Michael Moore and The Soo - Politics Canada Style
It appears Michael Moore got bored with American politics and came up with the bright idea to come to Canada to see how we play politics here.
He showed up in my hometown* of Sault Ste. Marie last week with camera crew in tow to film part of an all parties debate that was held at the local college. Moore had made arrangements to interview the candidates following the meeting and successfully managed to meet with nearly all the traditional party candidates (Liberal and NDP), as well as candidates Mike Taffarel (Marxist-Leninist), Luke Macmichael (Green) and Cory McLeod (First Peoples National Party of Canada).
Moore was quoted in the local press. "It was impressive to see a debate with five or six people on stage when you [Canada] only have 30 million people," said Moore about his impressions of the Canadian system. "You have representatives who represent the broad spectrum to allow Canadian political thought into the debate. Whereas, we [the USA] have 300 million and we allow two people into the debate. There's no way two people can represent that many people. It's just not possible."
The problem came when he went to interview the Conservative candidate Cameron Ross who had initiated invited Moore to come to the debate. Ross suddenly remembered he had a prior commitment - his 21st Wedding Anniversary and bolted immediately following the debates.
Represenatives from Ross' camp had this to say.
"Immediately after taking part in the Sault College debate, Cameron Ross rushed home to be with his wife and family to celebrate 20 years married," says Shields.
"Although a number present at the debate thought he was dodging the American activist Michael Moore, he was not. Cameron cherishes his family life and felt he would have little to add to the discussion on the differences between American and Canadian election process, since his office had already answered these questions."
Moores reaction was quoted in the local press as follows.
"I don't know why he didn't stay," Moore said when asked about Conservative candidate Cameron Ross opting out of the post-debate interview. "Maybe he was hungry. Conservatives get hungrier easier I guess."
Following the debates Moore followed NDP candidate Tony Martin around the neighbourhood canvasing as was reported by the local press.
Cameron's camp didn't take too kindly this publicity and threatened to file a letter of complaint to Elections Canada, the official body that oversees the election process. Link to Article Here
Which brings me to the entire point of this post. Michael Moore has since crafted a very hilarious response to this threat here Michael Moore's Response to Elections Canada.
Can't wait to see how this all plays out in Moore's next film.
Special thanks and shout out to David Helwig and his fine crew at SooToday.com for their reporting efforts
*Where I grew up as opposed to where I call home now.
He showed up in my hometown* of Sault Ste. Marie last week with camera crew in tow to film part of an all parties debate that was held at the local college. Moore had made arrangements to interview the candidates following the meeting and successfully managed to meet with nearly all the traditional party candidates (Liberal and NDP), as well as candidates Mike Taffarel (Marxist-Leninist), Luke Macmichael (Green) and Cory McLeod (First Peoples National Party of Canada).
Moore was quoted in the local press. "It was impressive to see a debate with five or six people on stage when you [Canada] only have 30 million people," said Moore about his impressions of the Canadian system. "You have representatives who represent the broad spectrum to allow Canadian political thought into the debate. Whereas, we [the USA] have 300 million and we allow two people into the debate. There's no way two people can represent that many people. It's just not possible."
The problem came when he went to interview the Conservative candidate Cameron Ross who had initiated invited Moore to come to the debate. Ross suddenly remembered he had a prior commitment - his 21st Wedding Anniversary and bolted immediately following the debates.
Represenatives from Ross' camp had this to say.
"Immediately after taking part in the Sault College debate, Cameron Ross rushed home to be with his wife and family to celebrate 20 years married," says Shields.
"Although a number present at the debate thought he was dodging the American activist Michael Moore, he was not. Cameron cherishes his family life and felt he would have little to add to the discussion on the differences between American and Canadian election process, since his office had already answered these questions."
Moores reaction was quoted in the local press as follows.
"I don't know why he didn't stay," Moore said when asked about Conservative candidate Cameron Ross opting out of the post-debate interview. "Maybe he was hungry. Conservatives get hungrier easier I guess."
Following the debates Moore followed NDP candidate Tony Martin around the neighbourhood canvasing as was reported by the local press.
Cameron's camp didn't take too kindly this publicity and threatened to file a letter of complaint to Elections Canada, the official body that oversees the election process. Link to Article Here
Which brings me to the entire point of this post. Michael Moore has since crafted a very hilarious response to this threat here Michael Moore's Response to Elections Canada.
Can't wait to see how this all plays out in Moore's next film.
Special thanks and shout out to David Helwig and his fine crew at SooToday.com for their reporting efforts
*Where I grew up as opposed to where I call home now.