Calls on Alex Trebek to set record straight
TORONTO—Support continues to build in defense of Manitoulin Island’s status as the largest freshwater island in the world, including calls to Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek in the Ontario legislature.
“It’s disappointing to hear from a Northern individual who was born and raised in Sudbury—which is just a stone’s throw away from Manitoulin Island—to not have the proper information,” Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha told The Expositor in a phone interview.
This newspaper first reported last week that earlier in February, a clue on the TV quiz show Jeopardy! referred to Marajó Island, on the Amazon River in Brazil, as “the world’s largest island in fresh water.”
This is despite having over 150 kilometres of shoreline facing the open waters of the Atlantic ocean and the freshwater outflows from the Amazon River only being strong enough to create a brackish (less salty than saltwater, but not quite freshwater either) environment at parts of the year.
Mr. Trebek was born and raised in Sudbury, which has led to calls from some area residents that he should have spoken with the writing team to defend his home region. Mr. Mantha rose in the Ontario legislature last week to show his support for Manitoulin’s claim to fame.
“Mr. Speaker, I just noticed on social media that last night on Jeopardy they referred to Marajó Island as being the largest freshwater island, on the Amazon River. I want it to be clear and on the record: The largest freshwater island is Manitoulin Island in my riding of Algoma-Manitoulin,” he said to Acting Speaker Percy Hatfield on a point of privilege on February 27.
Some confusion resulted with the interpretation of Mr. Mantha’s remark, but Mr. Hatfield concluded by thanking him for his statement.
“We’ll send a copy of Hansard (the official record of debates in the legislature) to Mr. Trebek and maybe he’ll correct his record,” Mr. Hatfield replied.
Mr. Mantha continued to tell The Expositor that he stands behind his constituents on Manitoulin Island.
“I’ll call it for what it’s worth. Jeopardy! got it wrong, and it needs to be corrected. The largest freshwater island in the world is Manitoulin—the island on the Amazon River is bordered by saltwater. Let’s get the facts straight and correct the records. Alex got it wrong,” he said.
However, he added that this is an excellent opportunity to promote Manitoulin for all its positive qualities.
“We can say we promote and let people know across the world about the gem of our gems, found on Manitoulin Island in my riding of Algoma-Manitoulin,” said Mr. Mantha.
The story also appeared on CBC/Radio-Canada on the French language show Ça parle au Nord, with producer Damien Grapton sharing this reporter’s comments on the matter with the host.
Multiple phone calls and emails to Jeopardy!’s director of communications to speak with Mr. Trebek have gone unanswered as of press time.
