At first I thought it had to be a joke, but in this province I suppose nothing surprises me anymore, particularly if it has to do with minorities or anything Canadian.
The latest flyer from Best Buy, the electronics store, for the Ontario market promotes its big Canada Day sale.
But the flyer for that same sale in Quebec makes no mention of Canada Day.
Instead the chain promotes a Moving Day sale.
When was the birthday of our country replaced by a day marked with packing, U-Hauls and pizza?
It's nothing short of shameful in my view.
Here is what the marketing geniuses at Best Buy told us in justifying their obviously insulting ad describing July 1st: "Moving Day in Quebec is a significant event."
More significant that the 146th anniversary of Canada?
I like Canada Day. I like what it represents.
Most celebrations here in Quebec and elsewhere in the country are community events where families gather to relax and enjoy themselves in an understated Canadian way.
To have a big box corporation from the U.S. tell us that our national holiday takes a back seat to the annual ritual of address changing is an insult.
Can you imagine if they did the same thing in America? And then tell us they regret the misunderstanding?
No it's not a misunderstanding. We get it.
(*See Best Buy's official response below)
Just when you thought municipal politics couldn't get any weirder
Municipal politics in Montreal has become a neverending comedy of errors.
There is a new sitcom about to hit the airwaves. It stars Louise Harel, a lifelong sovereignist, and Marcel Coté, a lifelong federalist.
They say politics makes strange bedfellows but this is downright kinky.
Louise Harel tossed in the towel this week.
She finally realized that she could never win the Montreal's mayoralty with only 4 percent support from non francophones.
The former PQ minister and mother of the forced mergers was doomed from the start oo she is throwing her support behind Marcel Coté.
That's sort of like Gilles Duceppe supporting Justin Trudeau.
Now Coté is an economist, and federalist.
He has some pretty good ideas about how to govern Montreal.
In a time of extreme cynicism, his thoughts on transparency and ethics are welcome particularly from someone who is not a politician.
An odd couple indeed, but when Denis Coderre looks in his rearview mirror, he just might see Oscar and Felix closing in.
* On Friday afternoon Best Buy issued the following statement: "Canada Day is a significant day of celebration. Best Buy is very proud to be part of our great country and recognize this national holiday.
We also recognize Moving Day in Quebec as a significant event in that province. The headline in our flyer “Moving Day Sale” has been in place for the past 5 years. This advertising was in no way intended to minimize the importance of Canada Day for all of our customers. We regret any misunderstanding this may have caused."
