Been wondering for years why Alberta is so different.

[dennilfloss]

And today I came across a couple of sentences that might explain part of this difference.

Not a lot of Canadians understand that a large portion of Alberta Crown land was taken up by Americans looking for farmland at the beginning of the 20th century. There was a heavy in-migration of American attitudes from the province's beginning.

http://leiterreports.typepad.c...1/who_is_stephen_.html

I wonder if that is true (no idea if the source is reliable) and how much real influence that could have if the case. After all, the loyalist legacy is still strong in eastern Canada and that immigration happened much longer ago.

 

[dennilfloss]

More info:

When the American frontier closed and free land was no longer available in the western states, American pioneers attracted by government publications began to make their way to the Canadian prairies. By 1901 there were nearly 6,000 American citizens in Alberta but, interestingly enough, nearly 11,000 of all immigrants had been born in the United States. Over the next two decades, from 1900-1915 approximately
82,000 Americans arrived in the province, and by 1916 those of American birth constituted nearly 19% of the total population.

The term "American" is somewhat vague and cuts across many different ethno-cultural lines. According to the 1916 census 60% of the "Americans" who were residing in Alberta were actually of British origin while 13% were Germans, 7% Norwegian and 3% were Swedish. American Mennonites were also a large group of Dutch origin who concentrated themselves in the Didsbury-Rosebud area.

http://www.abheritage.ca/pastt...erican_settlement.html

 

[CycloWizard]

The Mexicans are taking over the US via immigration. We're just doing the same thing a little further north.

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
The Mexicans are taking over the US via immigration. We're just doing the same thing a little further north.

Illegally immigrate to Canada? I never really considered that.

It's only a 30 minute drive and a bit of a swim away from me. :Q

 

[sandorski]

Quite true. My Mother's side of the Family came from Pennsylvania approx 100 years ago.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
The Mexicans are taking over the US via immigration. We're just doing the same thing a little further north.

In 10 years I will ask the mods to change my name to NoMexguy31. (Even though it almost feels like Northern Mexico now anyway).

 

[Kenazo]

Crazy Albertans. Manitoba is the place to be.

 

[imported_Champ]

well there is the simple fact of the matter

Albertans are better then all of you, why you may ask?

the simple answer is: because we are

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Champ
well there is the simple fact of the matter

Albertans are better then all of you, why you may ask?

the simple answer is: because we are

No matter how you slice it, Albertans are still just Flat Landers. Sure, they can look West and see mountains, but that just means they know there's something Better. Unlike Saskachtewanites who remain unaware that their sorry state of being could be better. tsk tsk poor sorry Saskachtewanites...

 

[Perknose]

Independent of any reality, I was always fond of the place name Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. <-------- Wanders away, mumbling to himself and pausing occasionally to giggle loudly for no discernible reason.

 

[little elvis]

I've lived in Alberta for over year now (transplanted Ontarian), and to be honest I find the people out here to be lot friendlier than people in Ontario.

Now only if I can find some decent Indian food in Calgary.....

 

[dennilfloss]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Independent of any reality, I was always fond of the place name Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. <-------- Wanders away, mumbling to himself and pausing occasionally to giggle loudly for no discernible reason.

I think more nonCanadians giggle at Regina.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina,_Saskatchewan

 

[Colt45]

saskatoon sucks, but at least there's no albertans.

 

[imported_Champ]

question then...if all saskatchewanites live in Alberta...who lives in Saskatchewan