[vid]

Habfan's was more clever.

Mainage a moi. :(

[manny_santos]

Now CanWest wants to sell the specialty channels it acquired from Alliance Atlantis, including HGTV, Showcase, and Food Network.

And CTVgm says it will shut down CBC affiliate CKX-TV in Brandon if a buyer can't be found within 30 days. The CBC already was given the opportunity to buy it for a Loonie and declined.

[Rico Rommheim]

http://images.sympatico.ca/images/Feeds/Photogallery/photo_gallery_celebnomakeupfeb18/6219870.jpg
http://images.sympatico.ca/images/Feeds/Photogallery/photo_gallery_celebnomakeupfeb18/6219870.jpg

[Ayreonaut]

:???:

[vid]

Ellen DeGeneres and that lesbian chick from Arrested Development. Not sure what they have to do with Canada though.

[Ayreonaut]

Oh yeah, I know who they are, but posting that picture is so incredibly random.

[vid]

I wonder if they sing together. I had lesbian neighbours years ago and they partied a lot and the parties featured karaoke.

[Ayreonaut]

Afternoon Delight?

[vid]

They were 300 pound, crew cut and cargo pants lesbians. If you want to imagine that, be my guest. I don't.

[MolsonExport]

give yourself a hand.

[Ayreonaut]

They were 300 pound, crew cut and cargo pants lesbians. If you want to imagine that, be my guest. I don't.

Dude, I had the same neighbours! Actually, one is my dad's girlfriend's sister. And I think they were over 300lb. One had normal hair too, but the other had a freaking mullet. They had a daughter that had a kid at 15, last I heard she had a job cleaning under the trailers in the park in which she lived.

[Architype]

This looks like a worthwhile series, not sure if it's been mentioned before:

"CPAC presents The Premiers, an unprecedented TV event that documents the lives and legacies of ten dynamic leaders.

Produced by award-winning journalist Holly Doan, The Premiers focuses on the premiers and provinces that shaped a nation. The series features rare archival film never before seen on television and lively interviews with colleagues and commentators such as Conrad Black, Shirley Douglas, and John Crosbie. The documentaries capture the Canadian experience – from British Columbia to Newfoundland – as told through the political struggles of the country’s most unforgettable premiers.

The ten-part series, which begins on March 1st, airs Sunday evenings at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT on CPAC"

THE PREMIERS

Here is the broadcast schedule for "The Premiers" series on CPAC. The show airs on Sundays, starting next week with Joey Smallwood.
March 1- Joey Smallwood of Newfoundland and Labrador
March 8- W.A.C. Bennett of British Columbia
March 15- Maurice Duplessis of Quebec
March 22- William Aberhart of Alberta
March 29- Louis Robichaud of New Brunswick
April 5- Leslie Frost of Ontario
April 12- Tommy Douglas of Saskatchewan
April 19- Robert Stanfield of Nova Scotia
April 26- John Bracken of Manitoba
May 3- J. Walter Jones of Prince Edward Island

More info here:
http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&section_id=24&template_id=1225&lang=e

[Rathgrith]

Isn't CPAC required by law to air the most white bread television out there? I mean that youth panel from the last federal election was filled with wannabe political advisers masturbating to the party of their preference all trying to get ahead in their parties ranks. I think the only youth watching was me, and I turned out within 2 minutes or else my brain would explode.

[Architype]

Isn't CPAC required by law to air the most white bread television out there? I mean that youth panel from the last federal election was filled with wannabe political advisers masturbating to the party of their preference all trying to get ahead in their parties ranks. I think the only youth watching was me, and I turned out within 2 minutes or else my brain would explode.

This would be exciting for CPAC.

[vid]

Isn't CPAC required by law to air the most white bread television out there? I mean that youth panel from the last federal election was filled with wannabe political advisers masturbating to the party of their preference all trying to get ahead in their parties ranks. I think the only youth watching was me, and I turned out within 2 minutes or else my brain would explode.

I watched it for a couple minutes too. Then I switched it to RDI, which was much more entertaining.

[mr.John]

Seen something pretty rare yesterday, a McDonalds commercial that was a little amusing, the one with the mini-player (6 inches) tearing it up on the ice. I also cracked up watching the scene with the stoner and his broken finger on House

[harls]

I turned on newsnet this morning and they were showing that polish guy getting tasered AGAIN, because it's been at least, what, two days that I haven't seen the guy getting shocked over and over and...

[vid]

They showed it about 6 times in a row last night on Pete.

The McDonalds commercial annoys me more than anything else they've ever made. I can't tell if that hockey player thing is a bad impersonation of a Quebecker or a bad impersonation of a Russian, or just a retard.

[harls]

Something more annoying than McDonald's? - how about this: RIM ROLLING is back, complete with newer, dumber commercials.

ie - "Canada Land"

[mr.John]

That's what makes it amusing, it's so bad you gotta laugh, how about those Axe commercials? the one with the chocolate dude,talk about weird

[mr.John]

I heard the CBC ,CTV and Global are working together to produce an epic mini-series "The tasering of a Polish immigrant" starring Dan Akroyd as the Polish immigrant

[vid]

The chocolate dude one is creepy, but I am more concerned with the "94% of girls don't find greasy hair on guys attractive" commercial. I certainly hope they've included lesbians in that mix of we've got some women with seriously low standards here.

[harls]

I like that chocolate one (especially when that woman bites chocolate guy's butt on the bus).. but if I wanted to smell like chocolate I'd rather take a dip in a vat of the stuff at the Hershey factory.

[kirjtc2]

Something more annoying than McDonald's? - how about this: RIM ROLLING is back, complete with newer, dumber commercials.

ie - "Canada Land"

If you've ever been to the Canadian pavillion at Epcot, you'll understand that one.

[Rico Rommheim]

I heard the CBC ,CTV and Global are working together to produce an epic mini-series "The tasering of a Polish immigrant" starring Dan Akroyd as the Polish immigrant

:jester:



how about this: RIM ROLLING is back, complete with newer, dumber commercials.

RIM!

[mr.John]

That chocolate weirdo is everywhere in Montreal

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/johpor/aabb6.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/johpor/CopyofDSC_0219-4.jpg

[vid]

That last photo is great.

[Rathgrith]

I dunno guys, I think those chocolate axe ads are racist. I mean they imply that you can eat a brown person and then digest delicious chocolate. I tired that on my brown lady friend last night. She wasn't very edible. Nor did she seem to like it...

[harls]

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/johpor/CopyofDSC_0219-4.jpg

yikes, that's spooky.

[Rico Rommheim]

I dunno guys, I think those chocolate axe ads are racist. I mean they imply that you can eat a brown person and then digest delicious chocolate. I tired that on my brown lady friend last night. She wasn't very edible. Nor did she seem to like it...

Sounds like you had a good time.

[MolsonExport]

That chocolate weirdo is everywhere in Montreal

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/johpor/aabb6.jpg

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/johpor/CopyofDSC_0219-4.jpg

Weird. Funny. Strange. I don't know whether to laugh or go shit.

[MolsonExport]

yep. Roll up the RIM to...get cold brownish 'coffee' on your fingers.

RIM!

[harls]

If I were an employee at Tim's, you'd have to pay me double-double to handle those slobber-covered pieces of coffee-stained cardboard.

anyone seen that transunion commercial with the doofus that spills coffee on himself while driving, and then all of the sudden he's magically whisked away to the desert.

WHERE AM I? he yells to the sky - then he pounds on his door.

Moron.

[MolsonExport]

Speaking of RIM , since our RIM-boosters have vanished like evaporating market capitalization, here is the latest:


Balsillie: Our value went up and down like "Poof"!
http://i41.tinypic.com/2wns0o1.jpg
source: tinypic balls ill e
(^insert mandatory picture of white guy giving a speech)


RIMM: stock $39.73 (from 52 wk high of 148.13)

Sorry, I could't resist sparing you from the bold font red with blue underlined passages.

[manny_santos]

If you've ever been to the Canadian pavillion at Epcot, you'll understand that one.

Do they have a Shovel The Driveway exhibit?

[Rathgrith]

Whoa MolsonExport, are you sure WaterlooInvestor did not take over your account?

[SpongeG]

I heard the CBC ,CTV and Global are working together to produce an epic mini-series "The tasering of a Polish immigrant" starring Dan Akroyd as the Polish immigrant

is martin short going to play the taser?

[Rico Rommheim]

Speaking of RIM , since our RIM-boosters have vanished like evaporating market capitalization, here is the latest:


Balsillie: Our value went up and down like "Poof"!
http://i41.tinypic.com/2wns0o1.jpg
source: tinypic balls ill e
(^insert mandatory picture of white guy giving a speech)


RIMM: stock $39.73 (from 52 wk high of 148.13)

Sorry, I could't resist sparing you from the bold font red with blue underlined passages.

:jester:

[waterloowarrior]

CTV is shutting down its A-Channel Stations in Windsor and Wingham
(http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090225.wctv0225/BNStory/Business/home)

[manny_santos]

CTV is shutting down its A-Channel Stations in Windsor and Wingham
(http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090225.wctv0225/BNStory/Business/home)

This won't really affect Wingham. They're keeping a reporter up there, and CKNX hasn't had news produced in Wingham since about 1992. Back in the late 80s they had a local newscast at 5:30 called "Focus", and they rebroadcast CFPL's FYI at 6:00. For years after they got news from London but it was pre-taped. It's not like there was much news in Wingham - but in better times they did a good job covering places like Kincardine, Owen Sound and Goderich, and they did extensive coverage of the Walkerton tragedy and subsequent inquiry. Oh well I guess if that happened today the area would have to get their news from Toronto and London reporters, not people who know the area and who know area residents.

As for Windsor...I can only hope the CBC doesn't make any cuts to their station there. Windsor needs its own Canadian local TV voice.

[harls]

I laugh every time I see that Everest College commercial, with the dude giving the viewer shit for "being on the phone all day, why don't you make a call that matters?" and then goes on to say, "why are you making it so hard, it's easy?" after shaking his head in disgust.

this commericial is usually on during game shows and "judge ____ " programming. at least they know who to target.

(I watch TV at work... shh they don't know)

[SpongeG]

i like the commercials with the university people with useless degrees - like the guy with a degree in geography driving a cab

[mr.John]

Clicked on the news today to watch the daily tasering of the Polish immigrant,wasn't disappointed ....todays report ran the tape 3 times in a span of less than 2 minutes,including stop action and enhanced sound. Imagine if the poor man had a wife and kids.....WIFE "kids kids come quick they're showing daddy getting killed on TV again" KIDS "ahhhhh mom to we have to, we already seen it a million times"

[waterloowarrior]

'A' Ottawa cancels evening newscasts, cuts staff


BY ROBERT SIBLEY , THE OTTAWA CITIZENMARCH 3, 2009 1:02 PM


OTTAWA — An Ottawa TV station, 'A' Ottawa, is laying off 30 full-time and four part-time staff and cancelling several newscasts.

"The action was necessary for business reasons," Richard Gray, vice-president and general manager of 'A' Ottawa, said Tuesday in announcing the closures and layoffs. "Simply put, the conventional TV business in Canada is 'broken.'"

The layoffs include staff — producers, reporters, camera technicians, videographers, among others — in both Ottawa and Pembroke. The cancelled newscasts, which take effect immediately, include those for 6 p.m., 11 p.m., and the weekend. As well, the Pembroke station is being shut down, except for a news videographer and a sales representative. 'A' Ottawa is part of CTVglobemedia Inc.

Gray explained the drastic measures this way: "This year, CTV is forecasting a loss approaching $100 million in local TV after seeing three quarters of the overall value of this part of our business disappear in the past few years. At the 'A' stations, which never made money, the financial situation is most grave."

Gray said he would be meeting with staff Wednesday to provide more details on Tuesday's announcements.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

[harls]

No more Bill Welychka doing the weather? maybe he can go back to being a Muchmusic VJ.

Man he sucked.

[harls]

Clicked on the news today to watch the daily tasering of the Polish immigrant,wasn't disappointed ....todays report ran the tape 3 times in a span of less than 2 minutes,including stop action and enhanced sound. Imagine if the poor man had a wife and kids.....WIFE "kids kids come quick they're showing daddy getting killed on TV again" KIDS "ahhhhh mom to we have to, we already seen it a million times"

I know I shouldn't be laughing, but I am.

[Rathgrith]

No more Bill Welychka doing the weather? maybe he can go back to being a Muchmusic VJ.

Man he sucked.

I wish Lowell Green was being cut too.:(

[Jay in Cowtown]

Clicked on the news today to watch the daily tasering of the Polish immigrant,wasn't disappointed ....todays report ran the tape 3 times in a span of less than 2 minutes,including stop action and enhanced sound. Imagine if the poor man had a wife and kids.....WIFE "kids kids come quick they're showing daddy getting killed on TV again" KIDS "ahhhhh mom to we have to, we already seen it a million times"

lmfao

[kirjtc2]

If anyone cares, CTV, Global and Citytv's licenses (among others) are all up for renewal. You have until March 30th to submit comments to the CRTC.

I'm in the midst of writing a 4-page letter about how New Brunswick gets screwed over.

[vid]

Tell them about how their rebroadcasts of crappy American reality shows are a breach of our constitutional rights.

[LotusLand]

Vancouver's Jillian Harris is the next Bachelorette.

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009/03/vancouvers-jillian-harris-is-new.html

Good stuff :tup:

[Rico Rommheim]

Why and how is that a good thing?

[LotusLand]

I think she's good looking that's why :)

[MolsonExport]

that show is among the most horrid manifestations of popular culture on the planet. How 'Reality'. 20 suitors/cougars line up to simultaneously fall in love with eligible guy/gal. I watched one episode once (my wife loves the show). I will never get that hour back again. lost forever in the void of horribleness.

[harls]

Reality TV blows. Shows like the Fattest Loser, Survivor - 'wherever', Big Brother "insert number here", and the worst: American Idol.

Can't wait for this phenomenon to end.

[Rathgrith]

I like The Amazing Race, its fun watching Americans try to adapt to foreign cultures under a race setting.

[Rico Rommheim]

Pizza Pizza has come to the mile-end!

There's a new franchise at the corner of Parc Avenue and Fairmont. I've got to say, this is the first time I see a Pizza pizza outside of ontario.


The 2 delivery cars also have ontario plates! :ahhh:

[harls]

^ there's a few locations in Gatineau, most likely because of Ottawa's influence...You have to dial 613 area code to order it.

I think there's one in Abitibi, too.

[SteelTown]

Pizza Pizza is all over Ontario. What about Gino's? They probably have the same number of Gino's here compared to Pizza Pizza.

[Rico Rommheim]

^ there's a few locations in Gatineau, most likely because of Ottawa's influence...You have to dial 613 area code to order it.

I think there's one in Abitibi, too.

Man as long as they keep the beer store the fuck away from Montreal island....

[harls]

Man as long as they keep the beer store the fuck away from Montreal island....

Don't think the Beer Store can compete with the deps. I laugh when I hear the ads on Ottawa radio for Blue - only 28.99 for 24, plus deposit.. ontario only! They make you think Ontario's getting a deal, when you can go across the river and pick up the same thing for $20.99.

Slick marketing.

ps.. it's not 'the good stuff'.. who in the fock would think that crap is 'the good stuff'? that's the shit that you leave in your fridge for months after a party and hope to unload on someone next summer when you have a bbq.

Hey, wanna beer... we got... uh.... Blue?

[Rico Rommheim]

Don't think the Beer Store can compete with the deps. I laugh when I hear the ads on Ottawa radio for Blue - only 28.99 for 24, plus deposit.. ontario only! They make you think Ontario's getting a deal, when you can go across the river and pick up the same thing for $20.99.

Slick marketing.

Do people actually do that? I mean I know they cross the river to go to the bars n shit, but do they actually have daily pilgrimages to the deps in the Gat?

[harls]

I don't know, but I sure would.

But then, I take drinking seriously.

[MolsonExport]

Do people actually do that? I mean I know they cross the river to go to the bars n shit, but do they actually have daily pilgrimages to the deps in the Gat?

Heck, whenever I went camping in Ontario near the Quebec border, I would take the bridge over at Hawkesbury to stock up on Quebec-priced beer.

But then, I take my beer seriously.

Camping without beer is like...

[MolsonExport]

Pizza Pizza has come to the mile-end!

There's a new franchise at the corner of Parc Avenue and Fairmont. I've got to say, this is the first time I see a Pizza pizza outside of ontario.


The 2 delivery cars also have ontario plates! :ahhh:

Pizza Pizza made a stab into Quebec in the late 80's (I recall a few in the Waste Island...all went under).

[Rathgrith]

Do people actually do that? I mean I know they cross the river to go to the bars n shit, but do they actually have daily pilgrimages to the deps in the Gat?

Rico, whenever I get access to a car (about once a month), I go to Gatineau with my roommates and load up on beer cases. Considering I live 3 kilometers from the border, it is well worth it. I could spend $28 dollars on overpriced and heavily tax Ontario beer from The Beer Store OR I could go to Super C or a Dépanneur in Quebec and get the same thing for $20 plus the deposit.

[SpongeG]

pizza pizza just opened in BC - wonder if it can compete

[HomeInMyShoes]

I dream of $28.99 for 24.

Labatt Blue Bottles 24pk.......$41.48

Yes, $41.48. I kid you not. I'm grumpier now that I seriously can't afford even one beer a month anymore.

I'm thinking of driving to Quebec to pick up beer.

[Rathgrith]

I dream of $28.99 for 24.

Labatt Blue Bottles 24pk.......$41.48

Yes, $41.48. I kid you not. I'm grumpier now that I seriously can't afford even one beer a month anymore.

I'm thinking of driving to Quebec to pick up beer.

Where do you live?

[HomeInMyShoes]

St. John's, NL. I know it's an island, but prices are just sadistic here.

[vid]

Pizza Pizza isn't as bad as Pizza Hut (they don't cover it in grease) but it tends to be kind of dry, for a pizza. It's pretty cheap though. I haven't had take out pizza in over a year.

[harls]

Eat Delissio.. you won't notice the difference!

[SteelTown]

I get that garlic sauce instead on my pizza from Pizza Pizza, which is damn good!

[MolsonExport]

Pizza Slut is the shittiest. Goo (mozza filled crust) and gop (toppings).
Pizza Pizza: never eat the "by the slice" unless it is right at lunchtime. Your slice might have been fresh back when Abe Lincoln was President.
Dominoes: too much sauce, not enough cheese. burnt.

Personally, I like the "independents" for pizza. I especially miss Piazza Romana in Pointe Claire Village (Quebec), and for pizza by-the-slice, gotta go with Al Taib (Montreal, at Guy and de Maisonneuve). Here in London, I am partial to "Flying Tomato" and "Byron Pizza".

[SteelTown]

Nowadays I find Asian or Middle Eastern people either own most independent pizza shacks. Weird.

[Rathgrith]

I think its the entrepreneurship and sense of independence that owners want. In Ottawa, there are tons of shawarma joints opening up. I wonder if in 20 years, we'll see a single chain of shawarma places opening up...

[Rico Rommheim]

Nowadays I find Asian or Middle Eastern people either own most independent pizza shacks. Weird.

Indeed, pizza slice joints here are always owned by Arabs or Pakistanis.

Just like the deps are mostly owned and operated by Chinese.

and the Taxis are almost (but not exclusively) driven by Haitians.


and homeless people are almost always angry young Quebecers.

[Acajack]

Do people actually do that? I mean I know they cross the river to go to the bars n shit, but do they actually have daily pilgrimages to the deps in the Gat?

Perhaps not daily but certainly weekly. Gatineau dépanneurs don’t really offer that good a deal unless you go to a price-cutting place like “Le Roi de la Bière” (The King of Beer), so people from Ontario tend to go to the larger chains like Super C or Costco where the prices are really good in comparison to Ottawa.

Gatineau’s Costco in Les Promenades de l’Outaouais is less than 10 minutes away from downtown Ottawa, so on the weekend about one quarter to one third of the cars in the parking lot are Ontario-plated. I play a game when I go there and everytime I overhear English I always discreetly glance at the cart to see if there’s beer in there. There almost always is. Often several cases piled high.

The Super C discount supermarket near the Casino, which is about 5 minutes from Ottawa, also sees the same phenom. Tons of Ontario plates in the parking lot.

[vid]

Well that just shows that the Ontario government's alcohol pricing plan is working. It has been a boon to Québec merchants, just as intended.


When I was little there was a corner store that I went to and it was owned by Chinese people, and at night the owners would work in the store, and they scared me. :( They were loud and didn't speaking English very well.

[harls]

Gatineau’s Costco in Les Promenades de l’Outaouais is less than 10 minutes away from downtown Ottawa, so on the weekend about one quarter to one third of the cars in the parking lot are Ontario-plated. I play a game when I go there and everytime I overhear English I always discreetly glance at the cart to see if there’s beer in there. There almost always is. Often several cases piled high.

I've noticed that too. Usually it's those ungoldy cases of Coors Light cans (something like 50 cans for 50 bucks).

[Rico Rommheim]

Well that just shows that the Ontario government's alcohol pricing plan is working. It has been a boon to Québec merchants, just as intended.


When I was little there was a corner store that I went to and it was owned by Chinese people, and at night the owners would work in the store, and they scared me. :( They were loud and didn't speaking English very well.

edit it again, your "typo" is now bad sentencing!

[Acajack]

I've noticed that too. Usually it's those ungoldy cases of Coors Light cans (something like 50 cans for 50 bucks).

I laughed when I read that ‘cause it’s so true. I can see the Coors Light cases piled up now! Of course, many Quebecers like Coors Light too...

[MolsonExport]

Eat Delissio.. you won't notice the difference!

I would. I would know because only then would the couple be arguing whether it is delivery or not. :D

Otherwise, there is no argument. The world's worst delivery pizza is a thousand times better than the world's best frozen pizza.

[harls]

That newest commercial from McCain where the husband pretends to be the pizza boy is utterly retarded.

and that kid.. "no wonder I don't have any friends".. wtf. because my parents role-play with frozen pizza?

Sure.

[MolsonExport]

why do people drink coors light? why?

or, why is bud light popular? why?

How on fvcking earth could Laker be "a premium beer"? Premium to goat piss, perhaps.

what the fvck is the matter with people? Drinking coors/bud lite is rather like eating a dog turd and pretending that it is cake.

[MolsonExport]

The only thing worse than McCain commercials (yes, the loser kid with no friends because his folks are roll-playing pizza delivery guy fantasy; that fat girl with the sunburned face, on account of her fixation on the oven door)....is, is...Tim Horton Commericals, Alarm-Force Commercials, Tanya Kim, and Ben Mulroney. Oh, and throw in that gigantic vat of diarrhea, Rush Limbaugh.

[highdensitysprawl]

I've noticed that too. Usually it's those ungoldy cases of Coors Light cans (something like 50 cans for 50 bucks).

Coors Light is the bottom of the barrel. Personally, I like Boreale (picked up a 24 at la roi de la biere in Aylmer for $24 (plus deposit) which is going to be over $40 per 24 if such a combo existed in Ontario.

If you are going camping etc, then maybe, just maybe, the 55 of 'ex' or '50' may cut it...however, for me, I'd have to cleanse my palate with something a bit more flavourful and less in the way of low IBU's then Coors Lite or Bud or Corona or other such bland tasting beers.

[harls]

Where is this "Roi de la Bière", and why have I not heard of it??

I agree, Boreale is the Bee's knees. I can pick up a six pack for 7.39 at my local dep. Can't beat that price.

I actually have a good friend who works for Boreale.. he got me two kegs of beer for my wedding for free. I am forever indebted to him.

[Acajack]

Where is this "Roi de la Bière", and why have I not heard of it??

I agree, Boreale is the Bee's knees. I can pick up a six pack for 7.39 at my local dep. Can't beat that price.

I actually have a good friend who works for Boreale.. he got me two kegs of beer for my wedding for free. I am forever indebted to him.

It’s in the old part of Aylmer somewhere, so close to your place. I think the official name is Marché Gravelle, but there is a Roi de la Bière sign as well I am pretty sure.

The number one beer sales outlet in all of Quebec, I think.

[harls]

I'm on my way..

http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/business/story.html?id=b3034fde-69bd-42e0-943a-cb456892cc55

The Aylmer ale king

Denis Gravelle's little store is an example of the business maxim of trading volume for profit margin. His ultra-low prices have made him the biggest beer retailer in Quebec. Richard Bray reports.

Richard Bray, The Ottawa Citizen

Published: Saturday, September 08, 2007

The King of Beer holds court at the Marché Gravelle, a little "dépanneur," or convenience store, at 29 Dalhousie St. in Aylmer.

To beer drinkers across eastern Ontario, western Quebec and beyond, Denis Gravelle is royalty because his prices, especially on the most popular brands such as Coors Light and Labatt Blue, simply can't be beat. In fact, under Quebec regulations, he can't set many prices any lower.

"My best deal today, right now, I have Sleeman Light at $20.39 a case," Mr. Gravelle said. After tax and deposit, that adds up to $25.63, compared with $34.25 at Ontario's Beer Store outlets, which -- with Liquor Control Board stores -- are the only retail sources for beer in Ontario.

At Christmas or on holiday weekends, the crowds at Marché Gravelle become manic and owner Dennis Gravelle has suppliers unload pallets of beer onto the sidewalk. They don't stay there long.

Bruno Schlumberger, The Ottawa Citizen

In Ontario, 24 bottles of Coors Light cost $36.35, including GST, PST and deposit, but at the King's, the customer walks out with a two-four for $26.34.

Mr. Gravelle, who uses his torrential sales volume to wring the best possible deals from suppliers, offers a 24-bottle case of Brahma, the Brazilian beer, for $34.04.

"Usually, it's about $50, I'm sure, in Ontario," he said. Actually, the Beer Store sells a case of Brahma for $44.35, but at that price, Mr. Gravelle isn't expecting any complaints. (harls - WTF??)

Technically, bringing alcohol across provincial lines is illegal under a 76-year-old piece of federal legislation, the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act. But the law isn't enforced, and it certainly isn't discouraging shoppers at Marché Gravelle.

"People buy two or three cases at a time when they come over from Ontario," Mr. Gravelle said. "I see a lot of plates from Nova Scotia because they have family here and they come in to see the store, I have good customers from Cornwall, Pembroke. I have customers from everywhere."

In 2003, the King of Beer sold more beer than any other outlet in Quebec. Mr. Gravelle knows, "because everybody told me. I went to see a store not far from Montreal that used to be the biggest seller and I beat him. Not by much, but I did."

Four years ago, Mr. Gravelle was selling 100,000 cases a year each for Molson and Labatt, not counting all the smaller brands, and he said sales this year are increasing. Competition from big box stores like Costco is tough, but Mr. Gravelle makes sure that his customers get a deal that's as good or better. "Because I go there every week and check the price," he said.

Seven days a week, 365 days a year, from seven in the morning until eleven at night, Denis Gravelle shares duties at the store with Diane, his wife of 32 years. When she was a little girl, did she ever dream about being the Beer Queen of Quebec? "No, I did not because I was raised in Ottawa and I never thought I'd be the biggest beer seller," she said. "If my father was alive, he'd be so proud of his daughter!"

At busy times, like Christmas Eve or the August long weekend, the scene on Dalhousie Street is chaotic, with customers jockeying for parking spots and beer trucks unloading on the narrow street. When the cooler and the warehouse get full, the store's forklift puts pallets of beer right on the sidewalk or across the street. The neighbours don't mind all the action -- at least since he bought the properties next to his store and to his warehouse, which is around the corner.

I had no choice to buy 31 Dalhousie, 34 Centre (St.) and 32 Centre, because that's where my warehouse is, because there were too many complaints, so I had to buy all that," Mr. Gravelle explained. "My son owns 27 Dalhousie, so at least it's in the family." And who owns 25 Dalhousie? "A friend of mine. That's the block."

Mr. Gravelle insists he is not getting rich, even though he sells millions of dollars worth of beer every year. (harls - millions of dollars worth of beer? :slob:)

"I'm rich with friends and I'm rich with customers, but I'm not rich with money," he said, "because I give away my beer, so that's why I'm not rich, and people are satisfied with the price I got, so that I don't mind."

One way to keep prices low, he said, is by driving hard bargains with his suppliers to get better deals. The brewers take Mr. Gravelle's calls because he buys their product by the tractor-trailer load. "About a month ago, I bought 43 pallets of beer in one shot. That's over $100,000. Three weeks after, it was all gone," he said.

"I'm negotiating with the reps all the time," Mr. Gravelle said. "I'm on the phone every day and if somebody gets something better than me, I phone and I say, 'Why him and why not me?' You wouldn't believe what I do. I cry every day. And when I sign the contracts, they tell me it's so hard to negotiate with me because I'm breaking their hearts."

[MolsonExport]

The King of Beer...I like it.

The Beer Store...I do not like it.

[harls]

God Damn I love this man, and I've never met him.

[vid]

I'd have to cleanse my palate with something a bit more flavourful and less in the way of low IBU's then Coors Lite or Bud or Corona or other such bland tasting beers.

See, this is something that doesn't concern the average beer drinker, who just wants whatever gets him the drunkest fastest. Coors and Lucky are beers for the people who have gotten to that point where they don't give a fuck, they just want to get drunk and pass out and get it over with. There is no "cleansing of palettes".

[Rico Rommheim]

See, this is something that doesn't concern the average beer drinker, who just wants whatever gets him the drunkest fastest. Coors and Lucky are beers for the people who have gotten to that point where they don't give a fuck, they just want to get drunk and pass out and get it over with. There is no "cleansing of palettes".

Coors (never heard of Lucky) won't get you drunk very quickly. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've ever gotten drunk on Coors.

[vid]

That's why you need 50! If it doesn't get you drunk then why drink it? It tastes like crap and you don't get drunk? That's a fucking rip off.

Lucky is a discount brand. You haven't heard of it because you live in a more civilized society.

[harls]

*raises hand embarrassingly because he got drunk off of Lucky Lager*

[vid]

Shame.

[harls]

I wholeheartedly agree.

[SpongeG]

Boston Pizza finally made a decent commercial excpet i thought it was an olive garden commercial when I first saw it

they have dropped the lame funny commercials they have been trying to do for years and made a normal one

[Rathgrith]

*raises hand embarrassingly because he got drunk off of James Ready (Honey - even worse:yuck: )*

Next time I have a car, I have to drive to Alymer and load up on beer there. Speaking of, is there even a law in Quebec that sets a minimal price on beer? In Ontario, it was $24.00. I think its $26.00 now.