Western alien-nation

Vancouverites ought to feel a little affinity for the creatures of Planet UB313.

Of course, such creatures would probably consist of extreme-cold-resistant bacteria, if they even exist. Still, out on the west coast, we sometimes can be made to feel just as isolated from the centre of the action as one of the solar system's newly promoted interstellar bodies (For those who have no clue what I'm going on about, check out this article about the reordering of our solar system by astronomers with way too much time on their hands).

Much hyperbole has been uttered in recent years about Western Canadian alienation. The small but growing number of separatists in BC and Alberta are still far from commanding Quebec-style respect in Ottawa.

Still, it's hard to forget that the last federal election was already pretty much decided by the time vote counters had reached the Manitoba-Ontario border. The vote tally in BC was little more than a predictable footnote to the political event.

Like it or not, we're still on the fringe.

Of course, that's where the analogy with Planet UB313 ends. The planet with the funny name will likely never be more than an interstellar gas station for our spacefaring species on its way to greener pastures somewhere near Alpha Centaurai.

Meanwhile, Vancouver is Canada's vital gateway to the countries of the Pacific Rim. The abberant Atlantic/Eurocentric tilt of Canadian interest in the wider world has already shifted heavily towards Asia. Soon, our connections with that part of the world will rival what we have with the USA.

The shift to the Pacific will be permanent. Vancouver and its hinterland had better start getting the respect it deserves from the people back east - starting with a few more seats in the House of Commons and corresponding representation in the Senate.

And it better start happening long, long before Shell builds its first hydrocarbon refueling station on Planet UB313.

tags: Western alienation, BC Alberta, Pacific Rim, Gateway to Asia, really lame analogies