While driving to work last weekend I heard a sound bite of PM Stephen Harper opening the centennial celebrations of the Calgary Stampede. With enthusiasm Mr. Harper declared Calgary to be in the greatest city in Canada. I remember thinking, "well yippy-ki-yay, something something", you know, however John McClane puts it.

Later on my weekend show I took exception to those comments, feeling that the Prime Minister should not be singling out any Canadian city as "greatest" even under the circumstances which include, A) he's there in front of a live crowd, B) it's a centennial C) it's his de facto hometown and riding D) his giant cowboy hat may have been too tight.

VIDEO OF COMMENTS BELOW

Equally ridiculous was an appearance at the rodeo by Justin Trudeau who said he was still "deciding" whether to pursue the federal Liberal leadership. Of course he is. (Sarcastic font unavailable.) I'm sure an MP from Montreal with no official capacity within his party, just happens to be at the Stampede in Alberta getting his picture taken while greeting fans and flipping burgers.

But back to Rodeo Steve for a moment. I'm sure the comments were unscripted, no offence was intended, nor a slight on any other great Canadian city. And btw, congratulations on getting Harper a better get up (2012 pic above) than this unfortunate photo of a few years ago, although someone should tell him, the bad guys wear the black hat. Even I know that and I ain't never roped no varmint.

Nevertheless I think his comments just typify the general arrogance and disregard Calgary and the rest of Klein-country have for Canada. At a Saturday event they dropped the bilingual version of O Canada before a backlash forced them to bring it back. Calgary may be a lot of things, richest, fastest-growing, oiliest, cowboyest, the rootinest tootinest, fastest shootinest rodeo town in this land, but greatest? I think not.

So what is the "greatest" Canadian city? I supposed we could put it to a vote, average the ballot count by population, etc., but what would that accomplish? We need more projects and statements that bring this country together, not alienate one city against another, which our very own leader managed to do with one clumsy ad lib. LEAVE COMMENTS.

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(Fast forward to the 30 sec. mark for the PM's comments.)