Greg Klassen, the Canadian Tourism Commission's vice-president of marketing, says the eight-minute segment during the February ceremony in Italy focused too much on Canadian clichés instead of shining a light on the more modern aspects of the country.
"I think what the Torino [presentation] was trying to show was that we've evolved as a nation... that we've moved into a much more urban environment," Klassen said.
"I don't think it came across as well as they'd hoped it would."
Performers build an inukshuk during the closing ceremonies for the 2006 Torino Olympics. Vancouver will host the Winter Games in 2010. (Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
The VANOC presentation included performances by tenor Ben Heppner and pop singer Avril Lavigne. But it also featured an artistic number criticized by some for focusing on Canadian clichés such as igloos and ice fishing.
"We've got some vibrant cities, we've got some amazing cultural experiences that you can have in Canada, that go well beyond the sort of moose, mountains, and Mounties idea," said Klassen.
B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, a big supporter of the Vancouver 2010 Games, voiced his concerns about the VANOC presentation earlier this month during an interview with the Vancouver Sun.
"I thought there were lots of stereotypes that are not what the new Canada is," Campbell told the Sun.
"Ice fishing is one of the parts of Canada. But it's not the only part. When you're inviting people, you don't have to tell them this is a cold place. I think there's lots we can do and we'll improve."
Klassen said the tourism commission is trying to attract visitors to the Games with culture, focusing on good food and wine instead of snow and ice.
with files from CBC British Columbia
