A billboard near Bowden exhorting Albertans to lobby the premier to join the U.S. has ignited Canadian patriotic passions.

The billboard from AmericaFund.ca features a photo of U.S. President Donald Trump giving his ubiquitous thumbs up along with Premier Danielle Smith. The message against an American eagle backdrop says "Tell Danielle! Let's Join the USA!"

Online, Canadian patriots did not waste any time reacting to the provocation.

"Just outside my house across the highway. So gross" posted one on Reddit.

Several suggested dramatic action be taken. "It would be a shame if it went up in flames" posted one.

Another suggested: "Draw/wrap a massive Canadian flag around it"

One particularly incensed person posted:  "First words that came to my mind when I saw this photo were "F***ing traitors."

At Bowden town hall, Mayor Robb Stuart was deluged with calls from angry Canadians.

"I saw it yesterday. We've heard a lot about it since then," he said. "I'm not looking forward to today."

Many of those calling assume the town had some role in approving the sign or allowing it to be located nearby.

He's hearing comments like "Why don't we move to the States" and "All of council should resign," said the mayor from his office on Thursday morning.

Stuart said many don't understand that the town has no say over what message goes on the billboard and it has nothing to do with the town and certainly does not reflect its views.

"We have no control over any content that goes on," he said. "The Town of Bowden is very Canadian-oriented and we don't agree with the message that is being sent on that billboard."

This is not the first time Bowden has taken heat for things out of its control.

During the midst of the pandemic when various health measures were in place, a local farmer and rancher organized a No Lockdowns Rodeo Rally on his land not far from the town.

Assuming the town somehow had jurisdiction to do something about the event, many called to complain, including one foursome of golfers who vowed never to tee off in Bowden again.

AmericaFund.ca's website's opening page says "America Fund Canadians for the 51st State" followed by "The Calm Within the Storm Expanding Freedom Canadians Helping Canadians Become American."

Naturally, there is an opportunity to donate featured prominently.

The website features an interesting take on the Canadian political system under the headline: "Canadian Kings are called Prime Ministers."

"Unlike Americans, Canadians have been defrauded into thinking that they elect their representatives every four years, when in fact they elect commoners to exercise the Office of the Queen," reads the amusing history lesson. "Once elected, these men rule over the people exactly as a king would.  It makes no difference whether they belong to the Liberal Party or the Conservative Party." 

"Canadian Premiers, unlike State Governors, act as mini-kings or mini-queens within their province."

Further insight is provided on how Canada's Executive Branch and Legislative and Judiciary supposedly work. A Facebook link takes you to Alberta, USA Statehood Movement's site. Its goal is to hold a referendum to leave Confederation, create a State of Alberta Constitution and then apply for admission to the Union of American states.

Trump further fanned the 51st State flames on Monday in a Truth Social supposedly meant to cheer on the U.S. hockey team, which faces off against Canada in the Four Nations Cup on Thursday.

"I’ll be calling our GREAT American Hockey Team this morning to spur them on towards victory tonight against Canada, which with FAR LOWER TAXES AND MUCH STRONGER SECURITY, will someday, maybe soon, become our cherished, and very important, Fifty First State," the president wrote in his usual idiosyncratic capitalizing style.

He then repeated his dig at Prime Minister Justin ̨ÍåMMÂãÁÄÊÒ by calling him governor.

A fringe Alberta political party also appears to have been inspired by the current political climate.

As of Feb. 20, the Buffalo Party of Alberta has been renamed the Republican Party of Alberta. The Buffalo Party picked up 106 votes in the last provincial election, which works out (with rounding) to zero per cent of the vote.