Prized View of Vancouver
(Article published in the Brechin Advertiser on Thursday 11 December 1997)
A BRECHIN student who is spending time in Canada has sent home an account of life in and around Vancouver. Neil Stoneman, who graduated with an MA in History from Glasgow University last summer, won a prestigious competition organised by BUNAC, the group which arranges visas, accommodation, jobs and all administration for students who want to spend time working and holidaying abroad. Neil, whose father Ron is proprietor of the Bolag Bar, used the £1000 first prize to help pay for his trip to North America. He won the 'Green Cheese' competition by writing an essay for BUNAC's magazine. And by the articulate and fascinating way he provides everyone back home in Brechin with a glimpse of life in Canada, it is easy to see how he impressed the judges.
The geography of Vancouver helps explain why it is currently Canada's most desirable location.
Perched on the tip of North America's populated Pacific Rim, it encompasses a cultural mix and economic dynamism unique from the traditional population centres of Eastern Canada.
The mountains that dominate the skyline to the north and east of the city hold a symbolic significance; the easiest access comes by ships from the Orient or by land from the USA and those two influences pervade a great proportion of everyday life.
Home to the second largest Chinatown in North America, the Chinese have played a prominent role in the city's development, cementing its pivotal position in the lucrative trade with the powerful Asian economies, whichprovide a huge source of wealth. Vancouver is affluent and cosmopolitan, which makes it attractive and Vancouver certainly can attract.
Primarily, people migrate to Vancouver to find employment but they take careful consideration of what the city has to offer them as individuals. The close proximity of ocean and mountains bequeaths a spectacular adult adventure playground; one can experience anything from windsurfing for beginners to advanced snowboarding at the world renowned ski resort of Whistler and Blackcombe.
For those who prefer a more passive role in sports, the Indie Car circus drives through annually, while the city hosts teams in the NBA, the NHL and the Canadian Football League; all boasting state of the art stadia and crowd facilities.
Art lovers are admirably catered, for; a multitude of museums, galleries and theatres exhibit everything from native art and King Lear to Oasis and Trainspotting.
In a social sense, an American culture based on cafes and restaurants, rather than the public houses of Europe, is prevalent.
The atmosphere is far more sedate than in Scotland and with less evidence of violence commonly associated with alcohol over indulgence.
For the experienced shopper, there lies a delight when comparing prices with the High Street stores of Britain; CDs, clothes and many other items are often half the price in Canada.
Vancouver is enormously adept at selling itself; taking advantage of its chic reputation to become a centre for the north American film and television industry, the most notable success being the X-Files. This sideline is worth a cool $239.6 million a year to the city's coffers.
Moreover, its expansive hinterland is a mecca for tourists. From a base in the city they can enjoy the unspoiled wilderness of Banff and Jasper, the placid tranquillity of Lake Louise and the formidable peaks and nature of the Canadian Rockies, all within one week's travel.
Notwithstanding all the outside influences, the average Vancouverite remains a patriotic Canadian, proud of his city and country. Within city boundaries the incidence of self-destructive vandalism and violence is extremely low and litter is to be found in the bins not all over the street.
In a national sense, Canadians enjoy an affinity with Scots, in that we both sometimes feel overshadowed by, and hate to be mistaken for, our large neighbouring countries, the USA and England. Scots Canadians are proud of their roots and are likely to welcome you like family; a chance meeting in a bar can prove to be the beginning of an inexpensive and enjoyable evening.
Canadians pay attention to Scottish politics,drawing clear parallels with our recent referendum and the ones that took place in Quebec.
Although many fundamentally misunderstand what devolution means to Scotland, believing we have achieved full independence, they look on with keen interest and await the results.
Vancouver can be an example to us in Brechin. Around 20 years ago when the city began its rapid expansion, the downtown area began to decline in the face of competition from suburban malls. The city planners took firm and decisive action, not to protect the economy as the suburban malls prospered and corporate interests took over the vacancies, but rather to protect the "heart and soul" of the city.
The historic city centre of Gastown was rescued from seedier influences and restored to its former glory. It now functions as Vancouver's answer to Pitlochry, simply replace the cuddly Nessies and haggis with cuddly beavers and moose, while keeping the tourists.
For the rest of downtown the watchwords became tenant relief; rents and rates were slashed, traffic barred from key streets and all purpose shopping units constructed.
As a result the city's heart beats again: anyone walking down Brechin's High Street can see that action of a similar nature is long overdue.
Vancouver, however, is not without its problems; it houses the highest rates of homelessness, drug addiction and HIV infection in Canada. Until recently these problems were sadly neglected and allowed to fester. The authorities are now under pressure to intervene but they have a tough job to persuade an electorate educated in the ideal of self advancement.
The bulk of the workload is borne by charities, awareness groups and the church, whose resources are woefully inadequate for the job. The volume of homelessness is so severe that any initial compassion quickly subsides into impatience. As an individual you can make no effective contribution but at no higher level is anything constructive being done.
For these people the attractions of Vancouver are a vague reality, something for only others to enjoy, in places where they are effectively excluded by their lack of means. Scotland may lack the glamour of North America but it does not neglect its unfortunate so shamelessly. For that we ought to be thankful and for that, we ought to be proud.
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