gaulois
Forum Elite
Posts: 1277
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:40 am
Ontario was my first experience in the ROC many moons ago. I confirmed the stereotype of people being very busy, work/work/work, money, little fun, polluted, overcrowded, etc... At least in TO. The "multicultural" experience was positive in spite of these observations but I did find a huge US influence, coming out of Quebec at the time. I have been back there many times since and have not found much difference. Ottawa is of course one of a kind and strangely reminded me of Quebec City in regards to how dysfunctional its local economy operates -vs- the rest of it.
<br />
<br />From the perspective of a Western Canadian for most of my life now, I have had to deal with issues of the TO based headquarter, which really has not been much different from having a US based central or eastern headquarter. People in California, Oregon and Washington often feel the same way. Everyone seem to think that we are pot smoking, hang lose characters that are not motivated enough for business. I think they are actually jealous and wish they could move here if they could handle 4-6 months worth of grey drizzle.
<br />
<br />I have also come to fully appreciate that Ontario and Quebec politically run this country, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. The left/right swinging of the vote in BC or Ontario reminds me of the Quebec federalism/nationalism waffling: lots of hype, and little substance whatever side you are on.
<br />
LeCanardHasBeen
Malgré tout!