Western alienation does not exist

[overthere]

Why?

Because 'The West' does not exist in 2016, not in any traditional format.

Canada has become a bunch of competing regions, as opposed to a federation of generally cooperating provinces.

Is it recoverable?

I doubt it.

[Smallc]

Regional bickering is probably at the lowest level in recent history, if not much longer.

[overthere]

Regional bickering is probably at the lowest level in recent history, if not much longer.

No, it is increasing .Tell your theory to BC (an energetic newcomer to the fray), AB/SK who are not loving Ottawa(never been much love returned, but now it is escalating), Ontario has a wonderful new pal that will fulfill all their sugarplumdreams(at the expense of others) and Quebec which is feeling its oats more than it has for at least ten years. The Maritimes voted as a bloc and have expectations. Every gathering of premiers will escalate the tension.....

The level of satisfaction by new and old players is related directly to the delivery of gravy. Assuming that even Trudeau has some limit to how much he will borrow to delver that fabled chicken to very pot, there will be more winners and more losers than ever before. Either brings resentment. Sooner rather than later taxpayers realize that they are simply begging to get back their won money. Oh-oh.

[Smallc]

I think you speak only for yourself. Trudeau has strong approval numbers everywhere except Alberta, and atong numbers there for a Liberal. Most people are not as openly hostile to other parts of the country as you yourself are. A few issues does not a divided federation make.

Your crystal ball has so far been faulty.

[ReeferMadness]

Given the fact that the provinces consist mainly of lines drawn arbitrarily on maps, they have way too much power. We were lucky to survive the unity crisis of 1995. The amount of power the provinces have make this country inherently unstable.

[overthere]

Brad Wall has been bitching, and ain't a happy camper

Christie Clark has not been cooperative in national issues., such as resource development unless it is specifically in BC. Just wait until every LNG plant flops and see the reaction then to Ottawa.

Manitoba, not that is ever matters, is about to change governments.

Notley is at around 20% approval rating.

So no, the Provinces Formerly Known as The West are not all sunshine and lollipops, no matter how many times you and yer pals click your heels and scream Sunny Ways 2016!

[overthere]

Given the fact that the provinces consist mainly of lines drawn arbitrarily on maps, they have way too much power. We were lucky to survive the unity crisis of 1995. The amount of power the provinces have make this country inherently unstable.

Are you hoping Mr Trudeau will either redraw those maps or reduce the power of the provinces and move it to Ottawa?

[Smallc]

You seem extremely bitter for someone who doesn't have an actual point in any or your ramblings on this topic.

[ReeferMadness]

Are you hoping Mr Trudeau will either redraw those maps or reduce the power of the provinces and move it to Ottawa?

Is that what I said?

[davidmike]

Western Canadians hold strongly that our region is vital to the overall nature of Canada. More than any other part of the country, we believe ours has fostered the democratization of our national and provincial institutions and a pluralistic society.

[?Impact]

Given the fact that the provinces consist mainly of lines drawn arbitrarily on maps, they have way too much power.

Why would you say that? At one time the original 5 provinces were either British (Ontario, NB, PEI & NS) or French (Quebec) colonies before forming Canada. British Columbia and Newfoundland (also a Dominion) were also British colonies before joining the Confederation of Canada. The only provinces that were a creation of Canada, and thus lines arbitrarily drawn on a map are Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. The National power was a creation of the provinces, not the other way around.

[Smallc]

Manitoba was not really a creation of Canada. Only Alberta and Saskatchewan were.

[?Impact]

Manitoba was not really a creation of Canada. Only Alberta and Saskatchewan were.

Not sure why you single out Manitoba. Prince Rupert's land was a British territory, with certain trading rights (not land) given to the Hudson's Bay company under a charter. HBC ceded those rights for a monetary compensation, and the territory was then transferred from Britain to Canada subject to treaties being entered into with the indigenous nations. The original province of Manitoba (much smaller than today) was then created from those lands, just like Saskatchewan and Alberta were at a later date. All three of those provinces (and others like Ontario and Quebec) were given additional territory at even later dates to form their present boundaries. The only thing different about Manitoba (in this context) is that it was formed very soon after Confederation, and a couple of decades or more before Saskatchewan and Alberta.

[Smallc]

Not sure why you single out Manitoba.[/color]

Manitoba was formed by an agreement over the traditional activities in the Red River Valley. It grew out from there. It was a different situation than what happened between Saskatchewan and Alberta.

[?Impact]

Manitoba was formed by an agreement over the traditional activities in the Red River Valley. It grew out from there. It was a different situation than what happened between Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Yes, certainly Louis Riel and the had major influence on the Manitoba Act, all I was getting at is that it was an act of the Canadian Parliament. Prior to that act there was no formal recognition of a Republic of Manitobah as first suggested by Thomas Spence. I am purposely not making and judgment as to what was right or wrong, because there have been many wrongs in our history, just trying to relate to historical account as to what has been established under the laws we recognize today. Even after the Manitoba Act there were many wrongs committed by government, in Manitoba probably the most grievous was the reneging on many of the land grants to the Métis that had been promised.

[waldo]

Why?

Because 'The West' does not exist in 2016, not in any traditional format.

Canada has become a bunch of competing regions, as opposed to a federation of generally cooperating provinces.

if it existed, does that so-called/presumed 'West' alienation extend WEST of Manitoba and EAST of British Columbia?

.