Wither Canada?

[jwoodie]

It seems that, at some point, Canadians will have to face the basic contradictions of their national composition. Canada is a huge conglomeration of disparate parts who are unable and/or unwilling to work together as a single country. Its Northern portion is basically a frozen aboriginal wasteland. Its Southern portion is a collection of diverse interests along its border with the US, intimidated by the self-centered and French speaking province of Quebec. To its East, the Maritime Provinces are economically depressed former British colonies that auctioned themselves off to the rest of Canada after WW2. Going West, Canada mimics the US by having the financially dominant province of Ontario, followed by three "mid-west" provinces and, finally, by the liberal enclave of British Columbia.

How long can this unnatural mixture continue? Recent discussions about the future status of Greenland raise some interesting possibilities for Canada as well. Its seems like a territorial combination of Greenland and Northern Canada would make sense from the standpoint of ethnic and political security. Maine and the Maritime Provinces also share similar economic and cultural histories, as do the upper mid-west States and Provinces. British Columbia is literally and politically an extension of the US West Coast, while Quebec and Ontario are like the unhappy participants of a shotgun wedding.

Is territorial realignment a feasible idea for Canada?

 

[feduptaxpayer]

It seems that, at some point, Canadians will have to face the basic contradictions of their national composition. Canada is a huge conglomeration of disparate parts who are unable and/or unwilling to work together as a single country. Its Northern portion is basically a frozen aboriginal wasteland. Its Southern portion is a collection of diverse interests along its border with the US, intimidated by the self-centered and French speaking province of Quebec. To its East, the Maritime Provinces are economically depressed former British colonies that auctioned themselves off to the rest of Canada after WW2. Going West, Canada mimics the US by having the financially dominant province of Ontario, followed by three "mid-west" provinces and, finally, by the liberal enclave of British Columbia.

How long can this unnatural mixture continue? Recent discussions about the future status of Greenland raise some interesting possibilities for Canada as well. Its seems like a territorial combination of Greenland and Northern Canada would make sense from the standpoint of ethnic and political security. Maine and the Maritime Provinces also share similar economic and cultural histories, as do the upper mid-west States and Provinces. British Columbia is literally and politically an extension of the US West Coast, while Quebec and Ontario are like the unhappy participants of a shotgun wedding.

Is territorial realignment a feasible idea for Canada?

I personally would like to see an economic union between America and Canada and using the same currency like it is done in the EU in Europe. We both keep our sovereignty. No more borders. We come and go freely across each others borders. Hopefully, it could help to get rid of the metric system in Canada which no Canadian was ever asked if we wanted to go metric or not. 72F sounds nice and warm. 20C sounds a tad cold. Distances looks longer when travelling. 300 miles equals 480 kilometers. I still refuse to use the metric system. I want my fahrenheit system back. Works well for me.

 

[jwoodie]

Alberta holds the key to Canada's future. If it chooses to leave, it would instantly become one of the richest countries in the world, due to its abundant natural resources. This would inevitably cause Saskatchewan and British Columbia to join it as a single independent entity or as a State of the US. The rest of Canada could then continue to finance its bilingual experiment by selling the Northern Territories to the US. Once the benefits of US territorial status (no FIT) are appreciated, Greenland will want the same status. In that event, the US will be able to establish a northern wall of defense to match its southern border.