Appalling display by complaining vacationers

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on September 13, 2017.

In a display of appalling tone deafness and selfishness some Canadians trapped at holiday resorts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma complained loudly and bitterly about the Liberal government not sending them emergency exit flights sooner.

Listed among their complaints, according to some of the stories, was service levels declined at the luxury resorts where they were staying after the storm hit, and they only generator power to use in the immediate aftermath of the storm. To be fair, there were some concerns about potential looting on some of these islands, but no Canadians appeared to be in any immediate danger with a strong military and police presence established to protect foreigners and transport infrastructure on hand soon after the storm had passed.

It is hard to generate any sort of sympathy for the vacationers who were complaining about service levels. Outside of their Club Med resorts the entire surrounding island populations suffered huge damage to their homes, and most knew neighbours, loved ones or friends who died in the storm.

Compounding this appalling display by some of our fellow Canadian resort vacationers was the fact they were warned over a week in advance of the hurricane’s potential power and oncoming approach, and yet they took no steps to either leave earlier or reschedule their vacations for another time when a record-setting hurricane was not approaching.

And then to cast aspersions at the Liberals for not bringing them home sooner, when the islanders they leave behind haven’t even got full power or basic public services, is pathetic.

The question must be asked why the Canadian government has any responsibility at all for these guests’ poor judgment in taking a vacation to an island in the direct path of a hurricane in the first place? Because as with all Canadians, our government extends these efforts despite said citizen’s poor choices is the answer.

Again to be fair, most of the roughly 700 Canadians evacuated from the region have spoken of their compassion for the islanders who remain in the disaster zone. As always, it is the idiotic few who can’t see their noses in front for their faces who give all others a bad name.

(Tim Kalinowski is a News reporter. To comment on this and other editorials, go to https://www.medicinehatnews.com/opinions.)