My Dad, a native Missourian, has traveled many times through BC on his way to Alaska. He takes his time and has quite a few regular stops. He has made many friends on the Western side of Canada. He says they are a lot like the self reliant conservatives in the American midwest, and as you say, some would like to join the US and get away from the socialism of eastern Canada.
Out west here, we have the resources, the scenery, the know how. The east just takes and gives nothing. The east just continually looks for ways to take our freedoms. We need change very soon.