Let's address the elephant in the room: money.
Current Reality:
- Manitoba uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Minnesota uses the US Dollar (USD)
- Exchange rates fluctuate (currently ~$1 CAD = $0.70-0.75 USD, though this changes)
The Options:
Option A: Full CAD Adoption Minnesota transitions to Canadian Dollar over defined period.
- Pro: Simplicity, full integration
- Con: Massive transition costs, psychological adjustment, loss of USD stability
Option B: Dual Currency (Transition Period) Both currencies accepted throughout the region for 10-20 years.
- Pro: Gradual adjustment, maintains flexibility
- Con: Complexity for businesses, ongoing exchange rate exposure
Option C: Currency Union (New Currency) Create a new regional currency for Manitoba-Minnesota.
- Pro: Fresh start, symbolic unity
- Con: Probably overkill, complex to implement, loss of CAD and USD network effects
Option D: Keep USD with Integration Minnesota keeps USD but with special trade/banking arrangements.
- Pro: Minimal disruption to Minnesota
- Con: Doesn't match the "family" framing, ongoing friction
Practical Considerations:
- Border communities already deal with dual currencies daily
- Many Minnesota businesses already accept CAD (at a discount)
- Banking integration would be significant undertaking
- Retirement accounts, mortgages, contracts all denominated in existing currencies
The Honest Assessment:
Currency transition is one of the most complex aspects of this partnership. It would take years, possibly decades, to fully harmonize. And that's okay. Family relationships aren't built overnight.
Discussion Questions:
- Which currency option makes most sense for a realistic transition?
- How long should a transition period be?
- What protections would Minnesotans need during currency transition?
- Could we start with just border communities as a pilot?