WASHINGTON — Sounds like he wants the Canadian dream.
Michigan Senate Democratic hopeful Dr. Abdul El-Sayed once suggested that people should move to Canada in order to live out the American dream — arguing that US citizens have more of a chance of achieving greatness in the Great White North.
El-Sayed implied that the American dream is a lie during a May 2023 episode of his podcast, “America Dissected,” and pointed to economic data about upward mobility in Canada.
“Contrary to what we’re taught: that we are the land of opportunity, where anyone with a dollar in a dream can make it. In fact, too few people have that first dollar,” El-Sayed said at the time.
“Economic data shows us that if you want to achieve the American dream, well, you should move to Canada because it’s twice as likely there. Here, where you start predicts where you end.”
The US currently has a lower unemployment rate, higher gross domestic product per capita, higher median disposable income, and faster economic growth despite having a much larger population than Canada.
In 2024, America’s median household disposable income was $66,155, compared to Canada’s $36,487, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
El-Sayed recently defended Canada in its trade war with President Trump.
“If you’re starting a trade war with Canada [it] is cause you’re the asshole,” he chided at a press conference this week.
El-Sayed’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
