Opinion: Is a land swap a win-win solution to the Canada-U.S. crisis?
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Although I'm an American, I agree with Canadians that U.S. President Donald Trump's '51st state' pronouncements are idiotic and counterproductive. But, give the devil his due: Trump often spurs people to reconsider previous assumptions that, on examination, don't always make sense.
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As the expression goes, he makes us think outside the box. Case in point: the Canada-U.S. border.
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Forget the 51st state nonsense, but consider instead a strategic land swap between the two countries. If done properly, it would be a win-win solution for both countries. We know from history that national borders are often subject to change. Sometimes those changes are imposed by one country on another, but sometimes they're done voluntarily and in a mutually-beneficial way.
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In the early 19th century, the U.S. grew enormously in one fell swoop when Napoleon offered to sell president Thomas Jefferson all of France's Louisiana Territory (which extended from New Orleans to the Pacific Ocean), to finance his European wars. Many thought Jefferson insane to spend big money on 'useless' land (as many also did years later when the U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia), but the deal was done and both countries were satisfied with it.
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For years now, there's been a progressive movement in the U.S. Pacific Northwest to secede from the U.S. and form an independent country called Cascadia, a movement that has gained steam during Trump's presidencies. The people behind the Cascadia plan have usually seen their future territory as encompassing what is now Washington, Oregon and Northern California, but a Trump-hating southern California may be delighted to jump on the bandwagon.
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What would the U.S. get in return? Two things: the entire northern tier of Canada from the Yukon to Baffin Island, a mostly empty but mineral-rich area that meshes perfectly with Trump's Arctic ambitions; and also Alberta, which for years has felt ignored and even belittled by the politicians in Ottawa, the cultural elites in Toronto and by the incessant and unreasonable demands of the Quebecois.
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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'You will see us in your cities, your city's hubs,' said Ramon Kataquapit, a youth councillor with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation and a member of Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario. The federal Liberal government's Bill C-5, which passed through the House of Commons Friday night, allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big industrial projects like mines, ports and pipelines. It sailed through a Commons committee in the early hours of Thursday with support from the Conservatives. And in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford's Conservatives have passed legislation allowing his government to designate 'special economic zones' where the provincial cabinet can exempt companies or projects from having to comply with any provincial law, provincial regulation or municipal bylaw. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Both pieces of legislation have met with fierce resistance from First Nations leaders who accuse Ottawa and Queen's Park of trampling on their rights and failing to consult with them in good faith. Kataquapit said First Nations youth are 'starting a movement' to protect their cultures and lands from what they see as increasing encroachment by governments looking to build major projects in a hurry. He compared both pieces of legislation to a rock falling off a mountain. 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