Like many Americans, I envision Canada as a kinder, gentler version of my own country. This image has taken a hit following last night’s Canucks riot in downtown Vancouver.
Sterling reputation
Viva Canada! Photo: Waferboard/Flickr
Our northern neighbor offers free health care and produces jolly comedians at an unprecedented rate (think Dan Aykroyd, John Candy and Jim Carrey).
Canadians didn’t join our 18th century revolution against the British crown and they still have Queen Elizabeth’s image on their coins. They also say adorable things like “aboot” (instead of “about”), which I find endearing.
My visit to Vancouver last week for the TBEX conference confirmed my image of Canadians as a polite, orderly people. The city was clean, the locals were helpful with directions, and the metro system ran smoothly.
Peaceful game 5 celebration
I watched game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals with 100,000 Canucks fans on the streets of Vancouver and felt totally safe. The mood was upbeat and cops freely dispensed high fives to fans.
Canucks fans on June 10, after the Canucks beat the Bruins in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. Photo: L Koch
However, last night’s Vancouver Canucks riots have dealt a blow to Canada’s sterling reputation.
Riot after game 7
A massive street riot broke out in Vancouver last night after the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins. Riot police moved in as looting, fistfights, and fires swept across the city.
Video: Thebiglead.com
At least eight people have been treated for stab wounds and ten cars were set on fire, the New York Times reported on Thursday. The Times article included comments from Vancouver’s mayor:
“It is extremely disappointing to see the situation in downtown Vancouver turn violent after tonight’s Stanley Cup game,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said in a statement released two hours after the game ended.
“Vancouver is a world-class city, and it is embarrassing and shameful to see the type of violence and disorder we’ve seen tonight,” he added.
Video: Thebiglead.com
ESPN reported that looters grabbed t-shirts, MAC cosmetics and even a mannequin during the mayhem. NBA star Steve Nash, who hails from nearby Victoria, urged fans to end the violence in a Twitter post:
“We’re a great city and have a lot of class. Our team is great and our championship will come. Soon.”
Rioting took place in front of the hotel I stayed in just four days ago, the Comfort Inn. This was also the scene of a street party on Friday, following the Canuck’s game 5 win.
Photo: realaworld/Flickr
Clearly, the rioters are not the best and brightest Canadians. At least one clueless participant boasted about his crimes on Facebook, leading one friend to reply, “take this down!!! its evidence!”
Source: Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) on Twitter
Oh Canada
The riots are making headlines around the world and aren’t doing much for Vancouver’s image. However, after spending several days in Vancouver last week and meeting a number of law-abiding Canadians, I still have a positive impression of the city.
During the street party for the Canuck’s 1-0 win on Friday, I saw fans celebrating peacefully. It was hard to resist their enthusiasm, and many TBEX attendees became instant hockey fans.
I am proudly one-fourth Canadian (via Nova Scotia) and have often considered applying for dual Canadian citizenship. Perhaps one day I will settle in Vancouver; it certainly is a lively town!
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Whenever people, countries, cities etc. . are pigeonholed with certain attributes they are bound to surprise and sometimes shock. People and especially whole countries and cities are more complex than a few simple adjectives.
It is a fact though that Canadians are passionate about hockey. Unfortunate that a few idiots took such drastic and unproductive ways of expressing their disappointment and that it reflected on the city and the country.
Agreed. I was impressed by the Canucks fans’ enthusiasm for their team when I visited Vancouver; clearly it’s possible to be a super-fan without becoming totally unhinged!
It’s terrrible that these criminals have given us a bad name. Embarassed, disgusted and ashamed to be associated with such clear intent to destroy what was a great 2 month playoff run.
It is a shame that Vancouver is making headlines for a riot. Fortunately, anyone who has been there will know it’s not an accurate representation of the city. You and Nicole represented Canucks fans well at TBEX 🙂
Too bad those rioters are making Vancouver look bad. I’ve been there before and people were friendly and orderly, so I know it’s not everyone. Very interesting that you found a FB post from someone admitting to knocking down a policeman and more…
Some people are just plain stupid. That someone would brag on Facebook about their crimes points to their level of maturity and intelligence!
People here in Vancouver are pretty upset that this happened last night. Sure, hockey is the most important sport to Canadians but it’s not a reason to riot. It’s a bunch of hoodlums that came down from all over the province to cause trouble. (I never get to use the word hoodlums enough!)
This morning 15,000 of volunteers came in starting at 5.30am to help clean up the mess created. It was organized through a post on facebook and within hours people were coming out. For as bad as the riots were it’s inspiring to see people doing something positive.
Clearly, these hoodlums were part of a small minority, even among diehard Canucks fans! The street party after the Canucks game 5 win was peaceful, and all of the Vancouver residents I met during my stay were incredibly friendly and polite.
You don’t look 1/4 Canadian wow who knew? Canada is great except its in Canada. I miss trailerpark boys. Hello Mr Lahey http://youtu.be/0hpp7H_PucE
Yes, my Canadian roots are hard to notice since I don’t wear my hockey jersey at all times 🙂
If the Magical Flying Unicorns won the championship I might drink a lot of beer and wear pink, but I would never resort to violence.
Thanks! Hopefully you will come to the next big travel blogger event so I can see your pink outfit and majestic horn…
I have always wanted to visit Vancouver. You and others with comments make it sound like a wonderful city. I’m sure it shouldn’t be held responsible for the actions of what was probably a drunken mob.
Go for it! Vancouver is a safe, clean and friendly city. This is definitely an isolated occurrence.
As a Canadian the riots made me really sad, to see people destroying such a beautiful city. I know the rioters only make up a miniscule population of Canuck fans, but I couldn’t help but think of how this would look to people outside of Canada. I hope people will still come and visit Canada and Vancouver, they’re both great places.
I think most visitors realize this was an isolated event. Vancouver is a beautiful city and I’d love to return soon!
What a crying shame. I still love Canada and Canadians.. too bad about the few rotten eggs that spoil the basket:o( Dan Aykroyd and Jim Carrey friggin rawk!! 😀
Yikes, what a mess. Still, Vancouver is a great town so I’ll give them a pass!