Editorials - Sept. 27, 2024

Recently, a group of area apple growers turned out to be unicorns in the world of agriculture:  farmers who are not complaining about the weather. As a matter of fact, the apple industry around southwestern Ontario, especially the London area, is pretty chuffed with Mother Nature this year. 

 

While the weather may have been a bit wild this year, with heavy downpours and heat waves playing havoc with some holiday plans, it seems that all of that moisture and warmth have been transformed into humongous apples. Growers are reporting that the apples are 20 to 30 per cent larger than normal, making medium-sized varieties into large and extra large this year. Some farms are reporting the largest apples they’ve ever seen, even outdoing the previous record, which was more than 30 years ago in 1992. Many growers are also seeing fruit ready early, as much as two to three weeks ahead of schedule. 

 

Mother Nature deals many hands and it is nice to see her give farmers a bumper crop once in a while. – DS

It was a bit of a roller coaster ride to watch Prime Minister Justin Trudeau give us his best, “How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night. In one breath, he happily volleyed cheerful answers back at Colbert’s fluffy questions about why Canada is the greatest country in the world and all of the glorious, left-leaning initiatives his government has introduced; pure catnip for a similarly left-leaning audience that would fill Colbert’s seats. And yet, in another, he touched on the anger a lot of Canadians are feeling, many of whom point the finger at him, and the creeping far-right influence being seen not just in Canada and the U.S., but around the world. 

 

In doing so, he scratched at the changing identity of Canadians. At once, we are viewed by many as polite over-apologizers who live in a socialist utopia where everything is free, abundant, clean and friendly, and yet we are home to intimidating protests, selfish occupations and a profane flag aimed at Trudeau that flies over homes and businesses. 

 

Is the image of the overly polite Canadian dead? “We’re not some magical place of rainbows and unicorns all the time,” Trudeau told Colbert before listing some of the problems facing the country. Perhaps that will be the lasting image of Trudeau dipping his toe into the pool of late-night television. He heard the cheers from audience members when he extolled Canada’s virtues and proudly flaunted its universal health care system. And yet, at home, with those who have a say in his future, the cheers are much harder to find. Perhaps that was the point: to show Canadians all that they have that other nations wish they did, but that may be digging too deep into what was, essentially, a rather dull segment that neither excited nor infuriated much of anyone. 

 

While he trails in the polls and fights calls for a snap election, the Prime Minister is embattled at home and this Late Show appearance is unlikely to move the needle one way or another with voters. – SL 

Canada has long been a wellspring of musical talent, producing artists who not only excel in their craft, but also deeply represent their roots and communities. The recent victories of Jeremy Dutcher and Owen Riegling in their respective fields illustrate the unique ability of Canadian musicians to profoundly connect with their heritage and their audiences.

 

Dutcher’s historic second Polaris Music Prize win for Motewolonuwok exemplifies the power of music to preserve and promote cultural identity. Dutcher, a Wolastoqiyik artist, has dedicated his career to the reclamation and revitalization of the Wolastoqey language - a mission that transcends mere artistic ambition. With his latest album, Dutcher has expanded his approach by incorporating English lyrics, fostering conversations around reconciliation and inviting more people into the dialogue about Indigenous history and identity. His music does more than entertain; it educates, creating bridges between cultures and emphasizing the importance of linguistic and cultural preservation in the modern world. Meanwhile, Riegling has taken the country music world by storm, with a trajectory that is as rooted in community pride as it is in raw talent. Winning both Songwriter of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, Riegling emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s roots in both life and music. His down-to-earth style and lyrics reflect a deep bond with the people and places that shaped him, ensuring that his music resonates with audiences far beyond his hometown.

 

Both Dutcher and Riegling exemplify the powerful connection between artist and community, showing how Canadian musicians are not just performing for the masses, but also telling deeply personal stories that resonate with listeners everywhere. Their victories reflect not only their individual achievements, but also the resilience, pride and creativity of the places from which they come. – SBS