Flee Trump, find love: Canadian dating site calls to American singles

Maple Match pairs Americans and Canadians in an effort to help American 'refugees' move to Canada. "Make dating great again," the site promises. 

As Donald Trump gears up to win the Republican nomination, some Americans are beginning to consider moving to Canada should they feel the need to flee the country after the November presidential elections. And with the help of Maple Match, Canada just got more attractive.

Promising to "Make dating great again," the dating site MapleMatch.com "makes it easy for Americans to find the ideal Canadian partner to save them from the unfathomable horror of a Trump presidency."

As the new site gains momentum, Maple Match gives users the opportunity to Tweet about its service: "Looking for a #Canadian to shack up with in case of a #Trump victory? Join the movement at @MapleMatch!"

And while Maple Match may seem like a silly rouse facetiously poking fun at the prospect of a "President Trump," it offers a very real service to no small number of Americans. According to a Tweet by Google data editor Simon Richards, after Super Tuesday, Google searches inquiring how to move to Canada surged by 1,150 percent after it became clear Mr. Trump could very well be on the Republican ticket.

More than 4,200 people have signed up for Maple Match since its launch earlier this month, 70 percent of whom are Canadians, and the page has already garnered over 36,000 views.

"We thought it might really be a good idea to start this before another wall gets built," Joe Goldman, the Texan chief executive officer of Maple Match, told the Winnipeg Free Press.

Maple Match isn't the only effort to help potential Trump refugees flee America. As promised on the website, Cape Breton if Donald Trump Wins, the Canadian island of Cape Breton is ready to welcome United States expatriates with open arms.

"Hi Americans! Donald Trump may become the President of your country!" the website reads. "If that happens, and you decide to get the hell out of there, might I suggest moving to Cape Breton Island!"

Americans entertaining Canadian citizenship can fill out an online questionnaire to determine whether or not they are eligible. Having a Canadian degree, specializing in certain professional trades such as caregiving or electrical wiring, and knowing a Canadian, either by blood or marriage (that's where Maple Match might come in) can improve eligibility.

Potential Canadian citizens would start with permanent residency and stay in the country for at least 1,460 days (about the same length as an American presidential term) before applying for citizenship. Since the early 2000s, when George W. Bush became president, about 8,500 Americans have immigrated to Canada each year. Before President Bush, that number was closer to 5,000.

"We often get asked if Maple Match is something like a joke or a hoax," Mr. Goldman told the Winnipeg Free Press. "Frankly, Donald Trump is a joke. Finding someone and meeting them and finding a place where you can be happy is real."