| Albertans, it appears, are the only Westerners concerned with the treatment of their posteriors in provincial campgrounds.
Venturing where no other provincial government wants to stick its nose, Alberta is the lone province dedicated to finding out from visitors how they rate the outhouses in provincial campgrounds.
Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe not. Maybe the other provinces know the answer and avoid the question altogether.
Just what did visitors say about the poopers in provincial parks? Overall, they stink.
Of the 21 provincial campgrounds evaluated in the Alberta 2005 camper satisfaction survey, respondents say in 13 of 21 campgrounds, the cleanliness factor of the washroom facilities needs improving.
What’s curious about this number, is that just as many campgrounds – eight – showed people satisfied with the state of the cans as opposed to those unsatisfied.
If you are considering camping in a provincial campground this summer, be prepared to use anything ranging from something resembling the typical gas station cesspool – with perhaps more graffiti and fewer flies – to something approaching a well-maintained, large hotel public washroom.
And while the provincial governments of Saskatchewan and B.C. steer away from outhouse surveys, they, like Alberta, question people about the value of their camping fees.
Interestingly, despite the overall average economic affluence Albertans have over their provincial neighbours, we all share a similar outlook on entry fees, including camping fees, at provincial parks.
In the B.C. Parks Household Survey 2005 for the province’s Ministry of the Environment, respondents indicated the most significant barrier to park use is that "fees are too high." In a similar survey done in Saskatchewan, respondents also say the fees are a huge impediment to parks use. Albertans’ views are similar. Those surveyed say fees charged in 17 of the 21 provincial campgrounds are too high.
The fact that provincial governments ask park users for their opinions is a great thing. Using that information to make changes takes time, effort, planning and leadership. If a survey shows most people believe fees are too high and the washroom facilities need improvement, something is obviously missing from the maintenance contract for the parks.
Let’s see if the provincial oligarchy under new guidance goes in the opposite direction of the last reign and actually acts in the interests of the majority of the citizenry.
DON’T PARK THAT HERE
Speaking of provincial parks, in northwestern Alberta, moose sightings are so common, the provincial government issued a press release mid-February suggesting people exercise caution around these lumbering ungulates.
The monster-size animals are capable of inflicting serious injuries on humans and/or their animal companions. "If you encounter a moose, give it plenty of room to move away," states the release.
Curiously, to find out more about moose, the release provides a hyperlink to a government site with information about hunting moose. There’s no word if the government issued a press release to the moose, warning them of the dangers of hunters.
NAME CHANGE IN ORDER
Mark this day in your calendar: Sunday, November 25, 2007 and then say goodbye to the national drunk. This is the last day the Great White North’s professional football league is available for viewing by anyone with a TV.
After that, while the acronym remains the same, the eight-team northern gridiron circuit becomes the Cable Football League (CFL).
With the CBC losing the CFL broadcast rights to TSN beginning in 2008 for the following five years (plus a one-year option), we peasants without cable are effectively cut off from watching our nation’s professional football teams in the comfort of our own homes.
How can a league pretend to have true national fan support if it isn’t broadcast, or available for broadcast, in homes from coast to coast?
The CFL and the CBC have failed Canadian football fans miserably, most especially the league office. Chasing the ever-elusive dollar, the league has effectively shut the door to thousands of long-time CFL fans.
The CBC is marginally less to blame, as its negotiators were possibly hamstrung by a government favouring private broadcasters over a national broadcaster. Regardless, at the end of this season, the CBC will fail to provide Canadian football fans with their dose of the professional game. So much for offering a little bit of everything for everyone.
Let’s not forget Stephen Harper is a hockey nut. Could this mean conspiracy? Who knows? Grey Cup parties will never be the same. |
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