Selling the smell of scandal
In fairness, I didn’t read the article in MacLeans this week. After all, criticism of government is part of the big game we all play. Accusing one area of the country (over any other) about anything is not allowed in the Canadian federation; we are all friends, as far as the neighbours are concerned.
In Quebec, according to the article, there is a culture of scandal. So be it; I’ve lived (and paid taxes) in four or five different jurisdictions, and in each one I’ve raised an eyebrow at the how of governance. Small, large; all the same when it comes to respect for the little guy’s wallet. Look east to PEI, where PNP is the acronym that makes a politician blush. Look west, to Ontario, where again and again the government manages to spend more money than it has. Deficit financing, baby!
Locally, the biggest cry came over the use of an iconic figure on the magazine cover. How dare “they” paint Bonhomme with a dirty brush? White as snow, don’t you know? In reality, as the mascot of a huge tourist draw (we can’t say trap), maybe the big white plastic head should have never been used. Instead, just put up the flag that waves over everyone and everything around here.
Actually, MacLeans would do us a service if they’d handle a province per issue. Dig for the dirt; red, brown, black, grey. Doesn’t matter. Feed the public a scandal or two, and then rake in the profits. Because, in the end, the magazine exists to sell copies. Nothing more righteous than that.
