Canada's New Government

It appears that Canada's New Government is flexing it's muscles. It was reported today in the Victoria Times Colonist that The Minister of Natural Resources - Gary Lunn ordered federal government scientist Andrew Okulitch to refer to the Government as "Canada's New Government". Mr Okulitch reportedly fired off a reply that objected to this new terminology or as he put it "Political Slogan"

Mr Okulitch was promptly fired from his position as scientist emeritus by assistant deputy minister Irwin Itzkovitch.

Apparently clarification came from the ministry shortly afterwards explaining that the new wording was compulsory only in documents being presented to Lunn or being prepared on his behalf.

Imagine my surprise as CBC broadcast Heritage Minister Bev Oda accepting the resignation of CBC chairman "Guy Fournier" (due to his increasingly odd comments in the media) on behalf of "Canada's New Government"

A quick Google search affirms that the terminology Canada's New Government is also operative on the Government of Canada's website where The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development announced that parents across Canada had started receiving their second monthly Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) cheques for $100 per child under the age of six.

So far from it being an isolated issue with Gary Lunn's ministry it cuts across at least 3 Government Departments.

It's highly ironic of course that Minister Gary Lunn whose career of political opportunism has finally landed him a place in cabinet views dissent with such a jaundiced eye.

One has to wonder why it's so important to order federal government employees to refer to Canada's New Government. Why stop there? Why not "Canada's New & Improved Government: We Add Value."

Take a walk down any grocery aisle the possibilities are endless.

Welcome to Canada's "New" Government!

Gary Lunn Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Diane Finley Heritage Minister Bev Oda Andrew Okulitch Minister of Natural Resources Government Of Canada Canada’s New Government Irwin Itzkowich

Canadian Country Music Awards and God

When you’re doomed to the 2-channel universe the mind tends to focus on what’s available. Well not entirely true, I’ve access to a grainy, snowy CBC channel which last night broadcast the Canadian Country Music Awards aka CCMA.

The ebullient oh so perky hosts enthusiasm on CBC contrasted with my confirmed belief and complete lack of understanding in the inexplicable popularity of “Great Big Sea” Please people “Shane McGowan” may be a sloppy old drunk but “The Pogues” …. and if you haven’t heard of them frankly there’s nothing more to say.

George Canyon… was there ever a more perfectly styled Country Artist name. All you aspiring country music artists are going to have to work hard to top that one. Well George of course wore the big hat, which he ever so humbly removed twice so you could see his face. Prior to that all you could see was a shadowy outline.
George won for Best Song and if I remember correctly, promptly thanked Jesus Christ! That’s it, the final straw that broke the pinto horse’s back. If I ever have the good fortune to be in charge of an Award Show the first contractual stipulation (in bold) will be: ”Under no circumstances will any award winner thank any unseen entity for having a hand in their success or lack thereof. In addition please do not thank “The Fans” that long-suffering amorphous conglomerate who have summoned you to these proceedings”

Anne Murray on the other hand paid tribute to and thanked “Bruce Allen” . Now “Bruce Allen” and humble are 3 words never before seen in the same sentence so in a sense you could say that Anne Murray also thanked God. Though to his credit Bruce did thank his “team” without which etc etc.

Amanda Wilkinson (part of the Wilkinson family) had an appealing voice and stage presence despite singing a bog-standard pop/rock song (please don’t call it country) with a chorus that tried valiantly to be catchy but sadly wasn’t quite up to it.

So attention waning, I departed the dotty CBC. Tonight “Rock Star Supernova.” , 2 channels focuses the mind like nothing else. I’m hoping for “Dilana” but Toby will probably be the winner. Hopefully he won’t thank “Jesus Christ” but will thank “Tommy Lee” which is another story entirely.

Canadian Country Music Awards George Canyon Amanda Wilkinson Pogues Shane Mcgowan Anne Murray Bruce Allen Power Within Rock Star Supernova Dilana Tommy Lee Toby Rand