WASHINGTON — He appeared to be making the case for a Canadian version of the American dream.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate in Michigan, previously argued that Americans seeking upward mobility may have better odds by moving north to Canada, where he said people are more likely to achieve the kind of success long associated with the American dream.
El-Sayed made the remarks during a May 2023 episode of his podcast, “America Dissected,” where he questioned the traditional promise that the United States is uniquely defined by opportunity and cited economic data on social 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.
