International Auto Show

In December 1993, Roberts was asked to provide assistance to the Department of National Defence display at the International Auto Show being held at the Skydome in Toronto. Land Force Central Area (LFCA) had been tasked with supporting the display of General Motors armoured personnel carriers called Bison AVGP. These are eight wheel drive vehicles that can transport 10 soldiers, and it can swim. Two vehicles would be on display, one would be static inside the building, while the second would be outside providing demonstrations on a cross country course. Working in support of Capt Marc Walsh, of the Queen's York Rangers, Roberts contacted the Canadian Forces Photo Unit, and requested several Betacam video tapes of video stock footage scenes depicting the Bison in several configurations on deployments overseas.

Media day was the day before the show opened. Roberts approached a producer from CBC and told him about the Bison display. He then brought him over to the vehicle and gave him a Betacam copy of the stockfootage tape. He explained that there was a second vehicle for demonstration purposes. After viewing the tape, the next day the producer returned and spoke to Capt Walsh who arranged for a test drive for the CBC camera crew. His organization closed the deal, Marc arranged for members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons crew to drive the CBC camera crew through downtown Toronto to captures scenes. Fortunately, and providing maximum visual impact this took place during a snow storm. Segments where also shot on a purpose-built off-road track next to the CN Tower.

That evening on the CBC Evening News, anchor Bill Cameron closed the broadcast by doing a tongue-in-cheek report on the Bison. Cameron covered the segment as if he were a used car salesman, selling an armoured personal carrier. Roberts recorded the segment on his editing equipment at home and produced a tape that would run for an hour to display at the Auto Show. When the General Motors staff at the display were shown the item they immediately asked for a copy.

News anchor Bill Cameron introduces the segment and provides the narration.	The Bison driving through downtown Toronto during a snow storm for the CBC camera crew.
One of the several video stock footage scenes provided.	The Bison and crew on the cross country demonstration course.

Click here to listern to the audio of the CBC Evening News report

Several months later, the serving Minister of National Defence, the Honourable David Collenette, toured the General Motors factory in London Ontario where the Bison AVGP was built. During his visit the Minister was shown the CBC Evening News report, he immediately asked for copy to take back to Ottawa with him to show the Prime Minister.

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