Canadian Crossing

Greyhound Canada to abandon western Canadian provinces

An Alberta sunset taken from a Greyhound Canada bus.

I've been to all 10 Canadian provinces, traveling on Greyhound Canada in 4 provinces. Greyhound Canada hasn't been a recent option in the Maritimes or Newfoundland and Labrador.

As of November 1, those travel opportunities of traveling Greyhound Canada in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta will be just memories. Greyhound Canada is also bailing out of British Columbia (the Vancouver-Seattle runs are controlled by Greyhound U.S.) as well as the Trans-Canada route between Winnipeg and Sudbury, Ontario will also disappear, so there will be no Greyhound Canada buses west of Sudbury.

I rode Greyhound from Calgary to Edmonton and back in my 2012 Alberta trip. The only other option was a car that I wouldn't have needed in either city. I got to watch an Alberta sunset where you could see the sun go all the way to the horizon.

I rode a Greyhound overnight bus from Winnipeg to Regina in 2016. The driving alternative would have been problematic for lots of reasons. A plane would have been expensive and I didn't need a car in Regina.

Via Rail is not an option for these and many other routes affected by the cuts. Driving and hitchhiking aren't great for a lot of people but may be the only options remaining.

Saskatoon berries a great reason to visit the Prairies

Going to Alberta? Some cool tips for your journey

Greyhound Canada cancelled the Prince George-Prince Rupert route in British Columbia June 1. That cut reflected the issues with hitchhiking with the history of indigenous girls and women on the Highway of Tears that runs down Highway 16 between the cities.

The best viable solution would be a regional bus system such as Maritime Bus out in the Maritimes. I rode from Moncton to Fredericton to Saint John as well as going to and from Charlottetown. The buses were a lot smaller, not as fancy as Greyhound. There were quite a few packages being delivered as well as people.

The Maritime Bus coverage area is relatively compact compared to the long distances in the Prairie provinces.

The Saskatchewan Transportation Company folded in 2017, but we have seen alternative such as Rider Express take over significant routes.

Calgary-Edmonton and Winnipeg-Regina are likely to be covered by smaller companies with smaller buses. The smaller towns and smaller routes are a bigger concern. There is the tourist angle, but there are many people who simply can't drive 800-1000 km across the vastness of western Canada.

Greyhound Canada cited a 41% ridership decline since 2010. The company also noted bus runs of single-digit ridership at times, which was directly contradicted by numerous examples of buses from half full to almost full.

The company said 415 jobs would be lost with an impact to 2 million consumers.

How Rob Ford spent (part of) my summer vacation

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

We like encouraging Canadians and other people to explore Canada. Cars do have their advantages but not everyone can afford to travel that way. The fact that I could access the bus allowed me to spend more time in Winnipeg before going to Regina. The bus allowed me to mock Rob Ford online for following me on my Alberta adventure.

"I would assume that Ford had more appropriate transportation between Edmonton and Calgary. I took the 8 a.m. Greyhound Express. Extra legroom, electrical outlets, and free wi-fi all included. The scenery is flat between the two cities and you do get to stop over in Red Deer as a bonus."

I wrote that in 2012. Being on the bus allowed me to see the amazing scenery, make notes, and reflect in the middle of an amazing journey. Driving isn't the same. Hitchhiking would have been worse.

Hopefully, smaller transportation companies will rise to the occasion to help out western Canadians in ways that Greyhound was too big and slow to make necessary changes.

photos credit: me; CTV

2 PC provincial leaders resign over sexual misconduct allegations; Saskatchewan Party picks new leader

Patrick Brown is out at PC leader in Ontario over 4 months before the provincial election scheduled for June 7. Brown gave a press conference denying the allegations that allegedly involve teens, then hurriedly running out of the room. For those who didn't see this press conference should click here.

After that press conference, Brown's campaign manager, chief of staff, and deputy manager announced their resignations. Brown later resigned as leader.

One of many unaddressed concerns was that the whispers had gone on for some time, but members of the Ontario PC Party insisted they only knew of the allegations as they came out in the press.

Brown has said he will stay in the legislature as a MPP. Vic Fedeli, a MPP from the northeastern Ontario riding of Nipissing, will be the interim leader.

The PCs will have a quick turnaround, voting on March 24 for a new leader for a June 7 election. Fedeli has said he will run for the post. Traditionally, interim leaders don't run but these are rather unusual circumstances.

Liberals win very slim majority in Nova Scotia

Brown was the second provincial PC leader to resign last week. Nova Scotia PC Leader Jamie Baillie resigned last week over "allegations of inappropriate behaviour."

Baillie resigned as party leader and MLA for Cumberland South.

The odd part beyond the charges was the Baillie said he was going to resign as party leader in early November. Word of the allegations came in late December, according to the party.

Karla MacFarlane, PC caucus chair and MLA for Pictou West, will become the interim leader of the PCs in Nova Scotia

On the federal level, Sport and Disabilities Minister Kent Hehr has resigned from the cabinet per an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

Hehr has shown well before this to be uncouth in his ability to speak long before these allegations. In October 2016 as Minister of Veterans Affairs, when asked by a wife of a veteran about support for her family, Hehr reported said, "you married him, he's your responsibility." In his current position in December, Hehr said to a group of thalidomide survivors, "Well you don't have it so bad. Everyone in Canada has a sob story." When the subject of their reduced life expectancy came up, Hehr reportedly said, "So you probably have about 10 years left then now, That's good news for the Canadian government."

Currently, Parliament staff aren't legally allowed to make standard complaints. Bill C-65 gets a second reading in the House of Commons today. This bill will extend protections for workers in federally regulated industries including those in Parliament on workplace misconduct.

2018 Canadian politics preview

Saskatchewan decides to keep its (Brad) Wall

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

The moment - @ScottMoeSK - your new premier elect #skpoli pic.twitter.com/HL7Oaq2bgo

— Adam Hunter (@AHiddyCBC) January 28, 2018

The Saskatchewan results might have been overshadowing by a pair of Progressive Conservative provincial leaders being forced to resign over sexual misconduct allegations.

The Saskatchewan Party had 5 candidates running to replace Brad Wall, who has been premier of Saskatchewan for over a decade. The party needed 5 ballots to find a winner. MLA Scott Moe edged out former deputy prime minister Alanna Koch on the 5th ballot to be the new premier-designate.

Moe took 8,075 votes, or 53.7% of the overall vote, versus Koch with 6,914 votes. The other candidates in the race were Tina Beaudry-Mellor; Ken Cheveldayoff; and Gordon Wyant.

Of the approximately 27,000 who were eligible to cast a ballot, over 17,000 cast votes for the next premier. The sense that Moe might be a consensus candidate stems from trailing Koch in the first 3 ballots.

For those hoping for the first female premier in Saskatchewan, the selection of Moe reflected more on shoring up the rural base of the party.

The last election in Saskatchewan was in 2016. Traditionally, an unelected premier does call for an election shortly after taking the job.

Video credit: CBC News
Twitter capture: @AHiddyCBC

Saskatoon berries a great reason to visit the Prairies

The visits to Manitoba and Saskatchewan were more about football and provincial legislatures, but the legacy of the trip definitely involved Saskatoon berries.

By themselves, the Saskatoon doesn't have much flavor. Inside a pie or a shortbread cookie, they were the taste of the Prairies.

They were all around farmers markets, alone and in delicious baked goods.

This beautiful pie came from the Regina Farmers Market in Victoria Park. Tasting even better than the looking, the pie was simple and magical all at once.

For more of this eating adventure in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, click here to read our story in BalanceofFood.com.

photos credit: me

CFL in the Prairies is where the league shines

Even casual CFL fans know the most passionate fans are in the Prairies. I had been to every other CFL stadium so I needed to find out firsthand whether the axiom was true.

I first saw Winnipeg on my television through the old Canad Inns Stadium on the northwest side of the city. But I had watched football and women's World Cup soccer at Investors Group Field on TV. So I was excited to see the new stadium.

While the old stadium was on the northwest side, along with the old Winnipeg Arena, IGF is pretty far south of downtown. You will travel a great distance to get there. The #160 bus takes you from downtown right to the stadium. Even driving will take awhile. The stadium is at the outer edge of the University of Manitoba campus.

Then again, there is plenty of room for tailgating. The Blue Bombers take full advantage with a really nice setup. Winnipeg pride reigns supreme: cheerleaders, mascots, eating, drinking, fun but family fun.

The concourses are wide and very clean. You can make it to the bathroom, do what you need to do, wash your hands, and not miss a play. The roof will cover most fans to protect them from rain, though we saw earlier this year that a lightning storm requires seeking shelter.

The sightlines are rather good, which will be especially helpful during the Heritage Classic in October when the Winnipeg Jets play outdoors.

The sign on the sidelines says Winnipeg is the home of the loudest CFL fans. Winnipeg fans would say "First Down" really loud when the Blue Bombers make a first down and the PA announcer gives the appropriate cue. Sadly, for Winnipeg fans, they don't get to say "First Down" often enough.

When it comes to food, Winnipeg is an international city. You can find perogies all over the city. Finding butter chicken and naan is pretty easy. Shawarmas are easily available. You can find all of that and fresh veggies at the stadium.

I sat in the lower deck around the 10-yard line. The upper deck appears to have a good perspective. I sat higher up in Edmonton and Calgary and you can get a better appreciation from up high.

The Blue Bombers fans have been through very rough times, but they still love their team. An anecdote but still telling. The next day, I was in a barbecue place in St. Boniface. The guys at the next table were breaking down last night's game and what they would have done differently in the game and with the team. I haven't heard that in Toronto, Montréal, or Vancouver after a game.

Taylor Field is a very short walk from anywhere in downtown Regina. You can access the stadium off of 9 Avenue west of Albert Street or you can follow the green wave headed in that direction.

No matter how many times you have seen Taylor Field on television, your eyes can't prepare for what you are about to see. The architecture, the colour scheme of the seats, the intimacy of being surrounded by so many people yet are close to the action.

If IGF is Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Taylor Field is Fenway Park. The rust has rust down below the stands. You are standing in history even before you get to your seats. Figure that Saskatchewan became a province in 1905 and Taylor Field was born in 1910. There were female fans who were in the stadium in the early years before they could vote.

Before you walk in, tailgating is virtually mandatory. The grassy knoll alongside the stadium doubles as the Roughriders practice field. You are eating and drinking between 2 legitimate-sized goalposts. If you are colour-blind, you miss the amazing show of Saskatchewan green against the green of the grass. The greens battle to see which green is more green.

The colour mosaic of the seats is a rare moment where a peacock would get very jealous. The home side has an upper layer while the visiting side is all one layer.

The food and serving setup is pretty fancy in Winnipeg. In Regina, you have a couple of guys frying up onions in the middle of the concourse under the stands. I've never seen anything like that moment. Beautiful sauteed onions right before your eyes.

The food choices are less exotic but you have sauteed onions right before your crying eyes. This beats mustard packets in Ottawa.

When you make your way up the stairs, you realize you have stepped into what will seem as the HD version of a CFL field. You are very up close to the action, like in no other football stadium I have ever been. Like in Winnipeg, I sat about the 10-yard line at one end but felt a lot closer to the game.

The Winnipeg fans are loud but Saskatchewan has them beat. Loud cheering and applause as the opposition was getting their play started. Chants against B.C. coach Wally Buono.

The late afternoon start produced a rough sun in the eyes of those on the visiting side, especially Buono.

The team has a drum corps that made things louder throughout the game. The CFL has 9 incredible fan bases but Saskatchewan has helmets above all the others.

The new stadium is just to the west of Taylor Field and will open next year. Try if you can to see the old barn before the new one is open for football.

Regina offers plenty of food and drink options after the game, all within walking distance of the stadium. No messy commute or parking to go through in your game experience.

---

photos credit: me

Saskatchewan decides to keep its (Brad) Wall

Brad Wall and the Saskatchewan Party won a third term to run the provincial government with about the same margin the party had going into Monday's election.

Last night, the Saskatchewan Party won 51 of the 61 seats. In 2011, the party won 49 of the 58 seats.

The NDP, the only other party to have seats in the Saskatchewan legislative assembly, went from 9 to 10 seats. The party won seats in Regina and Saskatoon, the province's 2 largest cities, and the bookend ridings in remote northern Saskatchewan. Cam Breton, the NDP leader, lost his Saskatoon Westview riding, though Breton lost by 232 votes.

The NDP might not have been in good shape otherwise, but the party had to deal with the early withdrawal of 4 candidates due to offensive statements made on social media in the past. The party also lost its campaign manager early in the campaign.

The Green Party, the Liberal Party, and the Progressive Conservative Party ran MLA candidates, though not in every riding. None of the other parties came close to winning a riding. The last time the Liberal Party had MLAs in Saskatchewan was in 1999. The party hasn't been in control of the province since the 1967 election.

The Saskatchewan Party grew out of the Progressive Conservative Party in the province, beginning with the 1999 election. Brad Wall became the party leader on March 15, 2004 and has since won elections in 2007, 2011, and 2016. So even without the name "conservative" in the party, the Saskatchewan Party is the right-centre party.

The federal election delayed the provincial election in Saskatchewan, pushing the Saskatchewan election from November 2, 2015 to April 4, 2016.

2016 Canadian politics preview

Canadian politics coverage on CanadianCrossing.com

Wall said after casting his ballot Monday that he wanted a strong opposition. "I think it's always good to have the balance. I think government being held accountable is — whoever the government is — is an important part of the system."

The NDP might have that in quality, but certainly not in quantity.

---

There wasn't a single crucial issue in the election. The economy is definitely an issue and struggling with the loss of oil-related jobs. The province's oil areas didn't qualify for extra employment insurance (EI). The Saskatchewan Party platform did promise to privatize liquor stores. The NDP promised more teachers and social workers.

---

Bill Boyd won his 3rd term in the Kindersley riding for the Saskatchewan Party. Former Saskatchewan Party MLA Jason Dearborn ran in this riding as an independent. Boyd won 67.8% in the riding; Dearborn came in 2nd at 17.7%. Given that the PC Party candidate won 4.6% of the vote, right-wing candidates won 90.1% in the riding.

---

"This is the not the night we were hoping for," Broten said with the concession speech for the party. When he concluded his speech, Broten said he was going to watch the results of his own riding. The fact that Broten lost his riding meant his earlier statement was accurate just not complete. The NDP had 32% support in the 2011 election and dropped to around 30% support in 2016.

---

We know red is for Liberal, orange for NDP, blue for Conservative, but what colour is the Saskatchewan Party? As I saw from the results on CBC Regina, the Saskatchewan Party green is Roughrider green after the Saskatchewan Roughriders green of the CFL. The Green Party results were in a lighter green to discern its results from the darker green of the Saskatchewan Party.

Regina, Saskatchewan used as target in latest Avengers comic book

Saskatchewan doesn't get a lot of the love usually dished out to Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. So those that live in Regina would have been excited that their city was featured in the Avengers comic book.

Well, some probably aren't thrilled that the Queen City suffers extensive damage following the impact of a "evolution bomb."

Destroyed buildings and mutating people isn't quite the image Regina was hoping for, but the comic book writers could have picked another non-Canadian city for its target.

Marvel Comics released a statement pointing out that "In the city of Regina, we got to further flesh out the incredible Canadian landscape into the Marvel universe and expose our readers to a hidden gem from our northern neighbours."

Regina isn't the only Canada element that suffers in the story. An all-Canadian superhero team called Omega Flight can't stop what is going on. Of course, this leads to the appearance of the Avengers.

In the comic book realm, this is pretty cool. Regina, considered the Jewel of the Prairies, gets some well-deserved publicity. The publicity might help drive people to see what Regina looks like, minus any bombs.

photo credit: Marvel Comics

Prince Charles, Camilla to spend Victoria Day in Canada

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla will be in three Canadian provinces in a 4-day trip, around Victoria Day weekend. The royal couple are in Canada as part of the Diamond Julibee celebration, marking 60 years on the throne for his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The festivities begin in Saint John, New Brunswick, where they will visit a Canadian base. In Toronto, the couple will view Victoria Day fireworks. Prince Charles will present Diamond Jubilee medals. The visit will wrap up in Regina, Saskatchewan, where Charles and Camilla will meet up with Prime Minister Stephen Harper (just back from G8 and NATO) and Governor General David Johnston.

The low-key highlights prove a stark contrast to the more exciting itinerary for Will and Kate during their trip to Canada last summer.

For Charles, this is his 16th trip to the Great White North. He brought Camilla for her Canadian debut in 2009.

Previous coverage:
Prince William and Kate arrive in Canada tomorrow
Royal couple protesters in Quebec stem from long-standing English-French battle

Global Saskatoon sausage video goes viral

The Global station in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has only been doing the Morning News since December. Well, Canada and the United States, as well as elsewhere in the world, knows about the Morning News on Global Saskatoon thanks to a viral video involving two female anchors … and sausage.

The verbal slip by Lisa Dutton was barely noticeable, especially if you have no idea what picatic.com does. Well, Dutton didn't say picatic.com. You can watch the video to learn more.

This wouldn't have been more uncomfortable if there had been a male anchor and a female anchor. Somehow, it was funnier having this conversation with two female anchors, and in the video, Dutton is being egged (get it, sausage, eggs) on by her female co-anchor.

The actual sausage event that they were talking about is tonight. Here is the link (get it, sausage, link).

photo credit: picatic.com

Montana wants to adopt Saskatchewan-type health care reform

The Republican presidential debates focus on "Obamacare," which the candidates generally agree is bad, even Mitt Romney, who instituted a similar plan while serving as Massachusetts governor. Wonder what they might think of Montana's proposed plan to model its health care system on Saskatchewan. Saskatchacare??

Actually Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer calls the proposal SaskCare after the neighboring province of Saskatchewan. Gov. Schweitzer also bashes Obamacare, but only because it doesn't go far enough to remedy Montana's health care woes.

Montana's northern border extends from southeastern British Columbia through all of Alberta and the western 3/4 of Saskatchewan, everything west of Regina and Saskatoon.

Gov. Schweitzer wants waivers from several steps within the federal government, including Health and Human Services, Medicaid, Medicare, the Veterans Administration, and Indian Health Service. Then the state government would take that money to create a pool to insure its residents.

For the Americans, As Saskatchewan's premier, Tommy Douglas was the instigator in developing Canada's current health care system. So Saskatchewan was symbolically chosen for a reason.

While the governor is a Democratic politician, Montana is self-identified as one of those Western states where they "don't like government," where people can drive really fast on the highway. Montana is no Massachusetts, even if ironically a Republican governor implemented Massachusetts' health care system.

While Montana has that rep, the state realizes that costs are too high, and not enough people are covered. By comparison, Saskatchewan's program looks a lot better.

Gov. Schweitzer actually goes beyond Saskatchewan's system, yet allow citizens to opt out in favor of private insurance.

If — and it's a gigantic if — Gov. Schweitzer can pull this off, the program can show Americans that a Canadian style health care system can work in even rugged Western states such as Montana. Not only would this help the citizens of Montana with their health care needs, but also Saskatchewan and Canada can receive positive publicity, a win-win.

Saskatoon's The Sheepdogs make Rolling Stone cover

Getting the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine has been a dream even before Dr. Hook devoted a whole song to that goal. Most bands have no shot at stardom, much less the chance to be featured in that treasured fashion, the epitome of success.

So even when the magazine runs a contest where an unknown band gets a chance at that coveted ideal, you still wouldn't think a band from Canada would have a chance, especially one from the prairies.

Well, The Sheepdogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan have won the contest, and yes, will be on the cover of the Rolling Stone.

If the cover was enough, that would be impressive. But the band also gets to cut an album (or whatever the &%$# the kids are calling it these days) with Atlantic Records and have received coverage on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC.

From listening to and watching The Sheepdogs, you might have thought you were back in the time when people read rock and roll magazines with more fervor than, let's say, the 21st century. Less like Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and more The Midnight Special (ask your parents about that).

I first heard The Sheepdogs on a report from CBC radio when the band was part way through the contest. I confess I found the story to be charming, but never entertained that a Canadian band, especially one so different from the current scene, could pull it off.

People have their stereotype of Canadian bands from Rush and Triumph to Neil Young and the Guess Who to Gordon Lightfoot and Anne Murray to Alanis Morrisette and Sarah McLachlan to, yes, Celine Dion.

Well, The Sheepdogs from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan have put a new spin on what people will think about Canadian music. And you need no other proof than to check out an upcoming cover of Rolling Stone.