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In France , at a fairly large conference, Prime Minister Steven Harper
was asked by a French cabinet minister if Canadian involvement in
Afghanistan was just an example of "empire building".
Mr Harper answered by saying, 'Over the years, Canada has sent many of
its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom
beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in
return is enough to bury those that did not return.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
A Canadian Admiral was attending a naval conference that included
Admirals from the Canadian, US, English, Australian and French Navies.
At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of
officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone
was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French
Admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many
languages, North Americans generally learn only English. He then asked,
'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences
rather than speaking French?'
Without hesitating, the Canadian Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the
Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have
to speak German.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
When Robert Whiting, an elderly Canadian gentleman of 83, arrived in
Paris by plane he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry
on at French Customs.
'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked
sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
The official replied, 'Then you should know enough to have your passport
ready.'
The Canadian said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.'
'Impossible, Monseur. Canadians always have to show passports on arrival
in France!'
The Canadian senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly
explained, 'Well, when I came ashore on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate
this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
was asked by a French cabinet minister if Canadian involvement in
Afghanistan was just an example of "empire building".
Mr Harper answered by saying, 'Over the years, Canada has sent many of
its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom
beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in
return is enough to bury those that did not return.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
A Canadian Admiral was attending a naval conference that included
Admirals from the Canadian, US, English, Australian and French Navies.
At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of
officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone
was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French
Admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many
languages, North Americans generally learn only English. He then asked,
'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences
rather than speaking French?'
Without hesitating, the Canadian Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the
Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have
to speak German.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
When Robert Whiting, an elderly Canadian gentleman of 83, arrived in
Paris by plane he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry
on at French Customs.
'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked
sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
The official replied, 'Then you should know enough to have your passport
ready.'
The Canadian said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.'
'Impossible, Monseur. Canadians always have to show passports on arrival
in France!'
The Canadian senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly
explained, 'Well, when I came ashore on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate
this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to.'
You could have heard a pin drop.
