On Victoria Day...

I have long railed about the bastardization of Victoria Day by those who call it "May 2-4," if only to avoid pratfalls like the one that had befallen by boss a few weeks ago when he was trying to book time off at a resort up north for the May 24th weekend. And while that is a weekend off, you have to be an American citizen or resident to enjoy it, because this current weekend, in Canada, is the holiday weekend. 

Apparently there's a petition going around to change the name of Victoria Day, and while I'm thankful it's not for it to officially be changed to "May 2-4," I still have my doubts. A group, including such notable names as Margaret Atwood, Elizabeth May and Gordon Pinsent, want to rename the holiday “Victoria and First Peoples Day.”

Calling a Spade a Spade

So it's time again for one of my annual diatribes. As I flipped through the Guelph Tribune this morning, waiting for my bagel to toast (true story), today's streeter - the part of the paper where they ask the opinion of people on the street their thoughts on a pending issue or event - asked: "What are you doing this May 2-4?"

Really? Well, actually it isn't the question that bothers me, it's the reference to Victoria Day as May 2-4, an expression that seems at once both uneducated and disrespectful. Yes friends, I'm talking about the the boorish disregard for Queen Victoria and the role she played in helping Canada establish its independence, and replacing it with a numerical code with the dual meaning of the rough date of Victoria Day and drinking a lot of beer. 

And no, this is not a joke.

More Radio Days

If you should happen to be up early on holiday Monday - or if you're like some of my friends, 7 am is usually when you go to bed - then I invite you to tune in to CFRU 93.3 to listen to "Beyond the Ballot Box." Why? Because I'll be a guest talking about municipal issues along with the Guelph Mercury's Scott Tracey. We will be talking about recent staff moves at City Hall, issues of development and how the new council is faring after six months on the job. 

If you just can't wake up that early on a holiday though, the show might be re-airing next Friday afternoon as well, or you can just listen to it on the CFRU archives at the station's website. That's where you can now listen to my last appearance on "Beyond the Ballot Box."

Additionally, pick up the Waterloo Region Record this weekend, that is if you're interested in what I'm reading right now. I was recently asked to contribute to the "What They're Reading" feature in the weekend Record. 

Well, that's about as self-promotional as I'll get for now. Have a good Victoria Day long weekend folks.