Should the west seperate?

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:03 am

I am from the east coast. I have also lived in, ONT, MB, and AB.
From time to time I hear grumblings about the west wanting to separate.
Personally I think this would be a huge mistake.
Yes we have oil – for now. But we don’t have our own currency, military, health care system, police force, or education system, among others.
Our farming (both agriculture and livestock) is not doing so well. Our taxes would most surely go up as there is not the population base to support a new country of this size to the standard we are accustomed to. Our standard of living would most surely lessen.

Personally, I like Canada the way it is, whiny French and all. Talk of cutting up my country gets my usually inactive political blood boiling. I would like to see the Liberals out, but who’s going to replace them, there all a bunch of losers if you ask me.

Cheers.

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:18 am

I think the biggest fear is the separation of Cape Breton. Have you never heard of the Cape Breton Liberation Army? Their fearless leader, General John Cabot Trail?

And of course, who can forget that haunting rallying cry of "Down with the causeway, bye's!"

It's enough to make us mainlander bluenosers shudder.

Rubberbiscuit · Post by **Rubberbiscuit** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:26 am

I agree with King Air Guy's last paragraph. So we oust the Liberal's and then what? Everything will get rosy red all of a sudden?

loopy · Post by **loopy** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:34 am

In all seriouseness KAG, I tend to agree with you. I'm a federalist Canadian. I'm afraid the current situation where the Conservatives and Bloq team up to try and dump the government only waves the flames of Quebec separtism.

Having said all that, if it ever came to that, I think the Bloq and PQ could be dissapointed with what happens in the end. Outside of the southern corrridor from Montreal, up through past Quebec city, the province is pretty sparsley inhabited, and much of that is largely Native land. I believe that won't want to be part of an independent Quebec, but part of Canada. Many businesses were prepared to leave Quebec the last time the threat of separation was very real. A lot of Quebec based companies were quetly buying up big chunks of real estate in Ontario around places like Cornwall in case they had to pick up and move out.

An independent Quebec would have a much smaller tax base then they are probably counting on now. Basically, native population (and the big pieces of real estate they claim) and a lot of big business would desert the separatists.

My two cents.

I don't know a lot about western separatism.

Being a student of history, I do know that the maritime provinces (NB, NS, PEI) were as a separate entity pre-confederation, were very well off and an ecenomic power house compared to post confederation. Had confederation been good to my "native land". Arguable. But it has always been peacefull, with a decent quality of life for most for generations. That must count for something.

However, I AM CANADIAN, and hope to remain. Loopy.

ps. I don't drink Canadian. I prefer a Schooner, or a good Moosehead product, and nice amber beer, or a Guiness, or a Kilkenny. Mmmmmm.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:25 am

I have a better idea...if you don't like Canada...instead of trying to destroy our country get out. This country isn't 100% perfect, but I've seen enough of the world to know that it's pretty damn near close and there is no place I'd rather live. If you feel neglected, buy a cat or move into a nursing home with the rest of the poor neglected people. That way you can all sit in a circle and feel sorry for yourselves instead of doing something rediculous like attempting to destroy the country.

besides....we wouldn't want to make this proud Canadian homeless !

-=0=LIR=0=-

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:26 am

If you can't see the pic, right click and hit " show picture "

-=0=LIR=0=-

swede · Post by **swede** » Wed May 18, 2005 2:52 pm

If the west's separation meant we would not have to become part of a big,huge, amorphous blob called the "Americas", I would be all for it, can anyone guarantee?

ZLIN 142C · Post by **ZLIN 142C** » Wed May 18, 2005 4:48 pm

Canada: Love it or leave it.

And if you do leave it, you will come to love it.

I'm with KAG and company on this one.

x-wind · Post by **x-wind** » Wed May 18, 2005 5:16 pm

If the West did seperate I sure hope we get to keep the name Canada.
And I hope Ralph Klein doesnt come with Alberta. I really hope Canada stays together.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:37 pm

King Air Guy wrote:I
But we don’t have our own currency,
military,
health care system, police force, or education system,

Our farming (both agriculture and livestock) is not doing so well.

Our taxes would most surely go up .

Use Canada's Quebec will.

Military?? WTF okay, we can sell you a few sea kings...

Why do you need a military anyways??
You don't have doctors or cops or teachers in Alberta?? Wow, that's strange....

Farming, lol, blame Paul...

Taxes would go up?? Explain, your federal gas tax, gst and other federal taxes would stay at home, you wouldn't be supporting the rest of the country...

silly billy...

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Sat May 21, 2005 11:53 am

Canada Love it or leave it?
Okay, I left last year.
I havn't had to plug in my car, or even wear a jacket since. I make more money than I did while I was there, have a health, dental and life insurance, none of which I could afford while working in Canada. I get appriciated everywhere I go becuase of my job. Oh yeah, and I support my government, they take a stand and, well, stand by it. I could go on and on, but the beach is calling.

Will I come back? Not for more than a week to visit friends and family.

scotothedoublet · Post by **scotothedoublet** » Sat May 21, 2005 8:22 pm

Does the west include Manitoba? If so, yes.

Expat · Post by **Expat** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:16 pm

This is my favorite topic. To really understand the different political aspirations of people in various parts of Canada you must really move and work in these places. Only then can we start to understand the people. Yes we are all different, but most of us still love Canada as it is. What's the option? separate and join the US as a few more states?
I have an idea! Join the CIS. Yes Russia! We'd control the North pole, a lot of fuel reserves, most mineral deposits, All of a sudden we would have a huge Military and a space program and everything else. Who needs the USA and their arrogant politicians.

hz2p · Post by **hz2p** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:41 am

I have a better question: why hasn't the west already separated?

Do people in Alberta like giving billions of dollars to french thieves in Ottawa, or what?

yok driver · Post by **yok driver** » Mon May 23, 2005 7:57 am

Couldn't belive it! Next thing I know I am in the middle of a sex pile: Me and seven steamy sex monsters! I held on and rode it to a standstill! What more could a guy do?

short bus · Post by **short bus** » Mon May 23, 2005 4:03 pm

From canadian seperation to an orgy, that's one hell of a thread hijack.

Expat · Post by **Expat** » Mon May 23, 2005 10:04 pm

Yok driver,

Are you in Russia by any chance?

sprucemonkey · Post by **sprucemonkey** » Tue May 24, 2005 2:00 am

The west??? Define west. Who do we really have to choose from to lead the country? Zero.

You have to realize that the Liberals are the best thing we got to date. "Lets get into bed with the Bloc Parents." Good idea

Can u say Airbussssss? Canadian gov sucks and there's no alternative.

just another pilot · Post by **just another pilot** » Tue May 24, 2005 8:10 am

Borden Line, NEP and Kyoto = Pearson, Trudeau, Cretien. Not exactly revered in the west.

sakism · Post by **sakism** » Tue May 24, 2005 9:03 am

hz2p · Post by **hz2p** » Tue May 24, 2005 9:37 am

No taxes = no HDRC scandal, no gun registry, no submarine fiasco, no sponsorship scandal, no handouts for Bombardier.

I'm sorry, but is this a bad thing?

sakism: your insistence on re-electing thieves and criminals, because you are afraid, is really what's wrong with this country.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:24 am

then exactly where would you get your money from? You wouldn't have doctors, cops or teachers if you couldn't pay them.

No taxes = no services.

So, because the Albertans would stop paying property tax if they seperated???

Cops and teachers are paid by the local government, over paid might I add.

Doctors, Alberta wants two tier health care, so paying for an doctor with your own coin is already an option.

Federal taxes go to as pointed out by hz2p, gun registry, Quebec and bribes...

It's not "No taxes," it's less taxes and 100% of it staying at home, instead of going elsewhere.

I just don't understand why Albertans can't be happy with the fact that they're possibly the best off of all the people in Canada.

Why don't you ask Paul Martin why he's not "happy with a million dollars??" Why does he register his ships in 3rd world countries and get 3rd world workers to crew them??

Would you ask a corporation why they're not "happy" with having their business in toronto instead of Markham where taxes are lower???

Alberta as you mentioned is well off, now wouldn't it make sense for them to want to be better off???? Why should the Albertans donate to everyone else???

Do you complain about people on Welfare??? - If not, that's why you can't see why seperation would be good.

swede · Post by **swede** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:45 am

[quote="cyyz"][quote]
Alberta as you mentioned is well off, now wouldn't it make sense for them to want to be better off???? Why should the Albertans donate to everyone else???

I don't see how Alberta is donating much, king ralph is sitting on a billion plus surplus which should all go back to infrastructure (but wont). Once their ground water has either been used up or totally polluted, Alta will need Canada more than vice versa.

just another pilot · Post by **just another pilot** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:52 am

Taxes aside, the transfer payments are incredible. And what seems to bother Albertans is the complete lack of appreciation we get. Yes, we are fortunate to have oil, but so are the Emirates and Saudis. We fought Ottawa to retain the right to control our resources. And if Ottawa thinks that they have a rights to profits, then lets remind them that the investment did not come from Ottawa or Bay Street, but from foreigners. The Liberal legacy is crystal clear in Alberta, the transfer of wealth from the West has repeatedy bought the popular vote in the East. Jees, that sounds familiar.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Tue May 24, 2005 12:06 pm

Once.... Alta will need Canada more than vice versa.

Exactly,

Alberta, the transfer of wealth from the West has repeatedy bought the popular vote in the East. Jees, that sounds familiar.

And like a good whore, after you're done with her, you throw her out, what do you think the rest of Canada will do, when Alberta hits a slump in a century????

That's why Alberta should get out while it's still hot...