I'm opening a sticky subject here, my need to understand causing me to throw caution to the wind. It's about Alberta. Alberta vs. the rest of the Canada. The Globe And Mail runs something about Alberta's gripes every day, and I try to follow along. If it weren't for wmtc's resident Albertan , and the ensuing arguments in comments, I would've had no warning. It's not something Americans know about. As is, observing for more than a year, I have only the smallest of clues. Here's what I know. Please pardon my ignorance and oversimplification, but I have to start somewhere. The province of Alberta is rich, because it has oil. The province of Alberta is conservative, relative to the rest of Canada. Hmm. Funny how those two go together. Because of its great oil wealth, Alberta revenue helps fund services in the rest of Canada. (These are transfer payments?) Apparently many Albertans resent this. They want to keep Alberta's money in Alberta. They don't
But it is cold in Canada :)
ReplyDeleteThe cold, healthcare, and Toronto are national pastimes of ours. We talk about them endlessly, even though the discussion has been the same for decades.
How about some good things about winter in Canada? The Canadian Rockies are absolutely beautiful in winter (well, ok, they're beautiful all year long). Also, there is the guilty pleasure we get watching CNN when southern states like Georgia get half an inch of snow.
ReplyDeleteAh-ha! If these are along the lines of a national pastime, I can understand it better. Doesn't mean I need to hear it from every Canadian who writes me, but at least I'll understand it!
ReplyDeleteWhen you get up here, you'll be hearing it for a very long time (well, except maybe the Toronto thing, since you'll be living there). It's one of those sacrifices you'll have to make. :)
ReplyDeleteDon't forget two other Canadian national pastimes, criticizing the US and seeking approval from the US. Two more parts of the chaotic tapestry that is the people of Canada.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I've already noticed the contradictory relationship to the US. I notice it in the UK, too - but obviously more from Canadians, since there's no pond separating the countries.
ReplyDeleteRe my list above: All right. I'll get used to it. But I do wish Americans would stop "warning" me that it's cold in Canada. Geez, it's not like I live in the Carribean now.
Let me ask you this. Is the Canadian media obsessed with celebrity trials?
No, the Canadian media does not share the same obsession with celebrity trials that US media has. On the other hand, we get CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS and soon maybe even Fox News (Lord, help us), so there is no escaping American media coverage here. You probably need to go to China to escape the long arm of the US national media.
ReplyDeleteNot really. Actually, the news here never rarely covers trials themselves, you only hear about it after the verdict has been reached. The Todd Bertuzzi trial might have gotten coverage if he hadn't done a plea bargain but it would certainly be no O.J.or Scott Peterson.
ReplyDeleteHallelujah!! I will gladly tolerate these other obsessions in exchange for the end of Media Trial Fever. The celebrity-trial-of-the-month club makes me absolutely sick.
ReplyDeleteHey, we're getting CBC News in our cable package now, so we've switched over already. It's a welcome relief.
Actually, Fox News is already available on digital cable in Ontario at least.
ReplyDeleteI don't get it though. I went down from the premium digital package to basic cable a while ago after I realized "I pay $80 a month for all these channels and yet I watch maybe 4-5 hours of TV a week."
In general, Canadian TV news is far less about entertainment than US TV news. We don't have all the special effects and thunderous music and talking heads shouting each other down. And things like Janet Jackson's breast are simply not as newsworthy here. It's more like something that would be covered in the entertainment media, rather than hard news.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I found the whole Janet Jackson hubub south of the border kinda funny. Here it got a two minute news blurb and that was about it.
ReplyDeleteThe difference between Canadian and US media is something we love about Canada. :)
ReplyDeleteWe also spend a lot each month for tons of channels that we never watch. But we need the premium digital service in order to get all the out-of-town baseball games.
Y'know, I got the "it's cold in New York" comment a lot from people before we moved here. Some of my friends in Florida still don't seem to understand how I could be transplanted up here and not freeze to death... I just tell them a few months of snow beats the hell out of year-round heat, 100% humidity, rednecks, and big crunchy bugs, thanks.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you need a similar comment for those who seem mystified as to why you'd want to live in Canada. :)
That's a good one. I'd take the weather in NYC over the weather in Florida any day, but then, I hate heat & humidity. (Rednecks, too.)
ReplyDeleteThese people aren't necessarily mystified. They tell me about the weather as if it's a little-known fact. As if I didn't realize that the farther north you go...
Wow - no one's bored you to death with endless commentary on Quebec separatism? Give it time! :)
ReplyDeleteNot once! But we are visiting someone in Montreal soon. Perhaps we'll hear it there.
ReplyDeleteBut also, these comments - with the exception of "Toronto sucks" - are from Americans. They don't know anything about Quebec separatism.
The whole Quebec separation thing does not seem to have the same urgency that it had 10 years ago. I lived in Montreal at the time of the last referendum (vote on separation) and there was a very real fear that the separatists would win. Nowadays though, it is just not a dominant issue in the national agenda. Of course, I have no doubt we will have another referendum some time in the next decade.
ReplyDeleteAlso, now that I live in Alberta, I find I just do not seem all that concerned about it. If Quebec votes for separation next time, I say we just let them go.