On Mondays, I write about personal issues related to full-time RVing life, from philosophical debates to homemaking topics.

Unless they have traveled extensively throughout their country, Canadians tend to be unaware of the profound differences between provinces. These differences run deep; they are linguistic, social, cultural, legal, financial, and administrative. It is enough to make you wonder ‘what makes me Canadian?’

For example, a BC RVer spending a summer in any other province or territory might question why they have to pay a health care premium every month or high vehicle insurance rates. Quebecers have the highest tax burden in North America and don’t know to question it, even with health care shortages and terrible roads, unless they step outside and suddenly see their tax burden drop by 10% or more, and this without giving up their culture thanks to the pockets of ex-pat Quebecers all over Canada.

Canadians also have negative preconceptions about other regions and cities. East thinks the west is uptight. West thinks the east too buttoned down. It’s freezing in Winnipeg, Toronto has nothing to offer, and the Transcanada would be better without the section between Thunder Bay and Calgary.

As RVers travel around Canada, they have the opportunity envision many different lives for themselves and to break through those hurtful stereotypes. Is it any wonder, then, that so many cannot envision themselves ever settling down again? Canadian full-timers become much too aware of the compromises they must make, such as giving up a lower cost of living for a better climate.

Something else is gained through these travels, a tangible, yet inexplicable feeling, of being Canadian over being an Albertan, a Martimer, a Torontonian… Part of this feeling comes from interacting with foreigners and seeing our country through their eyes and the rest from little things that are province-independent… like Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire money. 🙂