The job of the Canadian prime minister ...

The PM speaking to reporters in Calgary after Cabinet. CBC

"It is the job of the Canadian prime minister 

to have a constructive working relationship 

with the President of the United States. 

That's exactly what I intend to do."

Well yes, maybe that's part of it. Working relationships with all our trading  partners, including the US, might be a good idea. But really? 

Shouldn't "the job of the Canadian prime minister" be to look after the interests of Canadians? To uphold the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? And maybe, just maybe, the job of the Canadian prime minster should be to stand up for Canada in the face of bullies and tyrants. To choose citizens over corporations, the environment over pipelines, truth and reconciliation instead of racism and misogyny.

Perhaps I'm confused, but I always thought my prime minister should stand on guard for Canada. Apparently not.

Justin Trudeau welcomes Keystone XL approval

By Jim Murray. Copyright 2017.

The Elbow Room Cafe ~ great shtick but....

The Elbow Room Cafe has been around a long time. Along Davie Street, but out of the West End, and officially in the high-rise, high rent district. It's a favourite among tourists and some locals too, though why isn't readily apparent.








There are rules posted in the menu, which are more an invitation to be entertained in a certain way. Don't ask for water, get it yourself, We'll bring you your first cup of coffee, after that, get it yourself. Getting crowded: leave. Don't like our choice of language: too bad.

Be prepared for banter from the servers that is rude, crude and sometimes hostile. It's all part of the act, and it works for a once-in-a-while visit. And while it isn't quite elbow-room-crowded, it is pleasantly small and intimate; the better to hear all the conversations.




To keep the locals coming back, the food could be a wee bit better, though the helpings are generous and the flavours possibly from natural sources. What can I say? It's a breakfast place and the reason anyone is here is to see how close the servers can come to being offensive. Underneath the layers of feigned anger and abusiveness, it's all about caring for each other. More or less. Maybe.

 

Great shtick but the food: meh.

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

Boxing Day Snowfall

On Boxing Day in Canada, many people head to the malls for the annual consumerist ritual of spending money on things they don't really need.
















We decided to go for a walk in the snow as yet another snowstorm blanketed Metro Vancouver and the entire south coast.

Tomorrow it will probably be washed away, but for now, our world is winter-white.


Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

Christmas Day along Vancouver's Seawall

Snow is in the forecast but for now, it's sunny and brisk, and the city looks fantastic from the seawall.







There are many people out and about today. Tourists and locals. Running, cycling, walking.

Our friend and legal advisor, BT Mendelbaum (disbarred), made a grand entrance by hover craft. We didn't have much time to spend with him as Vancouver's finest ushered him off for "a discussion at the station."





We continued our walk-about before heading home for a wonderful Christmas turkey with family. Or a slight variation on turkey. Under a slight variation of a Christmas tree.



Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.

Christmas Eve on English Bay ~ and a television kiss

It's Christmas Eve and the city streets are quiet, and the air is cold and fresh.

We are downtown for the night, a sometimes annual Christmas gift to ourselves. The sea wall is empty, except for a few romantic souls and the usual dog walkers.

While admiring the giant tree lit with festive lights a lone camera operator from the local CTV channel came along and asked that we allow him to shoot the back of our heads for a better scene. Your faithful scribe, ever romantic, thought an even better shot would be the couple to steal a kiss.

"Oh my god, that was great! Can you do that again so I get it properly this time?" 

Later that night, after watching It's a Wonderful Life, enduring the CTV National News and then the Christmas Eve edition of the local station, there we were, for all of 2.5 seconds, closing off the newscast. With a kiss. 

Photos by Jeem. Copyright 2016 by Jim Murray.