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Internet Searches on How to Move to Canada in US Surge After Super Tuesday

© REUTERS / Rick WilkingRepublican presidential candidate Donald Trump talks to reporters as he arrives in Laredo, Texas July 23, 2015
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump talks to reporters as he arrives in Laredo, Texas July 23, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The number of Google searches on how to immigrate to Canada from the United States spiked several times on Wednesday as presidential candidate Donald Trump swept the US Republican primaries.

According to a tweet by Google's data editor Simon Rogers, Google searches for "how can I move to Canada?" increased by 350 percent over four hours after Trump's victory in seven states was announced. Most of the searches were detected in Massachusetts, where Trump won 49 percent of the vote.

Analysis by tech website Mashable revealed that by midnight the "Canada-moving" search had increased by 1,150 percent.  

Meanwhile, the Canadian government’s website reportedly experienced high latency, although a direct link between the two events could not be independently confirmed.

The incident is far from surprising. Just weeks ago, a humorous website that offered to help US citizens flee the country in case Trump conquered America and took over the White House became an Internet sensation.

The site, launched by Canadian radio host Rob Calabrese suggested that disgruntled Americans should move to underpopulated Nova Scotia's island Cape Breton.

"Hi Americans!" the site read.

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

While this was clearly intended as a joke, the response was overwhelming with the website receiving a total of 800,000 unique visitors thus far.

Calabrese has reportedly received thousands of messages from US citizens asking for more information about how to move to the little island, including an email from an Iraq War marine veteran. 

© Flickr / Jeff HawkinsCape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada - Sputnik International
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Many have also asked about immigration criteria and employments prospects.

Although he also got some angry emails from Trump's supporters, the general tone of the majority of the messages was positive.

While initially Calabrese and his wife replied personally to the messages, at some point the island's tourism office had to take over in order to manage the huge volume of queries. 

The publicity stunt has also resulted in hundreds of Americans booking holidays in Cape Breton.

Ironically, one of Donald Trump's unintended achievements might be revitalizing the small Canadian island's tourism sector.

The controversial US real estate tycoon dominated the race for the Republican presidential nomination in seven out of the 11 states voting on Super Tuesday – Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.

His main rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, finished second with victories in three states, while Florida Senator Marco Rubio won one state.

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