Canada's economy added nearly quadruple the number of jobs forecasted for December and the unemployment rate surprisingly ticked down to 6.7%, data showed on Friday, giving the central bank breathing room to determine the pace of further rate cuts.

Canada's labour market capped the year with some "good news," adding 91,000 jobs in December, shattering economist expectations, though there are still calls for further interest rate cuts amid the threat of U.

In response, Justin Trudeau, who is reportedly stepping down as Canada's prime minister, recently wrote on X: "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States." Trump-ally Elon Musk then responded: "Girl, you're not the governor of Canada anymore, so doesn't matter what you say."

Canada's finance minister says U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments that Canada should become the 51st state are no longer a joke and are meant to undermine America’s closest ally and major trading partner.

President-elect Trump has doubled down on his suggestion of a merged United States and Canada in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to resign. Some have shrugged off Trump’s suggestion Canada should “become the 51st state” as an old joke or mere posturing,