It’s no secret that the brilliant British comedy troupe Monty Python created many memorable and hilarious sketches. Yet, I can’t think of too many occasions when one of them could fit the bill in a discussion about Canadian politics.
Until now, that is.
Many Python fans will immediately recognize the Bruces sketch. It was originally performed on a 1970 episode of the popular TV show Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Four of the regular cast members – Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle and Michael Palin – played stereotypical “ocker” Australians who enjoy a few pints of lager beer, don’t like “poofters” and are all named Bruce. They welcome the newest staff member, a “pommie” (Englishman) named Michael Baldwin, who is played by the other comedy troupe regular, Terry Jones.
Here’s the relevant part of this great sketch:
(Fourth Bruce): Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce the man from pommyland who is joinin’ us this year in the philosophy department at the University of Wolamaloo.
(All Bruces): G’day!
(Michael): Hello.
(Fourth Bruce): Michael Baldwin, Bruce. Michael Baldwin, Bruce. Michael Baldwin, Bruce.
(First Bruce): Is your name not Bruce?
(Michael): No, it’s Michael.
(Second Bruce): That’s going to cause a little confusion.
(Third Bruce): Mind if we call you “Bruce” to keep it clear?
This famous sequence immediately came to mind when I happened to come across an unexpected reference to “Canada’s new government.” Which had nothing to do with the “Canada’s New Government” slogan that I knew like the back of my hand.
Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote this on X on March 10, “The shots fired toward the United States Consulate in Toronto early this morning are a reprehensible act of violence and attempt at intimidation. I am relieved that no one was injured. The RCMP and federal agencies will devote all needed resources to support the Toronto Police Service in their investigation, and to ensure that the perpetrators of these violent acts are identified and brought to the full weight of justice. This weekend, our government’s Incident Response Group reviewed potential changes to the threat landscape in Canada and underlined the importance of continued vigilance to enhance domestic security.”
All of these sentiments are perfectly fine to include in anything from a leader’s speech to a social media post. It’s the last paragraph that caused me to do a double-take. To wit, “Canada’s new government has taken bold action to strengthen law enforcement and the Criminal Code. We will use every tool available to ensure the safety and security of our communities.”
Wait, what? Canada’s new government?! Where did this come from? Is Michael Baldwin…err, Mark Carney trying to confuse the Bruces…umm, Canadian public yet again?
This reference genuinely amused me for two reasons.
First, how can Carney’s government be “new” when it’s been in power for slightly over a year? It’s even longer if you incorporate former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s entire tenure in office, which was 9 years, 130 days. That’s more than a decade of Liberal government rule, which is far from anything new.
Second, the term is strikingly similar to “Canada’s New Government.” Does that sound familiar? Well, it should. It’s a political slogan and branding term that I and other speechwriters for former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrote on many, many occasions.
Here are a few examples if you need to jog your memory. A link to a June 2, 2006 news release entitled “Canada’s New Government Delivers on Commitments to Communities.” There’s also this November 23, 2006 news release, “Canada’s New Government tackles gun crime by introducing bail reform a[d]mendments.” As well, take a gander at this December 14, 2006 news release, “Canada’s New Government delivers on ten pieces of legislation in two weeks.”
Hmm. I wonder if there could be a copyright infringement in store for the Carney Liberals. Why so? It appears they’ve stolen yet another idea from the Conservatives!
I’m just teasing, of course. The Harper Conservatives stopped using the slogan “Canada’s New Government” in October 2007. Carney’s reference could have easily been an honest mistake on his part, a mere coincidence or a complete fluke.
Then again, it’s a little odd that an old Conservative political slogan somehow ended up in a social media post by a Liberal PM who has had an unusual tendency of being a political chameleon in office.
Mind if we call you “Canada’s new government” to keep it clear? Good on ya!
Michael Taube, a longtime newspaper columnist and political commentator, was a speechwriter for former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper.
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