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CNN World Report

Politicians and Pies in Canada

Aired July 15, 2001 - 14:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: In many countries, politicians are finding public respect for them at an all-time low. And one group in Canada has been venting its unhappiness by publicly embarrassing leaders it doesn't like. Canada's Global TV reports on the relationship between politics and pies.

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RAYMOND FILION, GLOBAL TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This intergovernmental affairs minister did not enjoy the cream pie that hit him in the face; he took the culprits to court. The prime minister of Canada also got a taste of pie. The Young man who did this was arrested and sentenced to 30 days in jail.

In the Province of Quebec alone, this group has pied 14 people. And even though shoving a cream pie in someone's face is now considered a crime in Canada, they vow they will strike again.

The group's web site even feature a long list of targets chosen by the public. Media mogul Conrad (ph) Black is first. Other names of the top five include Quebec liberal leader (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and former Quebec premier (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

Anglo-rights activist William Johnson knows what he is talking about.

He was pied during a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) parade in Montreal.

Pie throwers say that is precisely their intent, they say it's humiliation with a message, one that's written on the back of the cardboard plates:

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If that is what it takes to make a point, I question what they have to say.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think we attacked anything else than a public image.

FILION: They say they are crusaders against hypocrisy. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was creamed while taking part in a community event, a cause for which the pie throwers say the minister didn't care at all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The way he looks at the people and looks over the situation and the way he, you know, the not interacting with the people, he deserved pie all over and all over.

FILION: Politicians we have talked to won't admit they're afraid of being pied, but pie attacks such as the one against the prime minister have raised concerns.

FRANCOIS BEAUTNE, QUEBEC ASSEMBLY MEMBER: I think it's becoming increasingly a risk, a security risk.

FILION: Security around (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was beefed up following last summer's incident, so bodyguards protecting politicians are not only worrying about terrorists now; they're also on the watch for "creaminals."

In Quebec City, this is Raymond Filion for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

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