Um, Why?

[derekkj 0]

Derek told me about this tonight and for the life of me, I can't grasp why this is in poor taste and not just a little bit of humor. I saw an explanation about how it would be like the Statue of Liberty holding a hot dog and didn't think that would be in poor taste either, so maybe it's just my sense of humor.

Embassy sorry for controversial Canada Day invite

Updated Wed. Jul. 2 2008 10:19 PM ET

The Canadian Press

MONTREAL -- The Canadian embassy in Washington is apologizing after it sent out a Canada Day invitation which showed Samuel de Champlain, the founder of Quebec City, holding a plate of poutine.

Jean-Paul Perreault, the president of Imperatif francais, a group that defends and promotes the French language, called the embassy's behaviour "contemptuous and unacceptable."

"It's ridiculous, it's a.....lack of respect towards the Canadian identity which proudly includes French-speaking communities," he said in an interview Wednesday.

Poutine is a popular Quebec dish that consists of french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with brown gravy.

"If it was a joke, it was a joke in bad taste which we can't allow as part of the activities of a (Canadian) embassy," he added.

Perreault said several citizens also complained to Imperatif francais about the invitation.

The Canada Day invitation was placed on the embassy's website and about 2,000 people showed up for the July 1 party in the U.S. capital.

Perreault pointed out that this year marks the 400th anniversary of the July 3 founding of Quebec City by Champlain.

The event will be celebrated Thursday with various events in the provincial capital.

Tristan Landry, a spokesman for the Canadian embassy, says the online invite was eventually changed and the plate of poutine was removed from Champlain's right hand.

"It was obviously not intended to offend anybody and we apologize if it offended anyone," he told The Canadian Press.

Landry also said changes would be made internally to the process when invitations are sent out.

Perreault wants Prime Minister Stephen Harper to offer "sincere" apologies nationally and internationally because the invitation appeared on the Internet.

"The way the Canadian government, through its embassy, treats the francophone aspect of Canadian identity has been seen internationally," he said.

Perreault also said Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson and the ambassador in Washington should resign.

"There should also be disciplinary measures towards the employees who created an unacceptable and ridiculous situation on the website," he added.

Landry would not comment when asked if any disciplinary measures are being considered.

Perreault also complained that the invitation was sent out on the Internet only in English.

But the embassy spokesman said it was emailed both in English and in French.

"We do have a French version and the people who wanted it in French got it in French," Landry said.

The invitations were shipped out by the embassy on what's called Connect2Canada, a network which sends out email notices on a range

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

[Sprailenes 47]

When I saw that picture I remember thinking someone is probably going to take it the wrong way.

Whatever it was a fun event. I enjoyed myself and the picture.

[PlatyPius 5]

Oh well. Everyone hates the Québécois anyway.

[Mephys 2]

Oh well. Everyone hates the Québécois anyway.

[PlatyPius 5]

Oh well. Everyone hates the Québécois anyway.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Of course they obviously made a mistake - Champlain should have been holding a large Timmies!

[PlatyPius 5]

Of course they obviously made a mistake - Champlain should have been holding a large Timmies!

And smoking a Player's Navy Cut.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Oh well. Everyone hates the Québécois anyway.

Not like the Maudit Anglais.

[MissStacey 1]

If Samuel de Champlain were alive today- you know he would be eating poutine like a hog.

[trailmix 77]

Derek told me about this tonight and for the life of me, I can't grasp why this is in poor taste and not just a little bit of humor. I saw an explanation about how it would be like the Statue of Liberty holding a hot dog and didn't think that would be in poor taste either, so maybe it's just my sense of humor.

Can't explain this, it's just silly

[Reba 2]

I personally quite like the Quebecois actually. Mon Canada inclut le Quebec. My Canada tattoo is even in both languages

As for Champlain and the poutine, I've no idea why anyone would find that offensive. I didn't see it myself, but dang, it sounds funny as hell! I'm guessing it was a few overly sensitive people who found offence to it, and they should just get a grip. JMHO. Perhaps they thought Giovanni Caboto would have been more appropriate?

As someone above metioned, if Champlain were alive today, he'd be sitting noshing on poutine and drinking a beer on Canada Day just like any other proud Canadian. He did after all found the world's oldest social club "Order of the Good Times/L'Ordre Du Bon-Temps"

[Flames9_RN 358]

I thought that was pretty funny, but I'm not French,lol Probably 1 of those things were a few people took offense to it and whined.