UUhhhh, just a minute.........You may not have noticed the free trade agreements between Alberta, BC and Sask? Not bad for people who hate each other. Also, I believe the Sask govt is now a conservative type govt, the Sask Party? Threw the Dippers out on their ear due to way too high taxes and spending. I would dare say that right now, the three most western provinces not only get along, but have so much in common with resources, etc., that they do form a large economic block that the rest of the country should not ignore. I have been following this quietly for some time now, and it is quite interesting how things have changed over the last few years. And BTW, although the BC govt is a Liberal govt, it is almost center-right, not left.
Everything you say is true, AlebrtaBlue, but that doesn’t negate anything I said.
I welcome the trade agreement between the three provinces, I would hope that all the provinces have such an agreement; it can only be good for Canada.
However, it is one thing to have trade agreements, totally something else to be parts of a country. No doubt center right governments are in power in all three provinces, but it won’t last. Eventually left of center, NDP governments will come back to power in Saskatchewan and BC.
I can especially see friction between BC and Alberta in any possible federation. BC is much more liberal on social issues (gay marriage etc.) than Alberta, and in any federation, BC will prevail because of its bigger population.
The fact that federation will not work does not mean that there cannot be good relations, trade agreements etc. If tomorrow Québec separates form rest of Canada, I would want good relations, trade agreements with Quebec as well.
But having good relations is not the same as being part of the same country. You may have a business partner with whom you get along quite well, but you may not want him as a friend, he may drive you nuts.