I agree with everything you said.

I was born in the US and have lived my childhood in both US and Canada. I married a Canadian and am a Canadian citizen.

My observations over the years ( I’m very intuitive):

• people in the US are very patriotic. When they say the pledge they truly feel it.
• when Canadians sing our national anthem they used to feel what they were singing but in the last 10 years not so much.
• when we cross the border into the Montana (only 5.5 hrs from where we live in Canmore) for a little get away there is a definate difference in the air. We can feel the freedom. There is always a lineup at the border. The people are friendly, happy, joyful. Everyone, as well as youth are respectful, hold doors open and make eye contact, connect.
• driving back into Canada is like coming into darkness, sadness and isolation. There is no lineup at the border! We visited Slovakia several years ago as a day trip while on a cruise. The people were not happy. There were no smiles, no happiness or joy, the people just existed. They were controlled and their economy was depressed. Even the children were the same. It was very sad. That is similar to what I feel in Canada these days.
• Our streets in Calgary and Edmonton are filled with immigrants who have brought their culture, beliefs and traditions. We are the minority now. In some of these cultures woman are thought of as servants and looked at as dogs would be, although all are not like that.
• Christianity is attacked in Canada. Over 100 Christian churches have been burned down in Canada. Christians are targeted. Most people in the trucker convoy that I met are Christians. Some are still in jail and others are pending sentencing.
• in the US they are not fearful of including God in their lives and in conversations. They openly profess Jesus as their Lord and saviour. Not so much in Canada.
• I love Canada but it will never be the same as before Covid I feel. It has changed forever and headed to a full blown communist country only most Canadians can’t see it as it has crept up slowly. Slowly our freedoms have been taken away like a frog in a pot of water. You keep slowly turning up the heat and he doesn’t notice as he slowly climatizes himself.
• We have been programmed to be fearful of voicing our opinion as it may offend someone or may spark rage or violent reaction. Comfortable conversation isn’t normal anymore.
• I am so grateful for this Locals group! You are my shelter in the storm. Opinions can be voiced without judgement.

If I were younger I would not hesitate to move to the US or other country. I am 75, have 5 children and their families and 13 grandchildren. They all live in Alberta in Calgary, Canmore, Red Deer, St Albert, Morinville. They are my life!

Humans don’t like change.

I would seriously consider being the 51st state. Canada will never be the same as it was 10 years ago. Even if Pierre Poilievre is elected his hands will be tied by the debt Canada is in, the Bills the Liberals have passed and the stacked left leaning Senate. I’m hoping Trumps moves will influence Canada and cause our situation to remedy itself.

Apologies for my long winded thoughts and grammatical errors!