In anticipation of Canada Day, the Comox Valley Council of Canadians (CoC) is hosting an Oh Canada! Team Trivia Night on June 15.
“It will be a fun evening,” says CoC member Marilyn Hannah. “We have Andrew Black as quizmaster, who has incredible knowledge of our country and he assured us that some of the questions will be easy, such as: What is Portage and Main known for? (Answer: windiest corner in Canada.)
“This is an opportunity for us to raise awareness of our great country in an entertaining way, and to raise some money for CoC projects,” says Black.
Preserving the Canadian identity is becoming a critical issue, at a time when Canadians are being pressured by globalization and ‘deep integration’ to become more like Americans, according to the CoC.
“It’s important that we remind ourselves of our own Canadian uniqueness and character,” said Black. “We have a lot to offer the rest of the world, but we can’t do that if we lose sight of our identity, to become nothing more than global consumers.”
The local Council of Canadians chapter is working to increase awareness of threats presented by the corporate rights agreements such as the Canada-European Union CETA and the Canada-China FIPA being negotiated by the Harper government.
Although they are being promoted as “trade” agreements, many of their provisions are there to lock in the rights of corporations to make a profit and make it difficult for communities to make decisions in their own best interests.
Trivia night begins at 7 p.m. at d’Esterre House at 1801 Beaufort Ave. in Comox. Teams are limited to eight members and individuals are welcome to register as well.
The cost is $10 per person. The doors open at 6:30 p.m.
There will be prizes, refreshments and a 50-50 draw, with proceeds to AIDS Vancouver Island Comox Valley.
To register your team or get more information, call Marilyn at 250-339-6012 or Linda at 250-336-8429
— Council of Canadians