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A Couple of Thoughts
By
Bob Orrick
Is Canada well served by its major print medium? The answer depends on which side of the fence one stands. The liberals probably look to the Globe and Mail and shout, "Hell, yes!" The conservatives shout back, 'Not bloody likely!" For them, the National Post is the paper of choice. As with many things, perspective and, logically, preference must be considered.
As a reader of newspapers, my preference runs to the conservative side of the issue; for me, the National Post with its award-winning writers, its objective editorials and its in-depth analysis of country and world situations puts it at the head of the class. I approve of its strong stand on situations that other newspapers tend to gloss over or shy away from entirely. As well, I like the Post's determination to bring to the attention of Canadians, and others, the depressing political situation that passes for democracy in this country. Examples of that were shown in the Friday, September 27th edition. Two of the four columns on page A18, "The United States is not a rogue power" and "The Schroeder of the Americas" are bang on. Their authors correctly point out that Canada is not well served by its foreign affairs minister or by its prime minister.
The lead editorial on page A19 smacks Canadian activists right in their silliness. The editorial points out that had we listened to the luminaries and their anti-American diatribe, "Afghanistan would still be a theocracy. Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden would still be running their terrorist training camps, plotting more acts of mass murder and making life miserable for 10 million Afghan women."
It is time that a line was drawn in the sand and that Canada stepped up to that line and accepted its responsibility as a middle power determined to assist others but not to harbour terrorists. It is time, also, that Canada's political leaders recall Titus Maccius Plautus' words, "Nothing is more friendly to a man than a friend in need." The Americans are our friends, surely we can show them that we are their friends, too.
Is Canada well served by its national airline? Probably many would say, "No!" Air Canada has shown repeatedly that it cares little for its customers. Many Canadians can recite discomfiting experiences with Air Canada: lost luggage, overbooked flights, rude attendants, crappy meals, delayed departures and arrivals, lack of attention to public affairs/communication plus others. While I have not experienced the entire list, I have suffered the agony of lost luggage, discourteous personnel and a failure on the part of Air Canada staff to communicate.
According to a recent report commissioned by Transport Minister David Collenette and carried in Canada's major newspapers, "Ottawa should open the skies over Canada to greater foreign investment in domestic airlines and eventually outside competition." Those are the views of Debra Ward, an independent observer appointed to review Canada's air policy.
I imagine there are some among Canada's citizenry who will cry "Foul" and demand that foreign investment be reduced [currently 25 per cent] not expanded [to 49 per cent]. If this country's airline industry is to move ahead and if the paying public is to be well served, then more foreign investment must occur, soon; moreover, outside competition must be permitted. Why not allow a foreign carrier to transport passengers between Canadian airports? Such a move would provide greater choice for travellers and would force Air Canada to climb down off its self-anointed pedestal of smugness. Air Canada does not rank high among the world's airlines. Stiff competition by foreign, high-ranking airlines, might just make Air Canada return to earth [no pun intended] and provide if not excellent service, then adequate service. Daily, we in the West are thankful for WestJet, the little Calgary airline that could, and did.
Bob is hoping that readers will take the time to think about his column to the extent that they may decide to send an email to syears@senioryears.com and comment, either positively or negatively about what they have read. We will display letters at Talking Back to Bob.
Bob Orrick is a private tutor of English grammar, literature, poetry and Canadian history to off-shore youngsters. His pupils hail from such places as Taiwan, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Venezuela. He was previously in international marketing, was a ministerial assistant to a provincial cabinet minister, spent a few years as a reporter then editor of a community newspaper and enjoyed a career in the Royal Canadian Navy.
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