A Canadian Tradition

Very recently, Former US President Bill Clinton had these words to say about Canadians as he is currently the United Nations Special Coordinator for Haiti.




“The Canadian people have been so generous. I'll bet you on a per-capita basis they're the number one in the world in helping Haiti. Probably because of the prime minister's matching-grant program, but for whatever reason, the Canadians have all given money, and all want to support it. And you should be very proud of that,” Mr. Clinton said.



We all know what happened to this country that has had it trial and tribulations before. Personally I could not even imagine what they have lost or what they have to go through to rebuild. I have not lived in such a place and cry at the thought of what they are going through.



Am I surprised we, as Canadians, have stepped forward and given to help at this time. I am not. I am Canadian and the first thought is to help and in this past decade we have stepped up many times and did what was right. We just helped other human being no matter where they were.



When the tragic circumstances of 9/11 took place, we send monies, firefighters, and opened our country to over 200 airliners and the 33 000 people on them. We made sure they were fed and sheltered during that time. Our fine folks in Newfoundland became world renowned for opening their kitchens and showing them good old fashioned Canadian care.



The tsunami that completed destroyed parts of India in 2004 and left many dead is another time where Canadians stepped up to help another neighbour of our in this world. This devastation completely turned the country of India into a disaster area where they were pulling bodies from homes for an endless period of time and heaven knows what they are still finding to this day.

We immediate set forth to help rebuild and comfort. No less than 11 agencies set up donation fund for humanitarian efforts. Not only did we donate millions of dollars but people were sent to help with clean up and treatment as well as contributing to equipment necessary to detect tsunamis so this would never happen again in that region again.



When Hurricane Katrina essentially wiped out the City of New Orleans we were there. Eighty percent of this city was lost to flooding and 90 percent of the residents of southeast Louisiana were evacuated. The losses were beyond anything we can ever imagine. We once again sent millions of dollars and people to assist in the rescue efforts and the rebuilding process to this day. We took people into our country with open arms, deployed our navy and sent items such as tent, and toiletries.

So in looking at what has been said of our efforts in Haiti are of no surprise to me. We lost good citizens that were already there helping this country before this disaster had happened and we will continue to do so in the giving spirit we are known for. This is not because we are forced; it is because it is natural for us to just help all. So very proud to be Canadian.



CD Review

Tom Cochrane – Trapeze

To continue with CD’s I believe are classic and the Canadian giving spirit, I will introduce you to Tom Cochrane’s Trapeze. I am a huge fan of greatest hits CD for the reason that you will find all the songs you like on them and maybe you will go back and buy the remainder. This one is no different. This collection has it all on three CD’s. Yes folks he has had that many hits.



On Disc One you will find the songs that started it all here in Canada. The dreams of being in the spotlight in “Avenue A”, the looking back on a life spent in “Boy Inside the Man and the broken dreams of a hockey family in “Big League”. On this disc there are 17 of his eighties materials. To show that he was not afraid to take on any subject in his time, his most popular song on this side

“Lunatic Fringe” was about anti-Semitism in the seventies. Tom Cochrane writes about never giving up in “Human Race”. Something we should all adhere too.



Disc Two kicks off with his most popular hit “Life is a Highway”. A song written after one of his many trips to Africa on behalf of World Vision. Of the thirteen songs on this disc, Tom Cochrane shows his tender side like never before on, “Sinking like a Sunset”, Washed Away”, “Widest Dreams” and “Dreamers Dream”. One of the strongest tracks on this side is a message to his wife who he was separated from at the time, “I Wish You Well”.



There are extras with this great package that include a rare live performance on disc three and two new original songs, “Just like Ali” and “Postcards From The Edge”. Both of which continue his rich tradition of excellent story telling.



Tom Cochrane take the time to paint a rich, Canadian landscape and used his fame to not only give us the gift of music but used it to enrich those around him who were unfortunate by being a person who gave through World Vision, War Child, Amnesty International and Make Poverty History.

Hats off!