A recent visit to Canada by Turks and Caicos Premier, Rufus Ewing, resparked interest in Canada’s annexation of the country. Turks and Caicos, a Caribbean archipelago of 40 islands, has been a point of interest in Canada’s history. This most recent debate marks the third time in the last century that Ottawa politicians have pushed to make the territory Canada’s eleventh province. With over 300 kilometres of beaches, the tropical paradise would certainly be a welcome asset.

Ewing hailed Canada as a role model of fiscal responsibility from which his country could learn, accolades that resounded in Ottawa on the foreign leader's recent diplomatic junket to spur bilateral trade and tourism. When asked about the possibility of Turks and Caicos becoming a Canadian province, the Premier skirted the issue. He said he would not dismiss the idea completely, but he also offered us a glimmer of hope with the tantalizing observation that “there is no marriage without some kind of relationship first.”

Liberal politician Peter Goldring is spearheading the latest campaign for the annexation and feels that much of the legwork has already been done. According to Goldring, “Canada has the greatest proportion of foreign investment in Turks and Caicos, and the second highest number of tourists to the country. Annexation would permit further growth in these areas.” Goldring also argues that the island could serve as a gateway to Latin America. “The location would be ideal for military support from Ottawa and particularly for disaster relief,” he adds.

Disappointingly, Conservative politician Janice Bloom calls the whole idea a pipe dream. “Canada is not in the business of annexing tropical islands,” she claims. “Annexation would be extremely complicated since it would involve changes to the islands’ tax and health care systems.” Bloom contends that the government has more pressing matters.

Yet, according to a recent poll, the majority of the islands’ residents support the proposal. Cab driver Ron Douglas says he’d love the opportunity to work in Alberta’s oil industry. However, he admits the primary concern of many locals is that Canada’s rules are too strict. “They go against the laid-back attitude of us islanders.”