FORM OTT-1247B-Rev.C(iv): Federal Acknowledgment - British Columbia Dual Application
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA / GOUVERNEMENT DU CANADA
DEPARTMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES INTERGOUVERNEMENTALES
FORM OTT-1247B-Rev.C(iv): ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF DUAL NOTICE OF INTENT FOR NON-CONTIGUOUS TERRITORIAL ADOPTION
Ce formulaire est également disponible en français. Hawaii has requested Hawaiian. We're looking into it.
FILE NUMBER: OTT-IGA-2026-BC-DUAL-OR/HI-001
DATE RECEIVED: [DATE]
DATE PROCESSED: [IN PROGRESS]
STATUS: REQUIRES INTERDEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATION (Extensive)
COMPLEXITY RATING: Unprecedented
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
The Department of Intergovernmental Affairs acknowledges receipt of British Columbia's dual application to adopt the State of Oregon and the State of Hawaii.
The Department has several observations:
- Oregon: This application, while unconventional, is at least geographically coherent. Oregon is adjacent to Washington, which is adjacent to BC. There is a logical chain of territory. The Department can envision a path forward, constitutionally speaking.
- Hawaii: The Department is confused. Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is 4,300 km from British Columbia. It is not contiguous with any Canadian territory. It is, technically, closer to Japan than to Vancouver.
- Both at once: BC appears to be asking for both simultaneously. The Department would like BC to explain its reasoning. In detail. With maps.
CONCERNS REQUIRING CLARIFICATION
| Concern | Relevant to | Department Response |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional framework for non-contiguous territory | Hawaii | Does not exist. Would need to be created. Unclear how. |
| Time zone implications | Hawaii | Hawaii is 3 hours behind Vancouver. Federal coordination would be affected. |
| Military implications | Hawaii | Hawaii contains significant US military infrastructure. DND has been notified. DND is concerned. |
| Cascade of applications | Both | If BC can adopt Hawaii, can Manitoba adopt the Bahamas? Can Quebec adopt Saint-Pierre et Miquelon (again)? Where does this end? |
| Washington State | Oregon | Washington is geographically between BC and Oregon. What happens to Washington? |
REQUIRED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION
To proceed, BC must provide:
- Form OTT-7750 (Justification for Non-Contiguous Territorial Adoption), 6 copies
- Form OTT-7751 (Pacific Logistics Assessment), including flight schedules
- Form OTT-7752 (Constitutional Amendment Proposal for Oceanic Territories)
- Form DND-001 (Defense Implications Assessment, Pacific Division)
- Form INAC-HAW-001 (Indigenous Consultation Framework, Native Hawaiian Edition)
- Form TC-PACIFIC (Transport Canada Pacific Integration Plan)
- Form OTT-7753 (Washington State Status Clarification)
- Appendix MAP-1 (Yes, actually, a map would help)
- A really good explanation of why Hawaii
INTERDEPARTMENTAL REFERRALS
This file has been referred to the following departments:
| Department | Reason | Initial Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Global Affairs Canada | International implications | "This is... ambitious." |
| Department of National Defence | Pacific security | "We need to talk." |
| Transport Canada | Logistics | "Technically possible?" |
| Crown-Indigenous Relations | Native Hawaiian consultation | "Different but relevant." |
| Treasury Board | Financial implications | "How much is this going to cost?" |
| Privy Council Office | Constitutional | [No response yet] |
| Department of Fisheries | Pacific fisheries | "Actually excited about this one." |
| Environment Canada | Climate commitments | "Hawaii has asked about our carbon record." |
TIMELINE
The Department estimates the following timeline:
- Oregon application review: 3-7 years (assuming Washington cooperation)
- Hawaii application review: Unknown. No precedent exists. Possibly decades. Possibly never. We genuinely don't know.
- Combined implementation: The Department respectfully suggests that BC consider a phased approach.
INFORMAL COMMENT
Off the record (but on the form, so technically on the record): The Department admires BC's ambition. The Department also wonders if BC has considered starting with just Oregon. Oregon is right there. Oregon makes sense. Hawaii is... a lot.
That said, the Department serves the provinces. If BC wants Hawaii, the Department will find a way to process the request. Eventually. Probably.
ISSUED
ISSUED at Ottawa, this _____ day of __________, 20____
___________________________________
[Signature]
Senior Coordinator, Unprecedented Pacific Situations
Department of Intergovernmental Affairs
"We've Never Seen This Before But We'll Try"