Quebec has had separatism as its own issue for decades now. But, as I have long noted, Quebec is not the only province with an argument that it gets a raw deal. In particular, Western Canada, especially Alberta, is exploited financially for the benefit of eastern Canada.

Kate of the Small Dead Animals site reports that the latest surveys show

36% of Western Canadians consider separation an option — including 43% of Albertans.

(Poll results hosted by Nealenews.)

The title of her post is apt: "No longer the Fringe."

I have argued that Quebec's complaints pushed English Canada into its political correctness obsession. Perhaps the threat of Western Secession will cure the condition.

Thomas Lifson   8 03 05

Dennis Sevakis adds:

I've often thought that we should offer statehood to the four western provinces of Canada — British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba. Perhaps BC would have to change its name to "The Former British Columbia" or "FBC" for short. Or, maybe we could try "American Columbia" or "AC" for short. That has a nice techie sound to it. I have no particular objection to the other monikers.
 
The four would have to come in as a group so as to not screw up the flag. For our current 50 states we have 5 rows of 6 stars each and 4 rows of 5 stars each for 30 20 = 50 stars. For 54 states we'd have 9 rows of 6! Voila! A perfectly accommodating modification.
 
I'm also sure we can work "eh" into the Star Spangled Banner somewhere.
 
Let's get those petitions going and sent to Washington, D.C. that is, ASAP and get your taxes lowered!