2 ms·

They can't be an independent country, because their position is indefensible. Over 3/4ths of their borders would be with Canada— that's enough influence and thr

by aylmao 1y ago

They can't be an independent country, because their position is indefensible. Over 3/4ths of their borders would be with Canada— that's enough influence and threat to thwart any separatism. Who do you trade with? How do you keep Canadian troops away? The only way this could happen is if the only other country Alberta borders, the United States, strongly supports the separation— strongly enough to break ties with Canada over it that is. And if it does, I suspect Alberta wouldn't be independent very long. All trade and most defense would be with and thanks to the United States. It'd be easy for the USA to annex Alberta.

refurb 1y ago
That makes no sense. Plenty of countries exist with no ability to defend themselves against their neighbors in a war. Usually what you do is prioritize good enough relations to avoid war.
- aylmao 1y ago
  But that wouldn't be the case here, would it? Canada wouldn't keep its arms closed as it looses its most profitable province, connection to its western ocean, and over 11% of its population. Unless the USA vows to defend Alberta, this would certainly mean Canadian troops marching towards Edmonton. It's an existential threat. Looking at the map, it splits Canada in two. I'm not saying this would mean war. Alberta doesn't have the right geography or military power to fight a war with Canada, unlike, say, the South in the American Civil War. Canadian troops would into Edmonton with little resistance and Alberta would return to Canada. The only way Alberta could remain independent is if the USA defended it. I don't think this would mean war either— Canada would never go to war with the United States. At most troops from both sides would be positioned on each side of the border, to show they mean business, but Canada wouldn't fire a shot. Knowing thus, that Alberta depends on them for both trade and defense (reminder, Alberta is land-locked and could only trade with the USA or Canada), and given their recent expansionist rhetoric, would the USA really opt to keep Alberta as an independent country they spent money defending, but get no taxes or land jurisdiction from, or would they expect to eventually incorporate it?
  - qball 1y ago
    >Canadian troops marching Of the few Canadian troops that exist, most of them are sourced from the West (just like the US, for that matter). It's difficult to prosecute a war without any soldiers.
    - aylmao 1y ago
      Only 1 out of the 5 Canadian army divisions is headquartered west of Toronto [1]. [1]: https://www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/ie-map-divisions.html https://www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/ie-map-divisions.htm...
      - deleted 1y ago
        [deleted]
  - ChoGGi 1y ago
    > Looking at the map, it splits Canada in two. I'll admit it'd be a little cool in the winter but NWT is still a part of Canada. Since you said looking at a map; almost all of Alberta is treaty land, be a very interesting and long court case before anything comes of it, no matter what our lobbyist Premier wants to do.
beAbU 1y ago
Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, and yet they continue to exist independently. Mind you it's not a bastion of first world quality of living. Switzerland is in a similar position, albeit surrounded by the EU, and they are part of the Schengen region.

by aylmao 1y ago

refurb 1y ago

That makes no sense. Plenty of countries exist with no ability to defend themselves against their neighbors in a war. Usually what you do is prioritize good enough relations to avoid war.

aylmao 1y ago
But that wouldn't be the case here, would it? Canada wouldn't keep its arms closed as it looses its most profitable province, connection to its western ocean, and over 11% of its population. Unless the USA vows to defend Alberta, this would certainly mean Canadian troops marching towards Edmonton. It's an existential threat. Looking at the map, it splits Canada in two. I'm not saying this would mean war. Alberta doesn't have the right geography or military power to fight a war with Canada, unlike, say, the South in the American Civil War. Canadian troops would into Edmonton with little resistance and Alberta would return to Canada. The only way Alberta could remain independent is if the USA defended it. I don't think this would mean war either— Canada would never go to war with the United States. At most troops from both sides would be positioned on each side of the border, to show they mean business, but Canada wouldn't fire a shot. Knowing thus, that Alberta depends on them for both trade and defense (reminder, Alberta is land-locked and could only trade with the USA or Canada), and given their recent expansionist rhetoric, would the USA really opt to keep Alberta as an independent country they spent money defending, but get no taxes or land jurisdiction from, or would they expect to eventually incorporate it?
- qball 1y ago
  >Canadian troops marching Of the few Canadian troops that exist, most of them are sourced from the West (just like the US, for that matter). It's difficult to prosecute a war without any soldiers.
  - aylmao 1y ago
    Only 1 out of the 5 Canadian army divisions is headquartered west of Toronto [1]. [1]: https://www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/ie-map-divisions.html https://www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/ie-map-divisions.htm...
    - deleted 1y ago
      [deleted]
- ChoGGi 1y ago
  > Looking at the map, it splits Canada in two. I'll admit it'd be a little cool in the winter but NWT is still a part of Canada. Since you said looking at a map; almost all of Alberta is treaty land, be a very interesting and long court case before anything comes of it, no matter what our lobbyist Premier wants to do.

beAbU 1y ago

Lesotho is completely surrounded by South Africa, and yet they continue to exist independently. Mind you it's not a bastion of first world quality of living. Switzerland is in a similar position, albeit surrounded by the EU, and they are part of the Schengen region.