We're Canadians, Eh? And no apologies, move over! by BJ Smith
April, 2010
I, for one, was blown away by the 2010 Winter Olympics. Primarily, it was the attitude of my fellow Canadians. Not just the performances, but the overall pride of the volunteers, the organizers, the athletes and especially the spectators. Some of the media commentators left a lot to be desired in the first days of the event. I would have gladly stuck a couple of them on top of a mountain on a snowboard for using the word 'disappointment'. However, on the whole CTV did a good job and left me wondering, for the 10,000th time; if all our tax dollars melting into the CBC are really necessary, except, of course, to promote David Suzuki. I was also proud of ALMA for working with the Canadian Sport Centre in Calgary promoting beef and emphasizing the connection between diet and podium performance.
Pride is the ultimate high, not a deadly sin as we've been schooled to believe. Fierce pride and patriotism has not been our style, especially in trade negotiations. A few pockets of courage come to light on occasion. I heard that the Inuit government is asking for legislation to prohibit all European liquor being imported into their territory, as long as the European Common Market has an embargo against seal products. It won't cause the French wineries to close, but at least there is an effort. The protests against the 'dirty' oil coming out of the oil sands are about the most hypocritical issue since the BSE Fiasco. Who, in their right mind, would think the U.S. would not use those deposits, if they were located below the 49th parallel? Of course, there are environmental issues, but deal with them in a positive and profitable manner. The Dene, Chipewyan and Cree people are being used, as usual, as pawns. One of my heroes is Clarence Louie, chief and CEO of the Osoyoos Band in British Columbia. In Ft. McMurray, addressing an aboriginal conference, Chief Louie says, "Get involved, create jobs and meaningful jobs, not just window dressing for the oil companies." Louie says aboriginals should look for investment opportunities and earn their way to the boardrooms. In other words, develop pride. Show up on time, work extra hours and he says, "The business lunch, should be a drive through and then right back at it." Good advice for our politicians!
A sporting event, no matter how prestigious, is not crucial to our survival in the global economy. However, the 'own the podium' attitude promoted before and during the Olympics can be adapted by trade negotiators. A little swagger and confidence that says we own the natural resources and we can hold the balance of power in North America will be well noted in future arenas of political power.
Canada Brand International is trying to promote Canadian food and agricultural products. There is still a gap in knowing if a product is wholly Canadian. If a beef stew has Canadian carrots and Argentinean beef, then it has no right to claim 100% Canadian content. Millions of pounds of food from China, are going into major grocery chain products, which Canadians buy in the mistaken belief that they are purchasing Canadian food. See the article posted on http://www.nowpublic.com/press/canada-food-imports-china-safe-eat. Also, bear in mind, that Brazil is to commodities what China is to manufactured goods. Brazil is home to the largest cattle herd in the world. As the North American beef herd dwindles, Brazil, Argentina and Australia can produce cheaper red meat and once those imports take up the slack in our market, they will be there forever.
Going back to the 2010 Olympics, I would be remiss if I didn't address the behavior of our Women's Hockey Team celebrating in public. No doubt, they should have kept themselves to the locker room, however, they didn't. Slipping into my other 'hat' as a music educator and teacher of music history, I would like the European Olympic board members to relate to the music of Frederic Chopin (1810-1849). Have they considered banning his music from future concerts inasmuch as his lover and sponsor Aurore Dudevant, a beautiful and powerful French lady, wore trousers, drank champagne, smoked cigars in public and assumed a man's name (George Sand)? Coincidentally, very few well behaved women make much history. I have a suspicion that if these people had been members of the men's team, there would have been very little outcry. If the Olympic movement drops the women's hockey I challenge the men to refuse to participate. If you fellows don't provide backup for a strong women's program, they may crowd you off the ice. You Go Girls!! |
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