World Class?

There has been a lot of media and civic attention on selling Winnipeg developments as "world class". Lets call a spade a spade.


If Winnipeg were "world class", it wouldn't feel the need to trumpet its every miniscule accomplishment as such. Does Rome? Does Amsterdam? Does New York? Does Montreal? Does San Francisco? Only the desperate declare their efforts "world class."

If Winnipeg were "world class", the Downtown BIZ and CentreVenture wouldn't exist and every surface parking lot downtown would be replaced by a mixed-use 3-6 story building of architectural repute.

If Winnipeg were "world class", the residents of suburban Winnipeg would be clamouring to live downtown because they weren't at the centre of a fashionable, creative and vibrant city.

If Winnipeg were "world class", people would flee southwest Winnipeg out of banal boredom, instead of flocking to it.

If Winnipeg were "world class", people would greet IKEA's arrival with a yawn, pointing out the one-of-a-kind custom-designed furniture they paid a premium for.

If Winnipeg were "world class", neither the suburban-teet-sucking provincial NDP nor the provincial Tories would have any say whatsoever in the fate of this city.

If Winnipeg were "world class", we wouldn't be discussing a police helicopter, we would be discussing how better to educate, encourage and befriend our disadvantaged youth.

If Winnipeg were "world class", Sam Katz wouldn't be mayor.

If Winnipeg were "world class", it would celebrate its innovators.

If Winnipeg were "world class", the NDP would lose the next election because of Waverly West.

If Winnipeg were "world class", Manitoba Homecoming wouldn't exist.

If Winnipeg were "world class", you'd dress better.

If Winnipeg were "world class", it would acknowledge the racism of its police force.

If Winnipeg were "world class", it would stop treating aboriginals like second-class citizens.

If Winnipeg were "world class", the barriers at Portage & Main would've been torn down by now.

If Winnipeg were "world class", you wouldn't care about parking because you'd sell your car and ride rapid transit.

If Winnipeg were "world class", I wouldn't have to write this.