There’s much to celebrate in Winnipeg and in Canada with the rebirth of the Jets NHL franchise, beginning with the opening home game October 9. It will be a big night for the NHL in Canada so much so all eyes – newspapers, TV and social media – will be on the game. What better opportunity for a devious politician to steal the thunder from the NHL’s newest old franchise. Cue Stephen Harper, he who never lets a situation pass by without capitalizing on another’s good fortune, to step in the spotlight and make it all about him.
The Jets’ stunning re-emergence and Canada’s gain will now be seen instead as Stephen’s moment of triumph. He will once again enjoy the spotlight of our media cooing about his ‘love for the game’ and how he played a prominent role in bringing hockey back to Winnipeg (he didn’t lift a finger). So instead of Winnipeg pride being the focus, the new Jets with its Conservative logo will be the backdrop for another Stephen Harper photo op. And the media – especially the Harper-friendly HNIC crew, Cherry, MacLean, Hrudy – will be tagging along like the dogs they are. Bark. Bark. Woof. Woof.
