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B.C. Premier seeks 'culture of sport' for Canada

ROD MICKLEBURGH

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:32 AM EST 15/08/08

As his visit to Beijing comes to an end, Gordon Campbell calls for more government funding to assist Canadian athletes ...Read the full article

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  1. ss dd from Vancouver, Canada writes: Let's kick this guy out quickly.
    Otherwise he might come out with an 'Olympic Tax' on top of that 'Carbon Tax'...
  2. ginny ! from Canada writes:
    Oh, and the very week 2 arts programs were cut. Excellent timing.
  3. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Well big surprise...duh...the winter olympics scheduled for Vancouver and this Mayor doesn't want Olympic egg on his face thank you very much and the rest of the country is supposed to pony up .....YOu want more funding for the Vancouver Olympics....put it up yourself!
  4. JD Wood from Toronto, Canada writes: If we hadn't elected Stephen Harper, who has completely gutted funding to every non-corporate thing in existance, we might have a government concerned with THE PEOPLE and THE CITIZENS it is supposed to represent. And we might be able to send people to the olympics and be PROUD of them, instead of the humiliating defeatists that have struggled on their own.
  5. james cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: Once again we are treated to the ignorance of a Liberal politician. According to Campbell's logic, unlimited government funding of sports should result in many gold medals at the Olympics. This is almost as bad as Campbell's carbon tax scam, and we can perceive a similar scam regarding government funding of sports. Does this mean that inhabitants of British Columbia will soon be paying a 'sports tax'?
  6. Pretty Much Sane from Canada writes: Fellow British Columbians - Stand by for a further increase in taxes.
    It's the liberal way! You folks voted for him - enjoy.
  7. John Paolozzi from Canada writes: Don't get me wrong. Giving money to people to become really good at chasing balls around is great, but can we do something about the desperate homeless people who keep breaking into my garage in East Van first?
  8. Overtaxed Taxpayer from Canada writes: JD Wood from Toronto, Canada writes: If we hadn't elected Stephen Harper, who has completely gutted funding to every non-corporate thing in existance, we might have a government concerned with THE PEOPLE and THE CITIZENS it is supposed to represent. And we might be able to send people to the olympics and be PROUD of them, instead of the humiliating defeatists that have struggled on their own............JD given the fact that it takes more than 2 years to develop an athlete that is capable of competing at a level required to win a medal and the fact that the Liberals were in power for 13 years prior to SH parhaps you should be pointing the finger at the level of funding from the Liberals.
  9. jan bakker from Canada writes: Sorry gordy, after your carbon tax grab, and the hefty salary increase you gave yourself , the BC taxpaying cow has been milked dry. So be a sport and run,swim,or polevault yourself out of Victoria, we need winners not losers.
  10. Allan Eizinas from Simcoe, Canada writes: Personally, I used to watch and support athletics and was an absolute fan of Canadians during the Olympics - until the Ben Johnson fiasco in 1988. Johnson won the 100 meter finals, failed a drug test and was sent home in disgrace. Second place Carl Lewis was given the gold medal. In 2003, it was revealed that Lewis tested positive three times before the 1988 Olympics for pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine and never should have been allowed to compete at the Olympics. At that point the reality of international competition dawned on me. So far we have been spared any of our athletes being disqualified because of drugs. The Olympics have become an international test stage for blood doping, growth hormone injections, and various chemical cocktails to enhance performance and avoid detection. In China it has become the focus of political boycotts, forced displacement of poor locals and totalitarian suppression of minorities. It continues to allow slanted judging and giving medals to those who can afford a better boat or a better horse. These latest lip-syncing and doctored video episodes continue to assist in eroding the credibility of the process. Generally, I believe that we get the results from our athletes relative to the amount of money that we throw at them. We do not throw very much so we do not get very much back. Most of our elite athletes do train outside the country where the more intense programs and elite coaching are available. Shame comes from cheating; not from failing to medal. I do hope that our athletes enjoy themselves, try their best and do nothing to bring any shame on our nation. But, it’s not over until the fat lady sings and the Olympic flame is extinguished. We do have a few days left to go.
  11. K R from Vancouver, Canada writes: ss dd from Vancouver, Canada writes: Let's kick this guy out quickly.
    Otherwise he might come out with an 'Olympic Tax' on top of that 'Carbon Tax'...

    Hahaha dead on.
  12. ss dd from Vancouver, Canada writes: Pretty Much Sane from Canada writes:

    Fellow British Columbians - Stand by for a further increase in taxes.
    It's the liberal way! You folks voted for him - enjoy.
    ...
    Hey, don't gloat too much !
    Unlike Ontario, we'll have brand new provincial elections in about 9 months... :-)
  13. Randal Oulton from Toronto, Canada writes: Does the Premier endorse the other Australian example of making pharmacare and dentalcare part of healthcare for all citizens, not just those who work for the government?
  14. Wayne Morrison from Toronto, Canada writes: If the B.C. premier wants more funding for sports then let him go into the provincial treasury to find it. More money doesn't translate into better results, it just means we're paying a higher per capita to send people off to do things that have a limited appeal, and an even more limited application. If someone wants to spend their life throwing a cannon ball, or jumping over little fences - then, while I might applaud them, I don't want to pay for the privilege. If medals are our prime concern then we should hire the best athletes we can find, give them Canadian citizenship and dispatch them to do their best.
  15. Jim Terrets from Vancouver, writes: Oh what a great idea -- grab more taxpayer money and give to the government bureaucrats and the friends of Gordon Campbell who'll get paid $350,000 a year plus expenses for 'administering' these expanded Olympic programs. The athletes will be lucky if they see a dime tossed their way after the program managers get their cut.

    Message to Chinese Authorities who may be reading these comments: Please arrest Gordon Campbell, toss him in jail and throw away the key. I'm sure he's guilty of something. You'll have the eternal gratitude of all the long-suffering taxpayers of British Columbia. Thank you in advance.
  16. Babbleon ! from Sarnia, Canada writes: JD Wood from Toronto, Canada writes: If we hadn't elected Stephen Harper, who has completely gutted funding to every non-corporate thing in existance, we might have a government concerned with THE PEOPLE and THE CITIZENS it is supposed to represent. And we might be able to send people to the olympics and be PROUD of them, instead of the humiliating defeatists that have struggled on their own.

    Do you think world class athletes just started training when Harper was elected, try to think things out before spouting stupidity.
  17. Tora Tora Tora from Montreal, Canada writes: @ JD Wood. Government sponsorship only goes so far. Eventually, corporate sponsorship has to take over. With elite athletes (like in the U.S.) much of their funding is provided through endorsements and sponsorships. Adidas, Speedo, Gotoraid, et al. are all responsible for much of the equipment donations and facility building. But this is all dependent on success - the companies need to know their name will be associated with excellence.

    Perhaps the government can kick this off, but it'll be private funding that takes it to the next level. I think the 'no government funding' crowd need to realize that it's not up to the government to provide all these resources.

    Judging by our achievements thus far in the 2008 Olympics (i.e. zero), no company would have interest in amping up endorsements or sponsorships. However, the U.S. swimming team will have no trouble financially for the next few years - even without government help.
  18. A Canadian from Cole Harbour, Canada writes: Mr. Campbell said as he ended a weeklong stay here without having seen a single medal awarded to a Canadian
    -----
    Maybe what he should do is donate the money he spent for a week stay in China to the BC athletes. What a waste of money.

    Seems to me that everytime I hear about this guy, he is either getting drunk in Hawaii or spending some time in some other country on vacation. I guess it is hard work to come up with new ways to fleece the population for a greater socialist cause.

    ------

    Once again , JD Wood takes the price for most ridiculous comments.
  19. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Look, for what they are worth, a lot of Canadian records were broken. One thing that this suggests is that our Olympic athletes are good, but not necessarily of Olympic caliber. Canada is certainly not the yardstick against which sporting activities ate compared.

    What we seem to forget is that athletes from other countries are catching up, and making the cut!

    Does this tell us anything?

    Not so sure whether additional or unlimited funds will make any difference. It may however attract multitudes of wannabe athletes to the gravy train!... Traditionally, politicians find it expedient to throw money at the problem.

    But will this make the difference between mediocrity and excellence?

    Is there going to be a new Canadian Olympic idol show!
  20. Blasphemous Apostate from Cahones, Mexico writes: We need LESS sports spending and MORE health-care spending....its time government stopped pandering to elitist sports organizations and looked after the average citizen for a change.
  21. Iain's Opinion from Canada writes: GEE GOLLY GOSH ALMIGHTY!
    The lotteries were origionally produced for the express purpose of funding amerature sports in Canada. Do you mean to say that the lotto games were so lucrative that the money became some sort of slush fund?
    YOE, Premier Hypocrate, just change where the lotto funds go and you've put the cart back on the tracks.
  22. Intrepid One from Toronto, Canada writes: The BC Premier is right about the inspiration part. Too many Canadians consider the Olympics unimportant (its just the culture) and are either unaware or intentionally dismissing the benefits of what a truly strong Olympic performance can do. It inspires young athletes and children to excellence, as well as shapes national image. Olympic glory for China will definitely make the Chinese nation even more sure of itself - about what it has done, and what it will do in the future. This Olympics marks a new world, a new China, and perhaps a historical turning point for Canada.
  23. boom boom from Canada writes: Lets see Gordo put his cash up first.
  24. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: How 'bout no more funding...

    But more effort !

    And get rid of those damn white suits, Gordo!
  25. Ron Pacific from Victoria, Canada writes: I believe the millions of dollars being spent for last week's increase in the salaries of political appointed aides and deputies would have gone a long way for the Premier's objectives regarding sport. But looking at it again, isn't this guy out of touch? I'm more of a liberal than Campbell but when I see how the BC economy is deteriorating not to mention the forest towns being shut down along with the rising costs of ferries, government fees, carbon tax, tolls etc. etc., I wonder about his priorities and what planet he lives on. I see that his priorities are for elite athletes and the elite government ruling class but very little for the important things that help the people who vote for him and pay the taxes to support his team. I almost get the feeling this guy is ready to quit politics and he just doesn't give a crap anymore.
  26. Bohemian Grove Club Member from Canada writes: let me guess, a tax liberals are the same all over Canada!
  27. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Ian's Opinion...you are so right. I believe I read Olympic funding was $50 million? In the past couple of months I've seen 649 prizes well in excess....wayyyyyy in excess of that in total..one being $42 million alone I believe.............Lots of money there if they would give it out properly including NOT having these grotesque often life ruining mega prizes!
  28. Kevin Allison from St. Catharines, writes: Why should the government fund athletes?

    Let's look to our successful Olympics neighbour to the south. How much oes the government in the US give its athletes? How about $0. The American Olympic Committee's mandate is to get out and drum up funding from corporations, sponsors, bottle drives... however it can. It's just very successful in doing it. The COC stands with its hand out, feeling entitled to the $$ that our government has given it. If the COC would follow the model set forth by our successful neighbours to the south, and get off their entitled, LAZY behinds I'm sure they could find the $$ to help fund our athletes.
  29. john w from stouffville, Canada writes: I agree completely give them funding... We must help our poor athletes.. How embarassing.. The government will just p*ss it away on stupid stuff anyways.. Great for morale when we win
  30. all good from qubekistan, Canada writes: \The picture tells 100 stories.There is an old white man wich is a classic politician , trying to impress a asian young guy that is 100% sure this guy is full off .... Sure making 300thou a year is funny...Expecialy for the job you are suppose to do..What exactly is this guy doeing anyway?
  31. Craig Cooper from Toronto, writes: BC looooooooooooooves taxes!
  32. donald from Alberta from HA HA HA HA, Canada writes: Anybody else living in BC think its funny that some Canadians dont know that Liberal in BC is the same as a neo-con conservative in Alberta.
  33. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Campbell shamable.
    True this guy doesn't even know how people live 25 miles outside Vanc
    And he DOES LOVE TAXES--But this time he is correct!

    Very few naturally talented kids have rich parents that can afford all the coaching, travel and the myriad of msc things required for that talent to be allowed to develop.

    If this country wants to develop elite athletes these kids need help.
    And not more and more bureaucrats. They need Top Flight Coaching!
    In any sport (or any endeavor) people must be taught correctly.
    A top world class coach can turn an average athlete into a winner.
    And most Coaches have a family to support and a mortgage to pay.

    Travel for top flight competition is impossible for a teen-ager working at McDonalds or still going to school. That kid will never evolve much higher unless his parents have $30 G (or more) to afford airfare to 4 or 5 events a year.

    And later teen age kids grow to adults, marry and have kids to support themselves. How is a top world level married athlete earning $50 G a year going to travel to world events without outside funds?

    No this time Mr Campbell is right--(for a change).
  34. martha stewart from Canada writes: An income surtax on the rich would do it.
  35. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ummm..... Throwing more money at a problem never fixes anything...

    Was Health Care actually 'fixed for a generation' by throwing money at it ?

    Is Togo funding their athletes better than Canada is ?

    Sid the Kid became one of the best in the world by shooting pucks into his mother's washing machine in his basement...

    Start with that !

    I refuse to pay more taxes to elite athletes who cannot compete at the International level...

    Voluntary donations to sports at the community level -- I'm all for that.

    Cheers
  36. Ron Pacific from Canada writes: Lol . . . 'all good' . . . that's bloody hilarious! I love how GC is lapping up all the attention heaped on him with that toy ball while the Chinese guy humours him and thinks his own thoughts!
  37. SL S from Saskatchewan, Canada writes: If BC wants it, let BC pay for it.
  38. Blasphemous Apostate from Cahones, Mexico writes: john w from stouffville, Canada writes: 'How embarassing.. The government will just p*ss it away on stupid stuff anyways.. Great for morale when we win'

    -------------------------------

    Yeah, stupid stuff like healthcare.......
  39. Fred Forest from London, Ontario, Canada writes: No.
  40. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: donald from Alberta from HA HA HA HA, Canada writes: Anybody else living in BC think its funny that some Canadians dont know that Liberal in BC is the same as a neo-con conservative in Alberta.
    ------------
    Yup a Lib in BC is a different cat from a Lib in Ontario, NS or anywhere.

    In keeping with BC political traditions. Our politicos are:
    Either RIGHT of Hannibal or still studying Karl Marx.
    Nobody is in the CENTRE in Beautiful BC (politically speaking)
  41. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I fail to see how a guy that wants to TAX, TAX, TAX and SPEND, SPEND, SPEND can be called RIGHT wing...

    He could be Dalton's soul mate !
  42. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Campbell with his white hair, white shirt, white suit and white ball (not singular!) reminds me of an evangelist in the Crystal Palace in this picture...honestly!
  43. Rick Jones from The Rock, Canada writes: For the last time...

    The BC Liberals are not Liberals!! They are in name only.

    The are a right-wing party like Reform. They are made up of old Social Credit has-beens.

    Gordo 'the frosted flake' Campbell will now return to BC, forget about his last whim, the Carbon Tax (like he has with all his other whims: remember the '5 Great Goals'?), and embark on some fitness kick initiative; create a new secretariat, etc......

    I think the booze destroyed his brain.
  44. Derek Holtom from swan river (only cowards attack others using fake names), Canada writes: this debate comes up every two years
    how much is enough? and fow what sports?
    the private sector pays many athletes a lot of money - but only the ones they feel they get a good return on
    it's hard to say, but two months from now, no one in Canada will care about our table tennis or fencing athletes
  45. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: R. M. from Regina, Canada:

    It's a toss up, actually...

    1. Colonel Saunders

    2. The Glad Garbage Man

    3. An evangelist in the Crystal Palace

    Cheers
  46. bob saunders from Belleville ON, Canada writes: spending and MORE health-care spending....its time government stopped pandering to elitist sports organizations and looked after the average citizen for a change--------------------------- If the average citizen was into more sports they would in better shape, have less health issues and save the country a bundle in Health Care costs. Fund sport from top to bottom, especially for people on Social Assistance - the release of endorphins and positive energy would improve their mood, make them more energetic and therefore more likely to get off their keesters and find a job or get an education....etc. Funding sports has nothing but positive outcomes.
  47. Anthony B from Maritimes, Canada writes: 'B.C. Premier calls for more sports funding'

    Gee, Campbell, I wonder how much funding the governments of Uzbekistan, Togo, Tajikistan, Mexico, Egypt, etc., etc., etc. gave to their medal-winning athletes.

    Maybe Canada's lack of medals has more to do with lifestyle and attitude than sports facilities. Fifty-nine percent of Canadians are either obese or overweight. It seems we would rather watch sports than play them.
  48. Bob Beck from Hamilton, Canada writes: Since everything eventually becomes a political comment, how about a few more tax dollars for Health Care, Housing, the Arts and Sport, and a few less tax dollars for BCE, Shell, Air Canada and the Conservatives, Liberals and the wealthy.
  49. james cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: The BC Liberals rose out of the ashes of the old Social Credit Party. While the latter was (sort of) so-called right-wing, the current Liberals are more akin to their Federal counterparts. Both are advocates of tax-and-spend, and both are advocates of more government and extensive social engineering (meddling into the lives of private citizens in order to tell them that they (government) knows best. And both are left-of-centre on the political spectrum.
  50. edward prior from Montreal, Canada writes: R M from Regina and Iain's Opinion: you two out of all the other comments have hit the nail exactly on the head. Why all the other people here cannot see that is beyond me but, hey, that's why we pay huge taxes. The Premier's ego is on the line and nothing else matters. Politics were ever thus.
  51. Antonio San from Canada writes: Carbon Tax revenue neutral? Guess what?...
  52. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    I do believe we are spending big bucks for winter athletes.
    For what it's worth.

    BC Liberals are right-wing.
    And I like it.
  53. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ok, Ok.... everyone off these threads and give me fifty laps around your houses...

    Don't forget to grab a beer and a few Tim Hortons donuts afterwards though...
  54. Rob Davidson from Hanover, Canada writes: Winning Olympic medals just doesn't matter. Representing their country with honour is enough for me to feel pride for Canadian athletes.

    A drug free fourth place is far superior to a drug enhanced bronze, silver or gold.
  55. Ron Pacific from Victoria, Canada writes: James, the Social Credit party was a union of non NDP voters - essentially federal liberals and conservatives. The business community in BC figured that the only way to keep the NDP out of power (since about 40% of BC'ers vote for them no matter what) was to unite the 'free enterprise' non union votes - hence the use of the Social Credit vehicle. Social Credit wasn't necessarily right wing although certainly there were powerful fiscal and social conservatives in the party but there were powerful federal liberals there, too. BC Ferries was a creation of Social Credit as was BC Hydro and many other Crown corps. For a time, there was a true 'liberal' party in BC after the Socreds under Vander Zalm imploded. The BC Liberal party was led by Gordon Wilson until he flaked out. When he did that, the Vancouver business elite through the vehicle of Gordon Campbell took over the Liberal Party lock stock and barrel and basically resurrected the old Socred Party. The only difference is that the Socreds were more up-country and rural while the Liberals were more westside Vancouver. The policies were essentially the same and both preached fiscal conservatism but in reality loved to spend money on megaprojects such as Expo 86 and now the 2010 Olympics. As such, the BC Liberal Party is really a vehicle for the business establishment to keep out the union run NDP. In the end the Socreds were done in by flaky, tired leadership and probably that is how the Liberals will end as well. Probably the main difference between Campbell and WAC Bennett, Vander Zalm and even Campbell's NDP predecessor Glen Clark is that Campbell isn't a populist but an Establishment man to the core.
  56. dave charlston from toronto, Canada writes: I hope they don't waste any more money on trying to get medals. We have a hard enough time giving everyone free health care. Lets stick to our strengths. Processing dirty oil, eating Tim Horton donuts and coffee (and then throwing the empty cups on the ground) and making maple syrup. We would get a gold in all those events methinks.
  57. Joe V from Canada writes: How about the BC premier pay for it with his own money. We already pay a lot, and get nothing in return. Our athletes need more shame, not more money.
  58. Green Dragon from Ottawa, Canada writes: If Campbell wants more money for athletes, then by all means let him tax the taxpayers of B.C. to his heart's content. But leave the rest of us out of it.
  59. aniphylactic shock troops from Victoria, Canada writes: SL S from Saskatchewan, Canada writes: If BC wants it, let BC pay for it.

    We don't want. That's the problem. Friends of Bozo The Premier wanted the Five Ring Circus and they got it. Taxpayers get stuck with the tab for the next 40 years.
  60. bob saunders from Belleville, ON, Canada writes: james cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: The BC Liberals rose out of the ashes of the old Social Credit Party. While the latter was (sort of) so-called right-wing, the current Liberals are more akin to their Federal counterparts. Both are advocates of tax-and-spend, and both are advocates of more government and extensive social engineering (meddling into the lives of private citizens in order to tell them that they (government) knows best. And both are left-of-centre on the political spectrum. --------------------------- You are out to lunch the BC Liberals are nothing like the Federal Wimperals. Campbell has moved over to the environmental side only to get re-elected- the BC liberals are still right of center.
  61. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: A Canadian from Cole Harbour (AKA Sid-land), Canada:

    If they gave medals for ridiculous comments, JD Wood would win bronze, silver and gold...

    Cheers
  62. Joseph Bloggins from Canada writes: Government solution to everything.....more money. Wow, what deep thinkers.
  63. The Centrist from Canada writes: An excellent idea. We won't even have to raise taxes.

    Lets cancel all the taxpayer funded trips that Harper takes across the country in his never ending election campaign.

    Lets cancel Harper's makeup artist.
  64. james cyr from Balmertown Ontario, Canada writes: Ron Pacific: regarding your post of 9:33 pm, thanks for the information. I agree that the old Social Credit party was not 'right wing' although they were certainly to the right of the NDP of Dave Barrett. And it was certainly a union of everyone who wanted to get rid of the NDP, especially in 1975. The Socreds started their decline when Vander Zalm came to power, and were pretty well finished by the time Grace McCarthy took over. Yes, it was supposed to be the answer to the NDP. Campbell took over the party, but I don't know if I agree that it was a Social Credit resurrection. The BC Liberal party may be a 'vehicle for the business establishment to keep out the NDP, but they themselves are definitely a left-of-centre party.
  65. Ron Pacific from Victoria, Canada writes: The Campbell Liberals are right wing to be sure in that they are not pro union and like to privatize but they do favour failry large, visible government mega-expensive projects - hence the big mountain freeway to Whistler, the billiion dollar convention centre, skytrain line to the airport, hundred million dollar sports oval, new stadium roof etc. etc. They have kept income taxes down to be sure but made up for that by raising the 'hidden' fees on everything here (and cutting spending on social welfare spending).
  66. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Green Dragon from Ottawa, Canada writes:

    'If Campbell wants more money for athletes, then by all means let him tax the taxpayers of B.C. to his heart's content. But leave the rest of us out of it.'

    My sentiments, exactly !

    I expect that Gordo is likely just trying to take precautions to avoid being the politico in charge in case of another Canadian Olympic medal melt-down like the Beijing Olympics have been...

    However, Gordo should have thought of that before bidding on the Winter Olympics....

    It's not the Canadian taxpayers' problem.

    Cheers
  67. Captain Ontario from Canada writes: The problem is:

    Too much of the money goes to bureaucrats.

    These bureaucrats makes plans that the athletes know will not work.

    Check out what Alex Bauman said today.
  68. Jeremy K from Canada writes: cool
    i wish to opt out of having my tax dollars go to sports funding. perhaps gordo could donate his recent pay increase towards athletics if he feels s strongly about the issue

    I'd rather have the money pumped into rapid transit systems in the major urban areas.
  69. Pudge Canuck from TO, Canada writes: Get rid of the Senate and that money could fund both the winter and summer athletes with ease.
  70. j p from toronto, Canada writes: International sports events such as the Olympics are rife with cheating (e.g. apparently-underage atheletes and drugs).

    Why spend money to compete with that? We have better things to do with our tax money, including public debt reduction, alleviating child poverty, fixing worn out infrastructure, and education, to name a few.

    Canada should be proud of its athletes. Canada should also be proud that they compete honourably. In an Olympics that takes place in a country that disrespects it's people and uses the Olympics as a forum for unhealthy nationalism, there is no shame in not winning medals. Whether Canada's athletes win medals or not is irrelevant and if they do not, it's a sign that Canadian society puts its priorities on things that matter.
  71. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I would just like to clarify something on the right wing versus left wing distinction that keeps coming up on this thread ...

    Big government, tax and spend neocons are not real conservatives.

    This seems to be the same, old tax grab that occurs every four years after a poor Canadian Olympic performance.

    Why do people need to keep saying:

    'Throwing money at problems doesn't fix them.'
  72. Ed Long from Canada writes: The whole budget for all Sports Canada is approx. $120M

    It is a sign of small, mean spirited, lack of pride slugs to not want the people representing our country to be funded at the astronomical sum of a coffee and a few Timbits per year per Canadian.

    R. Miller .... you are so small I'm surprised you can reach the keyboard with your craven little claws.

    Bravo, Gordo.

    And where is our chickensh't PM?
  73. Charlie Delta from Canada writes: What those of you not from BC don't know is. Campbell's govt only got elected because we were so sick of the previous NDP. Now we're sick of Campbell's Liberals. They've increased their own pay several times while keeping the rest of BC tied down to inflation rates. Campbell was caught drinking and driving in Hawaii a few years ago but didn't get sentenced.

    Vancouverites were told the Games would be on budget and property taxes wouldn't be raised - lies. Most Vancouverites think the money would have been better spent on the big homeless and poverty problem in Vancouver - the worst in Canada.

    So where is all this funding for sports coming from? I'd rather fix the problems in our own backyard first.
  74. Ed Long from Canada writes: Listen up you whining snivelling subsidized Canuckleheads .... and we all are in one way or another.

    There was more money spent on Air India enquiries and continuous House and Senate committees padding MPs and Senators fat per diems..... never mind the bottom feeding lawyers and various hangers-on that bring absolutely nothing of value to this country but their own self interest.

    Go Canada..... and if you win a medal, finger the snivellers at home.
  75. Joe V from Canada writes: Ed Long:

    I get much more value out of two coffees at Tim's than I do out of our Olympic team. I have a proposal: cancel all funding for Canadian athletes and give every Canadian two free Tim Horton's coffees. I guarantee that most people would be happier that way.

    Cheers!
  76. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: I say give the homeless polarfleece mascot outfits to cheer on the Olympic spirit.
  77. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ed Long from Canada:

    You seem to be completely out of touch with the majority of the G&M posters on these threads as usual.

    Gordo and BC taxpayers can pay the tab on this one...

    I am sure that you won't mind since it is such a paltry sum in your own opinion...

    Cheers
  78. Wilma De Bruyn from Toronto, Canada writes: Gordo, more money for the atheletes???Watch out tax slaves
    of BC, your pensions are going to be next. What else is left???Taxpayers of BC don't require pensions, work till you drop dead-it's called the fast track.Gordo needs your pension money for 2010 Olympics, please donate, or you'll be taxed sooner or later anyway, what shall we name this tax???The five ring circus tax, BC air tax?????
    Gordo why don't you take it from the 'Unclaimed Property Act' tax, you dropped $3,million into that to cover up the Squamish scandal Gordo??? The Public Trustee covers relatives who should inherit property and cash Gord, is that why you created the 'Unclaimed Property Tax'. Gord gets the Gold for the best corrupt province in Canada.
  79. Mani Pulated from Bymedia, Canada writes: Boo hoo! Cry, cry, cry. Canada won no medals.

    How about Canada, try win a medal win gold, silver, or bronze in reducing poverty, improving health care, improving education and reducing political corruption?

    We must leave the Olympics to what it really is, as to nothing but a corporate event.
  80. Ed Long from Canada writes: God forbid the day I am ever in line with GM commenters.

    JEEz ..... why not run out and get a lobotomy, take a stupid pill and join the ranks of the wacked out lemmings.

    Stephen is our leader..... Stephan is our leader ..... dum, dum, dum ....

    Besides, R. Miller, I like you .... you're a Habs fan.
  81. Kirwan Martin from Montreal, Canada writes: Every Olympics we go through the same plaints and hear the same cries for more money so we can win more medals.
    Mr. Campbell acknowledges that this means grass roots spending. 'That means putting money into community playing fields and making sports accessible to children. 'Sports should start by being fun, not onerous,' said Mr. Campbell, who described himself as someone who played all sports when he was younger. 'I wasn't that good at any of them, but I played.' '
    However provincial and federal governments almost never put our money where their mouthes are. Here in Quebec the government spends a lot on amateur sport - but it all goes to elite levels; almost nothing is available for kids who aren't 'that good at any of them' but just want to play.
    I don't buy the argument that Olympic medal winners will inspire masses of kids to take up sports. I would rather see us spend money putting a proper phys ed teacher (and a full phys ed programme) in every school and a recreational programme in every neighbourhood.
  82. Entitledto Entitlements from Canada writes: Quick lesson for all of those who have the political spectrum in BC fiigured out. The BC liberals have shown themselves to be both federal style Libs and Cons. They started as the federal Conservatives, cut the wasteful spending and got the house in order. Whether you can deal with it or not, that is what he was elected to do by the BC voter after the NDP played government. Then, he gets elected again, and starts getting complacent, spending people's money, coming up with a cockamamie carbon tax (with no environmental plan) just like his federal namesakes in order to prove that he has a vision with other people's money.

    The problem with BC politics, is that while the rest of the provinces wobble between two realistic alternatives, the BC voter only has the union-controlled, business-stupid NDP as an alternative.

    Back to the topic. Take your carbon tax money (for which there is no plan, and give it to the athletes.
  83. J M from Canada writes: What a cheap way to win political points - take public sentiment about the lack of medals at the olympics and demand what the athletes have been asking for for a long time.
  84. emilio D from Canada writes: Canada will start to win medals as soon as Gordon Campbell leaves Beijing. He is bad luck. Gord hey fat choy!
  85. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ed Long from Canada:

    You like me ???

    Sorry, I'm happily married, Ed...

    You might be a Habs fan, but Bowman and Pollock didn't win all those Cups in the 1970s by begging for more money when the Habs lost...

    Cheers
  86. Trudeau's Apricot poodle from Canada writes: Winning isn't everything, or so we keep hearing. Sports develop character. So what is it? Winning is everything? So much for the brotherhood and associated propaganda. What was the carbon tax paid for associated athletes, camp followers, hangers on and politicians who went to China? Or is reducing one's carbon footprint only for the proletariat?
  87. Nancy Wilson from N.Ontario, Canada writes: I was shocked to see the photo realted to this article!
    I was certain that Colonel Sanders had died.
  88. Ant Kau from Australia writes: As an outsider I can honestly say that Canada's lack of success thus far merely confirms the world's impression - that Canada lacks competitiveness, energy and self-belief. Most people outside Canada would say Canada is not a player on the world stage and should simply be disregarded. Sport today is the war of old - get serious or get lost.
  89. Charlie Delta from Canada writes: Mr. Campbell, who described himself as someone who played all sports when he was younger. 'I wasn't that good at any of them, but I played.' '

    Hey, there's a spot for you on the Canadian Olympic Team, you've got the right attitude!
  90. Charlie Delta from Canada writes: @Ant Kau from Australia:

    Australia is learning how to be successful like the US. Just look at Flight Centre, Cobbs Bread in Vancouver (actually from Baker's Delight), BHP Billiton (world's top mining company), Westfield Shopping Centres (all over America), not to mention all their top athletes that don't choke and actually win medals.

    Canada: a nation of and staunch defender of mediocrity
  91. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Kirwan Martin from Montreal, Canada:

    There's a point that I can actually agree with...

    I propose that we start with both public and private funding for community based sports facilities, coaching programs and physical fitness programs in schools distributed between the various regions of Canada...

    Does anyone else remember the National fitness testing (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Award of Excellence) that were cancelled because some parents were worried that their children would be scarred if they didn't win the Award of Excellence ?

    Getting Canadian kids fit and healthy may inspire more kids to be competent athletes in the future much moreso than throwing more money at a select few elite Olympic athletes ever will...

    There are no quick fixes here...

    We won't go from sucking to decent overnight.... No matter how much of our tax money that we throw at these Olympians ...

    Cheers
  92. D. MacKay from Atlantic, Canada writes:

    Not to downgrade our Canadian athletes but sadly it is Canada's outlook on life that is the problem.

    All the money in the country will never solve the issue.

    We tend to celebrate our athletes just for competing in the Olympics.

    With the exception of hockey , Canada is happy just being there and a bronze is as good as a gold because we don't expect more. We are too polite to be critical and look for excuses to compensate.

    Being a Leafs fan for 40 years , I share much of the blame. 'Wait til next year' is a common call.

    BTW the Canadians so far have come close and I'm proud of their efforts thus far. The Games are far from over and medals are just around the corner.

    Damn ! Did it again.

    See what I mean.
  93. Joe V from Canada writes: Nancy Wilson:
    That Chinese dude in the photo must be getting a real kick out of it. Campbell looks like such a stereotypical 'ghost man'. You just know that people are laughing at him behind his back.
  94. Matt O from Toronto, Ontario, Canada writes: Just want to add a gen. comment to the discussion.

    Earlier, Ron Maclean was talking about a press conference involving a Canadian rower in his mid-twenties (didn't catch the name, sorry). Anyway, a reporter asked this guy what the worst job he ever had was. The rower's answer? 'I'll tell you when I get one.'

    That's right. This guy has never worked a day in his life. So sorry, until he has paid his dues with a shift or two at a fast food joint like the rest of us, I don't exactly feel inclined to pump more tax dollars his way.
  95. Patrick Ageson from Vancouver, Canada writes: Listen to you all in this forum. You all sound like a bunch of losers. I’m not having my tax-dollars go to waste, I’m not having this, I’m not having that. Well here’s some insight: Sports are GOOD for a society (they foster friendly competitiveness, encourage healthy lifestyles, build team spirit etc) who can argue this? I think you would be hard pressed to find an Aussie equating higher taxes to higher sports funding. We live in one of the richest nations on Earth so let’s show some pride in international forums please. Increased sports funding does not mean higher taxes (are Canadians really that narrow-minded?) Better sports performance reduces demand on this nation’s health care system and in all honesty I’d rather pay to see our athletes healthy and win gold for this country than for Jan Bakker’s quadruple bypass heart surgery because she was too lazy to get off her behind and play sports. This forum embodies Canada – a nation of participatory losers with the biggest inferiority complexes the world has seen. Surely there has to be someone out there who agrees with me. Canada INCREASE SPORTS FUNDING WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES (WE HAVE THE ABILITY) AND STOP COMPLAINING -- START WINNING FOR A CHANGE!
  96. Jack Sprat from Canada writes: Michael Sharp - I can agree with you on one thing, the BC liberals are Right wing (Extreme) but nothing else.

    Those people are a collection of old Socreds & Reformers that managed to take the Liberal name so they could get elected. They are about as Liberal as Barry Goldwater was a communist.