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Monday, April 19th Toronto, ON

In its own good time, Ontario decided what Ontario would do.

Ontario began its early years around 1790, when about 5,000 Loyalists to the Crown fled the United States after its Revolutionary War against England. From those early beginnings, Ontario had grown over the years to become the largest, and most influential province of Canada. Its population accounted for almost one third of all Canadians; its economy represented over 40-percent of the national totals. Ontario’s largest city, Toronto, was the financial centre of commerce and trade. In terms of wealth, Ontario was the biggest fish in the Canadian pond.

From the very first rumblings of referendums in Saskatchewan the previous summer, Ontario went on about its business. Ontario never considered itself to be dependent on anyone or anything other than Ontario. The city, ‘Toronto the Good’, was too busy – too energetic – generating its own power and universe to concern itself with the rest of Canada.

As the Provinces left, Ontario could see the benefit of increasing its relationship with the United States; Ontario had already shared over 200 years of friendship and collaboration with its border state, New York.

Therefore, With Full Ceremony, On This Day, April 19th, Richard Carleton, the Honourable Premier of Ontario announced Ontario’s own referendum for joining the United States. If successful, the Premier added, it would "have the largest impact on the U.S. of any other Province in terms of economics and population base, by far – and, by all measurement, a very positive impact."

Everyone in Ontario felt that if Ontario left Canada, Canada would not exist. Everyone in the rest of Canada knew they were right.