A letter in the Globe and Mail:
In spite of the PQ win, I don’t believe for a minute that Quebec will leave Canada – Canada as a nation is just too good a deal for everyone who lives here. Still, it made me think of us as a nation of brothers.
Brother 1, Alberta: Brash, bold, works hard, but hey, he also won the Lucky Sands lottery. Lucky, lucky guy.
Brother 2: So cool, he only uses his initials. B.C. likes to fish, sail, wear sandals with thick grey socks and drive an old VW van. Happiest outdoors.
Brother Ontario: Had it all, great job, big income. When he spoke, everyone in the family listened. But, he lost his job, ran up really dumb debts, then still tried to throw his weight around. He’ll come back, but needs to realize he’s not the kingpin any more.
Brother Saskatchewan: Likes working in the summer sun growing food, then takes his motor home south for the winter. If the growing-food thing fails, really likes the family to pitch in with the bills. Won the smaller “Pot Ash” lottery, so he’s feeling pretty good these days.
Three of the brothers on the East Coast live together. The Maritime Boys love life. They also like to fish, but making a living at it hasn’t gone so well for them.
Another brother lives apart: Newfoundland and Labrador likes to fish too, but enjoys the solitude and likes lots of ice in his water.
Brother Manitoba doesn’t say much, keeps a low profile. Not flashy but a really good guy.
And then there is Brother Quebec: Always upset with the family, always asking for more, always living slightly higher than he can afford. What can I say, we love him and he loves life but here he is talking about leaving ... again.
Of course, I asked our Northern family if they wanted to be called our brothers, but they just said they wanted “Nunavit.”
George Brookman, Toronto
In spite of the PQ win, I don’t believe for a minute that Quebec will leave Canada – Canada as a nation is just too good a deal for everyone who lives here. Still, it made me think of us as a nation of brothers.
Brother 1, Alberta: Brash, bold, works hard, but hey, he also won the Lucky Sands lottery. Lucky, lucky guy.
Brother 2: So cool, he only uses his initials. B.C. likes to fish, sail, wear sandals with thick grey socks and drive an old VW van. Happiest outdoors.
Brother Ontario: Had it all, great job, big income. When he spoke, everyone in the family listened. But, he lost his job, ran up really dumb debts, then still tried to throw his weight around. He’ll come back, but needs to realize he’s not the kingpin any more.
Brother Saskatchewan: Likes working in the summer sun growing food, then takes his motor home south for the winter. If the growing-food thing fails, really likes the family to pitch in with the bills. Won the smaller “Pot Ash” lottery, so he’s feeling pretty good these days.
Three of the brothers on the East Coast live together. The Maritime Boys love life. They also like to fish, but making a living at it hasn’t gone so well for them.
Another brother lives apart: Newfoundland and Labrador likes to fish too, but enjoys the solitude and likes lots of ice in his water.
Brother Manitoba doesn’t say much, keeps a low profile. Not flashy but a really good guy.
And then there is Brother Quebec: Always upset with the family, always asking for more, always living slightly higher than he can afford. What can I say, we love him and he loves life but here he is talking about leaving ... again.
Of course, I asked our Northern family if they wanted to be called our brothers, but they just said they wanted “Nunavit.”
George Brookman, Toronto