another cultural difference, Canada is a very unmilatarized society compared to the U.S., which seems to start at a very early age.

We've never had to pledge allegiance to a flag in school and what few school bands we have, seem to lack the spit and polish of the American bands (some really good musicians though, if somewhat a little out of step).

Ebbie, the Canadian mouse has not been particularly helpful regarding border crossings in western Canada due to a long somewhat tense history and memories of 54 40 or fight.

Upon the start of the Fraser River Goldrush in 1858, when Victoria's population swelled from 500 to 10,000 in the span of a couple of months, with boatloads of American prospectors and miners, the following is quoted from the San Fransico Bulletin of July 21, 1858

"Americans and Englishmen cannot mix, and but little will be needed there on Frazer River to provoke a crisis--a sort of independent California fight which will involve the two nations...It is not altogether an idle dream...to look forward to the day when the 10,000 Americans now on their way to Frazer River might become the conquerers of Vancouver Island, and another bright star thereby be added to the American constellation. Would not Americans throughout the length and breadth of our continent thunder a welcome to the new state of Vancouver?"