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Canada's own island in the Caribbean: Have we missed our chance?
Definitely Not the Opera, CBC Radio, February 23, 2002
We could have had our own islands in the sun. A place to thaw out during our long, painful winters. A place where we could use the flaccid Canadian dollar at par.
Imagine if you will…You’re watching a salty sunset on the beach. Your toque is tucked over your eyes to shield you from the sinking sun. Mounties patrol along the reefs on sea scooters. You buy a coconut from a vendor for a loony. And you can relax knowing the coconut milk is safe because it’s regulated by the Coconut Council of Canada. This national dream could have become a reality.
The Turks and Caicos are a collection of small islands and reefs in the Caribbean. They are a British Crown Colony. And at one point in time, they wanted to become a part of Canada.
“And I think we blew it. Do we have our own island in the sun? No. Do we pour hundreds of millions of dollars down the economic toilet into the Caribbean every year with no benefit to ourselves? Absolutely.”
Ian Stuart of the Turks and Caicos Development Organization of Canada championed the idea of a union. The concept was first suggested in 1917. Prime Minister Borden stumbled across the islands while yachting in the Bahamas. He thought it would be a good idea to annex the islands.
The proposal was forgotten until 1974, when MP Max Saltsman introduced a private members bill to study the possibility of some sort of merger with the Turks and Caicos. Parliament was flooded with mail from Canadians infatuated with the concept of having their own island getaway. And when I hit the soggy streets of Vancouver last week, people were still enchanted with the idea.
Man #1: “Absolutely 100%. I think that would be great to have islands. It would improve the economy, and bring in more money for the tourism industry.”
Man#2: Sure, after all, the States have got Puerto Rico and all those other islands. We might as well have a few islands of our own in the south.
In 1987, a Canadian survey found that over ninety per cent of Turks and Caicos Islanders favoured some kind of association with Canada. But with an election pending on the islands, Canada decided it would be inappropriate to pursue anything. The Mulroney government put the idea on the shelf. Ian Stuart still has regrets.
Stuart: “When opportunity knocks at the door sometimes we simply don't answer. The Americans would be grabbing at the door but not Canadians. Maybe we were too conservative, maybe we saw it as colonialism, whatever. While people loved the idea there didn't seem to be the political will to sit down at the table and say let’s work out a deal now.”
Has Canada missed it’s chance? Maybe it’s not too late for Canadian tundra dwellers to get a place in the sun. Many of us are still open to the idea.
Man#3: It’s the first I’ve heard about it….If they can give us cheap airfares I’m in.
Sarah: So we could be Canada and Turks and Caicos.
Man #3: That would be a little too much. It would be hard to fit on our national hockey jerseys.
Woman #1: I think it would be great to have can to have a tropical island and I’d probably move there. (laughs)
Unfortunately for us, the Turks and Caicos are now economically self sufficient, nestled safely back into Brittania’s fold. But don’t despair. There are lots of islands in the sea. I used my diplomatic skills to contact some government offices in the Caribbean.
(sfx: ringing phone)
Man #4: Good afternoon.
Sarah: Is this Montserrat?
Man #4: Yes, good afternoon.
Sarah: I got a question for you...What do you think of the idea of Montserrat joining Canada, becoming a part of Canada?
Man #4: (laughs) Is this a joke?
Sarah: I’m just asking for your opinion. What do you think?
Man #4: In my personal opinion, yes it would be a good idea.
Sarah: Why?
Man #4: Canada has no other dependencies does it?
Sarah: We don't have any. It’s pretty cold up here, so we’re hoping we can link up with you folks.
Man #4: It’s a very good idea. How soon you can get at that?
So you heard it for yourself. There are lots of islands who would love to be more than just friends with Canada. We shouldn’t be shy. I know deep down that Canadians can be just as colonial as the next guy. We can change the name of Grand Turk Island to New Toronto. And Salt Cay can be renamed Moose Jaw, in honour of Brian Mulroney. We’ve got nothing to lose, so let’s not miss our chance this time.
For Definitely Not The Opera, I’m Sarah Efron in Vancouver.