A 30-year-old from Hamilton, Tinnish is among only a handful of Canadians working in the front office for a big-league team. He's the latest to make the grade with the Blue Jays, who have given several young executives from Canada a chance to show what they can do.

``There's a lot of good front-office personnel, scouts, evaluators and coaches who have the ability to be in these types of roles,'' Tinnish said Tuesday. ``Obviously the opportunities are limited because we're Canadian, we need a visa to work in the U.S., and there's only one Canadian team now.''

Tinnish's promotion gives the Blue Jays an all-Canadian tandem atop their scouting department for the first time in club history, as he'll work alongside director Jon Lalonde, a native of Wyevale, Ont.

Assistants to the general manager Bart Given and Alex Anthopoulos, manager of minor-league operations Charlie Wilson and director of Canadian scouting Kevin Briand are also Canucks.

``The one thing I'm proud of is that we're a Canadian team with a whole front office of Canadians,'' said general manager J.P. Ricciardi. ``And they're not in those jobs because they're Canadians, they're in those jobs because they're deserving.

``We've got young, aggressive, smart guys and that's what we've tried to reward.''

Doug Melvin and assistant Gord Ash are the most prominent Canadian executives in baseball as the general manager tandem for the Milwaukee Brewers. Melvin is the fourth Canuck to serve as a big-league GM, following George Selkirk, Murray Cook and Ash.

Longtime Blue Jays president Paul Beeston served as Major League Baseball's president and chief operating officer from 1997 to 2002 but few other Canadians have managed to break into other U.S. front offices.

``I don't think being a Canadian is a detriment to working in a front office, what's hard is getting the opportunity,'' Ricciardi said. ``I just think it's hard for someone who has to get a visa to work in another country. You have to be above an beyond to take away a job from an American who doesn't need a visa.''

Tougher visa restrictions in the United States following 9-11 has made things more difficult for all foreigners looking for work there. The Montreal Expos' departure following the 2004 season also hurt, taking away several jobs.

So for Canadians hoping to reach the big leagues in an executive capacity, the Blue Jays offer the best hope.

``I'd like to think it's not more difficult although with it being more of a U.S. game, from a citizenship standpoint it is more difficult,'' said Lalonde. ``The fact that we are a Canadian club helps.''

The difficulties of landing a job down south means the Blue Jays can have their pick of management talent but offers others benefits, too.

``There are Canadian handprints all over this organization,'' said Lalonde. ``I think it's important because there's more of an attachment when you have some roots here.''

Adds Tinnish: ``I remember where I was in 1992 and 1993 when the team won the World Series. Obviously the players have the greatest impact on how we do, but however small it is, the Canadians who work in the department, we also have an impact on the direction of the organization. We take a lot of pride in that as employees of the club and as Canadians.''

Tinnish joined the Blue Jays in 2002 and served as an area scout in north Florida and Alabama before being promoted to a scouting co-ordinator with his focus on the amateur draft. His new role includes scouting professional players and co-ordinating department projects and staff.

``It's a different style of evaluating because there's a lot less projection involved with a pro guy, especially at the high levels,'' said Tinnish.

``The major difference (in the job) for me is just more organizing when it comes to the pro scouts, when it comes time to sign minor-league free agents, getting ready for the trade deadline, keeping everyone on the same page.''

Ricciardi has no concerns about that.

``These guys all feel a little sense of national pride. It's almost like having them work for their national team,'' said Ricciardi. ``We're blessed because some of these kids are going to be stars.''