Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
Canadians do something right
Something I have always loved about Canadians is their sense of humour, and how most can laugh at themselves easily and without embarrassment. When I saw a recent Colbert Show, which constantly takes an irreverent look at current events in the U.S. and other countries around the world, I nearly fell to the floor I was laughing so hard.
In case you missed it, Colbert opened with the shocking statement that the Canadian government had been overthrown and the country is in turmoil and in election mode. He announced that Inuits were storming Parliament Hill and viewers suddenly saw Eskimos riding on the backs of beavers and heading to the Parliament Buildings.
“Prime Minister Harper is getting ready to pour boiling maple syrup over them to quell this uprising”, he told his audience to huge laughter.
“Know what has caused this revolt? The Prime Minister has lied to Parliament and refused to tell members the costs of some government programs so he and his party are being held in contempt,” he said.
With that he looked at the camera with that puzzled, questioning Colbert look and said, “Imagine that, politicians not telling the truth and withholding information. What has happened to this world? Only in Canada, eh!”
As he stared at the camera one did not have to think for even a second that he was referring to how the politicians in Washington operate on a daily basis.
The piece was really well done and so humorous, which Colbert and his writers are noted for, and chatting with Canadian friends later they all laughed and said they were sorry they missed it. Too bad many people around the world don't have the same sense of humour and can have fun making fun of themselves. What a different world it would be.
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With the election less than four weeks away, many Canadians are speculating on what may happen. Conservative majority? Liberal majority? Or will we back in a minority situation and more fun and games in Parliament for who knows how long?
A recent poll certainly brought to light how the voters feel when it was discovered that a large majority of Canadians want a majority government but get this, they don't want either Harper or Ignatieff leading that majority government. This can only happen if either party wins a majority and then immediately holds a national convention and elects a new leader. Don't hold your breath.
What this does bring to light is the rebellious mood of Canadian voters. They have no faith in the leaders of our two major parties and are frustrated that, under our electoral system, there is really nothing they can do about it.
Want to know how strong this feeling is? Another poll indicated that if there is a minority government elected over 59% of Canadians want a coalition formed with NDP leader Jack Layton as Prime Minister. Can you believe it? This came as a real shocker to many people and I am sure rocked the backrooms of both the Conservative and Liberal parties. How this affects their campaign strategies remains to be seen.
The positive is that Canadians have not become so depressed that they want either Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe or Elizabeth May (if she can get elected) to lead the country.
Canadians will make the final decision May 2 - make sure you vote.
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Most Americans have little knowledge of anything that happens outside their borders unless it involves their armies or their sports teams. Many have no clue how we elect our government and, on the flip side, many Canadians don't understand the confusing way Americans choose their government.
Chatting with two ladies the other night they said they heard that there was a big election in Canada. I agreed and said, “Do you realize that a national election was called a few days ago and will be held on May 2. And do you also realize that by midnight on May 2 we will know who was elected and what party will be in power for the next four years and we will get on with or lives.”
They seemed puzzled at this statement and had me explain how our system works and one lady said, “That must make you feel good. Sometimes it is weeks before we know who was elected which is very frustrating”.
Nice to know that, in the eyes of some Americans, we do something right.
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Was sorry to receive a notice that the Durham Hospice (Palliative Care) office in Uxbridge will be closed and the facilities will be moved to Whitby. Although this news is disheartening to many people I can understand that it is being done to cut costs and save tax dollars. Also disheartening as one realizes that more and more Regional services, and jobs, head south to the larger municipalities.
Doesn't seem there is much we can do to halt this but we can take the time to thank all of those who have worked hard to establish a wonderful palliative care service for the residents of Uxbridge and surrounding communities. I think of how Betty Bignell, along with others, dedicated a large amount of their time to this service that is so important to people who are losing loved ones and need help and understanding, to make their last hours on earth as comfortable as possible. Betty made this a big part of her life and cared for these people as if they were members of her own family.
The letter indicated that servicing this area will not be affected and residents in need will not be neglected which is good to hear.
It also indicated that the 'beautiful' furniture would be moved to the Whitby office. This made me feel good, as most of the furniture in the office was a donation from me when I closed my Brock Street office many years ago. Betty loved how my office was laid out and appealed to me not to sell it but donate it to Palliative Care. Hard to say 'no' to the way Betty appealed for help and I enjoyed visiting her office and see Betty sitting in the huge office chair that I enjoyed in my work.
No doubt we will miss having this service close at hand but I have faith that these dedicated people will make sure that our area is well served in the future.
