Posted on 03/02/2009 3:45:41 AM PST by Loyalist
Suppose Canada built itself a deep-water port in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Suppose that port opened up a new market for Canadian goods -- more than 120 million people live in the Caribbean and nearby Central and South America.
....
Suppose Canadian ships carried northward duty-free tropical produce and products from the Caribbean and Latin America. In some locations, food rots for lack of shipping and export markets.
Suppose these ships returned with Canadian durable goods -- now scarce on southern shelves.
....
Suppose the port doubled as a Canadian military operations base for countries wanting help to patrol their waters and to interdict the Caribbean's robust trade in smuggled arms, drugs and people.
Suppose Canada used the port as an aid base when hurricanes strike.
Suppose Canada fills a vacuum of influence where China, Cuba and -- bolstered by Iran -- Venezuela have stepped in with medical aid, cheap petroleum, schools and factory construction.
....
For years, Edmonton East Conservative MP Peter Goldring has been campaigning for this all-purpose "Canadian platform" on South Caicos Island. The Turks and Caicos lie north of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
In the 1970s, Turks and Caicos knocked on Canada's front door.
The English-speaking nation asked to become Canada's 11th province. It was ultimately turned down. Strange in today's multicultural Canada, says Mr. Goldring, but concerns over racial and cultural integration figured in the decision.
In the late 1980s, with some 90 per cent of their population in favour, Turks and Caicos asked again for a "special relationship" with Canada. In 2003, with 60 per cent in favour, Turks and Caicos renewed its request.
The Turks and Caicos -- comprised of two groups of islands -- are independent, but remain a British overseas territory.
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalnewswatch.com ...
Interesting. I have been to Provo. A limestone rock. Nice reef. Nice natives. I am headed there this week on a route to cap haitian.
Lovely Islands. Visited there in 2004 staying at the Parrot Cay. I believe they were hit hard by a hurricane not long after.
The T&C islands will treat mainland Canada like how Puerto Rico treats the mainland U.S.: Just another source of free money to their otherwise struggling economy. Just say no, Canada.
How about we take Turks and Caicos...
and kick out Quebec?
Cheeky Canucks. If it wasn’t for the fact they’re a fellow Commonwealth country that has the same Queen, I’d be outraged. As it happens, I’m rather favourably disposed to this Canadian attempt to knobble one of our colonies....
There are 22,000 people in the Turks. Puerto Rico has 4,000,000. Around .5% of Puerto Rico’s population. Many fewer problems.
In that case, I’m all for it. That way, I can find a good ice rink in the West Indies without having to hit up a cruise ship.
It’s tough to see Canada’s multitude of lefties giving up the privilege of moaning about American imperialism should the T&C be ‘absorbed.’
I seem to recall that there as discussion of bringing several of the then British West Indies into Canada in the 50’s or 60’s. Personally I think it might make some sense.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.