[Sainters7]

Yeah just a fundamental difference between the two countries. Canada is much more centralized than the U.S. is, individual states have a lot more autonomy than individual provinces do here.

I think it goes back to the origins of the U.S.; the general idea being each of the 13 colonies were to be united, but basically operate independently of each other, essentially as their own countries. Probably why they are referred to as "states" to begin with, which usually implies an autonomous area.