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I had the great pleasure of attending the WJCs in 2005. It was absolutely awesome, and a great year to go. Toews, Seabrook, Crosby, MacArthur, all kinds of good players. Not to mention most of Winnipeg was there and generously fed me and made sure I didn't go thirsty. That book is great! :) I hope you enjoy it, it's as one of his finest works I feel.
Mod
Lucky girl! And heaven forfend that anyone should go hungry or thirsty when a hockey game is going on in Winnipeg! Pass the pierogies and beer say I.
About the Bryson... yeah, I read it back in '06 and have been wanting the illustrated version ever since. Awesome.
The people of Manitoba are perennially generous. There were a lot of people from Nova Scotia too, which I didn't connect the dots on that one until just now, actually (Crosby, probably). There was also a guy from Calgary with a cowboy hat made out of a beer box. It was actually pretty cool. A guy from Winnipeg and I were talking about the WJCs on the ski lift. Good times.Super awesome. I'm kind of really jealous.
Did anyone watch the Leafs totally hand it to the Sens?
Mod
It was a good one. Also, yesterday's WJC game? Epic.
Mod
The Americans got killed. They didn't start playing till the last five minutes...not going to cut it.Leafs Nation is at it again. I was visiting some friends in LA, and "go leafs go" absolutely drowned out everything else. The Kings fans were disgruntled.
Kirsten wrote: "Has anyone gone to grad school in Canada? I'm considering it and wondering what your thoughts were on the topic. Many of my Canadian friends have weighed in, and almost all of them have told me t..."
Hi
I think Maclean's national magazines web site " On campus" would be useful to you. They rank the universtities from large like U. of T and small like the University of Northern British Columbia. They also discuss many other issues. Quality is important but they also evaluate student's opinions relating to other aspects of student life on campus.
We're a relatively small country with a big body which means regionalism is alive and well.
Hi
I think Maclean's national magazines web site " On campus" would be useful to you. They rank the universtities from large like U. of T and small like the University of Northern British Columbia. They also discuss many other issues. Quality is important but they also evaluate student's opinions relating to other aspects of student life on campus.
We're a relatively small country with a big body which means regionalism is alive and well.
Thanks! I'll definitely check that out.I've noticed that regionalism is definitely alive and well everyone I've gone in Canada. It's kind of amusing, actually. Most of the time.
Because nationalism is in its infancy, provincialism often dominates,particularly in Quebec and Newfoundland. They're so different, they often confuse the rest of us. B.C. doesn't like to be incluuded with the other western provinces even if it is the most western province. Alberta seems as conservative as Texas and dislikes giving so much money to Ottawa. Manitoba is actually in the middle of the country (at least E-W)but is proud of its western heritage. It's founder had a major argument with the federal government and cost him his life. Of course Onterio thinks it is Canada. Because it has about 1/3 of the population, it is easy for them to attach themselves to that delusion. Toronto of course is disliked by the rest of the country and all the best national leaders came from somewhere else. I'm not sure they know that. The three maritime provinces feel unique too.It was a bit of debate if Prince Edward Island wanted a bridge to connect itself to the rest of the country. New Brunswick had a man who wanted to own the province and build a canal between it and Nova Scotia. He owned a few gas stations among other things. Of course, we have the sailing ship of the Blue Nose on our dime to remind us of the heritage of Nova Scotia.Some Americans still think of it as part of New England that they lost, including one of your greatest leaders. Saskatchewan has a history of exporting good people and medicare to the rest of the country. It is now beoming a rich province which will naturally alienate it more from the federal goverment. Some in the west think that Ontario in the east (which is really central) treat us as colonies. The northern territories think of all of us as southerners and wonder how long it will before we go home. It has been said one of the differences between the two countries is "the melting pot" of the USA and the "mozaic" of Canada.
I think Canada for most of its history was left to its own devices because the English and Americans politician thought we were a more ungovernable country than their own. We get the feeling the French thought their Caribbean island were more important. No wonder most people know little about Canada. We're not too sure about things our selves.
I think Canada for most of its history was left to its own devices because the English and Americans politician thought we were a more ungovernable country than their own. We get the feeling the French thought their Caribbean island were more important. No wonder most people know little about Canada. We're not too sure about things our selves.
I did not proofread. I need to correct to expand on somthing before I get someone from New Brunswick shaking his head about B.C.'s ignorance of the Maritimes. FDR had a place on Compobello Island New Brunswick. Both NB and NS have much common history with New England.
Mod
Yet put a team on the ice against Russia or the US and suddenly we're all cozy. :)
p.s. You're awfully hard on Ontario there, mate. I think that delusion you're describing is a fictional one. I'd say Ontario is more like a self-assured older sibling that thinks all the other parts of Canada are cool and just wishes everyone would stop quarrelling and get along better. This often comes across as being arrogant and self-entitled.
Ibis3 wrote: "Glen wrote: "Because nationalism is in its infancy, provincialism often dominates,particularly in Quebec and Newfoundland. They're so different, they often confuse the rest of us. B.C. doesn't lik..."
My ancestors on one side came from Upper Canada near Guelph not that far from Toronto.They were late comers and came in the 1830's. Some of them moved west just after 1900. Basically the whole thing was fictional but I suspected I would hear from Ontario.
The "self-assured older sibling'? The five province east are older than Ontario even if only 3 of them were part of the original confederation. Canada of course is a name for "New France." but I haven't had any comments from Quebec.
If you noticed I made fun of B.C. wanting recognition. There is a grain of truth in that as it was a colony of U.K. not like the three prairie provinces that were part of Ruperts land. Many people in political circles from central Canada fought that distinction for many years and more recently in the senate debates. They are finally coming around as we become more powerful not because they are more reasonable. The old Reform party which I disliked would never had developed if the two tradtional major parties dealt with the smaller provinces more fairly.
Confederation benefited Ontario more than any province. Howe's concerns were legitimate in that much of the capital from Nova Scotia flowed to central Canada. If you read a book like "Towers of Gold and Feet of Clay by W. Stewart which complains about Canadian banks you will find one of the secondary issues is the flow of capital from the Maritimes in general.
It is easier to be "self-assured" when the Ontario's interests dominates the political agenda.Compare the help for the foresty inductry in B.C. compared to the car industry in Ontario in the last couple of years. The treatment of Alberta by the federal government in the Trudeau era would not have been tolerated in Quebec and would be long gone. Even B.C. with it's own unique politics would have been a more serious problem because we look to Asia (including the USA obviously) not Europe for our economic future. Ontario was not asking for the others to get along, it was throwing its weight behind the federal government. Alberta is paying the biggest price for being Canadian, yet many in central Canada had little empathy. The economy of Albert and B.C.combined is now bigger than Quebec which is beginning to alter the political dynamics.
I agree with you that Ontario is the heart of the country and it's citizens are the most nationalistic as well. They forget, however that the agenda for Ontario isn't always best for the country. When Ontario and Quebec were given their existing land mass, Macdonald expressed his worry that the two provinces would dominate the country. He was right. But now western Canada has more people than Quebec which has changed the politics of country.
Personally I do not want Toronto to dominate the country like London in the U.K.. I think the Liberal leader blew it by choosing a Toronto riding if he wanted to build trust in the rest of the country. Harper is not much better off being in Calgary.
We live in a great country and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We are in one of the fastest growing areas on Vancouver island. About 10% of the new arrivals are from Ontario and another 10% from Alberta. It can make for interesting discussions.
My ancestors on one side came from Upper Canada near Guelph not that far from Toronto.They were late comers and came in the 1830's. Some of them moved west just after 1900. Basically the whole thing was fictional but I suspected I would hear from Ontario.
The "self-assured older sibling'? The five province east are older than Ontario even if only 3 of them were part of the original confederation. Canada of course is a name for "New France." but I haven't had any comments from Quebec.
If you noticed I made fun of B.C. wanting recognition. There is a grain of truth in that as it was a colony of U.K. not like the three prairie provinces that were part of Ruperts land. Many people in political circles from central Canada fought that distinction for many years and more recently in the senate debates. They are finally coming around as we become more powerful not because they are more reasonable. The old Reform party which I disliked would never had developed if the two tradtional major parties dealt with the smaller provinces more fairly.
Confederation benefited Ontario more than any province. Howe's concerns were legitimate in that much of the capital from Nova Scotia flowed to central Canada. If you read a book like "Towers of Gold and Feet of Clay by W. Stewart which complains about Canadian banks you will find one of the secondary issues is the flow of capital from the Maritimes in general.
It is easier to be "self-assured" when the Ontario's interests dominates the political agenda.Compare the help for the foresty inductry in B.C. compared to the car industry in Ontario in the last couple of years. The treatment of Alberta by the federal government in the Trudeau era would not have been tolerated in Quebec and would be long gone. Even B.C. with it's own unique politics would have been a more serious problem because we look to Asia (including the USA obviously) not Europe for our economic future. Ontario was not asking for the others to get along, it was throwing its weight behind the federal government. Alberta is paying the biggest price for being Canadian, yet many in central Canada had little empathy. The economy of Albert and B.C.combined is now bigger than Quebec which is beginning to alter the political dynamics.
I agree with you that Ontario is the heart of the country and it's citizens are the most nationalistic as well. They forget, however that the agenda for Ontario isn't always best for the country. When Ontario and Quebec were given their existing land mass, Macdonald expressed his worry that the two provinces would dominate the country. He was right. But now western Canada has more people than Quebec which has changed the politics of country.
Personally I do not want Toronto to dominate the country like London in the U.K.. I think the Liberal leader blew it by choosing a Toronto riding if he wanted to build trust in the rest of the country. Harper is not much better off being in Calgary.
We live in a great country and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. We are in one of the fastest growing areas on Vancouver island. About 10% of the new arrivals are from Ontario and another 10% from Alberta. It can make for interesting discussions.
Mod
Full disclosure: My father was from Alberta, my mother from Quebec. I was born in Ottawa, grew up in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, and Ajax, ON.
I'm not sure that people think it is so self-absorbed but has different problems compared to most parts of Canada.. About 50% of Toronto's population were not born in this country. Vancouver I think runs at 39% . Thats good for the future of the country but also means the challenges in the large cities is quite different. Monreal to some extent is in the same boat but has the unique French Canadian politics to make it even more complex. Growth and other similar factors are different when compared to smaller urban centres and had no reltionship to much of the rural areas. The major political divide, in my opinion is not French and English, but rural and urban . We are a very urban country which does not help us deal with the immense geograhy of the country where there are few people.
In a 2007 article in the Vancouver Sun, the president and chief eecutive officer of the Conference Board of Canada stated that the major cities of the country needed a larger part of the financial pie. I basically diagree and sent in my two cents worth. Of course, it was in the letters to the editor because who in Vancouver is going to complain that they need more financial help, even if they have more amenities in health care and education than anywhere else in the province.
Your background, like many Canadians, is what makes the country strong. It is easier to be critical of a place you called home. My mother was born in Alberta and my father in Vancouver in the heart of the old CCF in Vancouver East. Fortunatley, they were not very political but I'm sure they cancelled each others vote. If we can live in the same house together, we should be able to live in the same country.
In a 2007 article in the Vancouver Sun, the president and chief eecutive officer of the Conference Board of Canada stated that the major cities of the country needed a larger part of the financial pie. I basically diagree and sent in my two cents worth. Of course, it was in the letters to the editor because who in Vancouver is going to complain that they need more financial help, even if they have more amenities in health care and education than anywhere else in the province.
Your background, like many Canadians, is what makes the country strong. It is easier to be critical of a place you called home. My mother was born in Alberta and my father in Vancouver in the heart of the old CCF in Vancouver East. Fortunatley, they were not very political but I'm sure they cancelled each others vote. If we can live in the same house together, we should be able to live in the same country.
Don't encourage me!. In the "History is not Boring" Group" , there is a section USA and Canada- The Historical Relationship. I set it up a while ago. It has not been going long and not too many participants to date. You may find it interesting. I'm more of a Canadian history buff and read more non fiction than fiction but I'm starting to read more Canadian fiction as well.
The population flow west had been slower in Canada than USA. It can be frustrating at times ( aircraft contract to Montreal rather than Winnipeg), but it also helps prevent large dislocations in the country as we have enough as it is. We're more conservative fiscally (even though we are more socially liberal) to allow huge transitions of jobs from established cities to new locations without more political consultation. We sometimes arrive late for opportunities but we also do not have to deal, with the same degree, the kind of problems in Cleveland and Detroit.
We won't tell those in Ontario, (our most powerful ,not the oldest or necessarily the wisest sibling) that they try with mixed success to not disturb the brothers and sisters with less say in the family. You could say the same thing about Ontario in relation to the other provinces what Trudeau said about USA. Its like sleeping with a elephant, it can do the most innocent things which impacts of the rest us without it even knowing it. (can't remember the direct quote but the meaning is the same.)
The population flow west had been slower in Canada than USA. It can be frustrating at times ( aircraft contract to Montreal rather than Winnipeg), but it also helps prevent large dislocations in the country as we have enough as it is. We're more conservative fiscally (even though we are more socially liberal) to allow huge transitions of jobs from established cities to new locations without more political consultation. We sometimes arrive late for opportunities but we also do not have to deal, with the same degree, the kind of problems in Cleveland and Detroit.
We won't tell those in Ontario, (our most powerful ,not the oldest or necessarily the wisest sibling) that they try with mixed success to not disturb the brothers and sisters with less say in the family. You could say the same thing about Ontario in relation to the other provinces what Trudeau said about USA. Its like sleeping with a elephant, it can do the most innocent things which impacts of the rest us without it even knowing it. (can't remember the direct quote but the meaning is the same.)
Ibis3 wrote: "I agree with most of what you say, I just objected to the characterisation of Ontario thinking it is Canada. I'm not a Torontonian, but I also think the notion that Torontonians think they live in ..."
Perhaps we should have a Canadian History (Pierre Berton) section,Canadian Biography (Charlotte Gray) and general nonfiction section for Canadian writers such as Elizabeth Abbott. From what I see you are much involved with this site. If this is not the intent of this site I will look or create another site.
Some of the best literature in the world is non fiction. Gibbons, Churchill, etc. Then there is the King James Bible.
Perhaps we should have a Canadian History (Pierre Berton) section,Canadian Biography (Charlotte Gray) and general nonfiction section for Canadian writers such as Elizabeth Abbott. From what I see you are much involved with this site. If this is not the intent of this site I will look or create another site.
Some of the best literature in the world is non fiction. Gibbons, Churchill, etc. Then there is the King James Bible.
Mod
Do you mean a special discussion thread in this group or a separate group? //ETA: I can create a discussion thread for Canadian non-fiction (or one for history specifically and another for biography and another for general non-fiction) here in the General folder. Or I can create a folder with subthreads for discussing Canadian non-fic. I do want to keep the "main" folders (the ones with dates as headers) and bookshelf for CanLit Challenge books specifically though.//
There have been, and in the future will be non-fiction selections in this Challenge (past Challenge books include
The Backwoods of Canada and Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in Canada; upcoming/future selections include That Summer in Paris and some Pierre Berton, for example). So I definitely agree with you about how pleasurable non-fic can be.
If you think it would be a good idea to include all Canadian literature I think it should be set up in a way not to detract from what you already have done. I'm glad someone has the expertize and commitment to consider taking on what you have done here. I thank you for that.
I my be wrong, but it seems most people I have met are big into fiction. If you want specific nonfiction relating to Canada the numbers grow very small.
In my own profile, I have Canadian fiction, Canadian history, and Canadian biography. I'm considering adding nonfiction by Canadian authors (excluding Candian Biography and History. Otherwise what do you do with "A History of Marriage" by Eliazabeth Abbott which, in my oinion , was an excellent book. It is not a comprehensive history but does cover the major issues of today .Also if I read Leacocok Biography of Charles Dickens where does it go.
Also Margaret MacMillan is an excellent Canadian/English historian who wrote a biography of Stephen Leacock but also well known books like "Paris 1919" (which was excellent in my opinion.) I also read a fair bit European and world history.
As you are aware discussion threads are often used to allow other thread to stay on topic. I've seen sites where they try to be "draconian" and others where its very loose, and some with a reasonable balance.
In the philosophy group they have members enter a discussion question in order that a comments on a serious topic can be kept together. It also means the majority do not have to wade through a subject they have little interest in. It also allows the chit chat line to stay that way. Your chit chat thread is good. My making fun of Canada to an American was probably not appropriate as politic, well informed or not, is a divisive issue.
I think it is more important what you want to do, if anything. about the making changes to the site. I think if you created three new threads for non-fiction books, the success or failure of the venture would be known fairly soon. I find it fairly frustrating that some Canadians know more about the American Revolution and the Civil War than about their own country. I've recently picked up two books both by authore who won Pulitizer Prizes. The name of the books? Champlain's Dreams by David Hackett Fischer, and "The Civil War of 1812" by Alan Taylor.
Got to love the title of the last one.
I my be wrong, but it seems most people I have met are big into fiction. If you want specific nonfiction relating to Canada the numbers grow very small.
In my own profile, I have Canadian fiction, Canadian history, and Canadian biography. I'm considering adding nonfiction by Canadian authors (excluding Candian Biography and History. Otherwise what do you do with "A History of Marriage" by Eliazabeth Abbott which, in my oinion , was an excellent book. It is not a comprehensive history but does cover the major issues of today .Also if I read Leacocok Biography of Charles Dickens where does it go.
Also Margaret MacMillan is an excellent Canadian/English historian who wrote a biography of Stephen Leacock but also well known books like "Paris 1919" (which was excellent in my opinion.) I also read a fair bit European and world history.
As you are aware discussion threads are often used to allow other thread to stay on topic. I've seen sites where they try to be "draconian" and others where its very loose, and some with a reasonable balance.
In the philosophy group they have members enter a discussion question in order that a comments on a serious topic can be kept together. It also means the majority do not have to wade through a subject they have little interest in. It also allows the chit chat line to stay that way. Your chit chat thread is good. My making fun of Canada to an American was probably not appropriate as politic, well informed or not, is a divisive issue.
I think it is more important what you want to do, if anything. about the making changes to the site. I think if you created three new threads for non-fiction books, the success or failure of the venture would be known fairly soon. I find it fairly frustrating that some Canadians know more about the American Revolution and the Civil War than about their own country. I've recently picked up two books both by authore who won Pulitizer Prizes. The name of the books? Champlain's Dreams by David Hackett Fischer, and "The Civil War of 1812" by Alan Taylor.
Got to love the title of the last one.
Mod
You've probably noticed I've been playing around with discussion folders today. I'll set up a few discussion threads for general fiction and non-fiction (these will include books by Canadians and those on Canadian subjects). My main concern is to keep the CanLit Challenge books clearly differentiated. However, I also want the group to welcome discussion of all things CanLit (I include non-fiction in that label).
I've heard that Champlain's Dream is very good but I hadn't heard of the Taylor book.
Mod
I've heard that Champlain's Dream is very good but I hadn't heard of the Taylor book.
It is very good! I'm reading it now. I'm also considering Ghost Empire: How the French Almost Conquered North America.
Very interesting on the provincialism. Most of the Canadians I have interacted with have been from BC, Manitoba, Quebec, or Nova Scotia, so it's interesting to see other perspectives mixed in.
Cheryl wrote: "Glen wrote: "Because nationalism is in its infancy, provincialism often dominates,particularly in Quebec and Newfoundland. They're so different, they often confuse the rest of us. B.C. doesn't lik..."
I lost two direct messages to you. I need to know what you're interested in to know if those three books would be for you. I think Mrs. King is interesting but would not be a good choice to start as you do not know her famous father and son. Both were quite eccentric and yet successful men. The other two books stand alone much better and I think either would be interesting to people outside of Canada. I have heard Americans think highly of McClung. Intelligent, lots of courage, writer, politically astute. To some extent it explains how the women's rights movement even today was influenced by her. She wanted to fight from inside the government as well as the outside. Her approach, although all did not agree, I think gave women a bigger say earlier than if she had gone in a different direction. We could use more like her although Stephen Leacock would not agree. She managed to have a family life as well. Talk about a person with stamina.
Until Ibis3 communicates that I haven't done any damage to her site , I will make comments on this thread.
I lost two direct messages to you. I need to know what you're interested in to know if those three books would be for you. I think Mrs. King is interesting but would not be a good choice to start as you do not know her famous father and son. Both were quite eccentric and yet successful men. The other two books stand alone much better and I think either would be interesting to people outside of Canada. I have heard Americans think highly of McClung. Intelligent, lots of courage, writer, politically astute. To some extent it explains how the women's rights movement even today was influenced by her. She wanted to fight from inside the government as well as the outside. Her approach, although all did not agree, I think gave women a bigger say earlier than if she had gone in a different direction. We could use more like her although Stephen Leacock would not agree. She managed to have a family life as well. Talk about a person with stamina.
Until Ibis3 communicates that I haven't done any damage to her site , I will make comments on this thread.
I can't get the above comment to the other thread. I must have forgotten a step. Help!
Kirsten wrote: "
I've heard that Champlain's Dream is very good but I hadn't heard of the Taylor book.
It is very good! I'm reading it now. I'm also considering [book:Ghost Empire: How the French Almost Conque..."
CD is next after I finish a biography on Richard M. Nixon which I am currently reading. Because he was in a position of power or importance in the 50's to mid 70's it was a good refresher in American history It's written by Conrad Black who is also controversial at least in Canada and UK but he is a good writer and is familiar in dealing with high powered people. He has served jail time in USA and is still fighting the courts. A large fall fron a newspaper mogul and English Lord. He gave up his Canadian citizenship to become a Lord. Well researched and lots of interpretation.
I'm interested in the historical relationship between USA and Canada. Fortunately more interest is being shown in USA which means more books will be coming out on the subject. I will see if I can keep "The Civil War of 1812" in the reading order now in place.
Americans are a signnificant part of the history of western Canada as well . .The tariff system in Canada was perceived in the west as detrimental as most manufacturing was in Ontario and Quebec.It was a significant issue for most of the late 19th century and most of the 20th century in the west. Alberta is considered the most American like province. The Americans played a major role in the Fraser River Gold Rush in B.C. and the Klondike. We can easily be mistaken for Californians as we talk like them.
The last Penguin History of Canada hardly touched on the far west, the north, or Newfoundland. It was written by a professor from U of Toronto who is a good academic who focuses on what he perceives as the largest issues. I have read earlier editions by different authors as I use them to look for new subjects.
I recently read "George-Etienne Cartier-A Biography" by Alastair Sweeny which is not that easy to find. It gives a better French Canadian view of this important politician which I haven't seen in any school textbook. In my opinion, it gives him the credit he deserves for confederation and the years prior to confederation. History is fun because it's a big who done it. You read five books on the same subject and you get five different perspectives.
Marcel Trudel was involved in assessing all the history texts used in Canada in the 60's. He wanted Quebec to have a more secular and independent view of history but he also wanted English Canadians to understand the problem and be aware that their perceptions also could be improved. His autobiogtaphy is well worth reading if you want to understand Quebec before the Quiet Revolution in the 1960's.
I've heard that Champlain's Dream is very good but I hadn't heard of the Taylor book.
It is very good! I'm reading it now. I'm also considering [book:Ghost Empire: How the French Almost Conque..."
CD is next after I finish a biography on Richard M. Nixon which I am currently reading. Because he was in a position of power or importance in the 50's to mid 70's it was a good refresher in American history It's written by Conrad Black who is also controversial at least in Canada and UK but he is a good writer and is familiar in dealing with high powered people. He has served jail time in USA and is still fighting the courts. A large fall fron a newspaper mogul and English Lord. He gave up his Canadian citizenship to become a Lord. Well researched and lots of interpretation.
I'm interested in the historical relationship between USA and Canada. Fortunately more interest is being shown in USA which means more books will be coming out on the subject. I will see if I can keep "The Civil War of 1812" in the reading order now in place.
Americans are a signnificant part of the history of western Canada as well . .The tariff system in Canada was perceived in the west as detrimental as most manufacturing was in Ontario and Quebec.It was a significant issue for most of the late 19th century and most of the 20th century in the west. Alberta is considered the most American like province. The Americans played a major role in the Fraser River Gold Rush in B.C. and the Klondike. We can easily be mistaken for Californians as we talk like them.
The last Penguin History of Canada hardly touched on the far west, the north, or Newfoundland. It was written by a professor from U of Toronto who is a good academic who focuses on what he perceives as the largest issues. I have read earlier editions by different authors as I use them to look for new subjects.
I recently read "George-Etienne Cartier-A Biography" by Alastair Sweeny which is not that easy to find. It gives a better French Canadian view of this important politician which I haven't seen in any school textbook. In my opinion, it gives him the credit he deserves for confederation and the years prior to confederation. History is fun because it's a big who done it. You read five books on the same subject and you get five different perspectives.
Marcel Trudel was involved in assessing all the history texts used in Canada in the 60's. He wanted Quebec to have a more secular and independent view of history but he also wanted English Canadians to understand the problem and be aware that their perceptions also could be improved. His autobiogtaphy is well worth reading if you want to understand Quebec before the Quiet Revolution in the 1960's.
Mod
I don't think that would serve the public interest, no matter what side of the political spectrum one gravitates toward. (Actually, I think there's more than enough
There's a petition here if you feel similarly inclined: http://www.avaaz.org/en/canada_fair_a...
Mod
You cannot put in rules and regulations that cannot be ..."
The current regulation reads
3. A licensee shall not broadcast
...
(d) any false or misleading news;
[(e) is about taped conversations]
They want to change this to
(d) any news that the licensee knows is false or misleading and that endangers or is likely to endanger the lives, health or safety of the public;
This would make it okay for broadcasters to lie in every case as long as no one's life or safety is proven to be at risk. To hell with a properly informed electorate. Also, in order to make a complaint, one would have to have evidence that the broadcaster knew it was giving false and misleading information. The broadcaster is thereby absolved of responsibility for ensuring they're telling the truth even when lives are at stake. They are allowed to lie, as long as no one can prove they knew they were lying.
Mod
Arguments about enforcability are generally a kind of a copout or red herring when debating regulation or legislation--no law or regulation can be enforced 100% of the time but that's no reason to get rid of the justice system. We legislate according to our ideals as a society and do our best to make sure those laws and regulations are enforced within reasonable limits and with prudently deployed resources.
Libel laws are not enough. Who was libelled when FOX claimed that Obama's health care plan included death panels? No one. But look at the harm that kind of reporting does. The populace made their decisions about health care legislation based on lies. In politics, we should be debating based on facts as much as possible. If the majority of people would really prefer to have a private health care system because they'd rather be able to have the opportunity to have more resources if they can individually pay for it, fine. That's what democracy is about. But don't let "news" broadcasters mislead people.
As you point out, people have less and less time to become informed. All the more reason to make sure their information is relatively valid, no matter what station they're watching or what broadcaster's website they're surfing. We have truth in advertising regulations. We don't expect people to be experts and know when a company is lying about their products. Why should we expect them to be experts about what's going on in the world or in government? That's what the fourth estate is for.
So, if you think the news media has too much power as it is, ask how much more would they have if that regulation gets changed?
Well. Looks like I missed lots of excitement?I went on a hiatus to study for midterms and there's uproar everywhere, Wisconsin, the NHL, facebook. Life lesson, study less, Twitter more?
I'm going to go look at the University of Alberta in Edmonton during the first full week of March and I'm excited. A close friend of mine goes there, and I was promised a proper tour, Oilers game, and snowboarding near Calgary!
Mod
Sounds like an awesome trip, Kirsten. You'll have to let me know how it goes.
That sounds chilly. It's been freezing here lately.I'm stoked for this trip. Just got my snowboard waxed and dug out my Oilers jersey, so I'm ready!
Mod
I'm stoked for this trip. Just got my snowboard waxed and dug out my Oilers jersey, so I'm ready!"
The furnace itself was only out for a day so it wasn't too bad. We had to pull out a couple of walls in the basement though, so that was a bit of a PIA.
Do you know whom they will be playing?
That is a pain. We just redid our kitchen, family room, and backroom, and that was a horrific mess.Looks like the Columbus Blue Jackets. Possibly not the most exciting game I could attend.
Such a good trip! Many thanks to my northern neighbors for their kindness and hospitality. I didn't pay for a single beer or coffee whilst visiting Canada.
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Thanks! It was awesome. Except the snow sucked.
Thanks to Goodreads, St Martin's Press e-mailed me and offered me an ARC of Chevy Steven's new book, "Never Knowing", due out in July. Her last book Still Missing was one of my favorite Canadian reads from last year!
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CanLit Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Still Missing (other topics)Ghost Empire: How the French Almost Conquered North America (other topics)
Champlain's Dream (other topics)
Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in Canada (other topics)
The Backwoods of Canada (other topics)
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The WJC is the best part of the hockey year."
It's certainly one of my favourites (especially when none of the teams I like is playing in the Stanley Cup). All the young boys just learning their game, just so sweet. And the enthusiasm they have is infectious.
The book: