Someone in Ottawa has some explaining to do. (Photo by Jack Milton/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)

One of the internet’s biggest flaws is that it encourages people to make snap judgments and come to conclusions about others without having adequate information in hand.

It’s all too easy to get outraged about something we’re ill-informed about, fall down a rabbit hole of dubious information, or forget there are multiple sides to every story.

Sometimes, though, a situation arises where right and wrong is so clear that nuance is unnecessary. Exactly that type of situation came to be in Ottawa over the weekend, when a family was forced to take down an outdoor rink because a neighbour deemed it an “eyesore” that supposedly violated some kind of city bylaw.





Even assuming there was some kind of violation, it boggles the mind to imagine the type of person would want to bring a stop to an outdoor rink like this, that provides local children with both fun and exercise. Describing it as an “eyesore” is even more absurd.

There were three components to this rink, let’s break them down to try and find what could so offend the eyes:

Ice: It’s hard to imagine ice being a problem because it’s just transparent. All it’s doing is reflecting the world around it. If you think the whole world is an eyesore, then you’re in trouble. Boards: Sure, the wooden boards of this rink weren’t an architectural marvel, but they were also too low to obstruct any view. If you look out your window you’re going to be looking over the boards. The only thing they might prevent you from seeing are small patches of ground and the feet and lower legs of the skaters. Children Playing: If this upsets you then you’ve become the Grinch. Except unlike the Grinch you probably lack the capacity for change and growth and will never be featured in a universally-adored children’s story.

The rink itself was built by Cory Cosgrove for his three daughters, one of whom was asked what she wanted to say to the offending neighbour and offered the perfect: “You’re ruining my Christmas.”

Luckily for the Cosgroves, there could be a solution at hand as Ottawa mayor Jim Watson has taken an interest in their story.

I have asked senior staff to review this. We are a hockey nation and what can be wrong with playing hockey in your own backyard? I hope to have more information tomorrow to solve this so called problem! — Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) December 16, 2018





Whether that means there will be a productive solution in this fight between an adorable family and their irredeemable sociopath of a neighbour remains to be seen — but whatever happens the Cosgroves should take comfort in knowing that any Canadian with a heart is pulling for them.

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