Ironically part of the reason Canada is even a Country. Is the British had several fears. One of which being the Canadian Colonies deciding U.S statehood might be better economically. So they sought to tie them closer to the Empire. And nurture a nascent National Identity.

And two. Regarding the deepening relationship between the U.S and Tsarist Russia. Namely A Russian Empire with an Army equipped by American Industry and ships built in American Ports. The American-Russian feud that has more or less defined Foreign policy is about a century old. Maybe a bit less. And largely stems from WW1 and Woodrow Wilson. Before that both Countries had a seemingly strange affinity for each other. With both countries granting each other favorable trade privileges and diplomatic treatment.Despite all indications including our chosen forms of Government. Being seemingly opposites. Tsarist Russia at least on paper being an absolute monarchy. Versus a Constitutional Republic.

Also fun fact. Some indicators British Support for the Confederacy went far deeper than popular history would suggest. With Confederate Intelligence operating quite openly in Canada. And several cities including Montreal reportedly hotbeds of Confederate Sympathizers.

The First place Jefferson Davis went after being bailed out of prison by Cornelius Vanderbilt and several other Wealthy Men. Including two Republicans. One of whom was an avowed Abolitionist. At least publicly.

Was Montreal Canada. Where he was reportedly greeted with a hero’s welcome. They even had a plaque commemorating his arrival that was in place until the early 2010s.