Sense of Place #4: "IT IS HOW WE THINK OF OURSELVES"

...GETTING DOWN TO THE GEOPOLITICS

From: Jan Delaney [mailto:jdelaney@london.bbb.org]
Sent: September-10-08 2:14 PM

Subject: RE: Better Business Bureau of "Western Ontario" - A request for truth in advertising
Dear Mr. Cotton,
I must apologize for the tardiness of this response, but I have to admit I have been pondering over how best to respond.
Often common usage comes in to play in our use of the English language. This part of Ontario has been called “Western Ontario” for many years and there certainly was no argument when we applied to the Ontario government to use this in our name.
There are many examples of companies in London that use this term, but the most prominent would probably be the University of Western Ontario.
This BBB has not the inclination, nor the desire, to change its name and I am sorry if this disappoints you, but that is how we think of ourselves.
I have always thought of the area where Kenora is located, and Ontario maps generally designate it so, as Northern Ontario.
Best regard
Jan Delaney
President

Tel: 519-673-3222
Fax: 519-673-5966
Email: jdelaney@london.bbb.org
www.london.bbb.org | Start With Trust

BBB of Western Ontario
308-200 Queens Ave
London, Ontario, N6A 1J3
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"START WITH TRUST"???
The professed "Values" of Ms Delaney's Better Business Bureau? (as published on their website)

To accomplish our mission, we commit to the values of Excellence, Integrity, Teamwork, Trust, Respect and Accountability to guide all of our decisions and behaviour, with each other and with all those we serve.

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Never mind trust, integrity and respect. We are summarily advised that this is how it really works: If Ms Delaney and other folks in Southern Ontario believe a thing to be true, then that makes it true. If it's not illegal for them to use the term, then it must be all right. We are further advised that if Ms Delaney or some folks in Queen's park declare us to be "Northern", then, like it or not, and geographical reality notwithstanding, we must be Northern.

It's interesting to read what the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards has to say about this sort of self-centred reasoning:

Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, -Advertising Standards Canada (ASC)
1. ACCURACY AND CLARITY
(a) Advertisements must not contain inaccurate or deceptive claims, statements, illustrations or representations, either direct or implied, with regard to a product or service. In assessing the truthfulness and accuracy of a message, the concern is not with the intent of the sender or precise legality of the presentation. Rather, the focus is on the message as received or perceived, i.e. the general impression conveyed by the advertisement.

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Time was when men thought of themselves as the superior sex and white folks thought of themselves as the superior race. Is Ms Delaney suggesting that if you harbour an erroneous, wrong headed idea long enough it somehow becomes true?
Is the bustling transportation corridor between Sault Ste Marie actually "Northern", "isolated" or "backwoods"? Are there actually "special challenges" to our location or is it really a matter of how Southern Ontario thinks of us?

More to come, but right now it seems I have to put on my red flannel jacket and go out and hunt a moose or something. I'll be back if I don't get lost in the wilds.