Marathon, Ontario: microcosm of global economic crisis

I started out this morning checking out some of the major media web sites to see how the Stephen Harper media blitz in New York yesterday was playing. My first stop was at thestar.com, the web site of Canada's largest daily newspaper.

Not a mention of Canada's prime minister and his foray into the United States. However, to me, the Star's top story brought home the grim reality of the seriousness of the economic crisis we are facing in Canada and around the world.

David Giuliano, the moderator of the United Church of Canada, and a minister in Marathon, Ontario, just down the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks from Chapleau, my home town, has issued a letter urging Canadians to come together and help each other in these difficult times.

In Marathon, he notes that Marathon Pulp Inc has closed and is under bankruptcy protection, a tale being told in so many communities across Canada today. "Everyone here," he writes, "builder to baker, teacher to preacher, works directly or indirectly for the mill or the already vanishing mines..." adding that it "feels like a microcosm of what is happening to the economy across the country and around the world."

See full story at http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/592083

Just yesterday I was in a grocery store in Cranbrook, British Columbia, where I live, and the cashier was telling me how the impact of the shutdown of the Tembec mills in the areas was starting to hurt. "People have no money," she said and very bad sign, "are starting to live on their credit cards." They hope the shutdowns will be shortlived of course but who knows.

Similar stories are being told everywhere these days.

The Toronto Star article goes on to provide other examples of how the churches are moving to help in this time of crisis, which to me is wonderfully positive news. For all of us it is a time when we need to focus on those things that bring us together rather than those that divide us, and that is really to do all we can for those in need.

Back to the so called Harper media blitz. It seems to me he is trying to play Barack Obama. Well, if he is, he should note that the American president returned home quickly from his visit to Canada and has been front and centre in working on plans to solve the crisis, and tonight Mr Obama delivers his first State of the Union address to the American Congress.

Kudos to Mr Guiliano for speaking out! The letter can be read at http://www.united-church.ca/

Please post comments and any ideas you may have to help out! Email me at mj.morris@live.ca