Geez, it's bad enough to have the rest of the world not understand "Canadianna", but to have a Calgary dude perpetuate outdated myths is another. If you think portions of "backwoods" Saskatchewan don't resemble parts of Alberta, well, you haven't been far from Centre Street in a while. For every Yorkton, Melville, Nipawin and North Battleford, there's a corresponding Brooks, Drumheller, Rocky Mountain House and Longview. We share a common pioneering heritage, and just because Calgary has flourished into a cosmopolitan and modern city doesn't mean it is an island unto itself. Christ, the biggest yearly draw is still the Stampede--a tribute to the spirit of the old west and pioneering heritage.
There's no doubt that Alberta has created an economic climate that has drawn immigrants from all points, but especially Saskatchewan. This growth has enabled Albertans to experience those "little things taken for granted", like donairs for example. Funny though, that I can get donairs in Regina at food courts in just about any mall, and even in my "backwood" town of ten thousand. (Though the best I've ever tasted were from a guy with a restaurant in the Deerfoot mall in Calgary).
Like Rissask has said, Saskatoon is one of the fastest growing economies in Canada, *despite* our socialist government. I can enjoy the Regina Symphony Orchestra in a full season of performances, take in Mosaic (a cultural festival representative of the world's cultures), see live theatre and musical performances by the worlds best, enjoy Wascana Park (North America's largest urban park and lake), and yes, even cheer for my beloved Roughrider football team as they spank the gap-toothed led Stampeders. I can do this without the 75 minute commute to just about anywhere, without the grossly inflated cost of housing and day to day expenses, and without the choking congestion of traffic that is endemic of Calgary today. Hell, I can even leave my job and within 20 minutes can be teeing off at a gorgeous golf course *without* a tee time. Try that in the city.
Ok, my rant is over.
(Brent, I know you were speaking in jest, so don't take any of this seriously ok?)
Time to go empty the outhouse, the missus folks are coming tomorrow. It'll be nice to see my brother and sister again.
