If Alaska was a Canadian province ... (how much, homes, income)

[ronaldl79]

Would Alaska be any different today if Canada -- Instead of the U.S. -- Acquired the territory from Russia? While I've never been a fan of arbitrary lines here in North America, I've often wondered if Alaska would have been better off as a Canadian province.

Thoughts?

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by ronaldl79

Would Alaska be any different today if Canada -- Instead of the U.S. -- Acquired the territory from Russia? While I've never been a fan of arbitrary lines here in North America, I've often wondered if Alaska would have been better off as a Canadian province.

Thoughts?

Not in regards to socialized medicine and high taxes to pay for all the social programs, but better in regards to oil production, and also game management. When Canada implements predator control measures to help the game population, they just do it regardless of how much animal rights groups whine about it, and have no problems drilling for oil, and mining. After all, the industry helps to pay for the hight taxes. Alaska is fine the way it is, except that we are not as aggressive as Canada business wise. Our economy does run on oil. Would we be better off as a Canadian province? No.

[warptman]

Take off, aye.

[arctichomesteader]

Good Lord, I'm glad it's not. Canada's lack of freedom is intolerable to me (thinking high taxes and gun laws for example).

[warptman]

You have to admit, free health care part is good.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by warptman

You have to admit, free health care part is good.

It ain't free. They pay for it in high taxes and have to fund a government bureaucracy on top of that to run it.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Good Lord, I'm glad it's not. Canada's lack of freedom is intolerable to me (thinking high taxes and gun laws for example).

How right your are! How can I forget about the Canadian gun laws? I am certainly glad that AK is not a Canadian province.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

It ain't free. They pay for it in high taxes and have to fund a government bureaucracy on top of that to run it.

A Canuc I know told me that he pays over 42% of his taxes just for medical.

[mollytamale]

While health care in Canada isn't free it certainly is not 42% of our wages. If your employer doesn't cover benefits partially or fully the following applies- this is for BC of course, however I am sure the costs are similar across the country -
In B.C., premiums are payable for MSP coverage and are based on family size and income. The monthly rates are:[indent]$54 for one person
$96 for a family of two
$108 for a family of three or more

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by mollytamale

While health care in Canada isn't free it certainly is not 42% of our wages. If your employer doesn't cover benefits partially or fully the following applies- this is for BC of course, however I am sure the costs are similar across the country -
In B.C., premiums are payable for MSP coverage and are based on family size and income. The monthly rates are:[indent]$54 for one person
$96 for a family of two
$108 for a family of three or more

I never said "42% of your wages." What I said was, "42% of his taxes" referring to the guy who told me. He also told me that sometimes he has to wait in line for weeks just to to take an MRI, and that cosmetic surgery (fake boobs, face lifts, etc.) is simply out of the question (not that a feel sorry for such people). When I lived in Plattsburgh, NY back in the '80s, there were scores of Canadians coming over to the Plattsburgh Hospital and private clinics for medical service. It was the same in Burlington. However, I have no idea if that's the case today.