CBC Changes Name

In a surprising move, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has announced that they will be temporarily rebranding themselves as the Catholic Broadcasting Corporation. 

CBC spokesperson Rebecca Khadr told reporters “this move is to bring the most relevant, up-to-date news on the world’s most exciting event at the moment. As world events change we will be there to report to specific audiences. ”

Asked how this will affect non-Catholic Canadians, she responded that the CBC will continue to provide general news content 5 minutes out of every hour – which is consistent with their current news coverage.

When asked if this was not simply a crass-ploy to attempt to cash in on the attention generated by the Vatican’s selection of a new Pope, Ms. Khadr indicated that over 40% of Canadians are Roman Catholic, and the election of a new Pope transcends religious affiliations in the current news cycle. She added “Besides, what do you want us to do, become PBS and do telethons every week?  Who even watches those things?”

The shocking decision has united traditional opponents.  The Tax Payers Federation of the United Canadian Provinces and Territories published news release stating “We are shocked by the CBC’s decision to rebrand in order to align closely with one religious group.  This is another example of how the CBC is a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money.”

The public broadcasting advocacy group You Have a Friend Canadian Broadcasting, equally expressed shock. A note on their website reads, “We are shocked by the CBC’s decision to rebrand itself the Catholic Broadcasting Corporation.  This is another example how the Harper government’s underfunding of a national treasure has forced the CBC to pimp itself out.”

Market Trend Analyst Bobby Gillespie of Market Trend Analytics says that the move is not surprising, and fits within a larger trend. 

“In the age of social media, traditional media continues to innovate and branch out in an attempt to gain advertising dollars.  Traditional media has been on a downward spiral for a decade as they continue to provide objective and credible content, while consumers are flocking to Twitter and Facebook seeking subjective content. It is a battle they cannot win.”

In recent months, other news agencies have changed their names to better reflect their editorial content.  Torstar rebranded the Toronto Star as the Trudeau Star, and has replaced the title of its flagship newspaper with a picture of Justin Trudeau wearing a crown.  The paper has seen its circulation numbers rise among the key demographic of 15 to 40 year-old females, as well as finding a new audience in the Maritime provinces. 

In a similar move, the National Post has renamed its Saturday edition the Flaherty Post, and now provides 50 additional pages of coverage of the Conservative Party.  Their circulation numbers have skyrocketed, owing much to Tim Horton’s customers now actually bothering to take a free Flaherty Post when ordering a double-double.

This trend of news organizations associating themselves with popular figures or events appears to have bypassed one national figure – Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  Mr. Gillespie say that Mr. Harper’s public persona continues to defy all accept media constructs. 

“Over the last few decades, we have noticed a trend, whether it is in the politics, the boardroom, or in entertainment, consumers want strong leaders.  Consumers don’t want the nice guy.  They want the leader that says “To Hell with you, this is what I am doing”.  This is what brought Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to office.  Torontonians were bored with sound fiscal management era of David Miller, and wanted someone more exciting.   

Prime Minister Harper defies logic.  He is so dull he makes beige look exciting.  Canadians only seem to notice him when he has a new sweater.  He exhibits some traits of a strong leader like muzzling everyone around him, and only doing what he wants, and yet his public personality is so boring that Canadians don’t even have a public opinion of him.  He must be the only leader has been elected by attempting to be non-offensive.  I just don’t see any news organization being able to cash in on Mr. Harper’s popularity.  You just won’t see the Harper and Mail on any newsstand.”

Recap: Saskatchewan Election 2011

Watching the twitter feed for #skpoli I was struck by the animosity and venom towards both the NDP and its leader Dwain Lingenfelter.  While the partisan in me wants to chalk this up to the over-indulgent no-holds-barred mentality that I have witness Sask. Party/Conservative/Canadian Alliance supporters adopt in the past, I also recognize that when you enter into a team-first mentality no one's supporters are any better.  Sport fans know the sensation to inexplicably detest a particular team and their supporters.  Political parties are just a different form of sports franchise - supporters are guided more by emotion and loyalty than reason.

Perhaps the most pertinent, the NDP are not responsible for the Roughriders atrocious season just like the Saskatchewan Party was not responsible for the Roughriders 2007 Grey Cup winning season.  The Riders and the Sask Party may have legions of fans at the moment, but there was a time when neither was as popular.  Plus despite sharing the colour green, and having the ex-player as a candidate the Riders and the Sask Party are not one and the same.

 A big problem was that the NDP’s message never caught on.  The some-got-left-behind / not-everyone-is-benefitting-from-the-boom message, while accurate, clearly did not resonate with voters.  It could be that those who are left behind stayed home.  Perhaps it was not clear enough how the NDP stood apart from the Sask Party. 

In many ways, the NDP would have been hard pressed to have come up with a message that successively countered the positive sentiment in the province mixed with their past over-reliance of demonizing the Sask Party.  The NDP spent ten years denouncing the Sask Party: their message was focused on how the Sask Party would be a return to the Grant Devine years of selling off Crown assets, laying off civil servants, and running the province into ruins.  When the Sask Party finally got to power, and Saskatchewan did not go to hell and the NDP's message proved false.  After four years in government, the Sask Party is not so scary.  It is the NDP that now has to rebrand itself.

One has to point out the irony that the party that was at the frontlines denouncing everything good about Saskatchewan is the one that is credited with providing an improved atmosphere.  Saskatchewan had balanced budgets, a booming economy, a rising housing market and had become a have-province under the NDP prior to the Sask Party coming to power.  However, when the Sask Party was in opposition you would never have known it.  Since coming to power, aside from labour legislation, there is little on the surface to suggest that they are running the province differently then their predecessors. 

More then messaging, the biggest problem was the leadership issue.  Brad Wall has transformed himself from being an anti-government vein-bulging howler (literally) in opposition, to a bespeckled moderate centrist Premier.  My personal experience of Wall, dating from his opposition critic days, was that the latter, i.e. moderate version, is probably truer to himself.  Regardless, Saskatchewanians have embraced Premier Brad Wall. 

Dwain Lingenfelter has been the centre of derision for many years - even before he left Roy Romanow's Cabinet.  The party appeared to select him partly because there was no other serious contenders and partly because he they wanted to believe he would return the party to power.  In this the party started believing its own myth of, like the Liberals federally, being Saskatchewan's natural ruling party.  Also like the federal Liberals, once out of power they have had a difficult time articulating what they stand for.  Throughout the last incarnation of the NPD in power, they relied on the philosophy they were good managers.  In politics being a good manager may keep you in power, but it does not topple a government. Voters want something they can embrace, a vision, a leader they can trust.  Lingenfelter did not embody these qualities and the party has continued its identity slide. Instead, what the voters saw was a leader that flip-flopped on major policy issues (wheat board, nuclear power), and that was only interested in power.  These were the sins that have cost the Liberals federally - being in the centre can bring in supporters who want a safe choice, but the pursuit of power does not give supporters a flag to wrap themselves in. 

Credit must also be given to the Saskatchewan Party who successfully transplanting the Conservatives not-a-leader / not-a-Canadian attack on Liberal leaders and transformed it into the he-did-not-come-back-for-you smearing of Lingenfelter.  In a province that has so long accepted that its citizens should move to Calgary, it is strange that they would begrudge a leader who did exactly that. 

Another message aired over Twitter was the jeering of the “Orange Crush” by-passing Saskatchewan.  I do not believe that is a true representation of the election.  Voters were faced with two known leaders – both of whom they had made their minds up about long before the Orange wave crashed the federal election.  Also, the message behind the Orange Crush was one of change, of hope  - a desire for something different and positive.  In this election, if either of the two leaders represented this, it was Brad Wall.  The province just had the NDP in power for 16 years – in the voters mind the NDP did not represent a new approach but a return to the old.

The final observation on yesterday’s election is that the significant drop in the Liberal vote also hurt the NDP.  The NDP has never won an election when the Liberals received below double-digit support.  The NDP needs the Liberals (or another centre-right party) to give non-NDP supporters a choice to vote for.  At 0.6% of the vote, and the Sask Party at unprecedented levels of support, it is clear where that support went to.

While the 2011 election was as much vindication for the Saskatchewan Party and conservatives in general, it was also a rebuke to the NDP.  It is clear the NDP cannot return to business as usual – they have to rediscover themselves. 

The silver lining, if there is one, may be that the bigger the target, the easier to hit.  But this still means that the NDP is in the wilderness and must find a way to reconnect with voters.  Now is an opportune time to trade ideas with the Manitoba NDP: the Manitoba NDP must learn how to stay fresh after a decade in power, while the Saskatchewan NDP could look at Gary Doer’s slow build of the party in opposition.  With such a strong mandate, the Saskatchewan Party will really have to screw up to be kicked out of office in 2015 – but this gives the NDP to get out, road test their message and be better prepared to challenge in all ridings in the coming elections.

Essential to the NDPs future direction and renewal will be the leader – and this time around they need a vigorous contest.  But before that, they need an interim leader.  John Nilson (Regina Lakeview) or Warren McCall (Regine Elphinstone Centre) (should Warren McCall not seek the leadership himself), would both be excellent candidates to focus the caucus and steer the ship until the next leader.

Yesterday is behind us.  Time to move forward.

Opportunity Knocks: a return of civility

The outcome of the 1993 federal election was perhaps one of the most divisive and transformative elections on record. It ushered in an era of mudslinging, contempt, cheap partisan tricks and mistrust. A chapter that may have only been closed with the recent 2011 federal election.

Similar to the recent election, the 1993 election ushered in an unprecedented number of rookie MPs. The 1993 group was not interested in respect for institutions, tradition, decorum, and at times each other – and this is something that, hopefully, the class of 2011 will not repeat. In short, the respect for Parliament and civility towards others died a little bit with the 1993 election, and it is only, perhaps, now that we can right the ship.

In 1993, the three parties which had fought each election in the prevous decades were suddenly challenged by new comers from the West and Quebec. The Bloc Quebecois, formed out of Quebec’s disillusionment with the Meech Lake Accord, and fuelled by the Charlottetown Accord, campaigned on Quebecers dissatisfaction with Ottawa. The Bloc was rewarded with official opposition status. The Reform Party formed on the idea of western alienation (the West Wants In), campaigned on the grassroots notion that Ottawa was filled with lazy MPs, incapable of managing, but receiving generous perks at taxpayers expense. For taking numerous seats from the Progressive Conservatives and the NDP, they were rewarded with third party status. The NDP and PCs both dropped official party status. The NDP has spent the past 18 years rebuilding. The PCs were not so fortunate and they had to be taken over by the Reform/Canadian Alliance.

The 1993 election left Parliament divided between a party that wanted to throw out the old and a party that wanted to break up Canada. While a sudden increase of new MPs poses a challenge to appropriate conduct in Parliament, the Reform and Bloc MPs lacked respect for all the tradition and civility that was embodies in Parliament.

In 2011 we have an opportunity to redress this problem. 100 rookie MPs – many from the NDP and Quebec. Unlike 1993, these people were not elected to break Ottawa, but to set it straight. There is a real opportunity to move away from the circus that plays out in the living rooms of Canadians – a circus of well dressed, mostly white men shouting, mean-spirited partisan attacks – and that is only in Question Period.

Whereas the Bloc and the Reform were new parties with no history in Parliament, the NDP has a long history of being an effective opposition. There is an opportunity to mentor new MPs, show them the ropes and teach appropriate conduct. Being promoted to the Official Opposition for the first time with a much larger caucus, the NDP has several issues that it will have to address (how to mesh as a team, division of resources and hiring of staff, focusing the team as the government-in-waiting – to name a few), and mentoring the new recruits should be a top priority.

I would be remised if I did not point out that Stephen Harper was part of the Reform class of 1993, and the behaviour on the governing Conservative benches may not always meet the standards of professionalism, or even civility. The Conservatives are unlikely to change. This means that there will be four years of unwarranted personal attacks on Jack Layton and NDP MPs. But that does not mean that the NDP cannot rise above.

Canadians responded to Jack Layton and the NDP’s positive message. Now the NDP will have to put that positive image on display in Parliament.

Anthem for the NDP

Not only has the NDP have the best ads, best candidates, best policies for Canada, they also have the best supporters:



Thank you Geoffrey the Giant.

Okay, okay, thank you very much - Parliament is making cuts

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting have gone all guerrilla media.

Refusing to take "bugger off" for an answer, the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting tracked down Conservative MP Kelly Block, and Conservative candidate for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, at a Stephen Harper photo opt to ask the daring question "where do you stand on CBC funding"?

This video highlights the narrow-mindedness of the Tories. It pours hot maple syrop on the notion that the Conservatives are governing on behalf of all Canadians. While meeting with organizations that have opposing views may not be a perk for an MP, it is part of their job once elected. The fact that the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting had to ambush Conservative MP Kelly Block during an election to present a petition signed by her constituents speaks volumes. Had she met with them months ago, as they requested, the video would not have been made. Instead she attempts to sidestep the question with "Oh, I am so busy in Ottawa." While attendance records are kept secret, stats compiled by Howtheyvote.ca suggests that she has not been terribly vocal. In fairness, Kelly Block has not been as quiet as many of her Conservative colleagues, but for less chatty than NDP and Liberal MPs.

What is more offencive - even when confronted with her refusal to meet and receive a petition signed by her constituents, she still attempts to give the messenger the run around. Half listening, half wondering when her handler will save her, she ignores his "we have attempted to meet you on your terms" plea by responding that elections are no time to debate issues. Could you imagine Jack Layton, when confronted by a representative of the Taxpayers Federation, saying "I am sorry, but an election is no time to talk about taxes"?

Refusing to meet with voters, avoiding candidate debates, deflect policy questions = Saskatchewan Conservative MPs at work. Speaking on behalf of Saskatchewanians nowhere.


On a related note, the excellent and energetic Regina-based ensemble Library Voices provided the sound track to the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting video. Library Voices are returning to Ottawa as part of the Prairie Scenes exhibition highlighting the talented artists, musicians, filmmakers and performers from the northern flat lands. Whether you were one of the tens catching them at Mavericks or one of the hundreds seeing them at Bluesfest, you know Library Voices means a good time will be had (April 29th - Mavericks). Other performances worth catching:

Alex Rogalski curating the One Take Super 8 - Alex and the Anti-Chamber compadres established this festival in Regina in 1990s and has since expanded the concept to other city. Catch a choice sample of the prairies super 8s.
Mike Rollo an award winning film maker reaches into the archives for Still/Move as part of the From Winnipeg to Saskatoon showing.
A number of wonderful authors will be showcaste in A Place on The Prairies at the enchanting Mayfair Theatre.
As seen on TV, but much funnier live - Tisdale, the land of rape and honey, native Brent Butt is at the NAC.

Election shout outs

Dammit Janet has uncovered the failed Ottawa Centre Liberals attempt to be cleverly underhanded.    Scott Bradley's campaign is misquoting Ottawa Center MP and NDP candidate Paul Dewar in an attempt to portray the NDP as being anti-civil servant.  It is pretty amazing that they would attempt to attack Paul on an issue in which he has been out front and centre for the past five years.  From supporting PSAC initiatives, to fighting for the (now deceased) National Portrait Gallery, to demanding accountability from the National Capital Commission,  Paul has been the federal civil servants best friend.  Go check out Dammit Janet's excellent blog post.

Every morning I grab the Globe and Mail to get my blood boiling.  If the NDP is lucky enough to be mentioned, it is usually some sort of cheap shot.  Headlines like "Layton gets testy when questioned about small rally participation" seems at odd with the report fact that there were over 400 people attending that particular rally.  Maybe Harper's staged events where questions are limited to a total of five (and missing the important issues of voters) is more their speed. 

When I am satisfied that I have been thoroughly abused by Canada's national newspaper, I go and visit the Jurist.  Consistently excellent, regularly updated, and calling BS as it appears - Accidental Deliberations provides a great tell it like it is view point.

NDP: Best Ads on the Block

Week 2 of #elxn41 is well under way, and the election ads have been rather predictable.  The Harper Conservatives have gone negative with their Iggy is an illegal alien ads.  The Liberals have rolled out their pouty "I am Michael and I am too a Canadian" commercials.  The Greens have attempted to catch attention with their "counter culture"  "we are not like the others" ads - or, a remake of the Progressive Conservative ads, circa. 2000.

The NDP continues to be a step above the rest.  Simple, humerous, effective:






One question:  Why can't the NDP provide the same excellence for english language commercials?