Atlantic Provinces
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Compromised said:
The Atlantic provinces are so small and relatively undeveloped that it makes at least some sense to amalgamate them into a larger and more cohesive unit. The other provinces in Canada are all much larger so we should just remove as many inter-provincial trade barriers as possible and let them get on with it.
This whole thread is silly. First, it would be constitutionally impossible to force them to amalgamate. Second, Newfoundland would separate before they would amalgamate with the maritime provinces.. Newfoundland separating might or might not be a good thing for the rest of Canada but that would be a separate thread.
someone said:
I don't think this was necessarily about forcing the Atlantic provinces to do anything. It was suggested that we should "just consolidate" them but nobody would attempt that without some consensus in Atlantic Canada. If there were enough economic benefits and these were presented clearly, Atlantic Canadians might be persuaded to amalgamate.
You might be able to get the Maritime provinces to amalgamate (doubtful) but you will never get Newfoundland to agree. As it is, they see themselves as Newfoundlanders first and Canadians second. It would have to be forced on them. Moreover, given that they are geographically separated from the Maritimes and have a distinct culture, I can’t see any real benefits for either them or the three Maritime provinces.slowpoke said:
someone said:
Can't argue with you about Newfoundland. You lived and taught there so I have no doubt you are correct. Still, there would be some benefit for the other 3 Maritime provinces to amalgamate so it would probably depend on who was selling it to them.
Just to emphasis how they see their identity. They would object to your use of the phrase “other 3 Maritime provinces” as it implies they are a maritime province. They do not consider themselves to be one of the maritime provinces, hence the term Atlantic provinces. I’m not criticising you as I never knew there was a distinction until I lived there as was corrected.slowpoke said:
someone said:
I'd heard about that maritime thing with Newfoundland so I used "Atlantic provinces" / "Atlantic Canadians" etc except in my last post when I mistakenly said "other 3 Maritime provinces". How insensitive of me!! What is the basis for Newfoundland's dislike of that maritime adjective? They're surrounded by ocean which is about as maritime as you can get.
someone said:
Correct, there are only 3 Maritime provinces. Newfoundland is part of the Atlantic provinces but not the maritimes.
As a transplanted "Maritimer" I can tell you those from PEI, NB and NS have a similar pride in their heritage to NFLD'ers and would not like the idea of almalgamation.
slowpoke said:
I believe the term "Maritime Provinces" was around since confederation. At that time the maritime provinces were Canada's centre for trade and commerce. This was long before Joey Smallwood.
onthebottom said:
Indeed it does.
If you get an opportunity to experience it I recommend you take advantage of it. Your opinion will change, I guarantee.
Whether matters would be better there now economically had the Maritimes not come into Confederation is certainly debatable. But there is little argument that in the short and mid-term the Maritimes were adversely affected by Federal Protective Tariffs enacted to protect Ontario and Québec (read Montreal) manufacturers.lookingforitallthetime said:
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