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But if Conservative MP Peter Goldring gets his way, the archipelago would be Canada’s 11th province.

Goldring has been the head cheerleader over the last decade in calling for Turks and Caicos to join Canada, and he notes Ottawa is actually closer to the islands (in kilometres) than his Edmonton riding.

“Canada really needs a Hawaii. The United States has a Hawaii. Why can’t Canada have a Hawaii?” Goldring said Sunday in a telephone interview from Ukraine, where’s he’s helping election observers.

However, he acknowledges the latest mission to Canada would see Turks and Caicos officials focus on strengthening tourism, social ties and trade relations. The annexation debate is likely on the sidelines, at least for now, he said.

“They have come to Canada three times to ask to join and have been turned down. There is a sense they don’t want to come again and be turned down again,” Goldring said.

Ewing indicated his priority was not having the Turks and Caicos join Canada.

“It is my mandate to see Turks and Caicos have sustainable economic growth and development, and development of our people, with a free will and a strong democracy,” he said.

“And we look to Canada, who has shown by example of being a very strong democracy and manages fiscal responsibility. So I’m looking for that kind of support from Canada.”

The dream of somehow directly linking Canada with Turks and Caicos dates back almost a century, when then-prime minister Robert Borden first suggested in 1917 that Canada annex the islands.