Why U.S. presidential candidate Ted Cruz won't embrace his Calgary roots

Ted Cruz, U.S.presidential candidate, was born in Calgary's Foothills Hospitalwhen it was brand new in 1970.

Hepublicly renounced his Canadian citizenship, and he rarely talks abouthis time in Calgary.

JasonMarkusoff, a journalistwho's been digging into the history, called the Cruz family's experience in Alberta "an American dream, but made in Canada."

Cruz'sparentsRafael Bienvenido Cruz and Eleanor Darraghstarted their own company in theseismic data industry, and itsbooming success opened doors to some of Calgary's most elite circles.

"They wound up moving to Riverdale Avenue, getting a really nice place on the river, having nice fancy pig roasts on the river and what not," saidMarkusoff.

But by the time Tedwas four years old, the family had packed up and was ready to moveto Texas.

Since then, Cruz has been fairly tight-lipped about his experience north of the 49thparallel.

When asked what he remembers of Canada, Cruz offered three words: "It was cold."

"I think if he was more of a progressive, more Canadian-friendly politician, that mightbe different," said Markusoff.

"He's so right-wing in American politics that I think if he was part of the Wildrose caucus, Brian Jean would have to kick him out for saying something way too off-base."