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Does Canada have a Public Relations Issue?

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Last week I posted the following on Twitter which also updated my FaceBook status:

Should Canadians really be insulted by this? I don’t think so, I can’t take them seriously: http://bit.ly/1TOgPq

I was referring to this video:

I got the following response from a long-time friend whom I love and respect. Aside from being an avid runner and banker, Dave Foster is also Deputy Mayor of Wasaga Beach:

While I am known to be somewhat offside when it comes to humour, I have to admit I did find this offensive.

It was aired the same day as another four Canadian soldiers bodies were returned to Canada. In spite of anyone’s political views as to our involvement, we are there and we have been there for many years and well over 100 of our soldiers have died in this mission. I think it shows a lack of respect, sensitivity and a general ignorance on Canada’s involvement in the mission.

As you know CFB Borden is in Simcoe County and almost every time I go to a meeting at County the flag is flying at half mast. Most of the casualties of the war in Afghanistan have been through CFB Borden at some time in their career, Further there are several people I know who have children serving in the Canadian forces. They deserve total respect, nothing less.
So yes, I am offended.

My Response:

I agree with everything you said, my point was, why do we consider their opinion important anyway? They are comedians, not newscasters, not politicians, and I think the whole bit made THEM look like idiots. Do you really think they are aware of the part Canada plays, let alone that Canadians are dying there? One of them didn’t even know Canada was involved! I see them as ignorant and not even being worth my time being outraged. Now if it was a legitimate news program or a political leader that made those statements my response would be entirely different.

Dave Foster:

I get your point, but the thing is regardless of their status, they have made the rounds on the internet. That alone seems to give them some credibility. Not everyone takes the time to discern the source of news.

I understand the host has made an apology and the one comedian was scheduled to do a gig in Alberta, but has had it cancelled.

My Response:

I get a lot of internet stuff, as far as it making the rounds, I didn’t have one American friend that mentioned it or sent it to me, only Canadians.

I think Alberta’s response is the best and will have the biggest impact. Don’t pay them, don’t support them. I certainly won’t ever watch their show. Besides, watching that clip allowed me to realize their content sucks, they’re just not funny.

I spent some time pondering our exchange and wondered, “Does the lack of understanding of Canada’s involvement in world affairs suggests that Canada has an inferior Public Relations Department?”

The world always knows about US military involvement abroad but US citizens don’t always understand how other countries contribute. (Discussing how American news is delivered is another topic entirely!)

It seems to me that in this day and age of social media, each of us has the ability to share information on a grass roots level. If we do so in a fun and non-confrontational way, we have a wonderful opportunity to educate and promote Canada.

One of my favorite sites does an exceptional job of promoting and explaining Canada’s relationship with the USA. Connect2Canada is the best source I’ve found to date and is managed by the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC. Regardless of where you live or your citizenship, I highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter because the information on Canada – U.S. relations is excellent. Connect2Canada also offers a variety of Canadian-related content via their Twitter stream. Follow them at http://twitter.com/connect2canada.

For several years I threw a Canada Day party while living in the USA, I used the opportunity to educate others about Canada and I’d like to think the nearly 100 attendees, came away with a higher appreciation and understanding of their northern neighbors.

Do you feel that Canada’s military is adequately promoted in the USA and world?

Can you recommend any other resources that actively promote Canada in a fun and informative way?

How will you, as individuals, proactively promote Canada?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. While my is aimed at boomers, I also use it to promote Canada whenever I can. Like your associate, I too felt the whole Redeye thing was despicable andged vociferously about it. I have had a few thousand hits on those posts, 60% from the U.S. and most comments from Americans were something like yours-“Don’t pay any attention to them.” But as a Canadian, that was impossible.

    As far as promoting Canada more, I don’t know that it is a problem because I travel a lot internationally and whenever I tell people where I’m from, they seem to not only have a positive attitude towards Canada but also know a fair amount about us, especially in Asia.

    Of course, many Americans don’t seem to have much knowledge about any other country than their own. I lived in the U.S for a few years and now spend a few winter months there and am constantly amazed at how little news coverage there is of Canada. BBC covers Canada in greater detail than any U.S. news source. It’s not just Canada that hits the P.R.black hole in the U.S., its most countries, unless of course they are challenging U.S. policy. The internet and social media are penetrating that void to a small extent, but quite honestly, I don’t think a lot of Americans care about anything outside their borders, other than Iraq.

    I’m not knocking Americans-in fact I often find myself defending the U.S. and I always enjoy my time spent there. That’s just the way it is and I don’t ever see it changing.