Jamie Tredenick-Gallant, left, and Robyn MacLean were feeling particularly patriotic during the City of Summerside’s recent Canada Day celebrations. Their flag wraps billowed in the waterfront’s stiff breeze. Photo by Colin MacLean /Journal-PioneerArticle contentIt’s now been over six months that we keep hearing reference to Canada as “the 51st state.” The assertion is at times justified by the “big and beautiful” country that would result from the absorption of Canada in and by the United States (U.S.). Canadians, we are told, would also pay less taxes (and have poorer public services).THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentBut, hold on a moment. There is at least one other way in which the line marking the border between Canada and the U.S. can be removed. And that is with the U.S. joining Canada as its 11th province.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentCanada has experience administering large spaces; Nunavut alone is almost one-fifth the size of the U.S. Canada can also offer U.S. citizens a stronger welfare state (with higher taxes), including public health care. Punitive tariffs would also disappear.Article contentArticle contentThe weaker Canadian dollar makes imports more expensive but exports more competitive, boosting domestic industrial production and food security. Voting rights for U.S. citizens would be protected for provincial elections; and a mechanism will be found to grant full voting rights in federal elections over a defined period of time. English and French would be national languages, with an option to consider Spanish as a third.Article contentArticle contentNatural resources, from water and oil to lumber and metals, will be equitably shared. Domestic tourism would jump, as Southerners seek cooler climes in summer; while Northerners seek warmer tropes in winter.Article contentArticle contentThe new country – Canada Redux, or with a new name, say, North America? – would be the largest, the strongest, and the most attractive migrant destination in the world. Hockey remains a passionate national sport, but basketball and soccer can join in.Article contentArticle contentThe U.S. president has no monopoly on the human imagination.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentSessional professor, UPEI,Article contentArticle contentArticle content
LETTER: Canada’s 11th province
