Yellowknife (July 14/06) - Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington got a drubbing in Canada's newspaper of record last week for his proposed motion to change the country's motto.

In the June 10 edition of the Globe and Mail, an editorial "From sea to seethe" takes several shots across Bevington's bow over his idea that has won support from a diverse club of Canada's who's who, including former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.

Dennis Bevington

Arguments favouring Bevington's motion, which suggests adding an additional "to sea" to the current "From sea to sea" to reflect Canada's third coastline along the Arctic Ocean, range from reflecting our diverse landscapes and cultures north of sixty to helping solidify Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

"Yes, that's bound to work," reads the Globe and Mail editorial in reference to the notion a new motto would strengthen the country's sovereignty over the Northwest Passage. "It's no use, men. The Canadians have added another 'to sea' to their motto, so we'll have to turn the ship around. Curse those Canucks and their devious legal minds."

The end of the opinion piece suggests the MP 'get a life' - in English and Latin - to reflect the current motto, 'ad mari usque ad mare' and, perhaps, to flatter the intelligence of the Globe's erudite readership. Nevertheless, Bevington remains undaunted.

"Did I get blasted or did the North get blasted?", asked Bevington. "When people proposed having a new flag a lot of people didn't want to see that as well."

Bevington, who penned a letter of response published in the Globe Wednesday, says the North needs more attention right now so he doesn't mind the negative publicity.

"I think there's a great deal of people across Canada and the North that don't really have a problem with it," he added.

In his letter, Bevington dismisses another Globe criticism that the cost of replacing all the Canadian coat of arms and other items emblazoned with the current motto as simply not true.

"(Canada) did change the coat of arms in 1994 and we didn't go around changing the old ones, just when new ones were issued," he noted.

Controversy aside, Bevington says the likelihood he will get the opportunity to present his motion in the house is slim.

"I registered the motion in late March, then drew 218 in the private members lottery so 217 people get a chance to go before me," Bevington noted. "So we'd have to see this government last for at least two years before I'd get a chance to put it forward."