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Canada is more rural? Don't know how you get that. The urban population percentage of Canada and US is essentially the same. Just because Canada has 90% uninhabited northern lands doesn't make it more rural.
As to gun loving, as I have argued before, there are pro-gun regions and anti-gun ones. Canada will fit right in the latter. Plus, the pro-gun Canadians will have the chance to live in a gun loving state, why should they be deprived of this right?
Welfare and healthcare, again, depends. California and Massachusetts seem to have decent social protection. MA as a tiny US state alone accounts for 20% of Canada's population. How is that not compatible?
There are 33 million people in Canada, and 333 million in the US. Canada is bigger than the US. That means that people are more spread out in Canada's non-Northern lands.
Canadians will not tolerate people carrying handguns or concealed weapons, and shooting people because they're trespassing on private property in Canada will never be justifiable homicide.
The US wants Canadian water, oil, and border access. What would Canadians gain with a merger?
As much as Canadians say they love Canada, most - with the exception of Canadians here on CD! - are poorly travelled in Canada, though that varies regionally. Overall, Americans are much more mobile than Canadians are (they travel and experience living in different parts of the US far more than Canadians do Canada).
So, despite regional/cultural differences and, yes, even some squabbling (ie. north vs. south), Americans "know" their country better than Canadians "know" theirs.
That Canadians have higher rates of passport ownership than do Americans is old news. But when do Canadians actually use them?
I'm willing to bet that the majority of passport holding Canadians aren't going off to hike the Himalayas. No, they're most often putting those passports to good use to cross the Canadian-US border. Like you, Canadians need them to get to Florida or Vegas. Or Buffalo to buy cheaper gas. Hence the primary reason that passport ownership shot up in the last decade or so. An unfortunate (and inconvenient) result of 9/11.
This has been discussed in other posts but you do bring up another difference between Americans and Canadians. Americans see the world and politics in black and white, Canadians can see shades of grey. Our political system has evolved over centuries, and will continue to evolve (Senate reform!), and we can see and acknowledge anachronisms and ambiguity.
That Canadians have higher rates of passport ownership than do Americans is old news. But when do Canadians actually use them?
I'm willing to bet that the majority of passport holding Canadians aren't going off to hike the Himalayas. No, they're most often putting those passports to good use to cross the Canadian-US border. Like you, Canadians need them to get to Florida or Vegas. Or Buffalo to buy cheaper gas. Hence the primary reason that passport ownership shot up in the last decade or so. An unfortunate (and inconvenient) result of 9/11.
Actually its not just the U.S - many are for Mexico and the Caribbean and in addition, don't forget cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver (combined metro's of just those three cities is 1/3 Canada's total population) have large Foreign born populations as well so they travel all over the world. Take a look at a list of the Air Carriers at Toronto Pearson for example and the number of flag carriers serving Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. As a matter of fact, in comparison to International pax traffic at pearson, Tranborder traffic's growth is quite lagging behind it..
That Canadians have higher rates of passport ownership than do Americans is old news. But when do Canadians actually use them?
I'm willing to bet that the majority of passport holding Canadians aren't going off to hike the Himalayas. No, they're most often putting those passports to good use to cross the Canadian-US border. Like you, Canadians need them to get to Florida or Vegas. Or Buffalo to buy cheaper gas. Hence the primary reason that passport ownership shot up in the last decade or so. An unfortunate (and inconvenient) result of 9/11.
Boy; you completely ignored the first link in both countries discussing the migration habits of either country.
The passport registrations were mean't to be of interest only.
I do find it interesting though that you discount close to 70% of Canadians, as shown on one graph, by suggesting they're all spending $120.00 on passports to either not use them at all or just to cross the border for cheap gas, or as in my, case golf.
Boy; you completely ignored the first link in both countries discussing the migration habits of either country.
The passport registrations were mean't to be of interest only.
I do find it interesting though that you discount close to 70% of Canadians, as shown on one graph, by suggesting they're all spending $120.00 on passports to either not use them at all or just to cross the border for cheap gas, or as in my, case golf.
My last, other than the U.S., foreign trip in 2013 involved England, Ireland, France, Iceland.
Canadians were also among those killed by the avalanche in Nepal. They were in fact hiking. Just say'n.
Anyone who is familiar with International pax growth at Canadian airports like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver will easily see that in the last decade the growth has been service to countries outside the U.S.. Transborder traffic has remained steady but not a shining star like International growth. In the last two months alone Pearson has seen two new South American Flag Carriers serving the airport - TAM and Aeromexico.
Anyway I use my passport for trips to many countries including the U.S... I suspect many Canadians use their passport in much the same manner. I read about a couple from Alberta that was killed in Nepal - just a tragic thing that happened over there.
Anyone who is familiar with International pax growth at Canadian airports like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver will easily see that in the last decade the growth has been service to countries outside the U.S.. Transborder traffic has remained steady but not a shining star like International growth. In the last two months alone Pearson has seen two new South American Flag Carriers serving the airport - TAM and Aeromexico.
Anyway I use my passport for trips to many countries including the U.S... I suspect many Canadians use their passport in much the same manner. I read about a couple from Alberta that was killed in Nepal - just a tragic thing that happened over there.
That region is in for a struggle long term now as that earthquake has basically destroyed whatever infrastructure they had and winter is not kind over there. Shelter, fresh water, and building materials will be needed asap.
I'm going for a ten year passport renewal this time around and at $160.00 a pop, I can assure you it won't be used solely to enter the U.S. when my enhanced photo driver's license would suffice for that.
That region is in for a struggle long term now as that earthquake has basically destroyed whatever infrastructure they had and winter is not kind over there. Shelter, fresh water, and building materials will be needed asap.
I'm going for a ten year passport renewal this time around and at $160.00 a pop, I can assure you it won't be used solely to enter the U.S. when my enhanced photo driver's license would suffice for that.
I've had the unique opportunity to be part of the team supporting relief flights to Nepal out of Toronto with supplies and equipment funded by the Canadian Red Cross.. Its a great thing to see and be a part of..
Agreed about getting a passport - just going to one country would be a huge waste - especially to get gas and a substandard Tommy Hilfiger Sweater at an outlet mall in Buffalo lol..
That Canadians have higher rates of passport ownership than do Americans is old news. But when do Canadians actually use them?
Also, Americans do not need a passport to visit (and learn about) their own country, which was the point you were making.
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