Unabashedly Canadian Flies Again

Newfoundland designer re-releases lin of Canadian Flag swimwear after 8 week long political protest over offshore oil revenues.

St. John's, Newfoundland (PRWEB) February 18, 2005 -- Marie Johnston, (nee Routhier) CEO of IQ Sportswear has decided to once again honour the Maple Leaf in her line of ready-to-wear line of swimsuits.

On December 25th, 2004 Johnston decided to discontinue her line of Canadian patriotic swimwear in support of Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams actions when he removed the Canadian Flag from provincial government buildings.

Johnston at that time said, "...this measure is being done in support of our Premier- Danny Williams- and in protest of the federal governments treatment of Newfoundland and Labrador. This is a Newfoundland owned and operated company, I love my province, and discontinuing the line feels right to me."

This week, Danny Williams signed the historic agreement with Ottawa.

"We wanted to wait until the deal was signed before officially re-releasing the line. I think this entire issue has shown us exactly how far a promise / agreement can go, and I don't trust Paul Martin. I'm ecstatic that the agreement has been signed, and very hopeful for Newfoundland's future prosperity, as long as the income from this deal is well managed. I do realize, however, that this battle may be won, but the 'war' will continue. Offshore oil is a great first step... but I hope and pray that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have a VERY long memory, after this."

Johnston admits to having recieved a few letters of disgust by Canadians who have called her everything from a traitor, to a nazi, to a foolish girl who needs to check her history books. But by and large the response has been positive and support has been recieved by ex-pats living away and from Canadians across the province and even from Americans.

Johnston admits that the media reaction to her decision to discontinue her line was a surprise to her. Coverage came from across the country and was even referenced in CBC's, Royal Canadian Air Farce.

"When we first discontinued the line, I'd hoped to show my support for Danny Williams on a more local level. This was definitely a time for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to rally together, and I felt this was the way for me to do my part. I had no idea it would make national headlines the way it did," explains Johnston, who cites being interviewed with John Crosbie & Andy Wells, a phone call from Danny Williams, and being made fun of on Air Farce as some of her highlights.

" I realized that having a successful line of Canadian Flag - specific - swimwear, and that being descended from a man heavily associated with Canadian Patriotism - the author of our national anthem - lined up well with other factors ...being young, not being a politician, etc... to be heard. I realize that sacrificing my last name for the province has been seen by some as being extremist - but it certainly made a point, and felt like the right thing to do at the time. It still does. I feel that my position brought the issue a lot closer to some people, who had long since lost interest in what all the politicians are saying. I am honoured to have been in the position to stand up in this way, and humbled by the amount of people interested in what I had to say. Im just a designer! "

Johnston believes that the last couple of months has been an incredibly valuable growth experience for her, both on a personal level, and as a young CEO.

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