[Nepeta]

Canadian identity is based primarily on their devotion to the notion that they are NOT AMERICANS.

They like our tourist dollars, but they aren't too sure about us.

While parts of the US--the red parts--would make a kinda nice blend with the prairie provinces, you don't really want any part of Quebec. All the Francophones are descended from about 5000 settlers, and they define themselves not only as NOT AMERICAN, but NOT ENGLISH-SPEAKING, EITHER. And not for nothing is British Columbia sometimes referred to as British California. Ontario is not wonderful, either: it's the most developed industrially AND it's socialist.

They're NOT just like us. O, some are true free spirits, but a lot of them would fit right in if transplanted to blue state cesspools of regimentation.

[docbnj]

Someone mentioned that Canada likes US tourist dollars. Of course. But actually, Canadians spend more on tourism to the US, than Americans spend in Canada. In the winter, its seems that there are quite a few Canadian license plates in Florida and other points south.

[x]

Canadian identity is based primarily on their devotion to the notion that they are NOT AMERICANS.

So is a lot of their economy. Would Hollywood actually shoot movies in Vancouver or Toronto or Montreal if they weren't foreign cities with a currency that (for a while at least) was cheaper than the US dollar? Would Canadian actors get so much work if Canada didn't have protectionist "Canadian content" laws?

To be sure, show biz may not be a major part of the economy, but it's something we're familiar with. I suspect you've got a lot of young people all across the country who think they could make it in Toronto or Winnipeg. Toss millions of Americans into the competitive mix and things get complicated.