Relieved

Canadians are generally happy and relieved that President George Bush’s trip to Canada is over and that the protests did not turn violent or ugly. A negative incident may further strain the already fragile relationship between the two countries. Personally, I am very proud to live in a country who can say NO to some American policies.

A new poll indicated that Canadians still harbour some ill will toward Americans. There’s also a growing anti-American sentiment with 49 percent of Canadians polled who said they consider themselves more anti-American lately. Here are some illuminating findings of a survey of Canadians before the two-day visit of Bush to Canada:

• United States "our closest friend" – 71 percent

• Opposing Bush policy not the same as being anti-American – 67 percent

• Cited negative attitudes toward US – 1 in 10

• 18-35-year olds who agree "it is cool these days to dislike Americans" – 37 percent

In another survey it showed that Canadians see fundamental differences between themselves and the USA (eight out of 10 Canadians), but believe that they are living up to their obligations on international security. A majority of Americans (60 percent) agreed that their religious faith was important to them in daily life. Then, how come there’s so much violence, decadence, racism in the USA if the Americans are God-fearing and religious? Meanwhile, only 33 percent of Canadians said the same yet the country is more peaceful, more tolerant, more multi-cultural than the USA. Another point of issue is that 71 percent of the Americans support the death penalty while only 39 percent Canadians polled agree with the Americans on the subject.

According to Russell Ash’s best-selling book Top 10 of Everything 2005, the places in Canada with the longer life expectancies are Richmond, B.C., 81.2 years; Toronto, 79.3; Vancouver, 78.6; Halifax and Montreal, both 77.9; Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, 76.1; Timiskaming, Ontario, 75.9; Northwestern Ontario, 74.3; Northern Saskatchewan, 73.3; Nuvavut, 69.8.

And when it comes to the reel world of filmmaking, British Columbia is the leader in the value of film and television productions, beating out No. 2 Quebec by almost $400 million.

Canada’s top five in TV and film production

B.C. – $1.4 billion, Quebec – $1.025 billion, Ontario – $874 million, Nova Scotia – $113 million, Manitoba – $83 million.

It is gift giving time and Environics Research made a list of Christmas gifts that will not be appreciated by Canadians in British Columbia:

• the worst possible gift would be cleaning supplies and fruitcake.

• Pets are the third most inappropriate gift followed by socks.

• Underwear and undergarments are also not appreciated, too personal.

• Survey showed that in laws are the worst gift givers. They are seen as the most likely to give a bad gift, one that will be returned or re-gifted.

When it comes to retail trends, the old myth that men don’t and hate to shop has been proven wrong. Now, men and women make an average 13.6 shopping visits. It is also interesting to know that Canadian consumers are socially aware people so there’s an increased patronage for "socially responsible retailers" such as Capers, Starbucks, VanCity and The BodyShop.

Other retail trends:

• 71 percent plan to increase spending next year on clothing. Consumer spending will also increase on recreation/sporting goods, home furnishings/accessories and home electronics/entertainment.

• Asian consumers still prefer shopping in malls over street, and are more inclined to use the Internet for information as well as to make purchases.

• Only eight percent of online shopping trips result in a purchase, the other 92 percent of visits are for data only.

Next time you visit Vancouver, you must visit Granville Island. It was named recently by a New York-based community development as North America’s best neighborhood. Number two is the East Village in New York, followed by North Beach in San Francisco, California and Camden in Maine.