Bob Geldof is in Winnipeg to receive a humanitarian award.
cbc Geldof surprised there's hunger in the land of 'cornflakes'
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 | 5:26 PM CT
Musician and activist Bob Geldof was surprised to learn of hunger in Canada during in a visit to Winnipeg Wednesday.
The man who gave the world Live Aid and I Don't Like Mondays was in Winnipeg to accept a humanitarian award, the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation's International Award.
Early in the day Geldof was briefed by local activists, some of whom told him about poverty in Manitoba.
"I mean it's just the last thing I would expect to arrive and say there's a group dealing with hunger in Manitoba," he told CBC News.
"I mean this is cornflake country, you know. I mean wild, I mean hunger in Manitoba, I mean wow, why?"
At a news conference at a hospital on Wednesday afternoon, Geldof said the global economic crisis should not be used as an excuse to cut aid to the world's poorest countries.
He spoke of the widespread hunger in Africa and said it's short-sighted for governments to cut the little they give to Africa.
Geldof, an Irish singer who found fame with the Boomtown Rats, also weighed in on the turmoil taking place on Parliament Hill.
"You know, it's good normal democratic politics and that's what we'd expect out of Canada," he said.
"The thing is ... the issue that I know about, and so if you don't mind I'll just stick to that, is what you do with regard to Africa. And I don't think it factors hugely in domestic politics at the moment. Whatever government is in power, we will try to work with."
Geldof participated in BandAid and LiveAid and since the 1990s has directed most of his humanitarian efforts of Africa.
"It's ridiculous, you know? I'm sort of, half-assed party pop singer, you know," he said. "And next minute these giants of science and the medical world say okay Geldof, you can have our thing, but pitch up."
While on a tour of a hospital, Geldof seemed particularly interested in the research going on into memory and Alzheimer's disease.
He said that hit home for him because just weeks ago his children's godmother died of complications from Alzheimer's.
The International Award comes with a $100,000 cash prize, which Geldof said would go to covering his expenses for humanitarian work.
Dr. Michel Tetreault, president and CEO of St. Boniface Hospital, said the award recognized Geldof's work in the Third World.
"We honour people like him because of the contribution he made to the most poor and vulnerable of our society. That's part of what we do," Tetreault said.
Geldof is to receive the award Wednesday evening at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
