Let’s Chat: Thankful to live in the west

By Linda Tooth on August 27, 2025.

I just got back from six nights in Petawawa, Ont. For those that do not know, Petawawa is located 166 kilometres northwest of our nation’s capital, Ottawa. A fun fact for all Canadian history buffs, Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia, has a population of 5,000 and is one of our busiest operational bases, providing economic value to both Petawawa and Pembroke, Ont. Anyway, remember when BATUS and CFB Suffield had more economic value in our community? I digress.

The reason I was in Petawawa was because my niece who lives there was struggling to find childcare for my six-year-old great niece, so I volunteered to fly out and spend time with both of them.

Let me tell you I am exhausted as I have not been in the company of a young person for any length of time, and I have a new appreciation for those grandparents who look after young family members. I have a column coming soon on that topic, but what I want to write about now are similarities and differences I noticed between Alberta and Ontario.

To start with, the similarity is that both provinces are currently under conservative leadership. As we navigate interesting times, both premiers have been very vocal on what trade could look like for each province.

Second, I have it on good authority that in northern Alberta we have an abundance of trees. Coming from the prairies and not having been north of Edmonton I am not familiar with copious numbers of trees, so when I saw them on the drive from Ottawa to Petawawa I was stunned.

Now for the differences. In Alberta we pay 5% GST. In Ontario they pay 13% HST, which is a blend of the GST and a provincial sales tax (PST). Yikes. Unfortunately, not much shopping took place. I noticed the typical licence plate of white with blue lettering and numbering was different for the type of vehicle you own.

For those with electric vehicles their licence plate is white with green lettering and numbering. For those driving a truck (1/2 ton etc.) their licence plate is white with black lettering and numbering. I am not sure of the logic of that. Is it a money grabber?

Let us talk about recycling. They do not have recycling depots. Pop and water bottles go into typical recycling. No deposit paid, no money back. I wonder what they do with all those bottles?

If you buy alcohol, you can take those bottles back to any liquor store and you will get a refund on an empty bottle. Composting is an important thing. All food that is not consumed goes into composting and the city picks it up with recycling.

Lastly, our weather is quite different. Here in southeastern Alberta, we are used to a typically dry climate. In Ontario they have humidity due to all the lakes that surround it.

Perspiration did not leave my menopausal body until the flight back when I am sure the flight was over Manitoba, and I stopped sweating.

I was thrilled to see my family, but I was more thrilled to come home to a cooler and less taxed province.

Have a Meowtastic day and keep reading.

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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