Things I don't like about Canada.

[McDonald]

I dislike Canadian citizens who would obviously rather be American. Go south if you love it so much. Just try living there. I did for a long time and I feel the greatest success in my life so far has been my leaving.

I dislike the complete lack of understanding the most vocal English Canadians show for Quebec society and the French language. You want to scrap an official language spoken by a fourth of our citizens just because you want to work for the federal government and you're too goddamn lazy to learn a little French??? The federal government MUST remain officially bilingual because this country's second largest province, and its surrounding areas are Francophone. Not to mention that there are francophones in EVERY province, and every province has its own dialect of both official languages. That's something to foster and to be proud of, and I HATE when idiots sh*t on it constantly.

I dislike "cultural cringe" that Canadians feel toward their own cultural industries, especially film. The Canadian film industry is afraid to be Canadian because they're so worried that American audiences won't accept their productions. That's why it can be nearly impossible to distinguish an English Canadian film from and American film. It is also why French-Canadian cinema dominates the national scene as far as home box-office audience, and international recognition. I want Canadian film companies to make films that are visibly Canadian, made not only to entertain a Canadian audience, but also to properly represent our country abroad. But they cannot do this if we Canadians at home won't support the industry and choose to actually see Canadian films at the theatre. But there's a catch, we CAN'T support our film industry. That's because most cinemas in English Canada are run by American firms and circulation commitments, which means we can NEVER see a Canadian film at a major cinema in Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver. That is why I believe that Canadian content laws should be put in place at the cinema, at least for the time being. They have worked wonders on the TV and especially the music industries in Canada, by ensuring that Canadian artists have the opportunity for an audience in their own country. And people, CanCon laws have not lowered the quality of music or TV. We make the highest quality music in the world, in my opinion. We also make some of the best TV in the world, and we can make some wonderful movies that truly represent us if only we take steps to allow this to happen. We need to foster a greater national identity both within our borders and abroad, and we can't do this as long as our cultural industries are being flooded with and often replaced by the American giant.

 

[CDNBear]

I dislike Canadian citizens who would obviously rather be American. Go south if you love it so much. Just try living there. I did for a long time and I feel the greatest success in my life so far has been my leaving.

I dislike the complete lack of understanding the most vocal English Canadians show for Quebec society and the French language. You want to scrap an official language spoken by a fourth of our citizens just because you want to work for the federal government and you're too goddamn lazy to learn a little French??? The federal government MUST remain officially bilingual because this country's second largest province, and its surrounding areas are Francophone. Not to mention that there are francophones in EVERY province, and every province has its own dialect of both official languages. That's something to foster and to be proud of, and I HATE when idiots sh*t on it constantly.

I dislike "cultural cringe" that Canadians feel toward their own cultural industries, especially film. The Canadian film industry is afraid to be Canadian because they're so worried that American audiences won't accept their productions. That's why it can be nearly impossible to distinguish an English Canadian film from and American film. It is also why French-Canadian cinema dominates the national scene as far as home box-office audience, and international recognition. I want Canadian film companies to make films that are visibly Canadian, made not only to entertain a Canadian audience, but also to properly represent our country abroad. But they cannot do this if we Canadians at home won't support the industry and choose to actually see Canadian films at the theatre. But there's a catch, we CAN'T support our film industry. That's because most cinemas in English Canada are run by American firms and circulation commitments, which means we can NEVER see a Canadian film at a major cinema in Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver. That is why I believe that Canadian content laws should be put in place at the cinema, at least for the time being. They have worked wonders on the TV and especially the music industries in Canada, by ensuring that Canadian artists have the opportunity for an audience in their own country. And people, CanCon laws have not lowered the quality of music or TV. We make the highest quality music in the world, in my opinion. We also make some of the best TV in the world, and we can make some wonderful movies that truly represent us if only we take steps to allow this to happen. We need to foster a greater national identity both within our borders and abroad, and we can't do this as long as our cultural industries are being flooded with and often replaced by the American giant.

That's is sooooo funny. I pride myself on instant recognition of Canadian productions.

Your support for the FORCED Canadian content (present forum excluded) laws, is troubling. They're out dated and irrelavent. The are socialist in nature and completely make an artificial industry welfare system. At the expence of my wallet. Sink or swim, let Canadian content find its own market, not force feed it to the nation.

This is nothing more then the typical mind set of the liberal nanny state, know what we want to watcha nd know what we should watch to make sure we are all good little Canadians.

The CRTC is a joke, stp blaming America for Canada's pittiful sense of self, that blame lands square in the lap of the liberal socialist bastardization of true Canadian history, hiding or conveniently omitting anything that's smell is a bit off, just look at the quality programming the CBC has passed on. Programming that was of interest to many Canadians and a true representation of Canadian history not the libsocialist filtered versions.

 

[L Gilbert]

I don't like politicians, political parties, the fact that sheeple don't want to change the previous, crime rates, ...............

 

[Dixie Cup]

Ah Sassy - gov't form letters. Where I work, I get them all the time with reference to over due Tax Returns for clients.

When I first started my job, we had received a letter requesting us to file a tax return for an individual and, the letter specifically requested that I send the Return directly to whomever wrote the letter. So, when I (finally) got the information from CRA to so that I could File the Return, I send it to the person who wrote me the letter. A few days later I got a phone call from this individual asking me NOT to send it to them but to the Winnipeg Tax Centre. "But it says in the letter to send it to you" says I. Reply: "Oh, its a form letter and they all say that but we don't want you to send it to us because we wouldn't be able to handle them all!!" Then why the $%##%$ don't you say that in your stupid letter to begin with?? DUH!! I now send them all to Winnipeg (which makes sense) but I was doing what was requested in the stupid letter!! Are our gov't employees not allowed to "edit" these so called form letters? Oh, maybe not. They're not allowed to think for themselves I guess and leave it up to the "masses" to try and figure out what it is they actually mean. :evil3:

 

[Dixie Cup]

:laughing7: Ahem, sorry, got off track. The things I don't like about Canada? How expensive it is to travel across it's broad lands and the anti-American everything.

I've been to almost every province (not to Newfoundland/Labrador) nor to the Yukon or Nunivit (sp) and I'd love to go to all these places. Hopefully I'll get the chance before I end up in "the box' :wave:

 

[Sassylassie]

Ah Sassy - gov't form letters. Where I work, I get them all the time with reference to over due Tax Returns for clients.

When I first started my job, we had received a letter requesting us to file a tax return for an individual and, the letter specifically requested that I send the Return directly to whomever wrote the letter. So, when I (finally) got the information from CRA to so that I could File the Return, I send it to the person who wrote me the letter. A few days later I got a phone call from this individual asking me NOT to send it to them but to the Winnipeg Tax Centre. "But it says in the letter to send it to you" says I. Reply: "Oh, its a form letter and they all say that but we don't want you to send it to us because we wouldn't be able to handle them all!!" Then why the $%##%$ don't you say that in your stupid letter to begin with?? DUH!! I now send them all to Winnipeg (which makes sense) but I was doing what was requested in the stupid letter!! Are our gov't employees not allowed to "edit" these so called form letters? Oh, maybe not. They're not allowed to think for themselves I guess and leave it up to the "masses" to try and figure out what it is they actually mean. :evil3:

LOL I feel your pain, in order to change an official form letter they would need to hold 47 meetings at 4 Star Hotels to discussing the wording of said form letter. Last year I decided I was going to withhold my CPP contributions, why? When my father was terminally ill he was denied disability benifits because he wasn't ILL enough, no he's just dying you morons. He's hooked up to an oxgyen mask and bedridden but he isn't sick enough for the Feds, they have more assine rules in place to prevent you from what's legally yours visa vie a life time of payments. So they sent me form letter after form letter threatening me with untold torture and hell, finally I remited the monies but not before I had some fun with them. In a formal letter I told them why should I be forced to remit monies to a pension plan that A: I wouldn't live long enough to collect from and B: They always deny claims of disability until the person is almost dead or they've starved them to death. I didn't accomplish anything but at least I felt some satisfaction for fighting the system.

Stay strong.

 

[McDonald]

That's is sooooo funny. I pride myself on instant recognition of Canadian productions.

So do I. I'm quite good at it. It's a skill I learned from my father. However, the tools available to you for distinguishing Canadian productions are nothing but nuances like accents, or spellings on buildings.

Your support for the FORCED Canadian content (present forum excluded) laws, is troubling. They're out dated and irrelavent. The are socialist in nature and completely make an artificial industry welfare system. At the expence of my wallet. Sink or swim, let Canadian content find its own market, not force feed it to the nation.

This is what I am talking about. Your intrinsic assumption is that Canadian-produced material is inferior, which is not the case. It is merely eclipsed by the giant US media, and therefore unable to fairly compete with it. CanCon laws only serve to LEVEL the playing ground, giving Canadian productions a chance in hell, where before they had none. Our close proximity to the US giant and our shared language means that we are aflood with American cultural material, whether or not the values or subject expressed in them do not identify with that of Canada. We are not the only country with sucha problem. Austria and German Switzerland are eclipsed by German media, Ireland is eclipsed by the UK, Wallonia (Belgium) by France. But all of these countries have laws in place to ensure that their native produced material is able to have an edge in their own country.

This is nothing more then the typical mind set of the liberal nanny state, know what we want to watcha nd know what we should watch to make sure we are all good little Canadians.

You'll score no points from anyone with any intelligence simply by pointing me out as something I have already clearly stated I am. I am a Liberal, to be sure. But your "nanny state" jingo speaks only fearful messages and serves only to show that you are uncomfortable with your own state, country, people, culture, etc... You're so disappointed that a majority of Canadians over many generations have fashioned our country to be slightly left of centre in political culture, that you are ready to scrap any cultural institution to change it unfairly. The CRTC won't let you set up an American satellite dish from DirectTV or Dish Network, so rather than giving a legitimate reason why our government (the extension of the will of the majority of Canadian people) should cede control of our airwaves to American companies, you would rather just see the CRTC done away with. That is what I would call "typical" right-wing nonsense. I personally see it as childishness, which is a natural product of being spoiled.

The CRTC is a joke, stp blaming America for Canada's pittiful sense of self, that blame lands square in the lap of the liberal socialist bastardization of true Canadian history, hiding or conveniently omitting anything that's smell is a bit off, just look at the quality programming the CBC has passed on. Programming that was of interest to many Canadians and a true representation of Canadian history not the libsocialist filtered versions.

If you don't like the CBC, don't watch it. There are plenty of people who do like it. And the CRTC is no joke, it is a very real government agency responsible for regulation of Canadian airwaves. EVERY country has a similar agency, including the one you probably wish you lived in (the United States). The FCC (the American CRTC) is just as hated in the US for reasons of censorship, but the right-wing just loves them for what they do, and that's "protecting" the American public from sex and profanity.

I don't blame America for our cultural timidity (in case you didn't know, I grew up in the US as a Canadian-American), I am simply pointing out a reality. American culture is the US' largest export to any country, we just happen to be their neighbour with a common language. It's not like I'm pointing out a diabolical American scheme. This is an economic and cultural issue, not a political one necessarily. American and Canadian companies can make money on a sure thing like a Hollywood blockbuster, while Canadian productions cannot compete with that. The CRTC is leveling the playing ground, nothing more. But I guess we shouldn't care if a Canadian artist of some kind has to leave the country if they ever hope to be a success in this country.

If no government of any country stepped in to regulate market affairs, than it would be the country with the most money and power who would control everyone else at no mercy. In the case of our world today, that country would be the United States, tomorrow it could be a not-so-friendly country like Iran or China. You may be comfortable with that, but I am not. I like a world where I have the choice of cultures and countries, which is why I entrust my government to protect and promote my culture and MY country by having a say in how the market will work.

It's easy to denounce a country as great as ours when you come from it, but it's not so easy when you come from a country that is not so fortunate. In other words, there are no Libertarians in a place Somalia. People aren't spoiled enough.

 

[CDNBear]

So do I. I'm quite good at it. It's a skill I learned from my father. However, the tools available to you for distinguishing Canadian productions are nothing but nuances like accents, or spellings on buildings.

No, more like lack of quality, ie, filming equipment and to some extent, the skills of both the crew and the actors. Before you jump up my ass, not all Canadian actors suck.

This is what I am talking about. Your intrinsic assumption is that Canadian-produced material is inferior, which is not the case. It is merely eclipsed by the giant US media, and therefore unable to fairly compete with it. CanCon laws only serve to LEVEL the playing ground, giving Canadian productions a chance in hell, where before they had none. Our close proximity to the US giant and our shared language means that we are aflood with American cultural material, whether or not the values or subject expressed in them do not identify with that of Canada. We are not the only country with sucha problem. Austria and German Switzerland are eclipsed by German media, Ireland is eclipsed by the UK, Wallonia (Belgium) by France. But all of these countries have laws in place to ensure that their native produced material is able to have an edge in their own country.

No you presumed that was my position. My position is that any regulation that falsely props up an industry is welfare. If there is a market, the industry grows, if not it dies and something the people want fills its place. If Canadian productions wish to compete, fairly and on a level field, perhaps they had best pull up their socks. That is my position.

Then you go to insinuate you know what I think is inferior. What I think is inferior is the mentality of regulatory bodies that feel they know what is best, avoiding or dismissing the views of the majority of the public.

Canada produces whole of in part some of the best documentaries, movies and multicult programming, I have seen the world over. Yet in Canada, it is passed over or dismissed by the elitist class in programming, at such wonderful broadcasters as the CBC. So do not preach at me about giving Can Con a chance.

You'll score no points from anyone with any intelligence simply by pointing me out as something I have already clearly stated I am. I am a Liberal, to be sure. But your "nanny state" jingo speaks only fearful messages and serves only to show that you are uncomfortable with your own state, country, people, culture, etc... You're so disappointed that a majority of Canadians over many generations have fashioned our country to be slightly left of centre in political culture, that you are ready to scrap any cultural institution to change it unfairly. The CRTC won't let you set up an American satellite dish from DirectTV or Dish Network, so rather than giving a legitimate reason why our government (the extension of the will of the majority of Canadian people) should cede control of our airwaves to American companies, you would rather just see the CRTC done away with. That is what I would call "typical" right-wing nonsense. I personally see it as childishness, which is a natural product of being spoiled.

What BS, I am more then comfortable in the skin of my country, it is the liberal wishy washy mentality that has so mutilated or bastardized our great traditions, onlt to buy votes, that has continuously eroded our identity. I won't go into my usual rant on where it was FORGED, but suffice it to say, I have a better grasp of the true identity of Canada, then most liberals.

I never said the CRTC is without merit or should be done away with, it needs to be culled and reigned in.

If you don't like the CBC, don't watch it. There are plenty of people who do like it. And the CRTC is no joke, it is a very real government agency responsible for regulation of Canadian airwaves. EVERY country has a similar agency, including the one you probably wish you lived in (the United States). The FCC (the American CRTC) is just as hated in the US for reasons of censorship, but the right-wing just loves them for what they do, and that's "protecting" the American public from sex and profanity.

I watch only when there is something worth watching on, which despite my views on their biased manipulations of the truth, I do enjoy both the CBC radio and TV programming, to some extent.

I don't blame America for our cultural timidity (in case you didn't know, I grew up in the US as a Canadian-American), I am simply pointing out a reality. American culture is the US' largest export to any country, we just happen to be their neighbour with a common language. It's not like I'm pointing out a diabolical American scheme. This is an economic and cultural issue, not a political one necessarily. American and Canadian companies can make money on a sure thing like a Hollywood blockbuster, while Canadian productions cannot compete with that. The CRTC is leveling the playing ground, nothing more. But I guess we shouldn't care if a Canadian artist of some kind has to leave the country if they ever hope to be a success in this country.

I'm not a huge fan of American culture and have gone to great lengths to filter its influence on my boys. Once again we come back to, if you wanna play with the big boys, pull up your socks, learn to paddle, swim harder etc.

If no government of any country stepped in to regulate market affairs, than it would be the country with the most money and power who would control everyone else at no mercy. In the case of our world today, that country would be the United States, tomorrow it could be a not-so-friendly country like Iran or China. You may be comfortable with that, but I am not. I like a world where I have the choice of cultures and countries, which is why I entrust my government to protect and promote my culture and MY country by having a say in how the market will work.

I can't really argue with that. Other then the last sentence, you say promote, and I agree. It should only promote, not dictate. The CRTC and the government has begun processes that look more like they are dictating our culture, manipulated views of history etc. That is not promotion, that is somewhat reminisent of mother Russia of old.

It's easy to denounce a country as great as ours when you come from it, but it's not so easy when you come from a country that is not so fortunate. In other words, there are no Libertarians in a place Somalia. People aren't spoiled enough.

You really like putting words in peoples mouths, or inventing commentary, where none exists.

I do not, would not and never have denounced, my country. I swore, to die for her. I denounce those that would spit on the freedoms and privildges given in the sacfrifices of some, with their very lives, those that would turn her inside out for more votes, those that would devide her, those that would foster regulations that stagnate her and make her weak. I charge, it is more the liberals that are the ones that promote the nanny state and then lament that anyone that uses that title as the best description of what the looney left is doing to this great Nation, as childish or spoiled, are in fact doing more to destroy our identity and denounce our great country then anything I have said or done.

 

[McDonald]

Perhaps I have misrepresented my opinion, or worse mistaken yours. I never really meant to imply that you personally detest this country. What I meant to talk about was the general feel I get from the Canadian right, the feel of "Canada sucks because...(enter Liberal bashing)." So for those insinuation, I apologise. You said you swore to die for this country so I assume you were in the service, and so allow me to thank you for that service.

However...

We can argue about lack of "quality" in Canadian film, because it all depends on your definition of quality. But if we're looking at critical acclaim or the classic definition of high-quality film making, Hollywood definitely does not take the cake. 90% of everything produced in Hollywood is flashy garbage with no substance, crappy writing, etc... but it's all glossed over with special effects and big name actors so it will make a fortune in the US and abroad. But I do not want to argue over Canada v. the US in any way. What I want to argue is that Canadian film is afraid to be Canadian because if a film is made here in English that is very good in all respects, but is visibly Canadian, that movie is doomed to fail, because Americans don't want to see movies that are overtly Canadian. The movie is also doomed to fail because thanks to circulation agreements between American film companies and major theatre chains in Canada, an English Canadian movie is literally unable to get an audience in its own country, outside of the real artsy fartsy theatres. Virtually all Canadian films are partially funded by government grants, it's pretty much the only way for any Canadian to make a film. It's like that in nearly every country besides the US, but even the US gives grants for some films (such as documentaries) or they would otherwise not be able to be made. I understand that you are ideologically opposed to this, but reality is often partially at odds with every ideology, including mine.

Now, CanCon laws saved the music industry here. Before the 1970's, a Canadian band/singer had two options... waste away their lives and careers playing clubs across the country to nearly no commercial avail, or try their luck in the U.S. [which is no easy task, you need(ed) a work permit for that]. Now Canada has a thriving music industry of its own, and Canadian artists can start and base their international careers here instead of in N.Y. or L.A. And quality doesn't suffer from CanCon at all. We produce some of the best and most commerically successful music in the world.

All I am saying is, use this effective method. Try it out. Give it ten or twenty years, at maybe 25-30% CanCon requirement for Canadian film in all theatres. That's nothing. If it doesn't work out the way the radio requirement did, then scrap it.

 

[turubawebmaster]

top 3 things i don't like in Canada

1. Our immigration policies... The government has lacked responsibility in the past for immigration which allowed crimes to duplicate in the infested Toronto suburbs... We have dealt with a lot of illegals in the past 15 years... I think we can do better..

2. How the bloc quebecois is always talking about seperating and also telling us how to live... Theyre always complaing and they want another election which would be a waste of time... the ****ing bloc party can kiss my ass... they shouldnt be allowed as a federal party... if you want to seperate then do it but if you want to stay with us then stop talking about it

3. The long gun registry.. This was a waste of tax money the liberals proposed since the past decade... I hope the conservatives can have it scrapped for good... Gun crime will still exist whether theres a registry or not

 

[turubawebmaster]

The thing about Canadian Content is just for Canada to have their own media but the truth is most of us our into American media.... I think theres nothing wrogn with us being into american media... We are neighboring countries and we share a lot of values among the americans... Free trade is one and the americans are there for us if we ever get attacked... We don't have to only watch Canadian content to be Canadian... We are Canadian because we are strong and proud and thats what makes every one of us Canadian... Hockey especially is our tradition... I think most of us watch hockey night in Canada so don't think we're camouflaged americans just because we watch some american media

 

[turubawebmaster]

Oh boy, a complaints dep't!

In absolute order of importance.

1. Idiotic gun laws.

2. A completely baseless national sense of moral superiority.

3. The Liberal Party of Canada (see 1 and 2)

Those would be my top three...........

I think you're right about that... but i also think theres a lack of responsibility in the immigration policy... look at the crimes we've had in Toronto and especially those that were imported here during the past decade... We give people the opportunity for a good life here in Canada and they don't seem to appreciate life here... I see that a lot with the islamic groups here and im not saying theyre all bad cuz im sure a lot of them are just trying to live a normal Canadian life... But with the terrorism that happened during 9-11 and did you hear about the muslim truck drivers? These are serious issues we have not only in Canada but the Americans have in their hands as well... I think those truck drivers with fake licenses should be off the roads before they kill more people... For every newcomer... Our laws are meant to be followed so live with it or else don't come here... Im just saying the government should really focus more on whats going on
its not only for minority groups its for everyone
we can all get along if everyone works things out
I believe in a senate election not everything in hands of the government, this is not democracy
Democracy to me means an equal oportunity by our citizens, not the government taking everything in its hands to do things they think is right...
I believe we can change that if everyone stands up

 

[Dixie Cup]

Hate Gov't Bureaucracy...

Sassy: What a horrible experience for you to go thru. and totally unacceptable. I hate when things are unfair and have contacted federal/prov. MP's/MLA's when I couldn't get things done. For the most part, I have been successful after doing this.

My sister-in-law was diagnosed w/breast cancer. She'd been in the workforce for less than 10 years. She applied for CPP disability and rec'd it with no hassle and, if I recall, rather quickly despite gov't. bureacracy (w/in a couple of months). She's back to work now, but if she can't handle it, she'll go back on. In fact, when she called them to say she was back at work, they told her to wait awhile before cancelling her benefits, "just in case".

I had a "chuckle" about your attempt to make a point but I doubt it had any impact.

Take Care!

 

[McDonald]

The thing about Canadian Content is just for Canada to have their own media but the truth is most of us our into American media.... I think theres nothing wrogn with us being into american media... We are neighboring countries and we share a lot of values among the americans... Free trade is one and the americans are there for us if we ever get attacked... We don't have to only watch Canadian content to be Canadian... We are Canadian because we are strong and proud and thats what makes every one of us Canadian... Hockey especially is our tradition... I think most of us watch hockey night in Canada so don't think we're camouflaged americans just because we watch some american media

Of course we all consume American media, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with that whatsoever. I love American movies, shows, and music (not all of it, obviously). We are still able to watch American TV and stuff, CanCon hasn't stopped that and it wasn't meant to. It was mearly meant to assure that we have access to our own media. It's absolutely necessary that we have our own cultural industries as well, like every other country. Without CanCon protections, those industries would be quickly swallowed up. That is why I support CanCon.

Wouldn't you like to see a real film that actually takes place in your own country. I like American movies too, and Australian movies, British movies, French movies, German movies, and French-Canadian movies... but I rarely ever see a real English-Canadian film that is unabashedly Canadian. I for one would like to see more English-Canadian films representing our country abroad, but it starts at home and I would personally support any government which took steps to stimulate and encourage this. Why shouldn't the Government of Canada show preference for Canadian-produced material. It only makes sense.

Just my $0.02 .

 

[CDNBear]

Of course we all consume American media, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with that whatsoever. I love American movies, shows, and music (not all of it, obviously). We are still able to watch American TV and stuff, CanCon hasn't stopped that and it wasn't meant to. It was mearly meant to assure that we have access to our own media. It's absolutely necessary that we have our own cultural industries as well, like every other country. Without CanCon protections, those industries would be quickly swallowed up. That is why I support CanCon.

Wouldn't you like to see a real film that actually takes place in your own country. I like American movies too, and Australian movies, British movies, French movies, German movies, and French-Canadian movies... but I rarely ever see a real English-Canadian film that is unabashedly Canadian. I for one would like to see more English-Canadian films representing our country abroad, but it starts at home and I would personally support any government which took steps to stimulate and encourage this. Why shouldn't the Government of Canada show preference for Canadian-produced material. It only makes sense.

Just my $0.02 .

I will agree to some extent that it is necessary. But why is it you feel it would be swallowed up? Is it that the Canadian viewing public wishes to be Americanized? Or that the American medium is more appealing?

My personal feelings on historic or documentary Canadian productions, is that they beat the American equivalent, hands down. They are more informative, more indepth, less biased and extremely candid. Where as their American counter parts are generally a tad sensatioalistic. I prefer "just the facts ma'am, just the facts", lol. Let me come to my own conclusions.

With that said, I worked with a gentleman, that produced kids TV programs for YTV. He did some work with the Canadian Armed Forces on behalf of the MoD, to produce a documentary style recruiting vignette, for schools. Under the liberal leadership of the time, he was told not to make the CAF, look like a group of "Rambo's". He was so disgusted with how they wanted to portray the Soldiers, he was almost tempted to quit production. But the mortgage was more important. Here's the money shot. When production was almost complete, the MoD told him, they were scrapping the project. But that he could keep all the footage and do with it what he wanted. They signed all the waivers and went straight to the NFB with a proposal to make it in to a documentary on our men and woman of the Armed Forces. I've seen it, it is one of the best and most candid pieces I have ever seen on the CAF. It was real, it was gritty, it showed the pains, trails and desire to serve our Nation at almost all costs. It got down to the very heart of the Soldier. As an ex Trooper, I can tell you this in all honesty, if you were ever to want to see the true essence of a contemporary Canadian Soldier, by them Navy, Air Force or Army, this would be the most accurate film to see.

Can you guess what the NFB said?

Non!

They felt that it was not worth investing in, it would not meet expectations and the Canadian people would not want to see it.

Have you seen some of the tripe they have invested in?

I would bet 60 to 70%, is pure SHYTE!!!

He took it to the CBC, to see if they would help him finish it.

Can you guess what they said?

Non!

Same reasons.

How am I supposed to beleive the NFB or organizations like the CBC are about Canadian Content, when they turned their collective noses up at a truly indepth documentary like this?

 

[Curiosity]

All I ever see of Canadian "media" offerings ... are ....

The occasional classic film about Canada made in Canada such as Anne of Green Gables which is old...

The home improvement shows on HGTV....

On the down side are all the U.S. collaborative films usually made in Vancouver or Toronto (Vancouver's streets are always wet....Toronto's snowy) which is done for economic reasons of course.....

What I resent is the absolute crap of story lines, half-baked acting and standard same old same old - especially the old courthouse in Vancouver with the lions out front unless they have finally freed those
two poor jungle critters from their concrete prisons....

The made in BC Ont movies are shameful and if I were any respectable Canadian Film buffs I would complain these are not representative of the merit of Canadian Arts....

I have a composer/symphony conductor friend and have yet to see any of his concerts which are many across Canada....I have to wait until my family sends me recordings...

It's can't all be about hockey and competitive ice skating.

One poor sod from Canada entered a great clip into American's Funniest Home videos and won 10K.... he swears he would have been a bigger winner but the show didn't allow for Canadian voting .... wha????? The general public have no idea of the desperate separation of the two nations in artistic sharing....losing some hugely talented Canadians to the U.S. money market as soon as they can fly.... don't blame it all on the U.S. Canada should make an effort to compete -they have the people - but not the intent. They'd rather air week-late American shows and blame it on the U.S. corporations.

 

[CDNBear]

All I ever see of Canadian "media" offerings ... are ....

The occasional classic film about Canada made in Canada such as Anne of Green Gables which is old...

The home improvement shows on HGTV....

On the down side are all the U.S. collaborative films usually made in Vancouver or Toronto (Vancouver's streets are always wet....Toronto's snowy) which is done for economic reasons of course.....

What I resent is the absolute crap of story lines, half-baked acting and standard same old same old - especially the old courthouse in Vancouver with the lions out front unless they have finally freed those
two poor jungle critters from their concrete prisons....

The made in BC Ont movies are shameful and if I were any respectable Canadian Film buffs I would complain these are not representative of the merit of Canadian Arts....

I have a composer/symphony conductor friend and have yet to see any of his concerts which are many across Canada....I have to wait until my family sends me recordings...

It's can't all be about hockey and competitive ice skating.

One poor sod from Canada entered a great clip into American's Funniest Home videos and won 10K.... he swears he would have been a bigger winner but the show didn't allow for Canadian voting .... wha????? The general public have no idea of the desperate separation of the two nations in artistic sharing....losing some hugely talented Canadians to the U.S. money market as soon as they can fly.... don't blame it all on the U.S. Canada should make an effort to compete -they have the people - but not the intent. They'd rather air week-late American shows and blame it on the U.S. corporations.

Absolutely...

I think some of the issue here is "WHO" is filtering what sees air time? "WHAT" is their agenda? "WHERE" do their friends fit in to this? "WHEN" were they mandated to say what is truly Canadian and what Canadians want to see? "WHY" do they dismiss perfectly good programmin, for AoGG, iclk!!!?

If a foriegn observer of completely Canadian content were to have to make a conclusion of what Canada was like, they would likely be at a loss to come up with anything better then Greeb Gables or a disfuctional dry rez. The whole country must reside on the shores of the Atlantic, except those Natives, they must be a misserable bunch, having to live on that dry rez, North of 60, why are they so disfunctional?

 

[Toro]

I hate Molson and Labatt beer.

Its just crap.

I'll only drink it if all the cough syrup and mouthwash is gone

 

[McDonald]

You cannot sum up the whole of Canadian media production by touting Anne of Green Gables (which is actually a well-loved film and book in many countries, including the US and is something to be proud of) and Hockey Night in Canada. Also, you are confusing the CRTC-regulated CanCon regulations with independant bodies such as the CBC and the National Film Board which have the right to control which projects they fund. The NFB turned down this guy's film for a reason, whatever that may be, but the NFB has higher critical acclaim as a documentary film organisation (68 Oscar nominations, 11 Oscar wins, for example) than any other, so I hope that by now they know how to pick a project. No offence intended for your friend.

The reason Canadian cultural industries like film, TV, and music would likely be swallowed up by US media is quite simple. It's a question of numbers and money. The US media cater to a 300 million strong population and have an almost limitless flow of cash. Canadian media cater to a 30 million strong population and with a very finite number of dollars. Obviously you will not see special effects-packed blockbusters being made outside of Hollywood (and if that's the kind of garbage some people are into, then they are and always have been free to consume it), which is why Canadian films who try to mimick that kind of filmmaking usually don't get far. So Canadian film often has to survive by making lower-budget indie films which despite their lower budgets are quite often critical successes. But financial successes they are usually not, even here in Canada, most particulary because wholly Canadian films are NOT ELIGIBLE for wide release even in major theatres in our own country. Which means even if it is a terrific film, you don't have the right to go downtown and watch it. You are forced to watch something else.

You say you want the right to choose, which you have... with the stipulation that you choose between Hollywood film A and Hollywood film B. I personally support CanCon laws in the other media industries because it gives me the right to choose something produced in my country which has something to do with my life by ensuring that Canadian-produced content is actually there to be chosen by those who want to watch it. I want the right to go to a major cinema in this country, be it in Toronto, Ontario or Neepawa, Manitoba, and to choose to see a film made in this country that reflects something about my life. I currently do not have that right, and neither do you.

You say America-basher, but that's completely false. This really has little to do with the country of the United States or its people, it has to do with specific industry standards within that coutnry which apply to this country as well. It is an industry fact that due to film distribution networks (based in the US) which the vast majority of all cinemas in major and smaller Canadian cities subscribe to, Canadian moviegoers haven't the option to see a Canadian film that was not created for competition in the US market. Also, Canada is the only non-US country considered to be part of the domestic market for the Hollywood film industry.

It basically comes down to two questions: Does the Canadian government have the right to control what goes on the airwaves for TV and Radio, and the right to protect and promote its own industries by at least giving Canadians the option to choose Canadian content by ensuring its existence... The answer is yes.

Lastly, does the government have that same right for the film industry? Well, I believe that it does but it just hasn't exercised that right yet. I believe it should, and that's my opinion.

But reiterating what about Canada I do not like, it's the all-too-frequent "cultural cringe" that I see in too many Canadians ho have a nationally self-demeaning aversion to things produced by their own kind. That's all.

 

[McDonald]

I hate Molson and Labatt beer.

Its just crap.

I'll only drink it if all the cough syrup and mouthwash is gone

True, that! I like Molson Canadian all right, but all other Molson and Labatt products are piss. For the larger beer labels, I prefer Alexander Keith's.