By Colleen A.J. Smith

Local expat reacts to Brexit

Jun 25, 2016 | 12:00 PM

Thousands of Canadians have strong personal connections with the United Kingdom. The country’s separation from the European Union (EU) on June 20 has these people either elated or concerned about the future of their motherland.

One North Battleford woman, originally from Oxford, England sat down with battlefordsNOW to weigh in on the issue and how it affects her family.

Jackie Pitman said she voted to stay in and the votes result may have ongoing consequences for future generations.

“It’s interesting, because my friends are people who have children aged 10 to 30 and their views were that it was best to stay in. But at the same time, Grama is saying ‘you need to vote to leave’. And if there are no benefits to separating, (the younger generation) is going to be the one to reap what happens as a consequence,” she said. 

Pitman said it was the silver vote which really pushed the segregation of the U.K. from the EU. She said it was a matter of the older generation wanting to go back to the ‘good old days’ where immigration was at a minimum.

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“One of the biggest votes for separation has been with the older people. And what’s kind of driving that is the fact the 80s were good times for Britain, but since then, there has been trouble with healthcare in the country, and with pensions,” she said.

Pitman and her husband are both Canadian citizens who have immigrated from the EU to Canada. Her partner, Alan Pitman, hails from France.

Over the years, the Pitmans discussed the possibility of moving back to Europe to raise their family, but with this recent separation, Pitman said she has concerns about returning.

“Maybe I want to live in England,” she said. “Maybe we want to live in France. And as time moves on, what’s going to happen with the borders? One of the biggest things about ‘Brexit’ is the British didn’t want any more immigrants coming in.”

Another concern for Pitman is the future of Britain’s currency. During her time in Saskatchewan she said she has seen the pound dropping year-by-year and her ties in Britain’s financial situation are likely to be affected by the fluctuation of stocks and trade.

“One of the biggest things is the currency is at a thirty-year low. I still have money in Britain, and my dilemma now is –do I put it in investment in Britain, or do I leave it in a bank account?”

Pitman on the whole was not convinced separation was the best way to move forward.

“We are polarizing ourselves as not being European though we are still a part of the continent.  That is the feeling I’m getting,” she said. 

Colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @ColleenAJSmith