Celebrating life the Canadian way

The Club for Canadians is about much more than hockey and maple syrup.

Formed 13 years ago to give Canadians in Dubai a chance to network with their countrymen, the club organises four major events a year, which are attended by three to four hundred members.

Though no formal membership list exists, participants can keep updated through the recently revamped website www.clubforcanadians-dubai.org.

Jacques Morin, past president and current events organiser, is one of three members on the executive committee. He became involved after arriving in Dubai four years ago. "I came here alone," he said, and was looking for a support system and a way to meet people.

The 47-year-old continued in his lilted French-Canadian accent: "Right away I got elected to help organise the club's events. Then I was elected as vice-president and the next year, president."

The executive committee has numbered as many as 12 in the past, however the numbers have dwindled to the current three as life gets busier in Dubai.

"Now that Dubai has so much to offer, some people find less need for the club. All of us on the executive work full-time jobs, so we are always looking for volunteers."

Morin defines the club as primarily a social organisation, both for families and for singles.

Members keep in touch via the website and they have a list of e-mail addresses that they keep up-to-date with a monthly newsletter that highlights upcoming social, cultural and sporting events and ties with the Canadian Business Council (CBC), the Canadian Consulate, and groups such as the hockey club.

The group is not-for-profit and anyone interested in joining can sign up on the club's website.

Event missed

The club hosts four major events each year. There is usually a spring event, Canada Day on July 1, Canadian Thanksgiving in October, which is separate from and not to be mistaken for American Thanksgiving in November, and Christmas dinner.

This year the group unfortunately missed hosting a Canada Day celebration with all of the executive committee being on leave at that time.

George Braun, Vice Consul and Trade Minister with the Canadian Consulate in Dubai is the current President of the club, and his wife Cindie-Eve Bourassa Braun, is the Treasurer.

The Brauns are also members of the CBC, with Cindy currently serving as Executive Director, and there are strong links between the Consulate, the CBC and the Club for Canadians. Many of the events are funded by CBC companies and partially supported by the Consulate.

"We make small profits on our events that get re-invested into the club. The functions pay for themselves and leave us with a little money in the bank to organise further functions and activities," Morin said.

Donald Marrow, 56, comes from Vancouver originally but has lived in Dubai for the past 16 months. He and his wife joined the club shortly after arriving here. The business proprietor explained why he joined the group.

"It's a wonderful organisation. It's good that I can get out and mix it up with other Canadians. We bounce off of each other, share experiences and try to remember the worst things about the country," he joked. He has made a few friends, and had a chance to get out and have some fun.

So why join up? Georges Braun, current President of the club, explains his own interest, "As an expat living far from home, I'm looking forward to celebrating uniquely Canadian holidays and events with my fellow citizens ... so if people like me don't volunteer to help, who will?"

Canadians give thanks in October

The next event coming up for the club will be Thanksgiving, around the 11th of October.

Canadian Thanksgiving arrives about a month prior to the American version, since further north the harvest season comes earlier.

The dinner will feature good old roast turkey, with stuffing and cranberry sauce and a classic Canadian pumpkin pie for dessert.

Festivities include activities for children such as face painting and will include babysitters to allow parents a chance to sit back and relax. Door prizes will be provided by sponsors.