Prime Minsiter Chretien, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Yogi Bear

THE BEST SECURITY FORCE CANADIANS CAN BEAR?

   
Edmonton - Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - by: Ron Thornton

security
force

It would appear Canada has a new security force, one led by the likes of Yogi, Smoky, Winnie, and Rupert, to name just a few.

 

 

mountains,
Indians
and
bears

While in Italy this week, Prime Minister Chretien is reported to have referred to the site of the upcoming G-8 Summit at Kananaskis as being remote and protected
"from the back by mountains, from the front by a river, from the south by an Indian village and from the north by 500 bears."

 

 

golf
course

Granted, Kananaskis is more remote than downtown Calgary, but it is accessed by thousands annually via bus, car, and bicycle on a paved road just South of the Trans Canada Highway between that city and Banff. A more remote place might be found, but few could offer comparable accommodations and a world-class golf course.

 

 

joke about
golf!!!

I originally thought the Prime Minister was having a little fun at the expense of the Italian media, but when was the last time Chretien joked about anything even remotely related to a golf course?

 

 

protesters

On Tuesday, the Stoney First Nation Tribal Council squashed a deal that would have allowed up to 10,000 protesters to set up camp on their land. Instead of being just a few miles to the northeast of the Summit, the demonstrators have just six-weeks to find new digs.

 

 

its up to
Yogi

Though his sense of direction might be a tad off, the Prime Minister's comments about what protects Kananaskis Village appear closer to the truth than first thought. If so, then might Yogi Bear be soon packing pepper spray, seeking out something meatier than picnic baskets, and reporting to an authority much higher than that of Ranger Smith?
   

 

Ron Thornton