre hiver?

We welcome them. After all we took the loyalists after independence….

Personnellement, I would like you to handle your own drama. Mais, vous le savez, we’ve got room.

Here’s a question for the Americans out there: Did you come to Canada for political reasons?

Would you move across the border if your candidate loses?

Please leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Obama-Romney photo/caricature by DonkeyHotey (Flickr)