Looks like I’ll be the first person to weigh in from the East (I grew up in Halifax, then spent my undergrad in NB).
Given the economic strength (or lack there of) in the Maritimes, I would leap at the thought of joining Canada (in this little hypothetical).
What I find funny is the view from Alberta. Suddenly Alberta has money and they want to go it alone. It wasn’t all that long ago when Alberta and the Parries had nothing, while the Maritimes were where the wealth was at. Before oil, lumber and fish made a province rich, and the Maritimes were swimming with it. At the time of Confederation, the thought of joining up with a useless Upper Canada was laughable. Likewise, the thought of having to support Alberta during the Depression caused Nova Scotians the same sort of feelings that Albertan’s feel today. And right now, there is a very slim chance that off-shore oil and natural gas could make Nova Scotia and Nfld the next big thing.
Personally, I’m really getting tired of all the Independence-Movements that each Province has seemed to develop. Its not a matter of “adult children” its a matter of childish-adults. I’m sure that it you polled within Alberta you’d find a movement that wanted to divide Alberta up so the oil-rich areas aren’t supporting the mad-cow-poor areas. Or a movement of Edmintonians that are tired of Calgarians, or Northerners that are tired of Southerners. Even within Edmonton you’d find regions that want to seperate from other regions. It has become a disgracefully arrogant mentality that has become our National-identity.
The end result of all this whining is that it makes the rest of Canada say, “Just shut up and leave.”
I’m really curious to see the next Quebec Referendum, since last time there was the question of whether or not Canada would recognize a YES vote (to leave). I worry that the next time, the question will be whether or not Canada would recognzie a NO vote.