[NZerFromHK]

In 1776, there were American colonists that had decided to remain loyal with Britain with whatever the costs - Washington's side had 1/3 of the people, the fence-sitters 1/3, and loyalists 1/3. Their side lost, and they moved north after Yorktown to territories still under Britisah control. In a flash, Canada was born with these people constituting half of the inhabitants, the other French that became subjects in 1757.

1776 effectively leaves a greater mark on them than the Mother Country itself. Canada was born with the sense that "See what the breakaway rebel colony does. If he goes South, I go North!"

[Khurkris]

An excellent analysis. Your perspective is a blessing.

[GMMAC]

"...the other French that became subjects in 1757"

Just to be accurate, British General Wolfe broke the back of the then French Empire in North America by defeating Montcalm's forces at The Plains of Abraham (Quebec City) in 1759 and matters were politically consolidated by The Treaty of Paris in early 1763.

While significant in numbers, the so-called United Empire Loyalists never made up anything like a majority of English speaking Canadians.
As in the US, the Scots and Irish driven from their homelands by racist English imperialism are a much more major demographic.

[eagle11]

So the libs angry over Kerry's loss who are headed up to Canada are not going to be the first lefties to whine about their loss. Hope there are enough sane up north to turn things around. Nice profile!