As someone who has always been completely devoted to Canada and our home and native land, I find it disturbing and downright frightful to hear the growing talk about separation.
Years ago we watched with crossed fingers and bated breath on the night of the Quebec referendum, and cheered when the separatists were defeated, meaning Quebec would say in the confederation, even with certain rights not enjoyed by other provinces.
This latest rumble from our neighbour to the west is striking closer to home and there’s a fair bit of trepidation as a result of the ground swell of apparent support for the idea of Wexit (Western-Exit) from Canada.
As the rumbles grow louder, our own premier seems to be tagging along like a lapdog to the leadership of Alberta’s premier. I don’t recall Scott Moe’s leadership campaign saying he would take Saskatchewan out of Canada so perhaps he’s just biding his time to come out in favour of staying where we belong. One can only hope.
Meanwhile, one night I broached the subject of where our household would move so we could remain in Canada should this Wexit craze actually encompass Saskatchewan and prove successful.
We agreed Canada is the place for us so I began thinking about where we might live as continued Canadians.
Our friends in Manitoba would likely welcome us with open arms and it wouldn’t be much different from Saskatchewan — a couple of major cities each, some smaller cities all with their own personalities, lots of parks and woodlands, a few casinos, some excellent museums, and weather patterns that are harsh in winter but acceptable in the other seasons.
Victoria would get a few extra points simply based on the climate in that historic city with high tea at The Empress, whale watching tours, walks along the ocean, fields of tulips and daffodils, horse-drawn carriage tours, double decker buses, and seafood at seaside restaurants. Deduct a point for the ferry ride access. Other points in British Columbia have special appeal including all those road-side fruit markets and peaches and cherries picked directly from the trees.
The Northern Territories hold the unique opportunity to view endless Northern Lights and the longevity of the midnight sun, dog sledding and wildlife but those dark days of winter, plus frigid temperatures mean some demerit points for relocation.
Ontario is a vast land of lakes, rocks, trees, huge cities, wonderful smaller cities, interesting towns and villages and so many places to visit and enjoy. Plus we have numerous friends in the province and Ottawa is the seat of Canadian government. Demerit points, however, for the 401 Highway, and Premier Doug Ford.
Off to the Maritime provinces where again the summers are beautiful, entertainment is boundless, seafood is spectacular, the people never met a stranger and being there is almost like being at home. But the winters and that Confederation Bridge might be enough to make us take a second look at Victoria.
Newfoundland and Labrador offers a laid-back lifestyle, multitudes of kitchen parties, codfish with dressing/stuffing on chips, Newfoundland dogs, icebergs, puffins and church structures that wow the soul. Again, winter driving there is something I would like to avoid.
Soooo, where does that leave us? Victoria in winter and maybe the Maritimes in summer. But first choice of them all — right here in Saskatchewan where I hope calm heads will prevail so we won’t have to move elsewhere to maintain our Canadian citizenship.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
