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OPINION: The Canada buzz

Our new prime minister creates a buzz wherever he goes and the international press has discovered a new poster boy.

Our new prime minister creates a buzz wherever he goes and the international press has discovered a new poster boy.

The other day while I was Skyping with my Chinese connection I heard about a new nickname the prime minister has acquired in that country.

It’s kind of a cute story and I’ll get to it shortly.

But in the meantime it should come as no surprise that Justin Trudeau is well-known in China, and everywhere else for that matter.
There is a general global gushing over Canada and our new prime minister - his impact so far is remarkable considering only four short months in office.

At the World Economic Forum recently he overtook and surpassed Bono as the shining star of the conference

The Guardian newspaper wrote, “Trudeau is living up to his reputation as a 21st century leader.”

The New York Times was somewhat less flattering, “He is a former snowboarder and school teacher who now runs that country just north of the United States.”

Nevertheless, journalists, politicians, celebrities and world leaders are all asking the same question, “What’s the buzz about Canada?”
It’s been said that we are back – now is a good time to consider how we can bolster our recently battered reputation.

Not that long ago Canadians were regarded worldwide as champions of the downtrodden and defenders of the common good.

Former prime minister Lester Pearson was our Nobel Peace Prize winner – well-respected for his role in solving the Suez crisis in 1956.
Canadian diplomat Stephen Lewis has devoted a good part of his life to humanitarian service and human rights.

Much like during Pierre Trudeau’s sojourn at 24 Sussex, it’s cool to be Canadian again but hopefully, there will be more substance than that.

The younger Trudeau spent his time courting billionaire investors, deflecting criticism of our natural resources and promoting Canada to the world.

On the international circuit at least our prime minister has taken the world by storm but he appears to be more than just eye candy.
Stephen Harper found out what happens when you underestimate “Pretty Boy” Justin.

Our new prime minister insists he hasn’t gone “Hollywood” and in spite of the selfie parade, he is watching out for Canada.

A photo recently surfaced featuring Kevin Spacey as he took a selfie with Justin and Bono in Switzerland – it was found on a Chinese news site.

Sometimes the celebrity side of international politics overshadows the true significance of the meetings, the smiles, the introductions and of course, all those selfies.

As proof, e-commerce goliath, Jack Ma, was also caught posing alongside M. Trudeau and this is one selfie that may be good for Canada.

Jack Ma is the founder of Alibaba and boasts 440 million Chinese subscribers to his vast consumer sales portal.

I’m sure the PM has his eye on a rapidly growing middle class and hundreds of millions of affluent, new Chinese consumers.

Which reminds me – Justin’s cute nickname.

According to my man in China, in some parts of that country Trudeau is fondly referred to as “Mr. Potato.”

It hasn’t been done for spite or malice but due to a linguistic curiosity some Chinese people have vegetable-ized our PM.

What a hoot – in Chinese, the word for potato is “todou” (pronounced too-doe) and so, Trudeau becomes Mr. Todou or in other words, Mr. Potato.

The prime minister is often photographed with celebrities and stars but I hope he never loses his good Canadian sense of humor.

Because around here, regardless of all the buzz, he’s just another Canadian potato.

 





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