What is the CANADA pavilion at Epcot missing?

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

- A place that chooses over and over again to use coffee that has NOT been fairly traded.

I read somewhere that rather the buy fair trade coffee Tim Horton's owns the fields and pays the worker themselves.

 

[twokids0204]

I'm kind of sad that the point of this thread was to prove a point on another board. I feel so used.

It was all done with love...

I agree that the coffee shop is well-known to all Canadians but does that mean that we want to use it to identify who we are? If so, I think it reflects badly on us.

- One of the biggest polluters in Canada. (What do you suppose creates the most litter? Tim Hortons coffee cups!)
- A company that refuses to use recycable material.

Actually they recently announced that they are starting a program where they will recycle their cups, and produce trays. Now the only place to recycle them, is in their stores - so I can see it as a bit of a capitalist move, but you have to admit - Afterall, it's a step in the right direction.

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

I'm kind of sad that the point of this thread was to prove a point on another board. I feel so used. Seriously, though, why not talk about more than just Tim Hortons.

I agree that the coffee shop is well-known to all Canadians but does that mean that we want to use it to identify who we are? If so, I think it reflects badly on us.

- A place that chooses over and over again to use coffee that has NOT been fairly traded.
- One of the biggest polluters in Canada. (What do you suppose creates the most litter? Tim Hortons coffee cups!)
- A company that refuses to use recycable material.
- A company owned and operated by Americans.
- A company named after a guy who liked to drink and drive.

Why would want this to be our icon?

Point by point:
You want fair trade coffee--and it's a laudable goal, to be sure--then you're willing to pay the extra two bucks a cup. Most people aren't willing to pay that much, and no quick-service joint is going to inflict those prices on their customers.
The customers, by the way, are the ones who litter, not Tim's. Unless you see Tim Horton's employees out throwing cups around, I wouldn't blame them for the actions of their customers. And, as has already been mentioned, Tim's recycles now...which rebuts your third point.
Tim Horton's was indeed American for a few years, but has been Canadian-owned and operated since 2006.
And good Lord, when I think Tim Horton I think Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman. Did he drink and drive? Yeah, and he died for it. He was far from the only person who thought nothing of drinking and driving in the seventies, and in any event, it's ludicrous to somehow hold the company he co-founded responsible for his personal actions.

 

[World Showcaser]

I read somewhere that rather the buy fair trade coffee Tim Horton's owns the fields and pays the worker themselves.

This is false. If Tim Hortons owns fields so that they could pay their workers equitable wages, this would be fair trade. They would be advertising it all over the place. When you look at the FAQ on their website, under the question "Where does your coffee come from?" they don't even hint at what you are saying. In fact, they link you to the Coffee Industry of Canada's website, indicating the opposite.

Actually they recently announced that they are starting a program where they will recycle their cups, and produce trays. Now the only place to recycle them, is in their stores - so I can see it as a bit of a capitalist move, but you have to admit - Afterall, it's a step in the right direction.

If they follow through with this, I think it's great. I do think that it's a token gesture, however, and that there are much better solutions that would decrease their impact on the environment much more drastically. They know fair well that the majority of Tim Hortons cups are distributed through the drive-through and take-out. So, the majority of those cups will still end up on the side of the road or in the landfill.

Point by point:
You want fair trade coffee--and it's a laudable goal, to be sure--then you're willing to pay the extra two bucks a cup. Most people aren't willing to pay that much, and no quick-service joint is going to inflict those prices on their customers.
The customers, by the way, are the ones who litter, not Tim's. Unless you see Tim Horton's employees out throwing cups around, I wouldn't blame them for the actions of their customers. And, as has already been mentioned, Tim's recycles now...which rebuts your third point.
Tim Horton's was indeed American for a few years, but has been Canadian-owned and operated since 2006.
And good Lord, when I think Tim Horton I think Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman. Did he drink and drive? Yeah, and he died for it. He was far from the only person who thought nothing of drinking and driving in the seventies, and in any event, it's ludicrous to somehow hold the company he co-founded responsible for his personal actions.

It's not hard to get fair trade coffee. Go to a Second Cup. Or check out many local coffee shops that offer that option. It may cost a few cents more than a Tim Hortons coffee but I feel it's worth it. Tim's is making a huge profit on its coffee, while the people who work hard to grow the coffee are impoverished and not being paid equitably. They can afford to keep coffee prices reasonable and offer fair trade coffee. Other companies have shown this. They simply won't give up any profit.

Tim Hortons does not use recycable material or recycable their cups currently. So they might not be the ones throwing the cups on the ground but they know that some customers will and are doing nothing to make this better for the environment. Lots of companies do. Why can't they?

Tim Hortons now has it's head office back in Canada. However, it's a publically owned company that is largely American owened.

I'm not saying that the company should be blamed for the reckless and criminal acts of Tim Horton. I am saying that, as a Canadian, I don't want this name attached to my identity....which it would be if Tim Hortons is placed in the Canadian pavilion. And that's what the thread is about.

Bottom line is, you might like Tim Hortons and what it stands for but my reasons are just as valid not to like it or want to be associated with it. If you want to enjoy a cup of Tims, that's your choice (and I have done that myself) but you can't pretend that they are an outstanding company and asset to Canada.

 

[MellieluvsDisney]

Actually I don't buy either really. I think it's a total waste of money to buy coffee. I make it at home and take it in my travel mug to work.

I may buy coffee couple times a year if that.

Nothing irks me more than when people ask me how we can go to WDW annually when they are standing next to me with their overpriced daily coffee. It's actually happened to me 3-4 times!

But I just meant that TH"s is not unique. It's a coffee shop like Starbucks, Second Cup, etc. I don't see it unique in any way at all.

I don't find their coffee any better than Starbucks or McDonald's. Not that I ever go to Starbucks either.

But my real point is that I don't think Tim Hortons symbolizes Canada at all. But they sure have done some great marketing to convince us all that they do!

Again I enjoy a cup from Timmy's just as much as anyone - the couple times of year that I get something there.

And I was just replying to twokids0204 post saying that we must all agree that TH is unique to Canada. Not debating if their coffee was any good. I guess Timmie's is to Canada what Starbucks is to the U.S. It's a nice coffee shop but doesn't mean much more than that to most of us.

I do think that the Canadians CM should wear Team Canada jerseys instead of the lumberjack costumes!

Agree. I don't find anything special about Tim Horton's either.

 

[marilyn23]

I think a Quick Serve version of Le Cellier. The British have a Fish & Chips only place. I think if Canada had a place just to get the Cheddar Cheese soup and perhaps steak sandwiches it would be quite popular. I also notice someone mentioned a Soarin' type ride, that would be sweet but probably too expensive. How about something more like Norway or Mexico with the boats. You could said through the 10 provinces and territories, that would be pretty neat. I agree with the people who commented on losing the jumber jack outfit. So true it is boring, but I don't know what would be better.

 

[Stan Solo]

Firstly I think the hockey sweaters/jerseys would be much better (pardon the pun) suited for our CMs.

Tim Hortons is on the Canadaian base in Afghanistan and is very popular. If the Canadian military says TH is Canadian and is a symbol of home for our men and women then I agree.

If we can't get a Tim Hortons how about a Stan Makita's Donuts? if you Dont get it try Google.

A CS place would be a huge asset to the pavilion. They could sell poutine, bison burgers, beaver tails, cheese soup, Old Dutch ketchup chips, etc and BEER ice cold beer. They could have a good variety from the provences.

When we went to Epcot we liked eating around the world. We tried to have something in every country. Alas we did not have anything from Canada.

On a side note pizza is not exactly Canadian. Canada is not what comes to mind when you hear about Boston but what about Boston Pizza?

 

[twokids0204]

If we can't get a Tim Hortons how about a Stan Makita's Donuts? if you Dont get it try Google.

No Way...
Way...
No Way...
Way...

Schwwwwwinnng....

 

[MikeJ]

We were at Epcot this morning and saw a 10-minute long presentation from some cast members dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms playing the fife and drum and getting some kids involved. How hard could be to do something similar in Canada? Pick something iconic from our history, say the NWMP/RCMP, and put together a 10 minute skit. It would be a great way to share our history and add a little colour to an otherwise drab and boring pavilion.

 

[minnie mum]

We were at Epcot this morning and saw a 10-minute long presentation from some cast members dressed in Revolutionary War uniforms playing the fife and drum and getting some kids involved. How hard could be to do something similar in Canada? Pick something iconic from our history, say the NWMP/RCMP, and put together a 10 minute skit. It would be a great way to share our history and add a little colour to an otherwise drab and boring pavilion.

How about a pick up street hockey game instead?

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

What about reenacting the battle of the planes of Abraham.

 

[Stan Solo]

How about a pick up street hockey game instead?

Instead of calling "headlights" you would have to call "tourist group".

 

[twokids0204]

How about a pick up street hockey game instead?

CAR!!!!

 

[minnie mum]

No cars on the WS promenade- you'd have to yell "Segway!" Or "ECV!"

 

[dixonismydog]

tim hortons.

We always tell the cast members in Canada this one!! They must hear it a hundred times a day!

 

[archdandy]

I've never been to Le Cellier so I can't say for certain if they have this or not but Canadian Bacon! If they put in a CS they should sell this. I alwyas miss it when we go to Disney because I hate regular bacon.

 

[thehowells]

If they put in street hockey, you could have a shoot out for fast passes

 

[twokids0204]

If they put in street hockey, you could have a shoot out for fast passes

Caaaaarrr!!!

 

[RookieMouse]

Maybe a tribute to some of the great musicians that have come from here.

Awesome idea! A little Barenaked Ladies, or Rush, or better yet, The Guess Who, belting out "American Woman" over and over...

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Maybe some more beers on tap like maybe Steamwhistle