When Beker isn’t globetrotting for FashionTelevision or covering fashion runways for magazines like FT, she’s at home in Toronto. The call for more retail explorations beckons and Beker answers. She does admit she has a thing for shoes, so Davids on Bloor Street and their huge selection of Christian Louboutin shoes (the best in Canada) is a big draw. She may swing by Celebration Shoes in nearby Yorkville. Beker loves owner Carma Saunderson’s funky, hand-dyed creations.

Beker’s must-visit Canadian design talents in the city include long-time favourites like Brian Bailey (famous for chic dresses and suits), Comrags (“edgy, but not in a harsh dramatic way”), Mirabelli (“beautiful cuts and interesting fabrics”) and Shan, a hugely successful swimwear label. Maybe less known, but equally talented, are designers such as Kingi Carpenter of Peach Berserk (fun and whimsical), Ross Mayer (a whiz with evening wear) and Zenobia (for timeless separates).

Beker finds herself in Montréal quite often. In search of the perfect pair of shoes, she heads for Rosenstein Paris on rue de la Montagne, then on to Denis Gagnon’s new flagship store on rue St. Paul. If she’s looking for cool gifts, then a stop at the gift ship at Musée des Beaux Arts is in order.

She once lived in Newfoundland so it’s a province that is near and dear to Beker. “I love Water Street in St. John’s,” she says. “There are some great stores along that stretch and some tucked away on the side streets too.” Even in tiny towns like Woody Point, she finds what she dubs “Canadian exotica” in little gift shops like Aunt Jane’s.

In the west, Beker has her go-to favourites. In Winnipeg, Julie Pederson is a designer that has caught her attention and a portion of her fashion budget. Pederson designs funky “muckies” or mukluks that have earned a celebrity clientele that includes Britney Spears and Katy Perry. Beker owns three pairs.

In Calgary, Beker makes a point of stopping at Paul Hardy Design in Kensington Village. “He has great, gorgeous accessories!” The village also features unique clothing from Eleven: Eleven and James and Dickson Clothiers.

Vancouver’s Gastown is the place for window shopping, according to Beker. And in Victoria, a boutique like Nushin with international and Canadian designers, has her reaching for her credit card.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre.

Writers Bio: Michele Sponagle (m.sponagle@sympatico.ca) is a travel writer based in Paris, ON, who has sampled hotel beds in more than 50 countries.

The report, Immigrant Labour Market Outcomes in Canada: The Benefits of Addressing Wage and Employment Gaps, estimates that the potential increased incomes for immigrants if observable skills were rewarded similarly to Canadian-born workers is $30.7 billion or 2.1 per cent of GDP in 2006 (the latest census data available).

“Employment growth is slowing as Canada’s population ages, which make it essential that every worker produce at their full potential. Underutilizing skilled labour is a gap we need to fill and immigrants represent more than 20 per cent of our population,” said Dawn Desjardins, assistant chief economist, RBC. “Even small improvements in immigrant outcomes could contribute positively to the Canadian economy.”

The report outlines the increasing size of the immigrant employment and wage gap in Canada during the past 30 years. While there was little difference between the unemployment rates of new immigrants and the Canadian-born in 1981, a large gap emerged during the 1980s and 1990s. By 2006, immigrants had unemployment rates that were significantly higher than those of Canadian born — 6.9 per cent for immigrants, compared to 6.4 per cent for the Canadian born. In 2005, the entire population of immigrants working full time in Canada earned an average of $45,000 yearly, which is about $700 or two per cent less than the average wage for Canadian-born workers; however, the most recent among them earned just $28,700, on average.

The report concludes that immigrants tend to possess an observable-skills profile that would usually be associated with higher economic rewards. The population of working-age (16-64) immigrants in Canada is more likely to have a university degree than the Canadian born, and is older, on average. They are also more likely to live in large cities, where earnings tend to be higher.

Adjusting for immigrants’ observable characteristics makes a big difference. If we take into consideration the stronger profile of immigrants, the ‘potential’ immigrant unemployment rate would have translated into approximately 42,000 additional jobs.

By gender, male immigrants had a higher earnings gap than female immigrants (24 per cent compared to 17 per cent). In dollar terms, this is about $16,500 for men and $7,000 for women. Conversely, the excess in the unemployment rate for women was larger than that for men, at 2.5 percentage points, compared to a 0.7 percentage point difference for men.

The research to this point suggests that gaps may be due to both genuine skill differences between immigrants and Canadian-born workers, and labour market inefficiencies that prevent immigrants from making full use of their skills. In either case, there could be room to improve on immigrant outcomes through more extensive language training, faster credential recognition, or other integration initiatives. More rigorous evaluation of existing programs would also be helpful in understanding why gaps persist and how we can best address them.

“This report shows that we are still not recognizing the skill level and talent that newcomers bring to Canada - and it’s as much the country’s loss as it is our immigrants,” said Camon Mak, director, Newcomer and Multicultural Markets, RBC. “Canada was built on immigration, and that’s just as true today.”

Download full report (PDF)

All that and much more is on the menu when you check into your suite-with-a-lake-view at the Hotel Quintessence in the Laurentian Mountains at the foot of Mont Tremblant, Québec’s premier ski resort. Getting there is a 90-minute drive north of Montréal  – or a direct flight from New York City or Toronto.

Just minutes from the bustling ski lifts of Tremblant’s European-styled pedestrian-friendly ski village, Quintessence is a luxury boutique twice named Condé Nast Johansens’ Most Excellent Small Hotel in North America, most recently in March 2011. It’s all about decadence as you pass through the wood paneled lobby with its grand stone fireplace and curving staircase to one of 30 luxury suites catered to by a private concierge. But, being Québec, there is a casual ambience.

The resort delivers a huge range of “quintessential” winter activities: downhill skiing and snowboarding atop Mont Tremblant; snowshoeing; or cross-country skiing on the 150-km network of trails through woods, alongside rivers and lakes and over tiny bridges.

If all that sounds like too much work, slip into a sled and let the dogs do the panting, hop a helicopter ride over the winter landscape or zoom a snowmobile through a winter playground on a guided excursion.

In the dining room and wine bar, chef Jean-François Lalandec transforms local Québec products into gourmet meals like rack of lamb stuffed with chanterelles. But he also creates deluxe après-ski comfort food like macaroni and aged cheddar with bacon, cassoulet. There’s certain to be something amid the 5,000 bottles in the wine cellar tasting room to complement whatever you’re noshing.

For relaxation and re-charging there is the hotel’s Sans Sabot spa offering massages and treatments. Nearby is the Scandinave Spa, the genuine Finnish hot-cold/indoor-outdoor experience that can include tiptoeing through snow for a refreshing dunk in the icy du Diable River. Or simply curl up in your room in front of a blazing wood-burning fireplace lit by your very own Wood Concierge.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail. She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.

1. Poles fit for a prince

Cross-country skiing, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta

Lake Louise is for lovers. Ski lovers, that is. You can check out tree-lined cross-country trails or fly downhill in waist-deep powder, all under gorgeous blue skies. And if you’re up for more rustic adventure, try the famous Skoki Lodge, where Prince William and theDuchess of Cambridge visited in the summer.

TIP: Bring a camera to take great snaps of deer and elk as you shush by on your Nordic skis.

Lake Louise area cross-country ski trails

The Lake Louise Ski Area

2. Get seriously soaked, Radium Hot Springs, Kootenay National Park, Alberta

You can get me into hot springs at any time of year but on cool, crisp winter days, just try to get me out. Surrounded by snow-covered trees and the icy Mount Rundle, I love to wade shoulder-deep into the soothing mineral-rich waters and just smile.

TIP: For more warmth, try Banff Upper Hot Springs in Banff National Park.

Radium Hot Springs

3. Mush ado about winter  

Dog sledding, Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon

Here’s one for the bucket list. A chance to mush a team of gorgeous huskies through Kluane National Park and Reserve. Contact a local dog sled tour operator for itineraries.

TIP: Canada’s highest mountain, Mount Logan (5,959 metres; 19,545 feet), is located within the park.

Uncommon Journeys Ltd 

4. Go waterfall ice climbing  

Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, Alberta and British Columbia

If you were born with a silver pick-axe in your hands, here’s news. Some 1,000 waterfalls exist through the Canadian Rockies, making it one of the world’s premier waterfall ice climbing destinations. Experienced climbers have easy access and incredible options.

TIP:  Massey’s and Pilsner Pillar are classic climbs near the village of Field in Yoho National Park.

5. Plan a family below zero family boil-up

Winter picnicking, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
Bundle up the family and head out for a picnic along the lake, stopping at one of the park’s enclosed camp kitchens. Cook lunch over a wood stove, seasoned with a dose of the stunning Rocky Mountains.

TIP: Snowshoe up and over the Akamina Pass and have a picnic on the continental divide.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

How well are immigrants fitting into their new country, what should be required of them as a condition for acceptance as immigrants, and what categories of immigrant should be given priority?

Highlights

• The Canadian public is more likely than not to believe that immigrants are doing well in fitting into their new country, with respect to finding gainful employment, participating in civic institutions like voting, and adopting Canadian values.

• Canadians are much more likely to be positive than negative about the overall impact that 250,000 new immigrants each year are having on the country.

• There is broad agreement about what should be required of new immigrants who want to live in Canada. At the top of the list are: adopting Canadian values of tolerance and gender equity; accepting the preeminence of Canadian law over religious laws; and becoming familiar with Canadian history and culture. By comparison, the public is more forgiving in terms of expecting immigrants to become economically self-sufficient within their first year.

• Despite the emphasis on adopting Canadian values, there is no public consensus on which values are the most important for new immigrants to adopt. Those values most apt to be identified include respect for Canadian history and culture, and fluency in one of the two official languages, followed by tolerance of others and respect for the law.

• While most immigrants settle in the country’s three largest urban centres, most Canadians believe it would be best for everyone if immigrants were evenly distributed across the country. Views are notably similar among residents of urban and rural communities.

• Canadians place the highest priority on immigrants who qualify based on education and employability, and least so on political refugees. Opinions are divided on the current policy of increasing the proportion of temporary foreign workers.

• The opinions of immigrants surveyed are notably similar to those of native-born Canadians. The group that stands out clearly in holding a negative view of immigrants is the small proportion of native-born Canadians who believe that immigration is making Canada a worse place.

Research Findings in Detail

INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS

1. How well do you think that immigrants coming to Canada are fitting in, with respect to: a) finding jobs and gainful employment; b) participating in civic institutions; and c) adopting Canadian values and ways of living?

Canadians are more likely than not to believe that immigrants are succeeding in settling into their adopted country. Modest majorities believe they are doing well in finding jobs and gainful employment (59%), participating in civic institutions (like voting and volunteering) (57%), and adopting Canadian values and ways of living (55%), although few say they are doing “very well” as opposed to “generally well.” Sizeable minorities disagree with this viewpoint, although less so in the case of civic participation as one in six (15%) are unable to offer an opinion.

Attitudes about this issue vary somewhat across the country. Across the three areas of integration, the most positive assessments are given by Atlantic Canadians and residents under 30 years of age. In terms of finding gainful employment, success is most widely mentioned by residents of the Prairie provinces, and least so by those living in Ontario and Quebec and by allophones and immigrants themselves. In terms of civic participation, positive assessments are most widespread among Quebecers and least so in the Prairie provinces. In terms of adopting Canadian values and ways of life, immigrants are most likely to be seen as fitting in by Canadians with a university degree, while those least apt to share this view live in Ontario and rural Canada.

2. Do immigrants who come to Canada do so with the hope of making Canada little more like where they came from, in terms of values and cultural practices?

A majority of Canadians believe that immigrants coming to this country aspire to maintain at least some of their values and cultural practices, and in doing so make their new country a bit more like home. More than half strongly agree (14%) or agree (43%) with this viewpoint, compared with four in ten who disagree (32%) or strongly disagree (7%).

Agreement with this perspective is most widespread in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and among those with the lowest levels of education. Agreement is least evident in Quebec (especially in Montreal), among urban Canadians more generally, and among those with more education.

3. On balance is the effect of 250,000 immigrants coming to Canada each year making the country a better or worse place?

Canadians are much more positive than negative about the overall impact of immigration on the country. By a three to one margin, the public says that immigration is making Canada a better place (47%) rather than a worse place (16%), while the remainder says it is not making a difference either way (29%) or is unable to offer a definitive response (8%).

Opinions on this question vary noticeably across the population. A positive view of the impact of immigration is most clearly expressed by residents of Toronto and Vancouver, as well as among Canadians with higher levels of education, allophones and immigrants themselves. This perspective is least apt to be shared by residents of Manitoba, those without a high school diploma, and native- born Canadians who do not know any immigrants.

No more than one in five from any group says the impact of immigration has made the country a worse place. However, this minority stands out as having the most negative perspective on immigrants and immigration across most of the issues covered in this survey.

4. What should immigrants be expected to do a condition to being accepted into the country?

The survey asked Canadians about whether each of seven specific requirements should apply as conditions for immigrants to be accepted into the country. In each case a clear majority believes the requirement should apply, although the size of this majority varies considerably. Virtually all Canadians believe new immigrants should be required to adopt Canadian values of tolerance of others and gender equity (97%), and close to nine in ten feel the same way about accepting the preeminence of Canadian law over any religious laws (89%) and becoming familiar with Canadian history and culture (88%).

Almost eight in ten say immigrants should be required to raise their children as Canadians (79%), should be fully fluent in either English or French (78%) and should make an effort to create ties with non-immigrants outside their own ethnic group (77%). By comparison, just six in ten (59%) believe immigrants should be required to become economically self-sufficient within their first year.

Views are similar across the country, but Quebecers are most likely to emphasize fluency in English or French and creating ties with non-immigrants, while residents of Ontario and BC are most apt to mention the importance of accepting the preeminence of Canadian law.

5. What do you consider to be the Canadian values most important for immigrants to learn and adopt when they move to this country?

When asked (unprompted, without response options provided), Canadians identify a number of values they consider to be important for new immigrants to adopt when they settle in this country. At the top of the list are respect for Canadian history and culture (28%) and fluency in one of the country’s two official languages (26%). Other common values identified include tolerance for others (19%), respect for the law (17%), respect for religion (9%), the importance of assimilation (9%), gender equality (7%), a healthy work ethic (5%), and democracy/freedom/peace

(5%). One in six (16%) could not identify any particular Canadian values they consider to be important for new immigrants to adopt.

Opinions about important Canadian values are strikingly consistent across the population, with only minor variations. Language fluency is somewhat more apt to be emphasized by British Columbians, low income Canadians and those 60 years and older. Respect for history and culture is most widely mentioned by those 45 and older, while respect for other religions is a bit more prominent in Quebec. It is Atlantic Canadians and Canadians under 45 who are least apt to identify any important values. Perhaps most notable is the fact that opinions about important

values are essentially the same among native-born Canadians and immigrants themselves.

URBAN VERSUS RURAL SETTLEMENT

6. Is the current pattern of most immigrants settling in the country’s biggest cities best for everyone, or would it be better if immigrants were more evenly distributed across the country?

Survey respondents were told that most immigrants coming to Canada settle in the biggest cities of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Only one in six (15%) agrees that this settlement pattern is the best approach, compared with three-quarters (74%) who say that it would be better if immigrants were more evenly distributed across the country. Another 10 percent are unable to offer an opinion.

A preference for having immigrants more evenly distributed is the dominant view across the country, although it is most widespread in Manitoba (87%) and less so among Vancouver residents (64%) and Canadians 30 to 44 years of age (68%). Residents in the country’s largest urban centres are only marginally more supportive of the current pattern (19%) of immigrant settlement compared with those living in smaller communities (13%). There is no difference in the perspectives of native-born Canadians and immigrants.

IMMIGRATION CATEGORIES

7. What priority should be placed on accepting new immigrants from specific categories?

Few Canadians are likely to be familiar with categories under which immigrants are accepted into the country, or the proportion that is currently accepted under each category. But they can and do express opinions about the priority that should be placed on each class, when specifically prompted.

Economic Class. Of the three current categories, the public is most likely to say that a higher priority should be placed on immigrants who qualify based on education and employability (51%), with most of the remainder indicating that this should remain the same priority as now (42%); only four percent maintain that this category should be a lower priority. The emphasis given to this class of immigrants is somewhat stronger among immigrants, Canadians living in major urban centers, men, those 60 years and over, and those with higher levels of education and income. Least apt to share this view are residents of Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

Family Class. One-third (35%) believe Canada should give higher priority to accepting immigrants who have family members living in Canada, with the remainder indicating the same priority (55%) or a lower priority (8%). Views on this question are similar across the country, but a higher priority is somewhat more likely to be indicated by Quebecers and immigrants, and least so by Vancouverites. No more than 12 percent from any group advocates lowering the priority on accepting immigrants in the family class.

Refugee Class. Three in ten Canadians (30%) say the country should place a greater priority on accepting political refugees, compared with 45 percent who say the priority should remain as now, and another one in five (21%) who believe the priority should be lower. Support for increasing the priority placed on this class is most evident in Alberta, among Canadians with a university degree, among those 18 to 29 years of age, and among native-born Canadians with immigrant friends and family. In contrast, those most likely to advocate lowering the priority include Canadians without a high school diploma, those 60 and over, and immigrants themselves.

8. Should refugees who want to stay in Canada be entitled to legal aid services to help them pay for their claims?

The public’s weaker support for political refugees as a class of immigrant is further reflected in the lack of consensus around whether or not such individuals should have access to legal aid services to help pay for their claims to remain in the country. Opinions are largely split between those who support such entitlements (48%) and those who do not (44%). The remainder say it depends (e.g., on the circumstances of the individual, on the country of origin) (3%) or have no opinion to offer (5%).

Support for legal aid for refugees is most widely voiced in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, as well as among Canadians with the lowest incomes and the highest education. Age appears to be the strongest predictor of attitudes on this issue, with legal aid supported by 70 percent of Canadians under 30 years of age, declining to only 36 percent among those 60 and older. Notably, native-born Canadians who have immigrant friends and family are somewhat more supportive of such support, than either native-born Canadians without such connections or immigrants themselves. Opposition is most widespread among Canadians who believe immigration is making the country a worse place (77%).

9. Do you approve or disapprove of increasing the proportion of foreign temporary workers to fill job vacancies in Canada?

The survey indicated that in the past few years, an increasing proportion of immigrants has been entering Canada as temporary workers who are hired to fill job vacancies in particular industries, and then return to their home countries when the work is done. Public opinion about this trend is decidedly mixed: Three in ten (33%) say they approve of the policy of accepting an increasing number of temporary workers, compared with one-third (35%) who disapprove and a comparable proportion (32%) who have no clear opinion either way.

Approval of increasing the intake of temporary workers is most evident in Quebec (especially in Montreal) and among Canadians with higher levels of education and income. Disapproval is most widespread in Manitoba, as well as in Ontario, among Canadians 45 to 59 years of age, and among those who believe immigration is harming the country.

When I caught up with her on the seawall in Vancouver’s Stanley Park, young fans surrounded her. (Like them, I got to try on her gold medal!) You might also see her hiking or biking near Squamish. Come winter, though, when the fresh powder beckons, there’s nowhere to go but up.

When did your dream to be in the Winter Olympics begin?

It began before I even knew I wanted to be a winter sport athlete. I just wanted to be the best in the world at any sport. It was a dream to stand on the podium at an Olympic games.

What are some of your best memories snowboarding at Whistler?
I love the big powder days when you can ride peak to creek at Whistler all day until your legs are screaming at you to stop, and then go for a big Après Ski burger at Roland’s Pub in Whistler Creekside.

What are some of your favourite small mountain ski towns in Canada?
Squamish, Whistler, Rossland, Kimberley, Powder King and Tofino. I also love going into the backcountry for splitboarding (a snowboard that splits in half for cross-country ski touring and goes back together for snowboarding). It’s nice to get away from cities and ride some untracked lines.

What places in Canada mean the most to you?
I love going to the parks. British Columbia has so many to explore and camping was a huge family activity in the summers. There are so many just out my back door here in Squamish. Garibaldi Park has great hiking in the summer and touring in the winter, but even the mountain biking in Alice Lake Provincial Park just behind my house is amazing. I also love going to the Rockies and to Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island for road trips.

What do you for fun in your neighbourhood?
I like being outside biking, hiking, climbing and surfing … that can all be done around Squamish or Tofino. It’s fun to go to a breakfast joint on a rainy day and play a little Scrabble as well.

What place in Canada would you love to see? Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. I have never been to the East Coast. I travel the world but I have yet to explore all of Canada. My Mom has been there and has some amazing photographs…. looks beautiful and the people are apparently very friendly.

Whatsecret spot is most overlooked in your area?
Every town, city, park has more than meets the eye. In Squamish alone there is an amazing trail network that goes for miles, dozens of lakes to swim in and hundreds of cliffs to climb.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Tourism British Columbia

1. Snuggle up to polar bears, Wapusk National Park, Manitoba

Moose, wolves and caribou are all found in Wapusk National Park, but the polar bears get most of the ooh and ahhs. Book a tour, climb aboard a fat-tired tundra vehicle and go nose to snout with a mother bear wrestling her cubs. TIP: Best time to see polar bears is mid-October to mid-December.

www.tundrabuggy.com

www.watchee.com

2. Become an Ice Road Trekker   

Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories

If you’ve seen TVs Ice Road Truckers haul cargo from Yellowknife to the diamond mines of the Northwest Territories, you’re probably itching to get behind the wheel. No problem. Just drive from Fort McMurray through Wood Buffalo National Park to Fort Smith, on an epic ice road journey crossing rivers, muskeg and portages.

TIP: Stop at Fort Chipewyan to experience one of Alberta’s oldest Aboriginal settlements.

3. Strap on your skis, and fly

Kite skiing on Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park, Alberta

Grab the reins for kite skiing on Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park. It has all the rush of downhill skiing, only you control the speed. Go from double diamond to the bunny hill in an instant. Plus, no waits for the ski lift. You can even tow the kids behind you on a toboggan.

TIP: Elk Island is a Dark Sky Preserve making it a great place to stargaze and see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

4. Dream under the dome.

Yurt stay, Forillion National Park, Québec

I love cross-country skiing except for the climbing back into my cold car part. Now you don’t have to. Book a yurt and watch the sunset from your comfy tent cottage, surrounded by sea at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. Imagine a cozy wood stove, hardwood floor and comfy beds. Rustic, this ain’t.

TIP: In addition to more than 40 km (25 miles) of cross-country trails, the park offers dogsledding and snowshoeing.

5. Dance on frozen water

Maligne Canyon Ice Walk, Jasper National Park, Alberta

Nature puts on her ice show at the bottom of narrow Maligne Canyon every winter. Descend 50 metres where you’ll explore natural sculptures, waves, swirls, secret ice caves and waterfalls stretching like frozen claws over the canyon walls. Book a tour, strap on your steel grippers, and you’re off!

TIP: Strap-on a headlamp and try the romantic moonlight tour.

Maligne Canyon

Jasper Adventure Centre

SunDog tours

Overlander Trekking and Tours

Walk and Talks Jasper

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre
Writers Bio: British Columbia-based freelance writer and photographer Lori McNultyjourneys the globe to connect life and landscape. Her award-winning travel and arts essays uncover striking landscapes and soulful adventure.

“Alberta is blessed with so many real and memorable experiences in one of the most spectacular backdrops in the world and we are confident that we will raise awareness of Alberta with travellers around the world with the message ‘remember to breathe’ when you visit here,” said Bruce Okabe, Chief Executive Officer of Travel Alberta.  “This message will differentiate Alberta from competing vacation destinations both in Canada and internationally and underpin our strategy to grow tourism spending in the province $1 billion by 2016.”

Tourism currently attracts more than 22 million visitors annually to Alberta who spend more than $5 billion in the province. The industry generates more than $2 billion in annual tax revenue for federal, provincial and municipal governments and employs more than 90,000 people.

“Travel Alberta has worked with our tourism industry to embrace a new approach to marketing our province – one that aligns with the Alberta brand launched two years ago,” said Jack Hayden, Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.  “I am confident that tourism operators across the province will rally behind this new brand, helping us make a stronger impact in a crowded global marketplace.”

“Research by Travel Alberta confirms that ‘remember to breathe’ is a powerful expression of what makes this province so attractive to the travellers who are the target of our marketing programs,” Royce Chwin, Travel Alberta’s Managing Director, Global Marketing and Brand Strategy. “Travel experiences in every community throughout the province reflect that sentiment which millions of visitors enjoy every year,” he said. “The brand promise speaks to the emotional connection that surprises a first time visitor and the feelings that keep travellers coming back to their favourite places in Alberta. We know that it is an extremely attractive message for youthfully-spirited travellers.”

Alberta’s new tourism brand is the result of an 18-month process which included consultation with industry stakeholders representing all regions of the province as well as opinion research with frequent travellers in Alberta’s target tourism markets in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

The first phase of the new brand will launch with Travel Alberta’s winter consumer campaigns in the United States and Canada beginning next month.  The multi-media campaigns include television commercials, print advertising, social media and a new website www.remembertobreathe.com.

“I am honoured to announce the participation of Parks Canada in the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s Cultural Access Pass Program. This pass for new Canadian citizens will now open the doors to places that bring together the geography and history defining their new country,” said Minister Kent. “Our national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas are an encyclopedia of our national identity, waiting to be discovered and experienced.”

Through the Cultural Access Pass, new Canadian citizens and up to four of their children under 18 years of age will receive free admission to more than 100 of Park Canada’s treasured places. The pass will be valid for one year after the new citizens have been sworn in. Several Parks Canada locations will also serve as pick-up locations for the passes.

“Community citizenship ceremonies at treasured Parks Canada places already offer a unique transformative and memorable experience,” said Minister Kenney. “The Cultural Access Pass will offer many more opportunities for new Canadian citizens to experience Canada’s natural and cultural heritage firsthand. This initiative will benefit new Canadian citizens by enabling them to become more informed about Canada and more committed to the communities in which they live,” added Minister Kenney.

The Institute for Canadian Citizenship is a national non-profit organization that engages new Canadians citizens through innovative programs, campaigns and partnerships. Their initiatives are designed to ensure that new citizens are welcomed and included as equals and are aimed at creating meaningful connections among all Canadians, fostering a culture of active, engaged citizens and celebrating our shared identity as Canadians.

“Together with Parks Canada, we are creating opportunities for new citizens to access the essence of what so many define as a uniquely and truly Canadian experience,” said Gillian Hewitt Smith, Executive Director and CEO, Institute for Canadian Citizenship. “By opening the gates to our national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas, tens of thousands of new Canadian citizens who have been able to curate their cultural experiences at museums, galleries, and other attractions, can now step outside and discover the beauty of this country’s natural heritage and historical sites.”

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 42 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our treasured natural and historic places.

For additional information or to register for a Cultural Access Pass see www.parkscanada.gc.ca or http://www.icc-icc.ca/

Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven is a special exhibit of their work at London’s Dulwich Picture Gallery, running from Oct. 19 to Jan. 8, 2012.

These early 20^th-century artists travelled by train, canoe and on foot into the wilderness, taking their sketchbooks with them. They were, perhaps, our first tourists. The places they painted are still inspiring visitors today.

Algonquin Provincial Park – Tom Thomson spent summers fishing, canoeing and sketching in Ontario’s first provincial park. Wild rivers, placid lakes, wind-ravaged pine trees all captured his eye. After his tragic death in 1917 – his body was found in Canoe Lake – his friends built a memorial cairn at one of his favourite camping spots, then went on to form the Group of Seven.

A.Y. Jackson, Winter, Québec / courtesy National Gallery

Charlevoix, Quebec – A.Y. Jackson was considered the driving force behind the group and loved to venture into the winter landscapes on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. Locals called him ‘Pere Raquette’ or Father Snowshoes for his habit of exploring on snowshoes. His paintingRoad to Baie-St. Paul captures a tiny village swathed in drifts of snow – a perfect ode to a Canadian winter.

Agawa Canyon and Ontario’s Algoma Country  on the north shore of Lake Superior were a big draw for the artists, especially in autumn when maple leaves turn brilliant orange and red. You can still journey by train into the canyon, through the granite rock of the Canadian Shield and past roaring rivers, unspoiled lakes and tumbling waterfalls.

Killarney Wilderness Park and La Cloche Mountains – Artist Franklin Carmichael built a cottage here in Ontario, while A.Y. Jackson was so enchanted with the white quartzite hills and crystal clear lakes that he campaigned for the area’s protection. Today, the park offers unbeatable canoeing and hiking.

Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park Among outdoor enthusiasts, this wilderness park in British Columbia tops their ‘to do’ lists. Again and again. Turquoise, glacier-fed lakes and soaring mountain peaks inspired Group of Seven artist J.E.H. MacDonald to write, “I got to the beautiful Lake O’Hara lying in a rainbow sleep, under the steeps of Mount Lefroy and the waterfalls of Oesa. And there I realized some of the blessedness of mortals.”

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Suzanne Morphet is passionate about exploring Canada and writing about it. She knows she’d need many lifetimes to do it justice…. So with just one, she’s working hard to see and share as much as she can. Her travel stories have appeared in The Globe and Mail, up! magazine (West Jet’s in-flight magazine), Homemakers and numerous other publications. Morphet recently co-authored The Vancouver Island Book of Everything. She is based in Victoria, BC.

Richmond is all about food, from Pan-Asian supermarkets like Yaohan and TNT to 400 restaurants where award-winning chefs – often Hong Kong trained – are morphing the province’s fresh produce into stellar cuisine that is attracting Asian tourists. Food Central is Alexandra Road – or “Eat Street” – three city blocks crammed with 200 restaurants from Korean to Indonesian.

Asians are passionate about “Ping-Pong” so table tennis lessons taught by Olympic coaches are in demand at the Richmond Olympic Oval built as the speed skating arena for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Watch dragon boats scoot by on the Fraser River as you stroll along the dikes, or take part in Tai Chi at one of the city’s parks. Head to the pier at Steveston to join seafood-mad Asians picking up sea urchins, salmon and sable fish right off the boats. Then relax over a world-class dim sum brunch and feel like you’ve just travelled halfway around the globe.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.margo.pfeiff@gmail.com

But the very grand finale is an arboreal fireworks of brilliant colours that light up the forests of Ontario, Québec and the Maritime provinces. Hot on their trail from early September through October are legions of “leaf peepers”, enthusiasts who log in to autumn colour alerts to pinpoint peak times around which to plan their autumn vacations.

In Ontario, Algonquin Park is an iconic location to experience Mother Nature’s showy display, on a forest hike or a canoe journey across peaceful lakes blood-red with leafy reflections. Check out when the colours will peak, then hop the Algoma Central Railroad to travel by rail – as the Group of Seven painters did – to be inspired by the colours of the Agawa Canyon near Sault Ste. Marie.

Québec’s sugar maple trees make the province synonymous with fall colours. North of Montréal, European-styled Tremblant ski village celebrates fall with the Symphony of Colours arts and music festival from Sept. 10 to Oct. 10, set among the lakes and brilliant yellow birch and American beech forests of the Laurentian Mountains. South of Montréal, drift along on a calm, crisp autumn morning in a hot air balloon over giant pumpkin patches in the Montérégie region. In the New England-esque Eastern Townships, colours often continue until late October. Enjoy them amid the forest setting of chic Balnea Spa in Bromont or on a gourmet brunch, lunch or happy hour cruise aboard a deluxe new ship plying the forest-lined shores of Lake Memphremagog.

Fall foliage coincides with harvest time and both are celebrated on Prince Edward Island with oysters, mussels, clams, lobster, chowder and more during the Fall Flavours Festival from Sept. 2-25. The warm surrounding Gulf of St. Lawrence waters bless PEI with one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the Northeast.

In New Brunswick, take a road-trip on the Fundy Coastal Drive for vivacious reds and deep orange forests alongside some of the highest tides in the world on the Bay of Fundy. Watch for whales – it’s the season. And time your visit with a turkey dinner during Canada’s Thanksgiving Weekend on the second Monday in October.

Via Rail rolls along the rails at a leisurely pace through Eastern Canada’s fall spectacle from Toronto to Montréal en route to Halifax. From there, head out on your own by car on Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail, one of the world’s most scenic drives, as it winds and twists along Cape Breton’s northern shore. Overnight on the Trail at the seaside, Scottish-themed Keltic Lodge overlooking maple, birch, oak and mountain ash blanketing the Highlands in red and gold. And while you’re there, take in the province’s Celtic Colours International Festival from Oct. 7 to 15 – is there a better way to celebrate fall than with fiery fiddling and foliage?

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.margo.pfeiff@gmail.com

Our national weather office crunched the numbers for our 100 largest cities and came up with Canada’s Weather Winners. Herewith, a guide to finding the perfect weather for your particular personality, sunny or otherwise.

You like a challenge

Whatever the season, Newfoundland and Labrador offers the toughest combination of weather you’ll find. St. John’s is our foggiest and windiest city, and Gander and St. John’s lead the country as the top two locations with more days of freezing rain. Sunny days are few and far between. Of course, this explains why the people are some of the friendliest and fun-loving in the country – you gotta be special to endure weather like this.

You’re a softie

Victoria and Nanaimo – both on Vancouver Island in British Columbia tie for the most comfortable weather in Canada. Not too hot in summer, not too cold in winter. They’re also a lot dryer and sunnier than most people think. Victoria gets less snow than anywhere in the country while Nanaimo boasts the clearest summer skies. No wonder people spend so much time outside here.

You like sizzling heat

Kamloops, BC boasts the highest summer temperatures with the mercury consistently climbing into the high 20sC (80sF) in July and August. One day it reached 40.6C (105F)! Locals grab a tube and float down the Thompson River on those lazy hot days. The tourism folks have a motto: ‘Playtime. Redefined’.

You don’t mind freezing your butt off!

Head north to Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories for the lowest average temperatures year-round. Yellowknifers can also boast about having the most extreme wind chill and the longest snow-cover – up to 190 days every year. On the plus side, Yellowknife has the sunniest summers in the country.

You like dancing in the rain

Prince Rupert on BC’s northwest coast is your kind of place. Once known as ‘the halibut capital of the world’, Prince Rupert is the wettest city in Canada, getting almost 2.5 metres (eight feet) of rain a year. When you’ve had enough rain, explore the rich history of the northwest coast at the world-class Museum of Northern BC.

You like to be awed

Southern Ontario is famous for hot, sticky summers; the perfect ingredients for creating thunder and lightning storms. So it’s no coincidence that Windsor, our most humid city and one of our hottest (just a 3.5-hour drive from Toronto), also has the most days of thunderstorm activity. Daggers of lightning and thunderous claps will keep you entertained on many a summer evening.

You want a taste of everything

Montreal is the quintessential Canadian city for weather. It gets an average amount of just about everything: rain, snow, heat, cold, sun and wind. But just because the weather is average doesn’t mean the city is. Montreal is one of our most exciting, most romantic and arguably our most cosmopolitan city. The mix of weather is a bonus.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Suzanne Morphet is passionate about exploring Canada and writing about it. She knows she’d need many lifetimes to do it justice…. So with just one, she’s working hard to see and share as much as she can. Her travel stories have appeared in The Globe and Mail, up! magazine (West Jet’s in-flight magazine), Homemakers and numerous other publications. Morphet recently co-authored The Vancouver Island Book of Everything. She is based in Victoria, BC.

It’s ‘All Aboard!’ for this new train that departs Québec City for La Malbaie in the Charlevoix region of Québec.

This train has been worth the wait. For much of the 140 km route, it runs alongside the St. Lawrence River, a river so big locals refer to it as ‘la mer’. On the other side of the track are the Laurentian Mountains, beautiful at any time of year and particularly so in the fall as maple trees turn red and orange.

The train itself is an attraction. The six railcars dating from the 1950s have been stripped down and fully refurbished in a contemporary style. Each one carries 68 passengers. A multi-media presentation reveals the region’s history and culture as the natural scenery unfolds outside. The train leaves Québec City each morning and returns each evening.

The journey is a gastronomic adventure as well. The executive chef of the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu hotel in La Malbaie, Jean-Michel Breton, is in charge of creating gourmet meals. The region is well known for its abundant agricultural produce, locally made cheeses, hand-crafted ales and creative chefs, so be prepared for some amazing food.

Once at La Malbaie, you’ll want to wander through the historic Fairmont hotel or stay the night. It was originally built by the Canada Steamship Lines in 1899 and re-built in 1928 after a fire. It symbolizes the glory days of Charlevoix when well-heeled tourists arrived by steamship or train. (Yes, there were other trains before this one.)

In winter, the new train stops at the base of Le Massif for skiers to get off, and at the company’s new hotel complex in Baie-Saint-Paul.

The train, as well as the ski resort and the new hotel complex, are all the brainchild of Daniel Gauthier. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he co-founded Cirque du Soleil, Canada’s famed artistic entertainment company that started in Baie-Saint-Paul.

If you know anything about Cirque du Soleil, you’ll know not to underestimate Gauthier – or his former business partner, Guy Laliberté – who has also invested in this project. If they can re-invent the circus, imagine what they are doing with a train.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Suzanne Morphet is passionate about exploring Canada and writing about it. She knows she’d need many lifetimes to do it justice…. So with just one, she’s working hard to see and share as much as she can. Her travel stories have appeared in The Globe and Mail, up! magazine (West Jet’s in-flight magazine), Homemakers and numerous other publications. Morphet recently co-authored The Vancouver Island Book of Everything. She is based in Victoria, BC.

As its name suggests, the Great Bear Rainforest is big, wild and wet. There are no roads through it. You need a guide with a boat. And you need food and shelter.

That’s where the Spirit Bear Lodge comes in. It overlooks the ocean in the First Nation community of Klemtu. The Kitasoo and Xai’xais people have lived on this coast for thousands of years. They’re particularly fond and protective of the rare white Spirit bears.

Photo credit : spiritbear.com

When you stay at their Spirit Bear Lodge, you’ll go out in a small boat each day to explore different river estuaries, looking for the distinctive white bears that look like polar bears, even though they’re really a genetic variation of black bears. (Spirit bears, also known as Kermode bears, are born white if both parents share a recessive mutation of a certain gene. The parents themselves can be black.)

Autumn is the best time of the year to view all the bear species. That’s when they appear along the banks of rivers to feast on salmon. In September and October thousands of salmon are fighting their way up-river, back to where they were born, before laying their eggs and dying.

 That’s if the many bears don’t catch them first. Guests of the Lodge are positioned at natural vantage points on the shorelines, ideal for intimate eye-level encounters with both Black Bears and Grizzlies. The Spirit Bears are rare and elusive and encounters with these extraordinary bears are just as special.

You don’t need to be afraid of the bears either. They’re intent on catching salmon and fattening up before winter, so they don’t pay any attention to people. You can sit safely a short distance away and watch them fish.

And because this place is so remote – Klemtu is about 600 km northwest of Vancouver – there probably won’t be anyone else around.

After a day of watching bears, you’ll go back to Spirit Bear Lodge for a hot dinner served on two enormous dining tables made from solid cedar. Gaze out the expansive windows in ‘The Great Room’ and watch for passing whales, white-sided dolphins and sea lions.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Suzanne Morphet is passionate about exploring Canada and writing about it. She knows she’d need many lifetimes to do it justice…. So with just one, she’s working hard to see and share as much as she can. Her travel stories have appeared in The Globe and Mail, up! magazine (West Jet’s in-flight magazine), Homemakers and numerous other publications. Morphet recently co-authored The Vancouver Island Book of Everything. She is based in Victoria, BC.

“It’s clear that there is a real need to educate Canadians on the basic components of real estate purchases, as well as the options available in terms of private sales versus selling with a realtor,” said Patrick Sullivan, general manager and vice-president of ComFree. “The do-it-yourself model doesn’t stop with home improvement – it also applies to home sales, it just requires a little knowledge. ComFree is a good example – we offer what homeowners need to sell their home commission-free and save thousands of dollars.”

Barriers to Private Sale

For many home owners, there remain several key roadblocks in the decision making process about whether to sell privately or work with an agent. Respondents listed the following as their top three:

• The visibility of the listing to potential buyers – 57 per cent
• The time commitment involved – 55 per cent
• Concern over making a legal error – 52 per cent

And while time commitment was one of the top deterrents mentioned by Canadians, the survey shows that an almost identical time investment (overall average was 29.7 hours) is required regardless of whether a home is being sold by the owner or with a realtor.

“The legal process is the same with or without a realtor,” said Sullivan. “Either way, it’s important to hire a lawyer who specializes in real estate to review an offer, conduct a title search and finalize the deal.”

The Mystique of the Realtor

The poll showed that nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) incorrectly stated that a realtor is required to list one’s home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and a further 13 per cent indicated that they weren’t sure. In fact, ComFree can obtain a listing, through our brokerage partners, on MLS for any Canadian looking to sell their home privately.

Canadians also overestimate the services that are included in realtor fees. One in five of the respondents polled incorrectly stated that at least one of the following would also be included:

• Home inspection to determine any necessary home repairs (21 per cent)
• Setting up mortgage insurance where necessary (19 per cent)
• Financing & pre-approval of a mortgage (16 per cent)

And while the majority of respondents indicated that they had previously worked with a realtor vs. selling privately (79 per cent and 19 per cent respectively), a greater proportion of home owners said they would be likely to sell privately in the future (28 per cent).

Likelihood to sell privately in the future is significantly higher in Atlantic Canadaand Quebec compared to other provinces:

• Atlantic provinces – 48 per cent
• QC – 39 per cent
• MB/SK – 32 per cent
• AB – 29 per cent
• BC – 22 per cent
• ON – 21 per cent

“Realtors with their high commissions, like TV dinners and eight-tracks, are relics best left in the past,” said Sullivan.  “Today, anyone can sell their home on their own as long as they are willing to invest a few hours of their time and look for the legal and marketing expertise.”

In its 15^th  year, the 10-day event, Oct. 7-15, is a showcase of all things Gaelic, the cultural heritage introduced hundreds of years ago by refugees from Scotland. There’s been a recent renaissance of Gaelic culture in the region, and now even road signs appear in Gaelic and English.

The festival is unique in that it takes place in 33 communities across Cape Breton, along country roads including the scenic coastal Cabot Trail. Music and dance performances, storytelling, as well as workshops and presentations on Gaelic language and culture take place in venues from a state-of-the-art performance hall to a reconstructed 18^th-century French chapel and local community centres: impromptu ceilidhs – lively kitchen parties – are on the menu as are homemade suppers served up in local fire halls.

This year’s festival features a jam-packed calendar with almost 350 artists from Cape Breton, the United States, Ireland and Scotland performing 45 shows. One of the themes is exploring Celtic roots in Cajun and Appalachian music with the festival’s artists in residence, local Acadian songwriter Ron Bourgeois and old-time Appalachian fiddler and singer Bruce Molsky from the U.S.

Stars in this year’s line-up include local bad-boy Ashley MacIsaac, famed for his kilt-clad fiery fiddling of traditional Cape Breton and rock ‘n’ roll tunes: the Barra MacNeils, a group of six siblings who are Canada’s Celtic ambassadors: and the Louisiana-based Grammy winners BeauSoleil Quartet with Michael Doucet who mix up Cajun with Zydeco and add a dash of jazz and blues.

From Ireland, the Black Family as well as the Alan Kelly Quartet will hit the stage. From Scotland there’s Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes. Dancers on the roster include Nic Gariess and, from Manitoba, the Ashram Stompers, a high-energy jig and square dance troupe offering up a dash of Métis.

Bring your own guitar and join in workshops. Or sign up for outdoor events like hiking through fall colors, particularly spectacular on the Cabot Trail. Afterwards, finish off the day with hot apple cider and oatcakes at a ceilidh in the community hall.

The schedule is so packed it’s impossible to see and hear every bit of Gaelic magic. Celtic Colours may be big, but it’s also refreshingly non-commercial, a down-home celebration deeply rooted in Cape Breton’s local culture.

Celtic Colours International Festival: www.celtic-colours.com

Official Cape Breton Website: http://cbisland.com/home.html

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre
Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.margo.pfeiff@gmail.com

Watch for the hot pink Cupcake Diner on wheels, parked in the downtown core of the city as well as at special events. Owner Natalie Ravoi tapped into her love of baking and took it to the streets, literally, and created Canada’s first mobile cupcake shop. She bakes gourmet cupcakes daily with a retro twist.

People line up for varieties like caramel apple pie, chocolate and peanut butter, the 1950s Classic (à la Hostess cupcakes), lemon meringue and raspberry white chocolate. Plus she offers gluten-free and vegan variations, too.

But before diving into dessert, there’s heartier fare to be had. You can’t miss Canada’s only grilled cheese food truck. Look for the gorilla. It’s a sign that you’ve found Gorilla Cheese, owned by Graeme Smith and Scott Austin.

Smith went to Liaison College to become a professional chef and Austin is a grass roots foodie himself. They came up with the idea for a grilled cheese truck, a perfect fit for comfort-food craving urbanites. These aren’t just any garden-variety sandwiches, but gourmet, grilled-to-order ones, made with real cheese from Jensen’s, an Ontario cheese maker based in Simcoe. They’re gooey and wonderful, served alongside tomato soup and baked beans, all made from scratch.

Roving the area called the Golden Horseshoe, stretching from Toronto to Niagara Falls, is El Gastronomo Vagabundo. It’s a joint Australia-Canada project, thanks to its owners Tamara Jensen and Adam Hynam-Smith, a professionally trained chef from Down Under.

They have been serving up tantalizing mobile eats, like heirloom tomato and watermelon salad, Asian specialties, and gourmet tacos like Thai coconut red curry and tempura salmon. Ingredients are sourced from small local producers, making this a true grass-roots operation. To catch El Gastro on the move, follow them on Twitter or Facebook. You’ll likely spot them at Flat Rock

Cellars winery in Jordan on the weekend or the St. Catharines farmer’s market.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Michele Sponagle (m.sponagle@sympatico.ca) is a travel writer based in Paris, ON, who has sampled hotel beds in more than 50 countries.

Pick up or print out a copy of the Wine Trails brochure and head off on a self-guided prowl. All are leisurely afternoon or day trips by car or bike except the Heritage Trail, an historical walking tour in downtown Kelowna where you can drop in at the BC Wine Museum and Shop and taste at BC’s original winery, Calona.

TheEast Kelowna Wine Trail is perfect for those who like to drop in on lesser-known boutique/farm-gate style wineries owned and run by families. The Westside Wine Trail takes in some of the Okanagan’s big boys and it’s hard to go hungry with two great winery restaurants en route: Mission Hill’s Terrace Restaurant, which Travel + Leisure magazine declared one of the world’s top five winery restaurants, and Quails’ Gate estate’s fresh local take on cuisine at its Old Vines Restaurant.

Dining among the vines is really taking off with two new winery restaurants opening their doors this spring in the southern Okanagan near the town of Oliver. On April 1, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards in partnership with Manuel Ferreira, owner of Le Gavroche, a long-time French restaurant in Vancouver, launched Miradoro, a chic eatery perched on a hillside serving modern Mediterranean-influenced market cuisine like grilled octopus with locally made chorizo, wine pairing-perfect tapas and Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in the restaurant’s open-hearth stone oven.

In June, nearby Hester Creek Estate Winery opened its Tuscan-inspired restaurant, Terrafina, meaning “from the earth.” Italian comfort food with style, the menu includes a grand antipasto platter and mains like wild boar and veal spaghetti and meatballs. Kick back with a glass of their wine amid the cozy Italian villa atmosphere – all brick and wood – or on the patio overlooking the valley and vines.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.

Time to rev up the truck, yes the same one I took on the Horn Trip last time. It’s a metallic tungsten grey SUV. Let’s see if I can pair some of those wines I tasted with local fair. The County is known for a celebration of regional cuisine, featuring regional chefs, local growers and wonderful wines. I think I’m going to do a progressive dinner tonight across The County.

So here I am at The Bloomfield Carriage House Restaurant http://www.bloomfieldcarriagehouse.com/ owned and operated by my friends Chef Scott Kapitan and Pastry Chef Jacqui Vickers. For you foodies, it’s a can’t miss place…a culmination of passion for good food and service. Scott only cooks with product abundant in the County. It is simple elegant French inspired cuisine. The converted carriage house, hence the name, is that country charm with a touch of refinement. Now sit next to the fire place during the cooler months and sitting on top is me…no just kidding, it’s one of my stone sculptures. Tonight I think I’ll enjoy the breeze of summer on the shaded patio with the duck, no the lamb, no the rabbit, no the pot de feu.

At least I know the focus is Canadian product layered over the foundations of French cuisine. Local and organic product is widely used as everything is made in house by Scott, even the charcuterie. It’s that slow food ideal, so any choice is an excellent one.

Jacqui’s breads and pastries at The Marshmallow Room Bakery are all made with organic, unbleached flour. The bakery sits right on Main Street Bloomfield. And here is a secret; along with filtered water she uses either Maldon sea salt or Sel de Guerande from Brittany. Please don’t say a word! And there are preserves, from in house made jams, chutneys and jellies both in the bakery and on-line. Scott and Jacqui are obsessed with quality, freshness and natural products from beginning to end. I am just dying here; The Marshmallow Room also sells in-house made charcuterie, such as boar or elk pâté, rillette and salami. Guess I must be in heaven!

Well let’s see… of to the  Milford Bistro  http://milfordbistro.com. And the owner Chris Pengelly is also a friend! The Bistro is in a charmingly quirky 120 year old wooden building, in a little hamlet with an old mill, a theatre, two waterfalls, a pond and a river. There are two growers of organic heirloom veggies within walking distance, a farm raising cattle and a cheese factory down the road.  The artwork in the Bistro is just as quirky and is supplied by fad: funktional art and design, from where? From Prince Edward County of course!

The Milford Bistro works hard to rise to the occasion, cooking small scale, sourcing locally and letting their menu reflect the changing seasons. Choose from The Chef’s Chicken, The Chef’s Beef or The Chef’s Lamb. Last year they won one of the coveted local Taste Awards. This year they were named tourism/hospitality business of the year. Reading words like “charming”, “unique”, “hidden gem”, “will recommend” and most of all “will be back” in their guest book makes them proud and happy. “We believe we have the most intimate, romantic restaurant around. We invite you to come and see for yourselves”, as per Chris! As an aside, it’s one of the places I celebrated my birthday this year!

If you don’t have time for a meal …well then you are in for a treat.  If you are hungry for a delicious burger made with local ingredients, you will want to stop on by the Bistro weekends at the Outdoor Burger Bar, your choice of meat! Now it’s time for this county boy, LOL, to hit the big city! Picton here I come!

Hey boys, how’s Portabella http://www.portabellaonmain.com doing? Owners Don King and Roy Pennell use fresh and local ingredients with a large selection of county wines. The local thing is a theme here, don’t ya think.  Located on Picton’s Main Street, Portabellas has a pretty relaxed atmosphere with a casual menu. Portabella is a dining favourite for locals and visitors alike. Get the pecan chicken. You can dine and wine with friends, family and your partner taking in the encaustic artwork by local artist Tanya Kirouac.  Food, wine and art…what more can you ask for from your dining experience.

So heading back west, as we headed east sorta is Copper Kettle Chocolate Company  http://www.copperkettlechocolate.ca. And guess what? It’s owned by one of my best friends, Sue Burgess. She is best known for over 30 varieties of unique chocolate bark, astonishing truffles, homemade ice cream (in season) as well as delicious chocolate and nut specialties. And no matter what she says, I came up with `the idea for the sponge toffee ice cream!

Five of Copper Kettle Chocolate Company’s chocolate barks have won awards at the Canadian Fine Food Show in Toronto. Oh BTW, the white chocolate caramel corn is divine plus there are always oodles and oodles of samples. Copper Kettle Chocolate Company is located in the charming town of Picton, Ontario, close to wineries, great restaurants, galleries and the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world, Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Almost across the street is The Pastry House http://www.pastryhouse.ca. Yes we have more than one bakery in The County. It is a small artisan bakery run by Peter Grendel. Here you will find a fine selection of cakes, pastries, cookies, buns, rolls and breads, all baked in house Peter does not use any artificial colours flavours or preservatives.

Enjoy a cup of fresh coffee or tea with a pastry from the large selection or take back a treat for your friends or partner to enjoy at the inn, bed and breakfast or campground during your stay in Prince Edward County. Whatever the occasion you will find something, a slice of sacher torte anyone?

Enough about eating, what about making it and eating it, too at From The Farm Cooking School http://fromthefarm.ca. Experience the joy of cooking seasonally in Prince Edward County, Ontario – Canada’s newest culinary destination. From the Farm Cooking School is the ultimate field to table culinary experience. Oh and yes, owner Cynthia, a personal chef and food writer is also a friend. What can I say, it’s a small community! She offers cooking classes that highlight the art of seasonal country cooking and traditions from around the world.  Sessions are conducted at her restored 1830’s farmhouse, Willow Hill north of where I live, in Hillier Township.

Start your morning by taking a food tour to meet the farmers and local producers. Cynthia will guide you through the local food scene and highlights of the region. You’ll be able to hand pick your ingredients for your class and purchase some goodies to take home. If time is tight, Cynthia will shop and have the items ready for your arrival.  After completing your menu, you can enjoy your culinary creation in dining room or outside in the scenic screened-in porch. The day will capture your heart and your senses.

I have learnt something about myself this evening. With few exceptions, I guess I really like meat! That raps it up for now. Here I go bombing down the gravel road, with hare trying to stare me down as I pass by. One quick right and into the driveway I go, home to The Bunker, my house. Cool there are three deer just grazing. Their white tails up and off they go! Lady Gaga must have scared them off, I shouldn’t have been blaring the CD player with the windows down!

Writers Bio: Brought to you by Out in The County www.outinthecounty.com your GL travel source to Prince Edward County managed by partners Michael Deyell and Dean Munroe.  Please consider joining our Out in The County facebook page to stay informed at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Out-in-The-County/223674571008370 

A leisurely cruise around any one of the area’s three lakes – Joseph, Rosseau and Muskoka – in a vintage racing boat, the preferred mode of transportation around here, will quickly reveal what attracts the rich and famous. Towering pines flourish alongside granite cliffs, warm black lakes reflect soft white clouds and the long days unfurl with languid ease.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a multimillionaire to share in the experience. For a taste of classic Muskoka, cruise over to the 100-year-old Clevelands House Resort on Lake Rosseau. The beautiful main house with its red mansard roof resembles a classic cruise ship and is surrounded by over 400 acres of land. It’s like a summer camp that parents and kids can attend together, and the best part is that you don’t even have to see each other. Leave the kids in the capable hands of the Children’s Play Village while you work on your short game or backhand at the hotel’s golf course and professional tennis facility.

Lake Rosseau’s grand Windermere House dates back to 1870, but the original structure burned to the ground in the 1990s during the filming of The Long Kiss Goodnight. They rebuilt and reopened the following year, and as recently as 2008 completed a series of luxurious upgrades. This season marks the opening of the much-anticipated WH Spa and the first Muskoka branch of the popular Sanctuary International Day Spa.

The new face of Muskoka is represented by places like the chic, modern Taboo Resort on the southern end of Lake Muskoka. Grab a chair at the “culinary theatre,” an 18-seat marble bar surrounding the open kitchen. You pick the ingredients and the chefs improvise a menu that might include Indian-spiced, braised guinea hen, bison salad or halibut with sea urchin butter sauce.

After a day spent alternating between dips in the lake, laps in the infinity pool and napping on the dock, guests of the chic new Touchstone in Bracebridge can choose between dinner at the resort’s Taste restaurant (smoked duck with baby lettuce, perhaps) or prepare their own meal in their villa’s gourmet kitchen.

When leaders from the world’s G8 nations held their annual conference in Muskoka in 2010 they chose the elegant Deerhurst Resort. There’s no word on whether Nicolas Sarkozy, Barack Obama, David Cameron and the other leaders duelled it out in the paintball zone, but the lakeside golf course did get plenty of use.

Getting here

Glen Orchard General Store, RR 3, 4000 Hwy. 169, Glen Orchard, 705-765-3251

Clevelands House Resort, 1040 Juddhaven Rd., Minett, 1-888-567-1177,clevelandshouse.com

Windermere House, 2508 Windermere Rd., Windermere, 1-888-946-3376,windermerehouse.com

Taboo Resort, 1209 Muskoka Beach Rd., Gravenhurst, 1-800-461-0236,tabooresort.com

Touchstone, 1869 Muskoka Rd. 118 W., Bracebridge, 1-866-928-1098,touchstoneonlakemuskoka.com/resort.html

Deerhurst Resort,1235 Deerhurst Dr., Huntsville, 1-800-461-4393,deerhurstresort.com

Ontario Tourism, 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746), www.ontariotravel.net

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Chris Johns is a food, travel and lifestyle writer focusing on restaurants and hotels. Anything newsworthy relating to those subjects would appeal to him.

Originally occupied by First Nations communities, the Bay saw its first explorers, missionaries and traders arrive around the 1600s. French explorer Samuel de Champlain charted the area, with his maps lasting as reference to westbound explorers for nearly two centuries. The next two centuries saw such newcomers as military personnel, fishermen, loggers and homesteaders inhabiting the land. Slowly the area became spotted with villages, many growing to town or city status.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL SIZED MAP (PDF)

Each group had its own trials and tribulations: battling the land, waters, weather, or each other. Land roads were inadequate or non-existent, and water routes were often blocked by ice in the winter. The waters were often rough, with the only saving grace being the existence of abundant natural harbours.

Today, many denizens proclaim that the Georgian Bay area sparkles with the best recreational pursuits: skiing, golfing, cruising, heritage sites, events and festivals. Roam the rim of the Georgian Bay and see what brought many to its shores, and what lures the thousands of vacationers who flock to the territory during all four of its distinct seasons.

Sights and places to discover

The stopovers are countless in the Georgian Bay area. Here’s a quick overview starting south of the Bay.

Owen Sound

The first to footprint the sandy shores of Owen Sound, a southern Georgian Bay location, was the Petun Indians, members of the Huron association. The Iroquois engaged them in warfare for decades. Rather than face genocide, the Hurons eventually retreated from the area. Later, the Ojibway tribes of Lake Superior in turn ousted the Iroquois.

After Champlain mapped the area in the 1600s, settlers began to arrive. It is highly likely that they took moments from their toil to enjoy the scenery of what is now known as the Niagara Escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment is an eco-system that supports hundreds of plant and wildlife species, and has been deemed a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (which entails the preservation of crucial ecological features even if the area is developed).

One lad who later became enthralled by the distinctive vegetation and turquoise waters was Tom Thomson. Thomson influenced, and was influenced by, the famous Group of Seven. The Group of Seven were an early 1920s Toronto-based group whose paintings expressed a true love for the Canadian wilderness. His works, as well as several of his contemporaries and modern painters, remain in the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.

Scottish, Irish and English first populated Owen Sound in the 1840s. A taste of their culture lives on through the Owen Sound Celtic Festival, held for three days each September. Dancing, food and historical re-enactments are all part of the revelry.

Generation upon generation thrived in Owen Sound. Amongst the population rose a young man who later became a Canadian hero. William Avery ‘Billy’ Bishop, went on to be a World War I and II fighting ace, and tangled with the dreaded Red Baron. A stop at the Billy Bishop Museum will educate visitors of his life and other highlights of Canadian aviation history.

Today, Owen Sound is the largest town in the area, with a population of 21,000 permanent residents. Because of the close proximity to Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay, the communities around the Bay usually experience cooler temperatures in the summer and milder winter temperatures. In Owen Sound the daily maximum temperature in the height of summer is 22 C (72 F) and winter lows of no less than -12 C (10 F). However, as is the case with most of Ontario’s areas, be prepared for atypical weather conditions.

Collingwood

Proceeding east for 64 kms (40 miles), one will come to the Town of Collingwood, with a population of over 16,000 people.

Outside of town is evidence of glacial ice, dating back millions of years. Explorers of the Scenic Caves Nature Preserve can tread through the various limestone splits and caverns, and even squeeze through the 14-inch-wide passage known as ‘Fat Man’s Misery’. Between 1400 and 1600, the Huron Indian Village of Ekarenniondi stood at this site. Visitors may still touch the worshipping rock of this tribe.

While the Hurons lived in long houses constructed of poles and elm bark, spending much of their time engrossed in hunting, fishing and growing corn for their meals, the same cannot be said for today’s travellers and residents. Many people are drawn to the area for its luxurious resorts and recreational activities. Blue Mountain Resort is at the back door of Ontario’s highest mountain, Blue Mountain, and is populated by alpine ski enthusiasts in the winter. Golfing at Cranberry Golf Resort is prime, especially due to the resort’s dedication to protecting and enhancing wildlife in the area (Canada’s only fully certified Audubon Sanctuary, promoting ecology).

French explorer Samual de Champlain surveyed Collingwood in the 1600s. These days, another man of infamy strolls the town one weekend each July, and can be seen everywhere! The Collingwood Elvis Festival brings both amateur and professional impersonators of ‘The King’ to the area for competitions, concerts and general hound-dogging.

In the early 1800s, many black Americans slipped the shackles of slavery and escaped to such places as Collingwood and its neighboring community of Owen Sound via the ‘Underground Railroad’. The railroad was a network of former slaves and sympathizers who assisted the fugitives to gain freedom. The bittersweet stories of these early settlers can be learned at the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum.

Collingwood became a noteworthy port and railhead, as it was the receiving point for grain from Thunder Bay and the Prairies, as well as the departure point for Western settlers and goods. Shipbuilding became quite industrious. Today, boaters hear the call of the cool, enchanting waters and contentedly anchor at one of the Georgian Bay’s numerous marinas.

Wasaga Beach

What made the Wasaga Beach area displeasing to early settlers – sandy land that was unsuitable for farming – is today’s biggest lure. The longest fresh water beach in the world (a remarkable14 kms/9mils) entices many. Wasaga Beach’s population hovers slightly above 12,000 people, with a visitor count of approximately two million each year. The end of the most popular season is appropriately marked with the Memories of Summer Fireworks during the Labour Day weekend.

The beach of this central town is also historically significant, as it was the fly off location for the first plane to make an overseas flight from Canada: the length of the beach made it the perfect runway.

Rather than trying to tame the terrain of Wasaga Beach as the early settlers did, visitors today embrace its ruggedness, which provides many recreational pursuits. The trails in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park are ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling. A stop at the Blueberry Nordic Centre can serve as a warm-up or as an information point. And the Nottawasaga River is perfect for fishing and canoeing.

While in the park, stop at Nancy Island, where the Americans sank the Schooner Nancy, the last British ship on the Great Lakes, during a battle in 1814. The sunken hull formed an obstruction in the river, which eventually formed the island. A museum on the island contains other remnants of the Nancy as well as battle artifacts. Far from the cries of combat, visitors to the island can now hear the alluring sounds of live Big Band, Swing and Jazz bands. Jazz in the Park is a series of 10 free concerts on scheduled evenings in July.

Penetanguishene

Continuing north up the Bay’s shore is the small town of Penetanguishene (population 5,000). Penetanguishene holds the title of the oldest town in Ontario, when as early as 800 AD Aboriginals built semi-permanent villages in the area. In 1793, the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada John Graves Simcoe recognized the military potential of the area, and began promoting development. It was in the early 1800s that the British naval and military base Discovery Harbour was built.

For a marine experience, visitors may board the M.S. Georgian Queen. A live commentator cites stories of the past while pointing out the magnificent scenery of the day. Sailors of both private and rented vessels will admire the Pentanguishene’s lovely and protected harbours.

Midland

Approximately five km (three miles) from Pentangushene is the town of Midland, with a population of over 14,000 people. Samuel de Champlain brought the first Jesuit missionaries to the Midland area in the 1600s, intent on saving Huron souls. The mission Sainte-Marie among the Hurons became Ontario’s first European community, experiencing settlement, war, disease, and finally abandonment. The site continues to attract tourists, as costumed interpreters give live history lessons about the Sainte-Marie.

In the 1800s, the area boomed with industry and railroad expansion. Those who were gifted tracts of land for their government or military services also increased the number of inhabitants. The town was dubbed the ‘Chicago of the North’, as it was thought to be the place a fortune could be made. Millions weren’t accumulated but nonetheless, the area began to attract a wealth of artists and naturalists. The town is home to over 30 outdoor murals, including North America’s largest outdoor historic mural, situated over Midland Harbour. Close to Midland is the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, whose residents include a myriad of bird and wildlife species, including trumpeter swans.

Honey Harbour

From Honey Harbour, many cottagers navigate by boat to their properties in the 30,000 Islands. The area also has an abundance of rental cottages, resorts and marinas to serve as home base for exploring the waters. A water taxi service provides transportation to Canada’s only island park, the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Fishing and boating are popular summer activities, while those who are more adventurous often snowshoe or cross-country ski over the frozen water in winter.

Parry Sound

Progressing up to the northern region of Ontario is Parry Sound. This community has seen much toil and action in its colourful past. Today it is a recreational hot spot. A myriad of water activities, cultural sites and events and impressive parks beckons many to the area. Read WorldWeb Travel Guide’s article Parry Sound Town & City Review.

Killarney

Hundreds of years ago, Canada’s voyageurs set up a fur trading post to ease their canoe journeys. Water travel was the only method of transportation to Killarney, as there was no road access until 1962 to this northern post, located almost five hours away from Toronto. Both passengers and freight entered the “Shibaonaning’, the Ojibway name for ‘canoe channel’ by steamships.

Today, sailboats and power yachts float the pristine waters, but for pleasure rather than necessity. The small village of Killarney triples in size during the summer, as it boasts the ‘crown jewel’ of Ontario’s parks – Killarney Provincial Park. Sapphire lakes, ridges filled with jack pines, the snow capped white quartzite La Cloche Mountains and pink granite shorelines have captivated artists, adventure seekers and nature appreciators.

30,000 Islands, including Manitoulin Island

One of the most mentioned highlights in the Georgian Bay is the 30,000 Islands, which includes Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest island contained within a freshwater lake. Boaters find the area a paradise, as the picturesque islands with their numerous secluded bays, inlets and coves, as well as the countless towns, marinas and resorts, provide the back drop and services required to make it in the ranks of top sailing waters. After crossing the swing bridge of Little Current which links Manitoulin Island to the mainland, travel to Bridal Veil Falls. The hiking and cascading waterfall is well worth the trip.

For more information click here

In Peterborough, you will experience all the advantages of city living, while enjoying the benefits of the natural world.  Home to approximately 80,000 residents, Peterborough offers exceptional quality of life, an affordable cost of living, and access to first-rate educational institutions.  An ideal place to start your own business, offering many resources and programs to help you along the way, Peterborough is also the focal point of many immigration success stories.  Beginning in the 1800’s, successive waves of people moved to the area to build Peterborough into the city rich in history and culture that we know today.

“We are a people who believe that our origins matter less than our destinations.  And that where you come from is not as important as where you are going.” Meet Daryl Bennett—Mayor of Peterborough

WelcomePeterborough.ca contains information for those who are either thinking of immigrating to Canada, or who have recently arrived.  It will help you decide if you want to live in Peterborough and how to get settled here.

• Information about the history of immigration to Peterborough, local weather, and geography can be found in the “About Peterborough” section.

• For help with immigrating to Peterborough, including what to do before arriving and resources to assist you with settling after you arrive; check out the “Immigrating” section.

• In the “Living” section, you will find everything you need to know about housing, food, finance health, transportation, and much more.

• The “Working” section provides important and useful information about finding a job, starting a business, and getting your credentials recognized.

• To learn about Peterborough’s college, university, school boards, and opportunities for lifelong learning, check out the “Learning” section.

Stories from Newcomers at WelcomePeterborough.ca

After a short stay Windsor, Hua Chen and his wife moved to Peterborough in 2005, where they both attended Trent University.  Originally from Beijing, China, Hua struggled initially with his English but soon made Peterborough his home.  Today, Hua describes Peterborough as a welcoming and beautiful city.  For those looking to further their education, Hua recommends Peterborough’s Trent University, saying that “Trent is small but good because the professors are very nice. They know the students and their needs, and are willing to talk to, and help anyone”.

Rene, an accountant, and Maria Ferrer, a copywriter, immigrated to Peterborough in 1989 from the Philippines to pursue better educational opportunities for their son.  Starting over was tough, but with hard work, both Rene and Maria landed their dream jobs.  Twenty-two years later, their oldest son now travels the world as an engineer and their youngest is now studying at Queen’s University.  They are all proud to call Peterborough home!

Shah Mohammad Yousuf moved to Toronto from Bangladesh in 2005.  After working what he refers to as a “survival job” for a period of time, Shah found employment in Peterborough as a Spatial Data Analyst.  When asked what he likes about Peterborough, Shah had to say that “[the] people are great, helpful, and co-operative. It is a quiet and family-oriented community where I can find quality healthcare and recreation. There are also many different agencies that help newcomers and immigrants to settle here”.  Like all newcomers, Shah misses his family but doesn’t have any regrets about moving to Peterborough.  “I like my life here, and I love Peterborough”.

Since 1971, Jim’s Pizzeria has been a Peterborough favourite.  Owners John and Hellen Kostsovos emigrated from Greece to Montreal in 1959, along with their brothers and sisters.  After a few years adjusting to Canadian culture, the doors of the first Jim’s Pizzeria opened in Belleville in 1969; followed by the second in Trenton in 1970.  After opening the third Jim’s Pizzeria in Peterborough, John and Helen decided to stay and raise their family.  When asked about Peterborough, their daughter Effie says that “Peterborough was small enough to feel safe, but large enough to sustain a profitable business”.

Karma Phuntshok and his wife initially emigrated from New York to Toronto in 1999.  His wife was pregnant with their son at the time, and Karma decided that Toronto was too large of a city to raise a child in.  At the suggestion of friends, Karma and his wife moved to Peterborough, where he found work at a local meat packer.  Karma had always wanted to open a restaurant and in 2004 he opened Karma’s Café, a South Asian and Himalayan restaurant on Hunter Street.  If you ask Karma about Peterborough today, he’ll say that he “loves it here”. Excitedly he claims that “Peterborough has the best services, restaurants, art, and music for the size”.

In 2000, Binu Jain and her family emigrated from India to Canada.  Initially, the Jain family lived in Waterloo before moving to Peterborough in 2005.  Her husband Pankaj accepted work at Siemens and Binu began to look for employment in Peterborough and surrounding area.  With a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics and a Project Management Professional designation, Binu was offer a job at Siemens shortly after.  When asked about Peterborough, Binu says “the community greeted us with open arms. Neighbours and co-workers helped us get settled and find suitable daycare for our young children, which made the transition and move much easier.

Peterborough has given us the sense of community that we couldn’t find in a larger city. It’s a great place to raise our children. They are more in touch with their Indian heritage and culture in Peterborough than they would have been growing up in India. Peterborough has become our home, and is heaven on earth. It’s difficult to imagine living anywhere else”.  Binu advises that “there is a positive trade off to moving to a small community, you have more time to bond with your family and contribute to the community. The community is so open and helpful – the possibilities are endless.”

Full length success stories can be found at WelcomePeterborough.ca 

No one has ever captured a vineyard’s magic in words, or music, or even pictures.  Vineyards are amazing places that have entranced people for centuries. Poets have written wistful and profound verses about them. This is my backyard, The County…a more serene and gentler Canadian version of Ptown.

Here I am already at Keint-He Winery with Bryan Rogers. Every bottle of wine is personally made by the winemaker and only 100% hillier grapes.  It’s going to be a Pinot morning! There is a philosophy of producing wine in the traditional Burgundian methodology and adhering to organic vineyard practices. With 30 acres of high density, 90% being Pinot Noir, although less fruit is produced, the sacrifice gives rise to “intense flavour”. So should I try the Foxtail, Little Creek Classic or Little Creek Benway…I think there is a water theme evolving. The pinots are vegan fruit, unfined, unfiltered and barrel aged, they are not rushed. It is to reproduce the methodology and understand the wine as a new world classic experience. The setting with the use of stone and the wood is reminiscent of a “voyageur” rustic building. But what’s this…an 08 Nord Pineaux Sauvage…a botrytis affected wine, “Noble Rot”. What a find! What next?  What sets Keint-He apart further is that they are one winery with three distinct vineyards, each possessing its own unique terroir.  Time to head due west for all of 1 minute!

I see banners! Bright colours! Time for a fiesta, really in the County? It’s Sandbanks Winery, a light airy…time to seize the day with that French saying “Joie de vivre”! Wine is fun and is paired with life, imagine that!  Well I guess since Sandbanks started in the kitchen, the feel is relaxing…a glass of wine, some cheese and outdoors you go to just kick back. It makes the heart feel good! It is a fruit forward experience with the goal being to offer wine for good value and fair trade. Here there are wines for everyone and that are easy to pair with food. Two 100% County ones strike me: a Baco Reserve 09 aged for 18 months in American oaks, fruity, intense, juicy, juicy, juicy, as one of my art teachers used to say! And the Mouton Noir (Black Sheep, LOL) a Marechal Foch…I can taste the dirt, the terroir, the earth…and that is a good thing. I’m feeling the love! Sandbanks Estate Winery is a family owned winery situated along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario, in the heart of beautiful Prince Edward County.   Catherine Langlois invites you to enjoy wine tasting in their charming boutique, explore the estate or sit back and relax in their inviting vineyard setting, but it ‘s time to go.

Going north on hwy 33, The Loyalist Parkway, I see the sign Harwood Estates Vineyards. That took 3 minutes. Going through the three vineyards that are tended by hand, I come upon a domed metal clad galvanized steel structure. The tasting room is the winery; you are surrounded by all that equipment while sipping Pinot Noir, Pinot St. Laurent or Pinot Gris. By the way, these are owners Kerry Wicks and John Rode’s favourites. Although wine is alone without food, so they say… the Friends Rose with its strawberry pallet is vivacious, all by itself! If I may digress, last time I was here at an evening BBQ I cultivated an affinity to the Gewürztraminer 2009. I was drawn to it exotic taste. Harwoods Gewürztraminer 2009 is elegant, perfumy wine, showing classic rose petal notes and the classic Hillier minerality. But then there is the Pinot Gris 2009 a crisp, clean white wine, with a hint of grapefruit, best served well-chilled. Every Harwood visit is a winery tour. Time to scoot across a back road up to Closson Road, over hill and over dale.

How I love that old split rail wooden fencing zig-zaging by the side of the country lane guiding me to The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyard Estate and Winery. Like most in The County, it is a family-run agri-business. For Caroline Granger it is all about balance and authenticity…grown and bottled on the farm. With 60 acres under vine, the farm is home to 6 distinct vineyard blocks and 7 varieties of grapes to make it one of the larger vineyards in Canada and one of my neighbours. The place is a dichotomy…a winery with all the new fandangled equipment set amidst a farm operating for over 207 years housed in a hand honed beam barn built 1826. I feel like I am coming home for thanks giving. The wines are likened to an orchestra finding perfect balance, perfect pitch and the perfect arrangement but always searching for constant improvement. The wines are divided into 2 categories. Trumpour’s Mill is the more affordable line. If you are looking to explore and experiment discover GPE, the smaller production series of sexy wines-smaller lot processed and hand sorted. Boy, that sounds like a lot work! On a general note, the whites are peachy with a bit of lime and grapefruit but the reds…wait for it…are warmed sweet beet root with earthiness. Although the cabernet franc is the good child and more noble grape, it is the 07 Diana Block Pinot Noir that is best and only getting better! And they have a sparkling…how I love those bubbles! Sorry I get carried away when it comes to those little bubbles!

Continuing on my Hillier Horn Trip- Huff Estates Winery. A modern monolithic facility created by Lanny Huff with one thing in mind, producing high quality wines. Check this out, there is a moat-surrounded patio and a heli-pad. So here I run into Fred Picard and we chat about the experience of farming. How does one relate the grapes into the wine? There are several factors at play: the terroir, the micro climate, the taste of the grape, the knowledge, the research, the challenge…all this to know how to transfer the essence of the grape into a bottle. And be consistent year over year. In this way you should be able to recognize what you drink, “the cepage” and there should be NO surprises…here is that balance thing again!   His philosophy is to be true to the earth and you are given one chance to take everything nature has given you to a simple way with some chemistry, bottle it! On a lighter note it is about learning and having fun so…here’s to the 08 Chardonay vintage barrel aged and the 2010 pinot gris that are chalked full of fruit and underlying floral notes. And OMG…they have sparkling!

Next, heading towards Picton, I am off to see Geoff Webb at the Black Prince Winery. Just outside of town, The Prince is a ten acre vineyard that grows Chardonnay, Cab Franc and some hybrids.  One of the pioneering wineries of the local scene, The Black Prince Winery is a very co-operative character – over the last 10 years helping launch 4 new wineries here. Since 2002 Black Prince Winery has sourced local grapes and continues to work with many local growers exclusively. The ultimate in “local” is the Prince’s Chardonnay Terroir Elite – the first County wine to be aged in local County oak barrels.  Watch for the awesome 2010 vintage to be released soon – without a doubt the best vintage yet.  And guess what’s coming? A very exciting Merlot and Cabernet Franc Reserve along with the Chardonnay, all aged in local Prince Edward County oak barrels, of course. Plus there is one of the largest selections of wines all under one roof.  As per Geoff, One Winery – Many Terroir, The Prince will bring a smile to your lips! Time to turn around and head home.

Back into the truck, last but not least here is a toast to owner’s Sally and Rob Peck of Sugarbush Vineyards which just happens to be on my way home. Theirs is the garagiste winery of Prince Edward County. Garagiste:\GA-razh-EEST\ n. fr.  A passionate winemaker who creates limited production premium wine in a garage-sized winery, specializing in small lot, artisanal wines made entirely from our estate-grown grapes.  Don’t you just love it! All of their vintages are produced entirely from grapes hand harvested from their vineyard.  The Riesling/Gewürztraminer although only 20% Gewürz, the silky Gewürztraminer viscosity pushes through a beautiful floral nose and here is the fruit- pear, grapefruit and a twist of lemon finish.  The un-oaked Chardonnay tantalizes the nose and the palette. So what can I say, Prince Edward County soils add a fantastic minerality and finesse to the wine.

It’s been a long day…my Hillier Horn Trip has been a success. I’ve tasted, sampled the “terroir” and even gotten a bit of that famous Hillier clay loam on my boots. The gps is set for home and up Chase Road I go! So all I need now … is a glass of wine. LOL!

Writers Bio: Michael and Dean of  f a d: funktional art and design  have created Out in The County to provide recommendations for the gay and lesbian (GL) traveler on GL-owned and GL-friendly businesses when visiting one of the most beautiful places in Canada: Prince Edward County.  Our objective is to promote GL-lifestyle tourism.

Visit www.outinthecounty.com today as well consider joining Out in The County on Facebook and Twitter

Located on the southern tip of New Brunswick, the seaside village of St. Andrews has been a healthy retreat in summer for more than a century. People come to stop and smell the flowers at Kingsbrae Garden and walk Water Street, where two- and three-storey clapboard buildings from the 19th century are now home to shops, restaurants and bars. Most of all, visitors venture to St. Andrews to experience the 16-m (52-ft) tidal shift on the Bay of Fundy, the highest tide in the world. By all means, get out on the water via guided boat tour or sea kayak to discover the bevy of sea life, from the arched back of the minke whale to the equine snout of the gray seal to the harbor porpoises jumping in tandem to the eagles flying overhead.

Back on terra firma, spend the night at the Kingsbrae Arms, a Relais & Chateaux property that was once the country home of the very family that created the neighboring Kingsbrae Garden. Chef Guillaume Delaune has no regular menu. His select group of fishermen and farmers meet him daily to deliver locally caught halibut, lobster, scallops, wild mushrooms, organically grown greens and blueberries. One bite of the tender pan-roasted halibut and you’ll realize that St. Andrews is now a luxurious retreat, one that continues to stimulate all five senses.

Getting here

Kingsbrae Garden, 220 King St., 1-866-566-8687, kingsbraegarden.com

Whale Watching Cruise, Quoddy Link Marine, 6 King St., 1-877-688-2600,quoddylinkmarine.com

Kingsbrae Arms, 219 King St., 506-529-1897, kingsbrae.com

Tourism New Brunswick, 1-800-561-0123, www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca Steve Jermanok’s frustration at gardening has only taught him to appreciate even more the splendor of a well-manicured garden. He blogs daily at ActiveTravels.com.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre by Steve Jermanok

Her background is in the hospitality industry where she spent 30 years in public relations and sales. She has also served on council since October 2004 leading to her first term as Mayor.

Karen has been married for 22 years to Carsten and they have three sons. Bjerre is 26 and lives in California with his wife and children. Her other sons Eric (19) and  Connor (16) live in Banff.

We thank her for taking the time to answer our questions.

Q: What vehicle do you drive and what was the first car you ever owned?

A: In Banff, it’s easy to get around the summer months by cruiser bike and I have my road bike for play. And I only live a few blocks from both my office and Town Hall, so I get to walk to work. Plus we have a fabulous all-hybrid transit system. However, my first car was a Chevette.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find about about you?

A:  I have a tattoo of a dolphin on my back.

Q: What do you most value in other people?

A: Modesty, sense of humour.

Q: Where has been your most memorable travel destination and why?

A: Banff, on holiday with my parents. I visited here and immediately wanted to move here. So when I could, I did. A road trip with three young boys and a husband is always memorable too.

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

A: Banff, Alberta. Who wouldn’t?

Q: What sports do you support and/or play?

A: I ride my road bike on the new Legacy Trail – connecting Canmore (at the east gate) to Bow Valley Parkway, and eventually to Jasper. I don’t know if I’ll make it to Jasper. I also like to hike and my favorite trail is right here in Banff (naturally) on Tunnel Mountain. It’s a great view of the Town of Banff and I get a thrill every time I see it.

Q: What hobbies do you do to relax?

A: Read. I have been known to indulge in a glass of wine now and then after a particularly long meeting.

Q: What has been your best moment since becoming Mayor? And your worst?

A: We opened our newest community facility a month after I took office – The Fenlands recreation centre– it’s beautiful inside and out and I’m very proud of it. But honestly, being Mayor of Banff – a great, thriving community, a special, unique place in a national park, part of a UNESCO Heritage Site, and of course an internationally famous destination, not to mention spectacularly beautiful – is a privilege. So every moment is the best moment. There have been no bad moments.

Q: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?

A: Mayor of Banff. Best job going. I would love to work with dolphins at some point though.

Q: If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do today?

A: Hug my kids and tell everyone important to me why they are and how they have positively impacted by life. 

Q: If you had to choose a last meal, what would it be?

A: Ice cream.

Q: If you could give a newcomer one piece of advice, what would it be?

A: Be grateful every day.

“More applications and higher expectations mean that Citizenship and Immigration Canada needs a more responsive and flexible processing system,” said Minister Kenney.  “To achieve that, the Department is providing applicants and staff with the right tools to deliver on those expectations.”

Citizens of certain countries require a visa to come to Canada temporarily. Currently, the maximum validity period of a multiple-entry visa is five years. However, increasingly, countries are issuing passports which are valid for ten years. In light of this, CIC is changing its policy for visa issuance. Where applicants apply for multiple-entry visas, they may now be issued to the maximum validity according to the length of the passport validity (up to ten years, minus one month).

This practice, already recommended for parents and grandparents with sponsorships in process, may now be extended to other clientele, such as business visitors.

As Canada is becoming a preferred destination for visitors and business travellers alike, CIC continues to balance the need to facilitate this travel while responsibly managing our borders. We will increasingly focus attention on applications with the greatest potential for threat and vulnerability, while streamlining low risk cases. Further limitations on validity may apply on a case-by-case basis.

The ten-year visa will be an option available to more low-risk travellers who are citizens of visa-required countries. As of Monday, the technical changes needed to issue it were in place.

The number of permanent resident visas issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada between January and March fell from 84,083 in 2010 to 63,224 this year.

The latest department numbers show a decline across the board, with visas for skilled workers down 28 per cent, family-sponsored relatives down 14 per cent, and refugees dropping by 25 per cent.

Over the last 15 years, Canada’s annual immigration levels have remained around 250,000, about 0.8 per cent of the population.

Immigration lawyers say fewer permanent visas could mean bigger backlogs, especially for family sponsorships where there is no cap on applications like there is for skilled workers and investors.

Since 2008, the federal government has made numerous changes to its immigration program in an effort to eliminate backlogs and process applications in a more timely fashion. It counts on capping the number of immigration applications it accepts for processing.

Drop in immigrant acceptance in the first quarter

• Federal skilled workers27,82416,836-39%
• Quebec skilled workers8,9048,239-7%
• Federal business immigrants1,8831,831-3%
• Quebec business immigrants1,1791,32112%
• Provincial nominees11,4639,426-18%
• Live-in caregivers4,7142,897-39%
• Canadian experience class1,241713-43%
• Total Economic Class57,20841,263-28%
• Spouses and children12,42711,017-11%
• Parents and grandparents4,0393,112-23%
• Total Family Class16,46614,129-14%
• Government-assisted refugees2,0511,697-17%
• Privately sponsored refugees 1,1121,53538%
• Refugees within Canada3,6881,971-47%
• Refugees’ dependants abroad 65373913%
• Humanitarian cases2,8681,866-35%
• Others3721-43%
• Total Humanitarian Class10,4097,829-25%

Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

“Travellers spent $1 trillion on tourism globally in 2010 — that’s $3 billion dollars a day or $2 million a minute. We want more than our fair share of that revenue,” says Michele McKenzie, the president and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission.

McKenzie recently announced the launch of “Signature Experiences Collection” at a tourism conference in Banff, Alta. It’s a compilation of 48 Canadian tourism enterprises from coast to coast to coast. It will be marketed in 11 countries and initially be rolled out in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia.

“Tourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world and it’s become a very high stakes game and one in which countries are competing to win and Canada is competing to win,” McKenzie says.

“Winning countries are those that offer exotic experiences, a strong tourism brand, great infrastructure and effective collaboration between government and tourism partners.”

Canada’s Rocky Mountains, skiing and history aren’t enough to attract the international visitors flush with cash, although some tried and true events such as the Calgary Stampede, ice wine tours, Niagara Falls in Ontario and winery tours in British Columbia still make the grade.

Also on the list are the Grand Festival of Winter and the Ice Hotel in Quebec; iceberg viewing in Newfoundland and Labrador; the Plain of the Six Glaciers Tea House Ride in Alberta; dogsled adventures in the Northwest Territories, and a cowboy adventure in Saskatchewan.

“Simply having a positive image as a country does not translate into a compelling reason to visit,” says McKenzie.

“Our challenge was to inspire our customers with a Canada that offered more than spectacular scenery but to offer tourism experiences that rival those of even our most exotic competitors.”

The recession has taken a toll on the travel sector, says Kevin Stanton, owner and operator of Brewster Adventures in Banff. He says the program is needed to win international markets. The concept appears to be working.

“We sent some guests out on an overnight trip and halfway through their trip, a wild horse colt decided to join the people. That horse went all the way to their overnight camp and came back,” he said.

“Those international people will never forget that. It was an experience of a lifetime for them.”

The initiative should encourage the rest of the world to visit Canada, said Maxime Bernier, minister of state for small business and tourism. Bernier admits to having visited only one of the 48 experiences in the campaign — the Ice Hotel in Quebec City.

Canada has benefited from the publicity surrounding the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and more recently the visit by Prince William and Kate, he said.

“It’s something very special and also it was free all across the world in different markets like in the United Kingdom,” said Bernier.

“Experiences like that can also bring other international travellers here.”

An official with the Calgary Stampede estimates that international visitors have dropped off 5 to 10 per cent the past couple of years, but senses that things are beginning to turn around.

Lindsay Galloway said the publicity that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave to the Stampede, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2012, is priceless.

Prince William and his bride, Kate, wore western garb, including the famous white cowboy hats, while riding a stagecoach. They also took part in the Stampede parade.

“The coverage we’re receiving around the world is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable. It’s great for the Stampede, it’s great for Alberta and the country,” he said.

“Them wearing cowboy hats is a lasting image around the world that will just serve our city so well.”

Despite the challenge of long, cold winters, owners Pierre Pellerin and Christine Deschesnes defied conventional wisdom – and conquered their own inexperience – to slowly nurture their dream of planting a bit of Provence on 100 acres of land they purchased near the Québec-Vermont border. After a false start in 2002 (the first winter killed off all but 10,000 plants), Bleu Lavande now boasts over 300,000 true lavender plants under cultivation, all grown without chemicals or pesticides, making it the second-biggest operation of its kind in North America.

A farmstead boutique opened in 2004, and there are now many Bleu Lavande shops across the province, including several in the Montreal area. But even if it’s a bit out of the way, there is a lot more in store for visitors to the original location. You’ll find the brand’s full range of lavender-based products, from lotions, soaps and cleaning products, to lavender cooking ingredients, chocolates and honey, as well as candles, linen water and even potted English and Munstead lavender plants (the latter’s petals are edible).

During warm months, there are also lots of unique activities, including guided tours of the farm and distillery offering insight on lavender oil’s calming effects and antiseptic properties, catered picnics featuring local products, and relaxing open-air massages overlooking the tranquil sea of purple blooms. Each summer, there’s also a three-day Lavender Fair, with cooking workshops, live music, painting exhibitions and more.

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Her writing services span résumés, CVs, cover letters, bios and anything else requiring a tactical approach. Her primary clients are former military personnel and those wishing to progress within the police, firefighting, government, engineering and IT fields. The training component of Audrey’s service includes guidance for job interviews, salary negotiations, and employment search strategies. Companies will also call on Audrey for outplacement during downsizing initiatives or when a staff member has been fired.

Audrey’s interest and expertise with the Canadian Forces sparked her to write Canada’s only book to help the men and women who serve enter the civilian workforce. It’s called, “Military to Civvie Street. The Complete Job Transition Guide for those Leaving the Canadian Air Force, Army & Navy”. 

I asked her if she noticed any trends in the type of clients that retain her from Canada versus elsewhere. “Definitely” she responded. “Most of my NATO, UN and government / diplomat clients are not Canadian and do not want to work here. They stay abroad and are seeking more senior level roles. My IT, engineer, police, and firefighting clients are primarily Canadian. The former military people I work with can go either way: some want to work here while others enjoy the element of working on foreign soil. I really like the diversity of the projects I write and the people help.”

Out of curiosity, I wondered where most of her international clients come from. Without missing a beat, she knew, “The number one country where clients scope me out before permanently relocating to Canada is the UK, followed closely by Australia and then the US.”

I thought I’d see how the process goes so I decided to her have prepare my own personal job search collateral. I told her to put a marketing / event planning / project management spin on my documents. “No prob” she answered.

Audrey is comfortable using a combination approach to cull the marketability out of her clients.  She uses email, Skype, phone and personal meetings for client consultations. She writes from scratch and refers to letters of recommendation and performance appraisals to quantify achievements and extrapolate quotes. The bulk of the information she receives from clients is from a detailed questionnaire that she emails to them.

One thing that I noticed about Audrey having worked with her, she is equally tenacious regardless if she sees you vie à vie or not.

“It’s definitely a collaborative process,” Audrey emphasizes. “I make this very clear right from the onset. This, along with my knack for squeezing marketability out of absolutely everybody, is what my clients like about me and it’s why they send referrals”.

Audrey has a strong media presence and is a popular speaker at conferences, post secondary education facilities, and many corporate events within Canada and the US. She holds key global leadership positions within the careers industry. Not only is Audrey a credentialed and award winning writer and coach, she has been appointed for many roles with Career Directors International. Audrey is their International Committee Director, Canadian Advisor, Military Expert, Aerospace Expert, and peer mentor.

I asked her how she got into the careers business. “Before I launched my service out of Wasaga Beach back in 2001, I had taught elementary and high school for 11 years. I did everything I had wanted to do – regular classroom, Life Skills and Special Education programming. I’m always up for a challenge and I thrive where energy and enthusiasm are vital to succeed. I assessed my skills and thought what else can I do?” Her passion for writing and educating, along with an interest in careers, paved the way for her to start an industry that was, for the most part, unheard of.

“My teaching colleagues told me I was crazy for walking away from my job, pension and benefits and that I would not make it and that I would be back. Ever since was a kid, it never occurred to me that I would fail at anything so I didn’t listen to them. My first client was an Aviation Technician leaving CFB Borden. It started with one client and look where my company is today. I work with hundreds of clients each year. I absolutely love what I do and I deal with what other career pros refer to as the tough professions. I never tire of learning new things from my clients as I help them navigate their careers.”

It’s a safe bet that Audrey’s success is due to her personality. She counterbalances her direct approach and exceptionally keen analytical skills with a down to earth nature and a great sense of humour.

When I look at what Audrey wrote for me, after grilling me for details, explanations and examples of my career highlights, I could not be more pleased. The next time I go back to see her though, I’ll remember to keep my shoes on so Kiwi won’t run off with them.

You can contact Audrey at resumeresources@gmail.com

The “Park Dreams Contest” simply asks people to share in 50 words or less a dream experience they’ve already had or wish for in any one of Canada’s 42 national parks. The topic is wide, and CPAWS is looking for dreams ranging from the wildest excursion to the most stunning view, wildlife sighting, paddling haven or hiking thrill. There will be a two-week voting period after the closing date to help determine which 100 dreams will make it onto Canada’s first national parks bucket list.

The top-voted dream will win the grand prize trip for two to the Nahanni and the two runners up will receive great prize packages including a Mountain Equipment Co-Op shopping spree, Parks Canada Family Discovery Passes, great gear by CPAWS and a year’s subscription to Explore Magazine. All participants will also be eligible for great weekly prize giveaways! Watch out for the 24 hours “takeover”-24 additional prizes to win!

“This is an opportunity for Canadians to share their dream experiences in our national parks.  We encourage everyone who has ever been to a national park, or dreams of getting to one, to share their ideas. We have amazing natural treasures in our parks and this is a year to celebrate them,” says CPAWS National Executive Director, Éric Hébert-Daly.

Click here for more information and to enter the competition.

Winter days with little sun and endlessly bright summer days characterize this tiny city of approximately 20,000 people. Yellowknife’s unrivaled landscapes beckon outdoor enthusiasts, while the legendary Northern Lights attract hundreds of nature lovers and photographers. The area is also a great place to discover northern Canadian history, with several historic attractions depicting the stories of Aboriginal and European settlements. With all the amenities of a big city, Yellowknife captures a rare energy, with growth and vitality contributing to its appeal.

History

Yellowknife was first settled in 1935, when two prospectors canoed down the Yellowknife River via Great Slave Lake and found gold deposits. A tent city sprung up immediately, with a contagious gold fever attracting a future generation of residents as well as big business. Gold production continued to dominate the local economic field throughout the 1940s and the town continued to grow. Overcrowding led to a serious strain on infrastructure and a new town site began construction in 1947. Old Town sits on a peninsula that extends out to Yellowknife Bay and is primarily residential, with several older businesses remaining in their original locations. New Town houses the downtown core, with office buildings and government institutions. Yellowknife became the territorial capital in 1967, giving it an economic boost when the Comissioner and staff relocated to the town. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1970. The name Yellowknife represents the copper blades of the knives carried by local First Nations settlers, the Dene people.

The gold industry wound down during the 1990s and today, the gold mines are no longer operating, but the region’s rich mineral deposits still contribute to its thriving economic base. Government activity is also significant, with a prominent legislative sector. Tourism is a major employer, with visitors from all over the world coming to experience the climate, culture and traditional lifestyle.

Geography

The city is located in the Canadian Shield region, 512 km (318 mi) south of the Arctic Circle. It borders the mouth of Great Slave Lake, with the Yellowknife River winding northward. Its geographic location is fairly isolated from the nearest big cities, with Edmonton, Alberta about 1,000 km (621 mi) south and Whitehorse in the Yukon Territories approximately 1,100 km (683 mi) southwest. 

Yellowknife’s isolation contributes to its culture, unlike any other in Canada. Recreation plays a large role in the lives of locals, with the weather and terrain perfect for hockey, cross-country skiing, curling and skating, while wilderness adventure companies revel in their role of showing visitors the untamed beauty of their homeland.

Culture and Arts

The Arts

The city’s emerging art scene contributes to its distinct personality. The Northern Arts and Cultural Center hosts theatrical productions from local, national and international groups, such as the renowned Montreal Symphony Orchestra, while the Birchwood Gallery proudly displays pieces by local and Canadian artisans. Paintings of the local landscape, Inuit stone carvings, handmade baskets, caribou-skin accessories and parkas are some souvenirs that capture the mystic land’s spirit.

Events

Several of Yellowknife’s annual events involve cultural celebrations and attract visitors from places like Canada, United States, and even Japan. Folk on the Rocks takes place during the third weekend in July on the shores of Long Lake. This weekend-long music festival has been a tradition since 1980 and also features a food fair with traditional cuisine as well as Art on the Rocks, where visitors can purchase locally made crafts. The Midnight Classic Golf Tournament occurs normally in June, when the sun stays up for 24 hours. The tee-off is at midnight, then players compete for as long as they last in this marathon golfing event. The historic Yellowknife Golf Club is the venue for the tournament and curious ravens and black bears are a trademark of this 18-hole sand course.



Cuisine

Yellowknife’s regional cuisine is a reflection of the climate, flora and fauna, as well as the people. Caribou is a traditional ingredient, showing up in everything from soups to meatloaf to jerky. Fresh caught fish is also a staple, along with traditional bannock and musk-ox chops. These ingredients often show up in game fondues and hot soups and chowders. The Wildcat Cafe captures the spirit of the gold rush in a log cabin that was constructed in 1937. It served the growing community during the 1940s but was forced to close in 1951 due to competition in the New Town area. Thanks to diligent protests, the building was renovated and reopened in 1979 as a fully functioning restaurant. It is now a major tourist attraction and earned a heritage designation in 1992. The menu is a showcase of regional cuisine, with dishes like muskaboo stew (musk-ox and caribou), smoked northern char fettuccine and the ever-popular buffalo burgers. The Gold Range Bar is legendary in northern Canada and attracts the rowdy locals and adventurous tourists. A series of exaggerated stories and whispered urban myths are circulated about the bar, which is constantly full with musical performances and plenty of beer. This is as close as one gets to a wild west saloon and the local patrons are proud of their watering hole.

The Yellowknife Climate

Yellowknife’s climate is categorized as semi-arid subarctic, with long cold and dry winters that leave frost on the ground until springtime. Because Yellowknife is in the rain shadow of western mountain ranges, the city can expect less than 300 mm (12 in) of annual rainfall. Its location at Great Slave Lake, gives the city a unusually long frost-free growing season of about 100 days during the relatively short summer. April is the driest month and August is the wettest. January temperatures range from -22°C to -30°C (-9°F to -24°F) and July warms up at 12°C to 21°C (54°F to 70°F).

Getting Around

The Yellowknife Airport is the busiest in the region, with service to Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver via Air Canada. Several northern carriers provide flights to surrounding destinations such as Cambridge Bay, Hay River and Snare Lake.

Yellowknife Transit provides city bus service, with three regular and two express routes, with stops throughout the city. There is no service on Sundays and statutory holidays and buses run from 6:30am to 7:15pm Monday through Friday with limited Saturday service. Frontier Coachlines provides service in and out of the city and connects with Greyhound lines at Hay River.

The Yellowknife Highway (Hwy 3) joins the Mackenzie Highway and winds around Great Slave Lake into Yellowknife from the west. The Ingram Trail (Hwy 4) joins Hwy 3 at the northeast corner of town before winding northward. Both are all-weather roads open year round and maintained by the government.

The most famous road in town is Ragged Ass Road, located in the northeast corner of Yellowknife. The road was named by Lou Rocher and is a joking expression of his fruitless summer working in Yellowknife. Several friends fashioned a sign that was officially adopted by the city. It became a popular street name and the sign was frequently stolen, until it was welded onto a post. Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane named an album after the road. Replica signs are sold to tourists in many of the city’s shops.

The Mackenzie River can also be used for transportation in and out of Yellowknife. It is the longest river in Canada and can be navigated by ferry between mid-May and late December. When the ice is solid, late December to mid-April, an ice road is used to cross the river and allows for a unique transportation method.

Main Attractions

The city’s diamond industry is a major tourist attraction. Although the actual mines are located 300 km (186 mi) northwest of the city, a visitor’s center is located in town. At Diavik Diamonds, guests can bask in the glow of the locally-mined rocks. Diamond cutting and polishing demonstrations are held in order to entertain and educate guests. Brilliant diamond souvenirs can also be purchased at this specialty attraction.

For a dose of northern Canadian history, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Center provides a source of information in a scenic lakeside location.

The First Nations people who shaped the community are celebrated here, with cultural displays like a moose skin boat, landscape paintings, archives and clothing.

For the youngest explorers, John A’s Paleo Emporium is a must-see, with child-friendly paleontology exhibits. Fossils, bones and dinosaur toys are some major attractions, displayed in an educational fashion.

Yellowknife is surrounded by a seemingly endless stretch of rolling tundra and untouched landscape.

Venturing outside the city is worthwhile and plentiful guided tours are available for visitors to experience the secluded natural wonderland. Aurora Village, located half an hour outside town, within the Aurora Oval is the world’s premier Northern Lights viewing spot. Outdoor activities include ice fishing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding and caribou viewing. At night, visitors can experience the most spectacular natural light show in the world, sheltered by a community of tepees and warmed up by hot drinks and traditional snacks.

Considered by many as the Regional Centre of Northeastern Ontario, Sudbury’s early roots can be traced back to 1883 and the development of the transnational railway. Its vast mineral resources have resulted in unparalleled growth.

Today, Greater Sudbury is a diversified regional centre for mining, technology, education, government and health services with great connections to neighbouring communities and beyond.  Greater Sudbury prides itself on a strong network of industrial, commercial, financial and government support services.  The city is located 390 km north of Toronto and 483 km west of Ottawa, where the Trans Canada Highway 17 and Highway 69 converge.

Greater Sudbury is a city for the creative, curious and adventuresome!  Our city features four seasons and with the changing weather conditions, Sudburians enjoy a vast array of festivals, events and recreational activities that vary as the seasons do.

Our city boasts many shopping malls, plazas and restaurants to suit every appetite.  A host to tourist destinations like Science North and Dynamic Earth, Greater Sudbury has something for everyone.

A bilingual community with a rich francophone and aboriginal heritage, Greater Sudbury is a multicultural mosaic with a platform for welcoming and embracing diversity that Sudburians are proud to share with the world.  Greater Sudbury’s commitment to cultural diversity is evident in all areas of the city, from restaurants, schools, and places of worship, to festivals and events.  Our city’s cultural festivals such as the Canada Day, Italian, La Nuit sur l’étang, Greek, Aboriginal, Irish, Celtic, Finnish and Ukrainian festivals celebrate the cultural diversity of our citizens.

The city’s diversity is most evident with the Bridge of Nations and its many flags.  The flags on the Bridge of Nations were originally raised during a Canada Day celebration on July 1, 2007 to honour Greater Sudbury’s multinational and multicultural heritage.  Today, it continues to be a reflection of how much Greater Sudbury embraces multiculturalism.

Education

Take one look at Greater Sudbury’s educational system and you’ll see that Greater Sudbury has invested heavily in its future by developing outstanding schools from Kindergarten through grade 12 and beyond. As the regional centre for learning and applied research in Northeastern Ontario, Greater Sudbury is home to four school boards, private schools and several postsecondary institutions such as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, Cambrian College, and Collège Boréal, one of only two francophone colleges in Ontario.  Greater Sudbury educational opportunities offer comprehensive and challenging curriculums.

Canada’s first new school of architecture in 40 years, Laurentian Architecture Laurentienne is expected to open in September 2013 as a downtown satellite campus of Laurentian University, and will offer a 4-year undergraduate program and a 2-year graduate program in architecture.  Also in development, is a 3½ year Francophone graduate program, which will be the first of its kind in North America. The school will feature a co-operative work program, thus allowing students to explore the world through international employment placements.  A design-build senior class requirement will partner students and Laurentian with various Northern communities.  Students will benefit from working in collaboration with members of the community to develop specific design solutions to the challenges faced within Northern Ontario.

Real Estate and Housing

Greater Sudbury offers a wide variety of affordable real estate options whether you want to rent or purchase a home in urban, rural and suburban settings.  Greater Sudbury offers housing options to fit every budget and lifestyle.  Enjoy a work-life balance with a ten minute commute from your home to work.

Take a drive through our city and you will get a glimpse of friendly neighbourhoods, thriving business sectors and a vibrant downtown filled with shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment.

In comparison to other large communities, Greater Sudbury has the lowest average housing prices.  The average sale price for a single family home in 2010 was $223,016.  If renting an apartment or home, Greater Sudbury renters spend less of their income on housing than the national average.

Employment

Greater Sudbury’s business-friendly environment is as dynamic as it is diverse.  We have a highly skilled, educated, innovative and enthusiastic workforce.  Once reliant on the cycles that came with mining, Greater Sudbury has grown considerably into a diverse and dynamic centre for technology, education, mining, government, and health services.

A comparison to Ontario data based on the 2006 Census reveals that Greater Sudbury’s labour force profile has diversified significantly over the last three decades. Service activities, from retail to producer services, now employ 80% of Greater Sudbury’s labour force, compared to 20% in the goods-producing sector.  Health care, educational services and public administration all play an important role, reflecting Greater Sudbury’s position as a regional service centre for Northeastern Ontario, as well as the continued development of the health care and education infrastructure.

Health Care Services

Greater Sudbury has become a regional resource and referral centre for residents in Northeastern Ontario. The presence of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre and the Adult Regional Cardiac Program, coupled with the pursuit of an Occupational Health & Safety Centre of Excellence, have all positioned Greater Sudbury as a regional health centre. Over 300 general practitioners and specialists contribute to the overall health and wellness of Greater Sudbury and to patients throughout the region.

The Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) provides hospital-based acute, transitional, rehabilitation and continuing care.  The HRSRH completed a major expansion to consolidate all hospital based services once offered across three sites.  The new one site hospital allows for additional acute inpatient and intensive care beds, mental health, birthing facilities, emergency department, operating rooms and other diagnostic and support departments.

With the world’s population aging, the need for long term care facilities is essential to any city.  From retirement communities including St. Joseph’s Villa, the Elizabeth Centre, St. Gabriel’s Villa, Pioneer Manor and Finlandia-Koti to name a few, to chronic care centres such as Extendicare, the City of Greater Sudbury is proud to offer a wide variety of health care accommodation options for our seniors.

Summer Weather and the Outdoors

Greater Sudbury summers are warm and sunny offering its residents the opportunity to enjoy lakes, parks, golf, biking and walking trails, outdoor festivals and more. Temperatures range from 22°C to over 30°C, with most of the annual rain (656 mm) falling between the months of May and September.

If you love the outdoors, several public parks provide access to water sports, hiking, board walks and cycling opportunities.  Golf enthusiasts have a choice of over 15 golf courses to play.  Greater Sudbury’s golf courses offer a variety of challenging layouts nestled amongst trees and natural beauty.

In addition to the many cultural festivals throughout the year, the late summer in Greater Sudbury offers a number of festivals including Sudbury Summerfest (August 25 – 28), 20^th Annual Garlic Festival (August 28), Downtown Sudbury Ribfest (September 2 – 4) and Cinéfest (September 17 – 25). Jazz Sudbury Festival is an outdoor jazz extravaganza held on the beautiful grounds of Science North.  Jazz enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy award winning talent September 9 to 11.

Key Websites

To find out more about the City of Greater Sudbury visit the following websites and find out what makes Sudbury so great!

• http://www.mysudbury.ca
• http://www.immigrationsudbury.ca
• http://www.greatersudbury.ca
• http://www.sudburytourism.ca
• http://invest.mysudbury.ca
• http://www.sciencenorth.ca
• http://www.rainbowroutes.com
• http://www.laurentian.ca
• http://www.cambriancollege.ca
• http://www.borealc.on.ca
• http://www.nosm.ca
• http://www.jazzsudbury.ca
• http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca

In 2010 the Stampede took extreme up one more notch: adding an event called “Cowboy Up,” which is based on a popular Western trend called the Extreme Cowboy Race™.

Photo Credit: Calgary Stampede

Cowboy Up adds to a two-week schedule that’s already loaded with extremes:

• Extremely exciting rodeo with a million dollars in prize money on one Sunday alone.
• Extremely fancy boots and hats Calgarians pull out the closet each year.
• Extremely popular mini-doughnuts on the midway (get your own bag, once you taste them you won’t want to share!)
• Extremely dazzling nightly fireworks (following an always over-the-top song ‘n dance show).
• Perhaps greatest of all, the extreme-adrenaline chuckwagon races – an event rarely seen outside Alberta.

For fans of the rodeo and all-things western, Cowboy Up adds perfectly to what the Stampede started out to be 99 years ago: a big, fancy, rodeo where cowboys from the surrounding Prairie ranches could show their stuff and maybe earn a bit of prize money. Locals and visitors alike love the annual show; in 2010 over 1.1 million people passed through the Stampede’s gates.

Cowboy Up takes place inside the Saddledome Arena (it actually looks like a saddle), and involves cowboys/girls working their horses through a variety of Western tasks and obstacles. The course changes from race to race; possibilities for the 14 obstacles include horseback archery, leading a blindfolded horse, backing the horse uphill, and even events that require the rider to stand on the saddle or navigate water obstacles, all in eight minutes.

While Cowboy Up showcases many cowboy skills, the rodeo – and especially the chuckwagon races – is still the true heart of the Calgary Stampede.

Chuckwagon races are based on the history of cowboy camping, where a campsite would have a “chuck wagon” for their kitchen. In the race, horseback cowboys called “outriders” must toss camp equipment into the wagon before the wagon can begin racing a figure eight and a full lap of the racetrack – with the outriders completing the course too. It’s truly extreme, and rules have been changed this year to make it safer for the athletes and animals. The crowd goes wild for these races, and the stands tend to sell out.

“Cowboy Up” Extreme Cowboy Race, July 9, 10, & 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Calgary Travel Information, www.visitcalgary.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Writer Randall Shirley lives in Vancouver, BC, a place he thinks is paradise. Nevertheless, the travel bug causes him to leave often, penning works for The Boston Globe, The Calgary Herald, The South China Morning Post, and more. Shirley edits the Canadian gay and lesbian travel magazine Out In Canada and frequently appears as “resident globetrotter” on Vancouver’s Shaw TV Studio 4. Rare accomplishment: He’s one of a rare group: those who have visited all 13 Canadian provinces and territories.

At the same time, oversight of the consultant community is being turned over to the newly created Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). “The Government of Canada has promised to crack down on crooked immigration consultants and their shady practices, and with Bill C-35, we now have the tools,” said the Minister.

Bill C-35 strengthens the rules governing those who charge their clients for immigration advice or representation, making it an offence for anyone other than an accredited immigration representative to conduct business, for a fee or other consideration, at any stage of an application or proceeding. It also increases penalties and fines for unauthorized representation and allows for more government oversight in order to improve the way in which immigration consultants are regulated.

With the designation of the ICCRC as the regulator of immigration consultants, consultants who are currently members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) can begin to register with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council” on June 30, 2011.

Immigration representatives must be either members in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society, including paralegals; members of the Chambre des notaires du Québec; or members of the governing body for immigration consultants.

A 120-day transitional period will be put in place to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of service for both CSIC  members currently in good standing and their clients during the transition to the ICCRC The transition period will end on October 28, 2011.

After a notice was published on March 19, 2011, in the Canada Gazette, Part I, proposing the ICCRC be designated the regulator of immigration consultants, over 70 percent of the public comments received during the 30-day consultation period supported the proposal to establish a new regulator of immigration consultants.

“The ICCRC has committed to accountability, transparency and good governance and has pledged to work to protect the interests of consumers,” added Minister Kenney. “Their efforts, backed by strong new legislation, will allow us to better serve people through our immigration processes and protect potential immigrants, all while improving the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.”

• Backgrounder 1: Transitioning to the ICCRC – the designated regulator of immigration consultants
• Backgrounder 2: Highlights of Bill C-35
• Frequently Asked Questions
• www.immigration.gc.ca/antifraud

Meet Amar Chandel, a royal by descent, a journalist by profession and a holisitic healer by passion. This scion of India’s erstwhile Chandel Rajput dynasty, who has authored a couple of books on healthy living, is on a 10-day visit to Calgary to deliver discourses on breathing exercises, meditation, yoga and managing a healthy lifestyle — holistic healing as it is called.

It all started with hands-on advice to family and close friends when Chandel, a yoga proponent since childhood, noticed many illnesses and body diseases could be thwarted by a mix of pranayam exercises and dietary regimen. He then started delivering discourses on a charitable basis (which he continues to this day) except that if he is discoursing abroad (read out of India), the class has to bear his travel and lodging expenses.

The word about his style of healing has spread by mouth internationally. Keen disciples from across the globe pool in money to call him to various parts of the world every year. It was the turn of the US and Canada in 2011. His previous visits to the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Luxemburg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Israel, Egypt and China speak a lot about the worldwide popularity of his courses.

Holistic healing classes are held for five days for two hours a day.  Chandel combines millennia-old yoga practices with state-of-the-art nutrition research to increase the body’s immunity manifolds.. Not only do his healing classes teach how to manage a few chronic diseases but the comprehensive stress-reduction programme has also helped a large number of people get rid of their emotional difficulties like depression, tension, mood swings, excessive sensitivity and anger.

“These five days can transform one’s life. The course makes the students look better, be younger, live longer, healthier and happier. Human body is a beautiful creation of God. The body (human) has an inherent capacity to set right within six months all the damages that have been done upon it over up to over six decades,” he says.

Holistic healing classes have in-built component of the right food-water intake, breathing exercises, meditation, sleep cycle and body awareness and a module on positive attitude. “A person can digest anything in youth but the results and the brunt on the body may manifest after a decade. The physical destruction on body starts showing as soon as a person hits the middle age. Sedentary lifestyle of the West compounds the problem,” he says.

All that is expected of a ‘student’ is to learn the techniques thoroughly and practice them religiously. He already has a dedicated email id, asknature@gmail.com, wherein anyone may ask and carry forward a holistic healing discussion.

“Wonderful results don’t come by magic overnight. One has to spend at least six months (practicing what has been taught) to repair the damage done over a lifetime. That is a very small period for curing dreaded diseases without any medicine or hospitalization,” he comments.

A strong votary of maintaining one’s ideal body weight, he says many of the modern-day physical problems are weight related.  Chandel will be in Calgary up to June- end.

Writers Bio: Peeyush Agnihotri is a writer with 14 years of international journalistic experience, mostly reporting on social and sustainable development issues. A National Foundation of India fellowship holder, he is currently based in Calgary

He has tirelessly campaigned to bring more doctors to the city. Since the program was initiated twenty one new doctors have signed up the program which guarantees income as long as they agree to practice in Belleville for at least five years.  Mayor Ellis is married with three children.

Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis

We asked Mayor Ellis to tell us a few things about himself that people may not know. This is what he had to say:

Q: What was the first car you ever owned?

A: 68 Chevy pick-up truck

Q: If you could own any vehicle what would it be and why?

A: 68 Shelby GT Mustang

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment and why?

A: Changes day to day; because I don’t know enough to keep my mouth shut!

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find about about you?

A: I am a pet lover

Q: If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?

A: Taller; ideal height would be 6 ft

Q: What do you most value in other people?

A: Honesty

Q: Mac or PC?

A: Both

Q: Where has been your most memorable travel destination and why?

A: England – what is old in Canada, is new in England

Q: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

A: Belleville – no better place to live

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Good Will Hunting.

Q: What was the last book you read, or are currently reading?

A: Last Book – The Warships of the Bay of Quinte by Roger Litwiller; Current Book – Snoop – What Your Stuff Says About You by Sam Gosling.

Q: What sports do you support and/or play?

A: Hockey, Golf

Q: What hobbies do you do to relax?

A: Hang out with my children.

Q: What has been your best moment since becoming Mayor?

A: Initiating the Physician Recruitment Program and providing primary health care to so many citizens.

Q: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?

A: I already have the best job in the world.

Q: If you knew the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do today?

A: Stay at home with my family.

Q: If you had to choose a last meal, what would it be?

A: Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass on to your children, what would it be?

A: Optimism.

Q: If you had to evacuate you home immediately, what one item, other than family members & photos would you make sure you took with you?

A: My two dogs; I know you said only one item, but don’t make me choose between them!

Q: If you could give a newcomer one piece of advice, what would it be?

A: Canada is a land of endless opportunities and possibilities; let your imagination guide you.

We thank Mayor Ellis for agreeing to answer our questions and wish him all the best for the his continued success.

If you would like to read about other Mayors across Canada – click here

Road trips are a rite of passage for young men everywhere, but college dudes shouldn’t be the only ones who get to enjoy this uniquely North American kind of adventure. If skinny neckties and big hair were in style the last time you took a road trip with your buds, it may be time to toss a duffel in the truck bed, round up your amigos and hit the highway. A few practical measures can help ensure your more mature road trip is still fun and works for everyone:

Packing it in

Your days of cramming six guys and all their gear into a barely drivable, high-mileage sub-compact are probably over. A reliable yet fun-to-drive pickup is perfect for your grown-up road trip with the guys. And since your stuff is probably going to be worth more than what you toted around during your college days, be sure to protect it. A lockable roll-up cover, like the tonneau cover will keep your belongings protected from the elements – including criminal elements – while you’re on the road. Plus, a truck bed cover can help improve your vehicle’s gas mileage.

As for what to pack, be sure to include an emergency roadside kit, first aid kit and any medications that you regularly need. Bring along a GPS device and your trusty mobile phone so you can stay on track and in touch. You might also consider a set of dressier clothes if your dining tastes have matured since your fast-food days.

Finely tuned machines

In the old days, you might have motored through the night with just a few hours of sleep and several cups of coffee to keep you going – and that was part of the thrill. These days, however, you probably appreciate a more relaxed pace, which includes sleeping well and eating right. Keeping yourself “well tuned” can help ensure you enjoy your road trip as much as possible.

You’ll also want to make sure your vehicle is in top condition. It’s a good idea to change the oil, and check the tire pressure and coolant system before you get on the road. If your vehicle is due for some routine maintenance, have it done before you start your trip.

Have a plan, man

How many road trips of your youth ended up at a destination other than the one you had in mind when you started out? Meandering can be fun, but having a plan can be rewarding too. Your taste in destinations has probably matured, so consult with your traveling partners and consider spots that appeal to your current interests and finances.

Use a GPS or online resource to pre-plan your route and make sure the people you love know where you’ll be along the way.

The mechanics of your mature road trip may be a world away from the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style you favored in your college days. But a road trip can be a great way to relax and reconnect with friends no matter what stage you’re at in life.

Original article ARAContent

Situated on the shores of the warm Lake Osoyoos, this town is known as a fantastic summer getaway for people across the country. Thanks to innovations of irrigation technology, much of the once barren countryside has been converted into lush areas filled with orchards, vineyards and golf courses. While parts of the desert have been reclaimed, this town is still surrounded by cactus, rolling dunes and tumbleweeds. About 4,300 Osoyoosians call this town home, but the population easily doubles during the summer months when vacationers flock to this location to take advantage of their hot weather and unique geographical location.

The History of Osoyoos

Taking its name from the Okanagan Indian word Osoyoos, meaning “the narrow place where two lakes come together,” this location has been seeing visitors to its shores since 1066 with the first permanent Native villages. The first Europeans ever to set foot on the mountain desert were Pacific Fur company employees, David Stuart and Monitary in the fall of 1811, while searching for a more efficient path to Fort Kamloops through the interior mountainous regions of British Columbia. From 1812– 1842, the Hudson Bay Company set up important trading posts on the banks of Lake Osoyoos because of its ideal weather conditions and location.

After the gold rush of the late 1800s brought in many a new settler, people started taking up land in the valley for various agricultural endeavors. After the planting of the first orchard in 1890 and the irrigation project of 1919, the area grew to become an excellent spot for fruit farmers and eventually Osoyoos was incorporated in 1946.

The main businesses that continue to draw people to live in Osoyoos are the fruit farming, winery and tourism industries. Among other fruits, peaches, cherries and even bananas (Canada’s only banana plantation) are grown in the various orchards in the area. Many wineries call the area home, producing some vino known the world over for its high quality and excellent taste. Because of the wonderful weather that blesses the city, the tourism industry is a large employer of permanent residents.

Regional Climate

Osoyoos is a sun worshipers mecca receiving over 2000 hours of sunshine a year. Due to its unique location at the base of the Cascade Mountains, Osoyoos is in a rain shadow causing there to be very little annual precipitation.

As Canada’s only hot desert (the arctic tundra has desert like conditions in terms of the amount of annual precipitation, but is very cold), Osoyoos has the lowest amount of annual precipitation in the country, taking in only 25 cm (10 in) of rainfall and 5 cm (2 in) of snowfall. Lake Osoyoos is the warmest freshwater lake in Canada and this town also boasts the warmest annual temperature anywhere in the country. The average day time high temperature in the summer (July) is a toasty 29ºC(84ºF). In the winter, the mercury hovers around the freezing point with the average day time high in January being 0.1ºC (32ºF).

Transportation Links

Located on the shores of Lake Osoyoos, Osoyoos is easy to get to by a variety of different modes of conveyance. The nearest airport is in about a three hour (300 km) drive to the north of Kamloops for those hoping to fly into town.

From Calgary, Alberta, Osoyoos is about 890 km (553 mi) or a nine-hour drive by car. Osoyoos is only 400 km (249 mi) away from the largest city in B.C., Vancouver. That works out to be a five-hour drive. While in town, visitors will notice the that city is divided in the middle by the lake. The east side of town where the downtown is found, with a majority of the shop and restaurant located only Main Street.

Farther up the road where road turns into the Crowsnest Highway, visitors will find mostly orchards and residential neighbourhoods. The westside of town is where the majority of the hotels and campgrounds will be found. Should travellers feel like taking a trip to the United States, the lake spans the international boarder, so those with access to a boat or a strong set of legs, can head to the town of Oroville on the southern shores of Lake Osoyoos.

Things To Do and See

The main draw of Osoyoos is the natural splendors that permeate every aspect of life in town. The desert and the lake are major sources for activities to do and things to see. The Nk’Mip Desert and Heritage Site shows travellers the rich history of the area through a non-European point-of-view. Offering information and displays about the desert, people visiting this location can go on guided tours of the surrounding dry lands on a raised-board pathway. Another museum that should be on any history buff list is the Osoyoos Museum. Constructed from hand cut logs, this establishment was built in 1963. Families stopping by this location can be regaled with stories of what life was like during the turn of the century for the first settlers to the area.

Lake Osoyoos provides endless hours of entertainment for people in town. The warm lake is perfect for any watery pursuit travellers can think of. Boat rentals, wakeboarding, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, and parasailing are just some of the adventures people can have on the water.

For people who want to take off and get away from the city, Haynes Point Provincial Park is an excellent destination only 2 km (1.2 mi) south of town. The warm waters in the area make it an idyllic place for water sport enthusiasts looking to partake of some jet skiing, wakeboarding or waterskiing. Bird watchers will rejoice when visiting this area as it is the only know home in Canada to the nations tiniest avian, the Calliope Hummingbird.

No trip to Osoyoos would be complete without visiting at least one of their many vineyards and wineries. One unique stop is the Nk’Mip Cellars Winery. This is the only First Nations owned and operated vineyard in Canada and it annually turns out over 15,000 cases of the delicious grapeproduct. Its location on the hills overlooking the lake give it a breathtaking view of the picturesque town. For people looking to get more than just a taste of what the wine region has to offer, winery tours are available offering whole-day and half day tours.

Every spring this town plays host to a bacchanal that celebrates Dionysus favourite beverage and Osoyoos’ most famous export; wine. In early May, the Okanagan Spring Wine Festival offers over 50 events to enlighten and entertain at various locations throughout the Okanagan. Another festival known to draw a fun-loving crowd is the Osoyoos Annual Cherry Fiesta. On the first of July, events take place across the Okanagon to celebrate the sweet tree treat. The festivities range from beer gardens and pancake breakfasts to crafts and cherry pie eating contest.

For people looking to experience the sand and heat of the desert, but would rather not venture out to the Sahara, Osoyoos is a perfect travel destination. The wine, fruit and lake make a trip to this town a perfect summer adventure.

For more information visit the official city website

Visit the official tourism website

The public had four months to vote for their favourite in three award categories: great streets, great neighbourhoods and great public spaces. A panel of professional planners then selected the top three winners in each category.

The Forks beat out Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto and Pippy Park in St. John’s in the great spaces category.

The Forks: One of Winnipeg’s most beloved meeting spots

“The Forks” in Downtown Winnipeg has a rich history of early Aboriginal settlement, immigration, the advent of the railway, the fur trade, and the coming of the industrial age. This place is one of Winnipeg’s most important landmarks, having archaeological digs that prove Aboriginal groups were active here thousands of years ago, plus one of the key sites of early railroad development on the Prairies (5 rail yards dominated the site). The government promoted immigration & settlement and Winnipeg as we know it today was known as the “Gateway to the West” in earlier times.

Nestled in the heart of downtown, The Forks is one of Winnipeg’s most beloved and pre-eminent meeting spots, at the junction of the Assiniboine River where it meets the mighty Red.

The Forks possesses a rich 6000-year old history. Early Aboriginal peoples traded at The Forks, followed by European fur traders, Métis buffalo hunters, Scottish settlers, riverboat workers, railway pioneers and tens of thousands of immigrants.

Today, framed by the banks of the two rivers, The Forks is Winnipeg’s number one tourist destination with more than four million visitors annually. The Forks features something for everyone including parks, promenades, gardens and sculptures alongside shops, restaurants and a multitude of attractions.

The 54-acre site has received international awards for design excellence and worldwide attention as a model for urban renewal and waterfront development. Winter, spring, summer or fall, The Forks is must for a stunning array of dining experiences, incomparable shopping, a constantly changing slate of entertainment and events, and many unique attractions that encompass the site’s natural, historic and man-made features.

• The Forks sits at the birthplace of the City, at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. The Forks is an amalgam of public facilities (indoor and outdoor) mixed with commercial and retail spaces within a pedestrian prioritized site.
• The Forks is landlocked by the two intertwining rivers and the rail line along its Western boundary. To compensate for these boundaries a series of penetrations through the rail line and bridges over the two rivers have connected The Forks to downtown Winnipeg’s Main Street to the West, St. Boniface to the East and South, and The Exchange District National Historic Site to the North.
• Buildings are centered around a number of exterior spaces of different sizes and capacity for use. The original Canopy area creates a congregational space for theatre in the round, small performances and serves as a plaza to the boat basin, the Forks Market and the Johnston Terminal.
• The Forks Festival site, now more commonly know as Scotiabank Stage, which is activated as the central performance/celebration space in Winnipeg for all major celebrations is bordered by the Manitoba Theatre for Young People, The Inn at the Forks, The Plaza @ The Forks (Skateboard Park), the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (opening tbd), and The Forks National Historic Site.
• As a pedestrian priority site, The Forks has placed a high priority on ensuring an ease of access for all people. The site is the central focus of all Active Transportation pathway systems in Winnipeg allowing all users to connect to the Forks by foot, bike, skateboard, etc…  Additionally, a waterbus system through the summer months provides a unique experience for visitors to the site, that is replaced with the Guinnes world record holding longest Ice Skating Trail through the winter months connecting many neighbourhoods to The Forks.  Sitting immediately adjacent to the VIA train station, visitors travelling across Canada stop at the Forks through the historic rail station.
• Every major event that occurs at the Forks (Canada Day celebrations, barge festival, skateboard contests, skating trails, dancing under the canopy, etc…) is offered free of charge to all spectators.  At this centralized location all Winnipegers have equal access and ease of access to the site at all times of the year.
• The Forks has placed a high priority on animating the site through all seasons and at all times of the day.  From its Arctic Glacier Winter Park that features tobogganing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and ice skating along the world’s Longest Ice Skating Trail – Winnipegers and visitors are treated to an exciting and dynamic winter environment that accommodates all users from beginners to experts. Programming throughout the year is critical, from ice hockey and jam pail curling tournaments in the winter to skateboard competitions, musical performances on the main stage, fireworks, The Winnipeg Children’s Festival, and much much more, the Forks is an active space at all times of the year.
• At its origin, The Forks was predominantly marshland along the two rivers in early development of Winnipeg this site was cut off from the City by the Rail line and used primarily as a rail hub. The site’s grade was artificially raised to accommodate the needs of the rail industry and up until the late 1980’s became an unused rail yard.  As a brownfield development, The Forks has seen the retrofit of the four remaining buildings on the site into the Main Market building, the Johnston Terminal (commercial and retail spaces), the A Channel building, and the Manitoba Children’s Museum. The protection of the riverbank by Parks Canada as the Forks National Historic Site continues to enhance the natural environment.  The Prairie Garden, the Peace Meeting Interpretive Site, the South Point redevelopment and the site development for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights have all reclaimed former gravel spaces with the reintroduction of native plant species as both a spiritual and educational effort.
• Additionally, the recent Target Zero campaign has the Forks site looking at alternative energy sources and a complete reduction of waste into waste harvesters and bio-fuel based maintenance vehicles as an effort to reduce the imprint of the site on the rest of the City of Winnipeg.

For more information about “The Forks” visit the official website

Nestled in Bow Valley, along the banks of the Bow River, Canmore is an outdoor adventure paradise embraced by the front ranges of Alberta’s majestic Rockies. Superbly located on the east edge of the famous Banff National Park and just north of beautiful Kananaskis Country, this true mountain village is in the thick of the wild, and is only about an hour from Calgary International Airport. Needless to say, the town sees a lot of visitors and temporary residents, attracted by the wealth of outdoor adventures waiting in the mountains and on the river.

The Three Sisters Mountain Range

Canmore is actually one of Alberta’s largest towns and is not only renowned for its scenic beauty and boundless recreational opportunities, but also for its friendly, welcoming locals and relaxing atmosphere. Generally more understated than its prominent neighbour, Banff, Canmore is appreciated for its laid-back mountain village character, with the steep roofs and simple chalet-style architecture typical of such a place. Mountain lodgings, alpine homes, shops, galleries and restaurants huddle in the town centre, watched over by the area’s most famous peaks, The Three Sisters.

Visitors will find a deep sense of community and environmental consciousness in Canmore. Passionate about their town, residents generally take a fervent interest and are involved in its planning and growth. The community also actively contributes to the conservation of the area’s stunning natural environment and wildlife. Supporting principles of sustainable development, renewable energy sources are implemented where possible, and wildlife corridors are maintained on the edges of town to facilitate the safe passage of wild animals roaming between habitats.

However, Canmore was not always appreciated for its natural beauty and endless recreational possibilities. Like all diamonds, this gem of a town emerged from a sooty bedrock of coal.

History

Founded in 1883 as a railway switching station, Canmore received its name from a Scottish Canadian Pacific Railway employee, Donald A. Smith, who named it after a town on the northwest shore of Scotland. In 1884, a new station was built, forming the backbone of the young village. The Canadian Pacific Railway both consumed and transported coal, and in answer, Canmore’s first mine was opened in 1887. As the population and a tendency toward bootlegging grew, the Northwest Mounted Police rode into town and by the 1890s a police barracks was established in the village centre, where it still stands today in all its restored glory.

In time, as technology evolved enabling trains to travel further between service points, Canmore became unnecessary as a rail switching station. It focused its attention on mining and was to become one of the most important and profitable coal mining centres in southern Alberta. During the early 1900s, while many coal mines in the surrounding Bow Valley closed, Canmore’s growth accelerated as residents and buildings from these mining areas were relocated there. Canmore was incorporated in 1965, boasting a population of 2,000. Life was good. However, it is said all good things must come to an end. During the following years the demand for coal began to dwindle. On July 13, 1979, Canmore Mines Ltd. ground production to a halt. With a population of 3,000, Canmore was the last mining centre in the Bow Valley to shut down permanently and left many people jobless. Due to Alberta safety policies at the time, most of the mines were quickly demolished. The old lamp house, a few intact mine entrances and weathered relics of forgotten structures remain, the surviving evidence of a once thriving industry.

But all was not lost. Ten dim years later, the 1988 Winter Olympics brought enthusiasm and optimism back to the once proud economy. Canmore was selected as the location for the Games’ Nordic events and suddenly, the whole world sat up and took notice of this stunning little natural playground. Since then, both tourism and the population has boomed, and today Canmore is a world-renowned recreational destination, with a strong tourism-based industry.

Climate

Canmore’s relatively mild weather, compared to most of Canada, is very conducive to virtually all recreational possibilities that adventurers can think up in its great outdoors.

Four distinct seasons turn a kaleidoscope of colour over Canmore’s Rocky Mountain landscape. The long winter dresses the town and surrounding mountains in a thick blanket of sparkling snow from November to March, perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding. Maintaining this winter wonderland, January temperatures hover between an average low of -15°C (5°F) and an average high of -5°C (23°F). The temperature begins to warm up in March and April, with rain in the valley melting snow and nurturing the pastel hues and sweet scents of spring. April’s average low dips to -3°C (27°F) and its average high reaches 9°C (48°F). Summer paints the valley in bright blues, greens, yellows and reds as the sun reflects the river, forests and wildflowers. Hikers, mountain bikers, kayakers and anglers come out to enjoy the colours and pleasantly warm temperatures which average a balmy high of 23°C (73°F) and cool to an average low of 9°C (48°F) in July. Fall is also blessed with a vibrant palette, splashed with the brilliant oranges and yellows of turning leaves. Temperatures are agreeable to getting out and enjoying the foliage while hiking, or perhaps from horseback. The average high reaches 12°C (54°F), dropping to an average low of -1°C (30°F) in October.

It should be noted that sudden weather changes are common year round in this area due to the mountainous terrain. Even summer requires an extra layer of clothing as evenings often cool right down. Chinook winds that bring warm air to southern Alberta from the coast can suddenly warm a chilly mid-winter day with snow-melting temperatures within hours. It is a good idea to dress in layers which can be removed or added as needed. Of course for winter, thermals, a very warm jacket, boots, gloves and toques are packing essentials, while summer demands a sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect against the strong UV rays.

Getting Around

Situated 100 km (62 mi) west of Calgary, Canmore is easily accessed from there via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) year round. Greyhound coaches provide multiple departures daily from Calgary’s city centre and are a comfortable and affordable travel option. Canadian and international travellers landing at Calgary International Airport can rent a car or hop aboard the Banff Airporter shuttle to make the one and a half hour trip directly from the airport to Canmore.

Once in Canmore, visitors won’t find much in the way of public transportation, except for taxis. Exploring the town centre is easily accomplished on foot or by bicycle as the downtown core spans a cosy six by six blocks. Surrounding neighbourhoods are connected by a network of attractive forest and riverbank trails. To widen the exploratory radius and venture into the surrounding parks the most convenient way to travel is by car. Rental car companies are located in town for travellers without their own vehicle. There are also plenty of ski shuttles departing regularly from town during the long ski season, heading for the five surrounding ski hills located less than an hour away.

Recreation and Attractions

When visitors arrive in Canmore they will truly realize the full potential for fun and relaxation. Thanks to the illuminating effect of the 1988 Winter Olympics, Canmore is now a world renowned outdoor recreational destination. However, until the pure mountain air is breathed and the awe-inspiring landscape is seen with one’s own eyes, Canmore’s utopian lifestyle just cannot be fully appreciated.

Canmore’s top quality snow essentially made it famous and during the colder months plenty of snow can be found at the Canmore Nordic Centre, a sprawling winter playground purpose-built for the aforementioned 1988 Winter Olympics. With over 70 km (43 mi) of groomed trails that vary in levels of difficulty, the Canmore Nordic Centre is one of Canada’s prime cross-country skiing venues. Canmore is also well-placed for easy access to five nearby ski hills for the down-hill skiers and snowboarders. Within 20 minutes to one hour in almost all directions, snow-fiends have access to world-class slopes, including Banff’s Sunshine Village and the Lake Louise Resort.

For something really special, experience Canmore’s magical winter mountains and Canadian heritage from a cosy sled pulled by a team of beautiful huskies. Canmore is a popular place to engage in the thrill of dog-sledding and offers visitors a wide choice of tours.

Where there is snow there is usually ice, and it is ice that attracts a significant proportion of visitors to Canmore. Ice climbing opportunities abound here and a number of professional operators offer lessons and tours to numerous ice falls in the area. Every March, a glistening wall of ice is erected in town for the Canmore Ice Climbing Festival. All aspects of winter can be enjoyed during February’s Winter Carnival, from ice-sculpting to beard-growing!

When the snow melts, the area’s parks and mountains give way to equally rewarding activities in the warmer months. In addition to the walking and cycling trails that weave their way leisurely through and around town, serious hiking and mountain biking trails await in the mountains. Hiking trails vary widely from flat strolls through lush forests to grueling up-hill climbs with mind-blowing views. A number of tours can introduce visitors to a variety of amazing hikes.

Hard-core mountain bikers love Canmore for the area’s gut-busting biking trails. After all, real mountain biking takes place in the mountains with bumpy terrain, steep up-hill climbs, awesome views, screaming down-hills and stunning wilderness. With the disappearing snow, Canmore Nordic Centre’s cross-country skiing tracks melt into 70 km (43 mi) of mountain biking trails. Here, newbies to the sport can access some tamer trails and take a lesson, while pros can get their thrills from some of the steeper tracks. The Nordic Centre hosts the annual 24 Hours of Adrenaline in July, a huge mountain biking event attracting North America’s best. Plenty of bike tours and rentals are available in town.

Sunshine and warm temperatures also attract many to the crystal clear waters of Bow River for canoeing, rafting and fishing. Along its banks people on horseback pass by on scenic trail rides. While out and about in Canmore during these warmer months visitors should always be on the look-out for the local wildlife. Elk, moose, bears and bighorn sheep are often seen, even on the area’s stunning golf courses. Canmore’s golf courses are almost as popular with elk as they are with golfers! Caution and respect should always be exercised when encountering a wild animal.

Downtown

Before Canmore was known as the adventure centre it is today, its life purpose was quite different. Canmore’s heritage is kept alive in a number of downtown attractions. The Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre on Seventh Avenue reveals what life was like in the mines as it represents the town’s rich rail and mining history. Maps for heritage walking tours can be found at the museum. The museum also manages the Northwest Mounted Police Barracks on Main Street. Visitors may still hear the ghostly clanging of chains at the restored barracks which was originally built in 1892 and features historical furniture, artifacts, a tearoom and a pleasant garden out back. A little further up Main Street, the Canmore Hotel still stands proudly after more than 100 years. Today, visitors can appreciate its sturdy architecture while catching upcoming Canadian bands and downing a cold beer.

Plenty of modern-day shops, restaurants and bars also line Canmore streets, offering world-class food, commodities and entertainment. Visitors will find lots to do in town after a day of alpine adventure, and plenty of places to rest their weary heads. With abundant hotels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, camping grounds and vacation rentals there is no shortage of great mountain hospitality in Canmore.

For more information visit the official Canmore City website or the tourism website

Checkout these all season activities

Provinces & Territories

Canada has ten province: Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. It also has three territories: Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Nunavut.

The main difference between provinces and territories is their constitution. Provinces exercise constitutional powers in their own right, whilst territories exercise delegated powers under the authority of the Parliament of Canada. Any changes to the constitution in the provinces is voted on, but in the territories it is not.

Capital Cities

The capital of Canada is Ottawa, located in Ontario. But strangely Ottawa is not the capital of Ontario, Toronto is. Each province and territory has its own capital city and some may not be the city you think.

• Alberta – Edmonton
• British Columbia – Victoria
• Saskatchewan – Regina
• Manitoba – Winnipeg
• Ontario – Toronto
• Quebec – Quebec City
• New Brunswick – Fredericton
• Nova Scotia – Halifax
• Prince Edward Island – Charlottetown
• Newfoundland & Labrador – St John’s
• Yukon Territory – Whitehorse
• Northwest Territories – Yellowknife
• Nunavut – Iqaluit

Every province and territory also has its own flower

Flowers

Every province and territory also has its own flower. If you don’t know what these look like refer to the image accompanying the article.

• Alberta – Wild Rose
• British Columbia  – Pacific Dogwood
• Saskatchewan – Western Red Lily
• Manitoba – Prairie Crocus
• Ontario – White Trillium
• Quebec – Blue Flag Iris
• New Brunswick – Purple Violet
• Nova Scotia – Mayflower
• Prince Edward Island – Lady’s Slipper
• Newfoundland & Labrador – Pitcher Plant
• Yukon Territory – Fireweed
• Northwest Territories – Mountain Averns
• Nunavut – Purple Saxifrage

All provinces and territories also have their own provincial birds

Birds

All provinces and territories also have their own provincial birds , again please refer to the images to put a name to a feather.

• Alberta – Great Horned Owl
• British Columbia – Steller’s jay
• Saskatchewan – Sharp Tailed Grouse
• Manitoba – Great Grey Owl
• Ontario – Common Loon
• Quebec – Snowy Owl
• New Brunswick – Black Capped Chickadee
• Nova Scotia – Osprey
• Prince Edward Island – Blue Jay
• Newfoundland & Labrador – Atlantic Puffin
• Yukon Territory – Common Raven
• Northwest Territories – Gry Falcon
• Nunavut – Rock Ptarmigan

Mottos

Did you know that each of the provinces also has a motto? Some are a little odd, but the one which we feel suits the province best is Prince Edward Island.

• Alberta – Strong and free
• British Columbia – Splendour without diminishment
• Saskatchewan – From many peoples, strength
• Manitoba – Glorious and free
• Ontario – Loyal she began and loyal she remains
• Quebec – I remember
• New Brunswick – Hope was restored
• Nova Scotia – One defends the other conquers
• Prince Edward Island – The small under the protection of the great
• Newfoundland & Labrador – Seek ye first the kingdom of God

Only Nunavut of the territories has a motto: Our land, our strength.

Eating an oyster from the waters around Vancouver Island is a way to taste the mysteries of the Pacific Ocean in a single bite. Oysters owe much of their particular qualities – flavor, size, color, shell shape – to the salinity level and depth of the water in which they are raised. Interestingly, though each of the 12 varieties of oyster from Vancouver Island has its own very distinct qualities, they all originate from the same seed, further underlining the importance of water depth and salinity in their flavor profile.

Photo credit: BC Shellfish Festival

Consider the Kusshi. Named after the Japanese word for “ultimate” or “precious,” this perfect bivalve is now one of the most sought-after oysters in the world. Raised by only one shellfish grower, Keith Reid of Stellar Bay Shellfish in Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley region, this small (just over five cm [two in]) oyster is raised in deep trays, and an aggressive tumbling process after harvest smooths any frills off the unusually deep cup of its midnight-purple shell, making it easy to shuck without any breakage. The taste? A perfect balance of ultra-clean brackishness and a fresh, almost floral flavor, with a meaty mouthfeel due to the slight stress tumbling.

Chef Robert Clark of Vancouver’s C Restaurant, a global reference point for shellfish cuisine, calls the Kusshi a “little package of joyous oyster meat.” Clark often includes the Kusshi and its larger version, the Stellar Bay Gold, on his restaurant’s prized tasting menus. But as co-founder of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program, Clark loves Kusshi and other Vancouver Island oysters for their sustainability as well as their unbeatable flavor. “What I love about B.C. shellfish is that they’re a very well-monitored food source. Every oyster I serve is tagged, so I know where, when and how it was grown. Each Kusshi came from Keith, I can be sure of that.”

Oysters are fascinating as well as delicious; a visit to an oyster lease is a great way to understand the ocean as a living organism and better appreciate how these tasty bivalves spend their lives before we squirt them with lemon and down them with mignonette. The B.C. Shellfish Growers Association has mapped out a tour of Vancouver Island’s 12 oyster harvests, including five in close proximity to one another in gorgeous Comox Valley: The leases where Mac’s Beach, Fanny Bay, Kusshi, Komo Gway and Chef’s Creek oysters are harvested are within a few minutes’ drive from each other, and many, including Stellar Bay, offer tours for the public.

The B.C. Shellfish Festival in mid-June, which includes a chowder contest, an oyster-shucking contest and an open-air Chef’s Dinner, is also a great occasion to sample B.C. oysters and other shellfish, including clams, geoduck, sea cucumbers, mussels, urchins and other delicacies particular to Vancouver Island’s waters. Chef Clark of C is planning a dish consisting of one perfect, still-living Qualicum Bay scallop on the half-shell passed under the broiler and covered in piping-hot dashi seaweed broth.

“It’s a dish that fits the mood and fits the occasion,” he says. “We have access to the best shellfish in the world, so I want to take the product into account and showcase its delicateness and sweetness – I want to play with it as little as possible.”

Getting here

B.C. Shellfish Festival, June 17–18, 2011, Comox, 250-890-7561, bcshellfishfestival.ca
Stellar Bay Seafood, 7400 West Island Hwy., Bowser, 250-757-9304, stellarbay.ca
BC Ferries, 1-888-BC-FERRY (1-888-223-3779), bcferries.com
Comox Valley Tourism, 1-888-357-4471, discovercomoxvalley.com
Tourism British Columbia, 1-800-HELLO-BC (1-800-435-5622), hellobc.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Melora Koepke is a British Columbia-born travel writer now based in Montreal. This story made her homesick.

Highlights of the makeover include a playful Rubik’s Cube entrance (think Toronto’s ROM Crystal for kids) and 12 new galleries based on the theme of building blocks. Each play zone offers learn-while-you-play opportunities such as a table that simulates an earthquake, complete with tumbling blocks. Many also offer Prairie-inspired experiences such as stepping inside a giant Milk Machine cow to learn about modern dairy farming or chilling out in a reading cocoon within a peaceful faux marsh. The ultramodern Arts & Exhibition Centre will host the latest in travelling exhibits, performers and theatre productions.

Although the museum promotes a love of learning, there will be plenty of opportunities to get silly. A much-anticipated play zone is Lasagna Lookout, a pasta-themed structure where visitors can dodge meatballs and crawl through a fettuccine tunnel.

Outdoors, kids can go wild at the nearby Variety Heritage Adventure Park, opening this summer. Situated on lands once occupied by Fort Gibraltar, a North West Company trading post, this new Parks Canada site offers birch bark canoes, splash pads, York boats and other interactive play structures designed to bring Manitoba’s heritage to life.

All these renovations won’t disrupt the museum’s winning formula of imagination and make-believe. The beloved CN diesel locomotive No. 9161 and vintage passenger coach will continue to be the heart of the museum, letting visitors journey to wherever their imagination wants to go.

www.travelmanitoba.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Michele Peterson – I am a columnist for Fifty-five Plus magazine, Ontario’s leading publication for older active adults and author the Daytripper as well as Travel Bug columns (news on Canadian, Ontario and international destinations)with readers in Ottawa, Kingston and Toronto. I am also a frequent contributor to Buffalo area publications such as the Buffalo News, Buffalo Spree as well as the Toronto Star, Via, Dreamscapes, Air Canada onAir, the Globe and Mail, Spa Life and 2: Couples Magazine and others as well as the Manitoba section of the Travel Industry Guide to Canada. My focus is eco-destinations, culinary, outdoor adventure such as canoeing, hiking and cycling, as well as spas.

Most of the people who have heard of the Stampede will immediately think of cowboys riding crazy horses round an arena until they get thrown off. Well, yes this is part of the stampede, but there is also so much more.

The Calgary Stampede dates back to 1912 when the first rodeo took place with a prize of $20,000 at stake. This, at the time made it the richest rodeo competition in North America and over 100,000 people came to watch. A few years later in 1923 the rodeo was combined for the first time with the Calgary Exhibition and has done so ever since. The event takes place over ten days and attendance is over one million.

The Stampede takes place at the 137 acre Stampede Park, just east of downtown Calgary. The opening ceremony consists of a parade led by the Calgary Stampede Showband who march 4.5 km through downtown Calgary. The parade usually attracts around 400,000 people alone. In addition, the television audience is around two million.

So, what can you expect if you decide to attend the Stampede?

Music: There are many music related shows on during the Stampede. The three main music venues are the Coca Cola Stage, Nashville North and Saddledome. Every day each stage hosts a number of different acts, so make sure you know who your favorites are and where they will be so you don’t miss anything.

Rides & games: The Midway is the location of the many rides available at the Stampede. Last year there were over 35 major rides and 22 kids rides as well as lots of smaller rides to keep everyone entertained. There are also lots of games to play such as beer smashing, duck pond and ring toss.

You can pay per ride or purchase money saving Midway Magic Pass Credits. Each ride requires a different number of credits to ride. You can also purchase day passes, so you pay a one- off price and can ride all day.

Entertainment: You can also find lots of other entertainment available throughout the Stampede duration. Past events have included BMX riding, skateboarding shows, exhibits, dog shows, auctions and many more.

Rodeo: Of course there is the rodeo and this consists of six major events:

Bareback: Physically very demanding as the cowboy holds onto a handhold and is disqualified for touching the animal or equipment with the other hand. The ride lasts eight seconds, if they haven’t been bucked off before then.

Bull Riding: This is the most dangerous event and the rider is strapped to the bull by a special handhold. Like the bareback the rides lasts eight seconds and riders are disqualified for touching the bull with the free hand.

Ladies Barrel Racing: This is the only event for ladies at the Stampede. Riders circle three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern and the ride is timed. Barrels can be touched but a five second penalty is incurred if a barrel is knocked over.

Saddle Bronc: The rider moves his feet from the horse’s neck in a full arc toward the back of the saddle in time with the bronc’s action. The rider needs to hold on for eight seconds and cannot touch the animal or equipment with his free hand.

Steer Wrestling: The steer wrestler starts behind a barrier and gives the steer a head start of ten seconds, otherwise penalties are incurred. There are many rules relating to this event which are too numerous to list here.

Tie-Down Roping: This is the most technical event and like the steer wrestling a ten second head start for the animal is required. After roping the tie-down animal, the cowboy must run down his rope and ay the animal down by hand. If the tie- down animal is down when he reaches it, he must allow the tie-down animal to get up then lay it down. Again there are many rules, too numerous to list relating to this event.

Other events which taking place include:

Novice Bareback: The same rules apply as per the bareback event but this is for riders under 20 years of age.

Novice Saddle Bronc: The same rules apply as per the saddle bronc event but this is for riders under 20 years of age.

Junior Steer Riding: This event is for kids aged between 10 and 14 years. One half of the score is awarded for the contestant’s ability to ride and the other half is for the stock’s ability to buck. The cowboys are allowed to ride with one hand or two. If they elect to ride with only one – they must abide by the rules for bull riding – whereby they will be disqualified for slapping the animal, themselves or double grabbing with both hands during the eight seconds.

Wild Pony Racing: Teams of three youngsters ages 8 to 12 try to tame a wild pony long enough to get a rider aboard for a two jump ride. The team with the fastest time wins.

Chuckwagon: The chuckwagon races are very exciting and adrenalin pumping. A team of four horses are hitched to a chuckwagon and race round a series of barrels at breakneck speed. Four wagons take part in each race, so that means 36 horses and 144 hooves all taking place in less than a minute.

Fireworks: The fireworks show is a spectacular event involving some of the world’s best pyrotechnic display teams. The show can be seen not only from the Stampede arena itself but from most of downtown Calgary.

Food & Drink

Like all good events there are lots of places to get food and drink. You can enjoy anything from full service menus at Mavericks Dining Room and Lounge to hot dogs from the stand.

There are food and drink locations throughout the Stampede in every area so you will never be too far from a quick snack or full meal. Choose from buffets, full service lounges, concession stands and of course beer gardens amongst others.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but it is advisable to purchase tickets well before the event.

Grab your tickets by clicking on this link

The 2011 show takes place July 8 -17 details can be found here

With an eclectic mix of restaurants, pubs, and cafes, there is something for every taste bud. Community and city-wide festivals and events fill the streets nearly every week of the year, offering exhilarating options from world class music, theatre, comedy, gaming and sport. Whether it’s a hotel, an enchanting inn or cozy Bed & Breakfast, Charlottetown is your home away from home.

As could be expected for the capital of Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Canada’s smallest province in size and population, Charlottetown is a tiny, scenic city. Yet, as if a microcosm of the Island, Charlottetown is as vibrant and diverse as P.E.I. itself. A major player in Canadian history, Charlottetown has many historical monuments and museums. The city also possesses a thriving arts community, and a variety of shops and restaurants that can cater to any taste. Centrally situated on the south coast of the Island, Charlottetown has a sheltered harbour, a view of the Northumberland Strait, many green spaces, and beautiful architecture, much of it from the 19th century. Cliffs protect the city’s seaside entrance, while the Hillsborough watershed has resulted in surrounding plains and marshlands.

History

Charlottetown was originally founded when its protected position at the junction of two rivers close to the Hillsborough Bay was considered an ideal area for settlement by a British crown surveyor in 1764. Named after England’s Queen Charlotte, the area was quickly designated as the capital of what is now Prince Edward Island. As the centre of government on P.E.I., Charlottetown soon became the dominant town and voice of the province. Even today, the city is still the cultural and political heart of the island.

Charlottetown’s influence has not just extended to provincial affairs, however. Known as the birthplace of Confederation, Charlottetown played host to a meeting of prominent politicians in 1864. The Charlottetown Conference, which discussed the unification of several provinces, was a success, and in 1867, the Dominion of Canada was founded. In 1992, all eyes in Canada turned to Charlottetown again when the Charlottetown Accord, which would have granted Canada’s provinces more autonomy and given Quebec special status, was drafted here by the federal government. The highly unpopular accord was defeated in a countrywide referendum and lead to an election that saw the reigning party defeated.

Getting there and traveling around

Although known in myth for receiving large amounts of snow, Prince Edward Island in fact boasts some of the gentlest temperatures in Canada. Never too hot in the summer, never too cold in winter, Charlottetown’s temperature is moderated by its oceanside location. Temperatures range from -3°C to -11°C (26°F to 11°F) in winter, and average in the 20s and occasionally the low 30s (70s to 90s) during the summer. While July and August are the driest months, rain is frequent in the Atlantic provinces, so packing an umbrella is often useful.

There is very little public transportation on Prince Edward Island and Charlottetown is no exception, as its transit service only runs from approximately 9:30am to 2:30pm, Monday through Friday. No great skill is required when driving in Charlottetown as the streets are rarely crowded and parking is plentiful and cheap. Do keep in mind, however, that the city has several areas that are car-free; it’s far easier to just walk, especially since most places of interest are located within close distance of each other and the city is safe even at night.

To get to Charlottetown from outside of P.E.I., there are several different options available. The Confederation Bridge joining P.E.I. to New Brunswick provides a dramatic route for motor vehicles, and is approximately 56 km (35 mi) away from Charlottetown. From Nova Scotia, take the Northumberland Car Ferry to Wood Islands, P.E.I. or fly in from Halifax. There are also regular flights through Air Canada from Toronto, Ontario, and there are several discount providers that also offer flights from cities including Toronto, Montreal,Quebec and Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., during the summer months. The Charlottetown Airport is located approximately 8 km (5 mi) from the city.

Accommodation

Accommodations in Charlottetown vary extensively, and many are only open during the incredibly busy summer. As such, it’s useful to book a room before arriving. From massive four-star chain hotels to tiny, shared-bathroom bed and breakfasts, Charlottetown has every type of accommodation, and many have harbour view rooms or are located in the city’s original buildings. Rates in Charlottetown are relatively inexpensive, and there is something to fit every budget and taste, although prices fluctuate wildly between seasons and even within the same category of lodging. Accommodations are located throughout the city, including residential areas, with the majority clustered around downtown Charlottetown and the TransCanada Highway.

Events & festivals

During its lifetime, Charlottetown has raised the ability to celebrate to an art form. This is a city of celebrations, and it seems that only a few weeks can go by before another ceilidh (dance or party) or festival occurs to the delight of locals and visitors. There is always anevent of some type occurring, especially during the summer months.

At the end of summer, the Festival of the Fathers occurs, which celebrates the Charlottetown Conference with re-enactments, interactive historical events, an historic gala ball and a pub crawl. The Festival of Lights meanwhile, is a three-day, four-night celebration of Canada Day, which includes top musicians from Canada and throughout the world, a massive fireworks display, a midway and a children’s village. There is also the P.E.I International Shellfish Festival, which is not to be missed by those who love seafood. The three day event, which includes local music, chowder competitions and oyster-shucking championships, is considered the largest kitchen party on the Island. Recently, the Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest has joined the Charlottetown lineup of festivals. This event features a massive ice castle, ice sculpting competitions, children’s stage and music shows.

The most famous of all these festivals, parties and celebrations is the Charlottetown Festival, a two-month long celebration of the performing arts. Located in and around theConfederation Centre of the Arts, the festival is best known for its yearly run of Anne of Green Gables: The Musical. This play tells the heartwarming story of P.E.I.’s most famous resident, red-haired Anne Shirley, and attracts thousands of visitors to the Island each summer.

Historical Attractions

As a capital city, Charlottetown has plenty of attractions. Exploring the city’s past at its many historical sites could take days; Founder’s Hall, Province House, Fanningbank,Beaconsfield House and many other buildings in the area each represent aspects of P.E.I.’s history. Province House, where the Charlottetown Conference was held and the current legislature sits is especially interesting. Guided tours and re-enactments of the conference occur throughout the summer. Founder’s Hall is a new attraction that is situated in a 1906 railway depot and is home to an interactive, multi-media self-guided tour of Canadian history since confederation, with special emphasis on P.E.I.’s role.

For those who like their architecture, there are many historical examples, from Victorian, lemon-yellow Beaconsfield House, to gothic St. Dustan’s Basilica, to the mid 19th-century grandeur of Province House. There are also several squares (Hillsborough, Kings, Rochford and Connaught) that were part of the original city where many fine mansions (some of them now bed and breakfasts) can be found.

Exploring on Foot

The city is laid out easily for walking. Between the original city’s boundaries of Euston and Water Streets are major thoroughfares where most of Charlottetown’s attractions and entertainment can be found. A large proportion of these streets lead to the harbour, where a boardwalk runs through several parks and past many of Charlottetown’s best and favourite shops and restaurants, including those of the popular Peake’s Wharf. Walking tours of the city are also available through Founder’s Hall, which provides a costumed guide to show visitors the sights and impart knowledge (and gossip) about Charlottetown’s early days.

Shopping

Although not to be compared with New York City, Paris, London or even Toronto, Charlottetown has the market covered when it comes to one-of-a-kind cottage-industry styleshops. From organic, P.E.I.-ingredient-made soaps and P.E.I. Dirt Shirts to stained glass windows and handmade furniture, Charlottetown’s shops can sate the crafter within while providing a wealth of souvenirs and gifts to take home. A large proportion of these smaller stores can be found around the harbour and on Queens Street and Victoria Row, while more traditional shops and chains are well represented at Charlottetown’s malls,Confederation Court Mall, and the Charlottetown Mall. P.E.I.’s ten percent Provincial Sales Tax (PST) applies to all non-essential goods (clothing, food and shoes are exempt), and is applied at the till along with the Canada-wide seven percent Government Sales Tax (GST).

The Arts

Charlottetown’s arts community, although not large, is well represented at many venues in town. Galleries specializing in the art of P.E.I. abound, and local paintings, crafts and prints are to be found throughout the city, including at the P.E.I. Gallery in the Guild, an artist-owned print gallery which offers visitors introductory lessons and access to the workrooms.

There are always plays occurring in Charlottetown; while most of these can be found throughout the year at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, two dinner theatres, a comedy sketch troupe and an outdoor Shakespearian theatre also operate during the summer. Several movie theatres reside in Charlottetown, including one that specializes in local, independent and art films, and live music and local bands can always be found in one of the city’s many bars and clubs.

P.E.I. writers are also well represented in Charlottetown. Several bookstores specialize in local authors and hold readings, discussion groups and signings around these authors’ works.

Outdoor Activities

Charlottetown has an abundance of natural attractions both within and just outside the city that provide plenty of recreational opportunities. There are many parks and green spaceswhere trails as well as tennis, basketball and volleyball courts can be found. Water sports are very popular in Charlottetown, and it is easy to experience sea kayaking, scuba diving or sailing in the area due to the large number of shops offering instruction and equipment. Several golf courses are located just outside of Charlottetown as is Confederation Trail, which provides ample opportunities for walking, birdwatching, bicycling or snowmobiling as it winds past the city. There are also several outdoors tour organizations operating out of Charlottetown, and fishing and hunting trips and tours of the area by boat, airplane andbicycle are all available. Seal watching is also a popular activity, and many boat tours out of the harbour offer visitors a chance to see seals at play in their natural habitat.

Dining

There is a wide range of dining options available in Charlottetown that cater to a variety of tastes. From mom and pop diners to seafood bars, fine dining rooms to a cornucopia of ethnic eateries, Charlottetown offers every type of dining experience. Food can also be found at many bars, and also at a number of the city’s independent coffee shops. The majority of restaurants are found in Old Charlottetown, with a large proportion either located on University Avenue or down by the harbour.

Nightlife

Charlottetown has a decent nightlife, and as benefits the home of the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College and several commercial colleges, there are a slew of barsand restaurants that stay open until all hours of the morning. Favourite bars for locals are the Olde Dublin Pub, where live Irish music, sing-alongs and plenty of Guinness may be found, and Peake’ s Quay, a restaurant and bar that transforms into a club complete with drink specials and the occasional live act during summer. Two other highly popular locales are Myron’s and Breakers, the first a dance club that sees a number of top musical acts, and the latter a billiards and drinks place where university students can be found. A weekly entertainment during the summer is the Friday Night Ceilidhs at Irish Hall, where locals and visitors gather to listen and dance to traditional Gaelic music.

For more information visit the main city website

For tourism information click here

If you are planning on touring the Sunshine Coast you will probably be starting your journey from the Vancouver area, so will need to take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver across to Langdale. The journey will take approximately 40 minutes and will cost around $10 per adult depending on the time of year. Make sure your camera is handy as you sail between islands such a Howe Sound and Bowen Island.

Once you reach Langdale you drive south along Highway 101 to Gibsons which is known as the “Gateway to the Sunshine Coast.” It is also known as the location of the TV series The Beachcombers. Although filming no longer takes place some of the places seen in the series are still there to see such as Molly’s Reach restaurant and the pier. Although not a huge tourist destination it is perhaps worth spending a little time here to explore the harbour front and take in the views.

The town is home to around 4,000 people and has recently undergone a revitalization which included the downtown area and the harbour as well as creating the Winegarden Waterfront Park which opened in 2001. This area includes ponds, play areas, walkways, boardwalks, wetlands, watercourse and is wheelchair accessible with beautiful views over the coast.

Once back on the 101, your next stop will be Roberts Creek, a quaint town which has become a haven for artists and craftspeople. It is known as the “Gumboot Capital of the World” a symbol adopted by the Gumboot Acoustic Society and the Gumboot Garden Cafe.

Whilst here, apart from visiting the town itself you will want to take a look at Roberts Creek Provincial Park located a couple of kilometres north of the town. The park covers an area of 40 hectares with cedar forests. The park has several trails as well as campsites and is wheelchair accessible. The beach area offers excellent picnic facilities where you can watch the ocean and if you are lucky see seals and whales pass by.

The next place you will come to is Sechelt which itself is not an especially stunning location, however just north of the town is Porpoise Bay Provincial Park which is definitely worth a visit. The park has easy to walk trails and access to Angus Creek known for its salmon population. The park covers an area of 4 hectares and includes campsites, playgrounds, picnic areas and facilities such as toilets and showers.

Once you have taken in the beauty of Porpoise you can continue north to Halfmoon Bay. This bay is protected from the open sea by Thormanby Island making it a peaceful location to watch the world go by. Here you will find a pretty coastline, harbours and wooded shores. This area is known for its arts and crafts and is home to several galleries as well as many home studios that locals open to the public.

The next location on your trip will be the equally romantically named Secret Cove which has become a popular summer destination for tourists. The town offers some of the best fishing available along the coast and this alone attracts many visitors and locals alike.

Smuggler’s Cove Marine Park is also located here and is another favorite. There are several hiking trails which are easy to navigate as well as campsites and other facilities.

Back on the road and your next stop will be the area known as Pender Harbour, if you can find it! This area consists of many islands and three communities: Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Irvines Landing. Even the locals have trouble getting their bearings in this area as it forms a complex maze of inlets, coves, lakes, islands and reefs. There are freshwater lakes and salt water coves and where one begins and another ends is open to much guess work.

The harbour is home to many boats and yachts which are moored here and the deep clear waters are world renowned for excellent diving and underwater photography opportunities. This is a great location for kayaking and other water sports as much of the water is sheltered making it ideal for leisurely boating.

If you visit during May be sure to plan your visit round Victoria Day when the area celebrates May Day with games, activities, crafts, music and an outdoor barbecue. Fun for all is guaranteed.

Okay, so if you did manage to find Pender Harbour you can now return to Highway 101 which now travels inland and heads towards Earl’s Cove. Here you will need your sea legs again as another ferry journey is in order. You will need to get on the ferry to Saltery Bay which crosses the Jervis Inlet and takes around 50 minutes and again costs around $10 per adult. .

You will not need or want to stop at Saltery Bay as it really is just a ferry terminal. Instead you will get back on the road and continue northwest to Powell River. This is an area made up of several communities including Cranberry, Wildwood, Lang Bay and the largest, Westview.

Westview is the main destination for travellers as it offers the most amenities with hotels, restaurants and stores. If you visit during August you may experience the Blackberry Festival which has nothing to do with personal electronic devices but more to do with those lovely berries we pick from the many bushes located here. The festival coincides with the peak of the blackberry season and is a week-long party featuring music, dancing, crafts and a street party.

From Powell River you can also take ferry trips to Texada Island or across to Vancouver Island to the town of Comox.

The area north of Powell River leads up to Lund which is the last destination on  Highway 101 and the gateway to Desolation Sound. The most famous landmark here is the Lund Hotel which overlooks the ocean. Lund is used by tourists as a staging point for trips to the northern British Columbia coast, Savary Island and Desolation Sound.

Desolation Sound Marine Park is known around the world’s premier sailing area. It offers stunningly beautiful scenery with bays, coves and waterways that attract boaters and paddlers worldwide.

There are lots of camping opportunities along the coast as well as activities such as kayaking, canoeing and backpacking. If you don’t have your own equipment, there are plenty of places where you can rent everything you need for a few hours or a few days.

The Sunshine coast not only offers tourists an excellent place to visit, but it also offers an excellent way of life for those who choose to live here.

Many of the communities, particularly those to the south are close enough to commute to Vancouver if you have a job in the city. You can get the best of both worlds by living in relative isolation, but still have all the amenities you need close by or be a short hop to the city.

1.  Ability to prove worth

It is one thing to call yourself an outstanding communicator or an effective leader. It is another to actually back claims with proof. Employers want to know what you’d bring to the table if hired.

“Candidates who can provide real, tangible examples of successes at their current and past jobs certainly stand out,” note Western Union’s Chris Brabec, director of leadership talent acquisition, and Laura Hopkins, vice president of talent acquisition.

Alan Guinn, managing director and CEO of The Guinn Consultancy Group in Bristol, Tenn., agrees. “More and more of my clients simply aren’t interested in questions like, ‘If you were an animal, what would you be?’ They are exponentially more interested in seeing if the candidate for a position understands the value that he or she brings to the employer when hired.”

Guinn notes that most applicants for commission-driven jobs instinctively understand that they can demonstrate competency and quantify value by discussing how they met quotas, exceeded sales objectives or searched out new clients. Candidates in other fields who are not accustomed to thinking this way may have more difficulty, but trying to do so may ultimately land them a job.

To come up with examples, it might help to examine your résumé and any performance reviews. What have you accomplished that sets you apart from others? How can those achievements be applied to this job? Is there a way to quantify or explain results in terms of time or money saved, output or improvement?

It can be especially effective to search for instances that would be noteworthy for the specific position or employer. For example, since Western Union is a global company, a candidate who highlights his international experience would grab the attention of Brabec and Hopkins. Examining the job ad for keywords can offer clues as to what might be most significant.

2.  More than a simple knowledge of the company

An acceptable candidate looks at the company’s Web site before heading to the interview. An irresistible one learns more.

“To stand out, you need to show that your research was a mile deep and not an inch deep like most candidates,” says Jim Langan, partner and manager of the investment and financial services division for Winter, Wyman – one of the largest staffing firms in the Northeast. “You need to go above and beyond in your efforts to show that you understand this company inside and out.”

Annual reports and financial statements can be of assistance. Likewise, check for any recent news events or press releases. Langan notes that these things also might be helpful to know about a company:

• Its motto or vision
• Its products and what makes them stand out in the market
• Its competitors
• Its stock price
• Its senior management and their history with the firm (Bonus points: If any of them have written a book or been quoted in a publication, see if you can mention that in the interview.)

3.  Enthusiasm

If you’ve taken the time to clearly demonstrate your worth and to do homework on the company, chances are you’re well on your way to becoming the final thing an employer can’t resist: an enthusiastic candidate.

How does enthusiasm shine through? “First and foremost, I believe, is the candidate’s interest in the interview itself,” Guinn says. ”It’s directly in proportion, I think, to how excited the candidate might be to be offered the job.” He notes that questions enthusiastic candidates ask are not only about the job they would be doing but also about the job in the future. “They ask the interviewer how they may expand positional responsibilities. They demonstrate interest in upward mobility. They want to know who has moved up and why the position they are being interviewed for is vacant. They also are interested in how they will fit in with the group to which they are assigned.”

Let a potential employer know that you have spent time learning about this particular job and reflecting on how you’d be the perfect person for it. Chances are your genuine excitement could be contagious. As Langan says, “Companies love to hire people who have passion and enthusiasm for a position rather than a candidate who sees this as just another job.”

Original article by Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBuilder.

Search for jobs here

Considered by many as the Regional Centre of Northeastern Ontario, Sudbury’s early roots can be traced back to 1883 and the development of the transnational railway. Its vast mineral resources have resulted in unparalleled growth.

Today, Greater Sudbury is a diversified regional centre for mining, technology, education, government and health services with great connections to neighbouring communities and beyond. Greater Sudbury prides itself on a strong network of industrial, commercial, financial and government support services.  The city is located 390 km north of Toronto and 483 km west of Ottawa, where the Trans Canada Highway 17 and Highway 69 converge.

Greater Sudbury is a city for the creative, curious and adventuresome! Our city features four seasons and with the changing weather conditions, Sudburians enjoy a vast array of festivals, events and recreational activities that vary as the seasons do.

Our city boasts many shopping malls, plazas and restaurants to suit every appetite. A host to tourist destinations like Science North and Dynamic Earth, Greater Sudbury has something for everyone.

A bilingual community with a rich francophone and aboriginal heritage, Greater Sudbury is a multicultural mosaic with a platform for welcoming and embracing diversity that Sudburians are proud to share with the world.  Greater Sudbury’s commitment to cultural diversity is evident in all areas of the city, from restaurants, schools, and places of worship, to festivals and events.  Our city’s cultural festivals such as the Canada Day, Italian, La Nuit sur l’étang, Greek, Aboriginal, Irish, Celtic, Finnish and Ukrainian festivals celebrate the cultural diversity of our citizens.

The city’s diversity is most evident with the Bridge of Nations and its many flags. The flags on the Bridge of Nations were originally raised during a Canada Day celebration on July 1, 2007 to honour Greater Sudbury’s multinational and multicultural heritage. Today, it continues to be a reflection of how much Greater Sudbury embraces multiculturalism.

Education

Take one look at Greater Sudbury’s educational system and you’ll see that Greater Sudbury has invested heavily in its future by developing outstanding schools from Kindergarten through grade 12 and beyond. As the regional centre for learning and applied research in Northeastern Ontario, Greater Sudbury is home to four school boards, private schools and several postsecondary institutions such as the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Laurentian University, Cambrian College, and Collège Boréal, one of only two francophone colleges in Ontario.  Greater Sudbury educational opportunities offer comprehensive and challenging curriculums.

Canada’s first new school of architecture in 40 years, Laurentian Architecture is expected to open in September 2012 as a downtown satellite campus of Laurentian University, and will offer a 4-year undergraduate program and a 2-year graduate program in architecture. Also in development, is a Francophone graduate program, which will be the first of its kind in North America. The school will feature a co-operative work program, thus allowing students to explore the world through international employment placements. A design-build senior class requirement will partner students and Laurentian Architecture with various Northern communities.  Students will benefit from working in collaboration with members of the community to develop specific design solutions to the challenges faced within Northern Ontario.

Real Estate and Housing

Greater Sudbury offers a wide variety of affordable real estate options whether you want to rent or purchase a home in urban, rural and suburban settings. Greater Sudbury offers housing options to fit every budget and lifestyle. Enjoy a work-life balance with a 10 minute commute from your home to work.

Take a drive through our city and you will get a glimpse of friendly neighbourhoods, thriving business sectors and a vibrant downtown filled with shops, boutiques, restaurants and entertainment.

In comparison to other large communities, Greater Sudbury has the lowest average housing prices.  The average sale price for a single family home in 2010 was $223,016. If renting an apartment or home, Greater Sudbury renters spend less of their income on housing than the national average.

Employment

Greater Sudbury’s business-friendly environment is as dynamic as it is diverse. We have a highly skilled, educated, innovative and enthusiastic workforce.  Once reliant on the cycles that came with mining, Greater Sudbury has grown considerably into a diverse and dynamic centre for technology, education, mining, government, and health services.

A comparison to Ontario data based on the 2006 Census reveals that Greater Sudbury’s labour force profile has diversified significantly over the last three decades. Service activities, from retail to producer services, now employ 80% of Greater Sudbury’s labour force, compared to 20% in the goods-producing sector. Health care, educational services and public administration all play an important role, reflecting Greater Sudbury’s position as a regional service centre for Northeastern Ontario, as well as the continued development of the health care and education infrastructure.

Health Care Services

Greater Sudbury has become a regional resource and referral centre for residents in Northeastern Ontario. The presence of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre and the Adult Regional Cardiac Program, coupled with the pursuit of an Occupational Health & Safety Centre of Excellence, have all positioned Greater Sudbury as a regional health centre. Over 300 general practitioners and specialists contribute to the overall health and wellness of Greater Sudbury and to patients throughout the region.

The Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) provides hospital-based acute, transitional, rehabilitation and continuing care. The HRSRH completed a major expansion to consolidate all hospital based services once offered across three sites. The new one site hospital allows for additional acute inpatient and intensive care beds, mental health, birthing facilities, emergency department, operating rooms and other diagnostic and support departments.

With the world’s population aging, the need for long term care facilities is essential to any city.  From retirement communities including St. Joseph’s Villa, the Elizabeth Centre, St. Gabriel’s Villa, Pioneer Manor and Finlandia-Koti to name a few, to chronic care centres such as Extendicare, the City of Greater Sudbury is proud to offer a wide variety of health care accommodation options for our seniors.

Summer Weather and the Outdoors

Greater Sudbury summers are warm and sunny offering its residents the opportunity to enjoy lakes, parks, golf, biking and walking trails, outdoor festivals and more. Temperatures range from 22°C to over 30°C, with most of the annual rain (656 mm) falling between the months of May and September.

If you love the outdoors, several public parks provide access to water sports, hiking, board walks and cycling opportunities. Golf enthusiasts have a choice of over 15 golf courses to play.  Greater Sudbury’s golf courses offer a variety of challenging layouts nestled amongst trees and natural beauty.

Key Websites:

To find out more about the City of Greater Sudbury visit the following websites and find out what makes Sudbury so great!

• http://www.mysudbury.ca
• http://www.immigrationsudbury.ca
• http://www.greatersudbury.ca
• http://www.sudburytourism.ca
• http://invest.mysudbury.ca
• http://www.sciencenorth.ca
• http://www.rainbowroutes.com
• http://www.laurentian.ca
• http://www.cambriancollege.ca
• http://www.borealc.on.ca
• http://www.nosm.ca
• http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca

Spring may still mean skiing for some, but for most Canadians it means it’s time to haul out our bikes and go for a ride. For those in Alberta, returning to the saddle means getting to pedal the spiffy, new and mellow Banff Legacy Trail — a testament to last year’s 125^thanniversary of Banff National Park and this year’s centennial of Canada’s national park system.

Last year’s lack of interpretive plaques, signage and distance markers will be not be an issue when the Trail officially opens by the end of this spring, promises Judy Glowinski, Product Development Specialist for Banff National Park. That’s when you’ll be able to stop and read the history of Canada’s first national park as well as learn about the environmentally friendly initiatives used to build this three-m (10-ft)-wide pathway. You’ll discover:

www.travelalberta.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: After a false start as an entertainment writer, Debra Cummings (“Deb”) spent six months kicking around southeast Asia—trekking up mountains and mastering the multiple meanings of the head-wobble in India—before returning to Calgary, AB, to take up the travel beat. That was 20 years ago. Since then, she’s worked as a newspaper features writer and travel editor, covered travel for CBC Radio and spent a year “voluntouring” around the planet with her husband and two children.

Pastoral scenes cut with winding roads hugging gentle hills reveal panoramic vistas of Lake Ontario and fields of corn, wheat, cattle, sheep or grapes.  Included are the historic allure of streetscapes, heritage buildings, quiet harbours and vineyards.  It is a must for artists, nature lovers and anyone seeking “a beautiful island adventure”.

Only 2 hours east of Toronto, 4 hours west of Montreal and 8.5 hours northwest of New York, Prince Edward County is home to over 3 dozen wineries and vineyards, countless exciting art galleries and artists’ working studios, fine and casual dining, jazz and other musical festivals and numerous tempting sweet and cheese shops.

From the inlet beach and sand dunes of Sandbanks and North Beach Provincial Parks that make up part of the over 800km of coastline to the weather beaten red barns and quaint Victorian residences The County is attracting a bevy of gay entrepreneurs carving out a simpler life and opening businesses.  The County is seeing an infusion of urban dwellers.  And we all know what happens when gay individuals arrive?  They sprinkle a bit of fairy dust around and voila home!

For the love of art! So what does Prince Edward County offer?  Well there are amazing finds and wonderful shopping in Bloomfield for the art lover! A great destination is f a d, run by partners Michael and Dean, recently featured on BUMP of OutTV and Logo.  f a d (funktional ART AND DESIGN) showcases over 50 of Canada’s top fine craft artisans in porcelain, hand blown glass, jewellery and much more. Around the corner is the fine art gallery f a d (Fine ART AND DESIGN) There are usually art demonstrations onsite, so do be sure to visit when in Bloomfield, you might just learn what encaustic is by Canada’s renowned encaustic artist Tanya Kirouac or run into internationally recognized stone sculptor, Dean Munroe.

At Love Nest Studio and Gallery you will find two fine artists whose works are deeply inspired by nature. Fibre artist and photographer, Tara Wilkinson features unique sculptural fibre art nests, greeting cards, photo prints and more in her charming restored chicken coop Gallery.  In a rustic, century-old barn gallery, encaustic sculptural painter Andrew Csafordi’s beautiful textured beeswax paintings reach out beyond the board to stir the imagination.

Round The Bend Gallery features the work of painter and multi-artist Andrew Innes, as well as an exciting collection of Canadian art glass.  Andrew Innes paints for the joy and excitement of it. His paintings are a personal response to natural beauty observed.

At Ricarro Jewellery you should expect to explore a wide variety of unique jewellery inspired by life and nature, each created by hand one at a time. From the gallery, you can watch Carol Burrell at work in the studio. At certain times, a tour and a demonstration of the jewellery making process will be given.

Looking for that special piece for your home, look no further, Gilles Charette has created G3 Living – a destination for unique furnishings and accessories imbued with Glamour and Gracious style. In a word, Gratifying.

Enjoy wine? You’ll appreciate the self guided wine tours in one of the award winning regional wineries. Vineyards are amazing places that have entranced people for centuries. Poets have written wistful and profound verses about them. Still, no one has ever captured a vineyard’s magic in words, or music, or even pictures. There are 7 stops we recommend:

Clink! Clink! Do I hear a toast coming from owner’s Sally and Rob Peck of Sugarbush Vineyards. Theirs is a small family owned and operated vineyard and winery, the garagiste winery of Prince Edward County. Garagiste:\GA-razh-EEST\ n. fr.  A passionate winemaker who creates limited production premium wine in a garage-sized winery, specializing in small lot, artisanal wines made entirely from our estate-grown grapes.  All of their vintages were produced entirely from grapes hand harvested from their vineyard.

Next on your wine tour is Black Prince Winery, located on a ten acre vineyard that grows Chardonnay, Cab Franc and some hybrids.  In 2009, Geoff Webb of Black Prince launched Chardonnay Terroir – the first County wine aged in County-grown and coopered local oak barrels, and a follow-up to a gold medal for the 2007 Chardonnay Reserve.

Continuing on the tour be sure to visit Huff Estates Winery, a modern facility created by Lanny Huff with one thing in mind, producing high quality wines. Complete with a moat-surrounded patio, kitchen for light lunches, floor to ceiling windows and even a heli-pad, this is unlike any other winery in the area and offers a unique experience for all.

Next, The Grange of Prince Edward Vineyard Estate and Winery, a family-run agri-business by Robert and Caroline Granger.  With 60 acres under vine, the farm is home to 6 distinct vineyard blocks; plantings include Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and enough Pinot Noir to make it one of the larger vineyards in Canada.

Onwards, Sandbanks Estate Winery is a family owned winery situated along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario, in the heart of beautiful Prince Edward County. Catherine Langlois invites you to enjoy wine tasting in their charming boutique, explore the estate or sit back and relax in their inviting vineyard setting.

Your last two stops are Keint-He Winery, where every bottle of wine made by winemaker Geoff Heinricks is made from 100% hillier grapes. What sets Keint-He apart further is that they are one winery with three distinct vineyards, each possessing its own unique terroir.  Organically grown, their Pinot grapes prosper in harmony with their environment, not in spite of it. Keint-He has applied the Burgundian model of viticulture to the County microclimate.  Last but not least is Harwood Estates Vineyards, where all three vineyards are all tended by hand. Their Pinot Noir, Pinot St. Laurent and Pinot Gris are owners Kerry Wicks and John Rode’s favourites with French style cuisine.  For lighter fare, Harwood’s vivacious Friends Rose with its strawberry pallet is a great choice. Harwood’s Tasting Room is right inside the solar-powered winery where their fine Prince Edward County wines are available.

Regional cuisine! June 21, 2008 ‘Gastronomic Capital of Ontario’ honours go to Prince Edward County, says the Toronto Globe and Mail.  There is over a dozen fine dining restaurants to frequent amongst another 40 or so casual restaurants and cafes.  Some great recommendations are The Bloomfield Carriage House Restaurant whose menu reflects French foundations while focusing upon Canadian product.  Chef Scott Kapitan and Pastry chef Jacqui Vickers started this journey to express their passion for good food and service.  Quality of product is abundant in the County of Prince Edward and it is put to good use at The Carriage House.

The Milford Bistro works hard to rise to the occasion, cooking small scale, sourcing locally and letting their menu reflect the changing seasons. One of the most intimate, romantic restaurants in Prince Edward County. This year, Chris has created an Outdoor Burger Bar for cyclists, families and anyone hungry for a delicious burger made with local ingredients, located right next to the Bistro.

Looking for a hidden gem, at Portabella, partners Don and Roy have created a relaxed atmosphere and casual menu for your enjoyment.  Using fresh and local ingredients and offering a large selection of county wines, portabella now in its sixth season is a dining favorite of locals and visitors alike.

If you are dying for chocolate or home-made ice cream….stop into Copper Kettle Chocolate Company in Picton, say hi to Sue and try a few samples.  No dieters please!  Try the sponge toffee ice cream.  Copper Kettle Chocolate Company is best known for over 30 varieties of unique chocolate bark, astonishing truffles as well as delicious chocolate and nut specialties.  Five of the chocolate barks have won awards at the acclaimed Canadian Fine Food Show in Toronto.  However the best is the SHOTS!  They’re chocolate shells filled to the brim with ice wine.  Definitely for grown-ups.

The Pastry House is a small artisan bakery where you will find a fine selection of cakes, pastries, cookies, buns, rolls and breads.  Their products are made from the best ingredients available. They do not use any artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Relax and enjoy the county

Come and experience the joy of cooking seasonally in Prince Edward County  – Canada’s newest culinary destination.  From the Farm Cooking School is the ultimate field to table culinary experience.  From meeting local farmers to preparing traditional favorites in Cynthia’s state-of-the-art chef’s home kitchen— the day will capture your heart and your senses.

You will never be bored in Prince Edward County, there is sailing, boating, fishing, cycling, antiquing, bird watching, windsurfing, kayaking, hiking trails, camping and let’s not forget shopping.

If that’s not your thing, how about a day at the spa? A great way to relax is to visit Ria and Rod’s  Little Organic Day Spa offering thalassotherapy, ancient therapies using raw, organic, Canadian, indigenous-based ingredients and products.  Your private urban retreat for ocean therapies, treatments and all that encompasses mind, body, balance for both men and women.  Treat yourself today, you deserve it!

Need a place to stay? We offer bed and breakfasts, inns or vacation rentals.

Bells and Whistles Family Inn offers the casual and fun atmosphere of a rural setting on 3 acres where you can sit by the pool or relax by a fire at night gazing at the stars. Child care services are offered for those who would like to take a wine tour or a romantic dinner out.

Gilead Schoolhouse, once a one room schoolhouse for many decades, has been converted into a comfortable three bedroom rental home and retains much of the original charm and character. This lovely property is bordered by old split log fences and is surrounded by open fields ensuring quiet and privacy.

The 21 suite Inn at Huff Estates is a luxurious accommodation, very contemporary in design but has a country feel as the rooms either overlook the vineyard or the garden feature.  All rooms feature a private pergola patio for guests to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.  The Inn offers Deluxe Rooms, Premiere Suites and a Winemaker’s Suite.

Relax in comfort at Loyalist Lofts in their newly renovated historical loft vacation rental apartments.  Steps from your door you’ll enjoy fine restaurants, casual cafes, film, live music, theatre, local art galleries, parks, gourmet take-out, and fine grocery outlets.

At the end of your visit if you find you have fallen in love with Prince Edward County, connect with James and Lynn of REMAX Hallmark or Jason at Century 21 Lanthorn, two great real-estate companies that are more than happy to help you find your little PEC oasis.

Michael and Dean of  f a d  have created Out in The County to provide recommendations for the gay and lesbian (GL) traveler on GL-owned and GL-friendly businesses when visiting one of the most beautiful places in Canada: Prince Edward County.  Our objective is to promote GL-lifestyle tourism.

For more information visit www.outinthecounty.com today as well consider joining Out in The County on Facebook and Twitter

The OECD launched the “better life index” which allows comparisons between the member countries that go beyond the traditional economic measures, such as gross domestic product.

“Canada performs exceptionally well in measures of well-being,” the agency said, citing statistics such as:

• Nearly four out of five Canadians are satisfied with their lives, compared with three out of five for the OECD as a whole.
• Average Canadian household income of $27,015 US in 2008, more than $4,700 above the OECD average.
• Nearly 72 per cent of Canadians 15 to 64 have a paid job, above the OECD average of 65 per cent.
• Canadians work 40 hours less per year than the OECD average.
• About 87 per cent of Canadians have the equivalent of a high-school diploma, much higher than the OECD average of 73 per cent.
• Life expectancy in Canada is 80.7 years, a year above the OECD average.
• The level of atmospheric PM10, tiny particles that are small enough to damage the lungs, is 15 micrograms per cubic metre, lower than the OECD average of 22.

But in terms of voter turnout, “a measure of public trust in government and of citizens’ participation in the political process,” Canada ranks at 60 per cent, below the OECD average of 72 per cent.

Canada’s rankings are based on assigning an equal weight to each of 11 topics. But using the OECD’s interactive index, individuals can adjust the weight of the topics and create their own index. The 11 items are housing, income, jobs, community, education, environment, governance, health, life satisfaction, safety and work-life balance.

The index “has extraordinary potential to help us deliver better policies for better lives,” said OECD secretary general Angel Gurría.

It’s part of an OECD plan to measure well-being and progress. The organization includes many European countries, the U.S., Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.

For more information click here to view the “Better life index”

The top three in each category are:

Great Streets:

Commercial Street, Nanaimo, BC
Ottawa Street (Textile District), Hamilton, ON
Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK

Great Neighbourhoods:

Le Petit Champlain, Québec, QC
The Hydrostone, Halifax, NS
Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose First Nation), Lantzville, BC

Great Public Spaces:

The Forks, Winnipeg, MB
Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto, ON
Pippy Park, St. John’s, NL

While each of the winners had to be popular, the CIP’s Andrea Gabor says they also had to meet a number of criteria pertaining to how each location met certain planning objectives.

The factors taken into consideration include the promotion of social and economic activities, memorable or unique character and architecture, accessibility, sustainability and connection to local culture, history and landscape.

Gabor said the winners exemplify those characteristics.

Nanaimo’s historic commercial street, for example, had served as the core of that community from its construction in the mid-1800s until the mid 1900s when the city began sprawling outward.

There was great revitalization efforts to bring it back to life and it’s now an education, cultural, and institutional centre,” Gabor said, praising the street as “a centre for communities.”

Similarly, Gabor says the Forks in Winnipeg stands out for a number of reasons, not least of which is its vital role at the centre of that city’s cultural life.

“The Forks was special because it brings a lot of people together,” she said of the popular site at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers.

“It builds on the history and it’s got a lot of activities from their market, to their entertainment spaces to the open spaces, trails, archaeological digs, Gabor added, praising its mix of uses and location at the historic heart of the Manitoba capital.

Historical legacy also weighed heavily on the decision to rank Quebec City’s Le Petit Champlain neighbourhood as tops in the country.

“It’s got great historic architecture and it’s a place to be,” Gabor said, explaining that the municipal government there has “done a great job” retaining the area’s long history while making it accessible for the public to enjoy.

“People come from all over the world to see it and enjoy its architecture and to enjoy the festivals that go on there. So it’s a great people place, and that’s one of the things that makes it memorable.”

The Canadian Institute of Planners, comprised of 7,800 professional planners, says it sponsored the competition to both foster local pride and to emphasize the benefits of good planning.

While the people who submitted the winning nominations win a $500 travel certificate from Via Rail, the locations will be awarded a commemorative plaque. Buoyed by the strong public response that saw Canadians championing locations ranging from native communities to natural locations, the CIP plans to run the competition again next year.

For more information visit their website

Walleye are also know as Pickerel and, according to Fishing Ontario published by Mussio Ventures Ltd., a book I picked up at the Campbellford Canadian Tire Store, Walleye are the most prized sport fish in Ontario.  The Walleye’s diet is made up of mainly baitfish and you can also try leeches or grubs. When jigging along the shoreline you need to know where to pick the best location.  Look for weed beds or go fishing at dawn or dusk when walleye are most active during the darker times of day.

Jigs are a great lure for walleye anglers.  The single hook nature of the jig provides the ability to be worked effectively through weeds.  According to Fishing Ontario, the key to finding a successful jigging lure for either size or colour is done mainly thorugh trial and error.

Campbellford, normally a quiet town becomes a hive of bustling activity on the May Long weekend when the locks are open and fishing season begins. A great, spot with easy parking and lots of shoreline to find your own private fishing spot is near the Meyersburg Flea market.  Once you make your way out to shore, here are locations to look for when casting from shore of the Trent River:

• Find a rocky rubble in a point or wade out onto shoals into deeper water where this could be a source for early Spring Walleye.
• Shoreline rocks and weeds are where Walleye like to feed using your single hook jig.
• Down at Percy Boom you can find a pier or wall with deeper water just out in front where you may find Walleye after spawning.
• Flyfishing into the river rapids when the fish are on can be more challenging but rewarding method in catching your fish.  Many experienced fly anglers will have 2 or 3 rods of different weights for different fish sizes.

This year we have had a long cool Spring and so the fishing season should be great along the Trent River system south of Campbellford near Meyersburg.

Here is a country family retreat set on 3.39 acres with 185 ft on the scenic Trent River. This 7-bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2-storey, home with 2 double detached garages, and detached workshop with hydro has a fenced above-ground swimming pool, surrounded by landscaped gardens with fruit trees, flagstone paths and gazebo. This part of the Trent is excellent for fly-fishing, or a boat launch is just down Percy Boom Road to enjoy 12 miles of lock-free boating. This home has several wheel chair ramps and would be a wonderful Bed and Breakfast retreat, vacation rentals or bring your in-laws to live with you. For sale at $399,900.

Source – Fishing Ontario Kawarthas, Musio Ventures

Often associated with the establishment and development of ethnocultural communities, Boulevard Saint-Laurent has been the gateway to Québec for thousands of immigrants searching for a better future. In 1996, the government of Canada designated this grand boulevard as a national historic site, thereby commemorating it as a sign of hope and an essential passage for newcomers.

Eleven kilometres long, the Main crosses practically every important street, avenue and boulevard in Québec’s largest city. Running north-south and dividing the city into East and West, Montréal’s principal thoroughfare draws droves of people in search of its intense cultural life, hip restaurants, and friendly urban lifestyle. Also treasured by the artistic community, it has inspired such major writers as Mordecai Richler and Michel Tremblay, in The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz and Sainte-Carmen de la Main, respectively.

Warm and welcoming, it is home both to essential services and to entertainment venues. In bygone days, it boasted a large concentration of places for a good time. From loose women to impossible love stories, the Main has always had a libertine reputation. As a part of town known for vice, where erotic shows, houses of debauchery, clandestine gaming houses and places to smoke all sorts of illegal products were established, it earned Montréal the nickname of “Sin City”.

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Thirteen species of whale can be viewed including belugas, humpbacks, fin and the largest mammal ever to live on the earth – the blue whale. Whale watching can be experienced at many locations in the province between May and October. Most require you to get on a boat and travel to where they congregate, but you may also be lucky enough to be able to view whales from the safety of the shore.

The Whale Route (Route des baleines) is an area running along the north shoreline of the Gulf of St. Lawrence where all thirteen species of whale can be viewed. The Route stretches over 900 km (560 miles) and encompasses forests, beaches, campgrounds, towns and villages. There are sections which are accessible for cyclists as well as offering opportunities for water sports enthusiasts.

The start of the journey is Tadoussac which sits on the banks of the Sanguenay Fiord. Close by is Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park which offers some of the best whale watching opportunities in Canada from both land and water. The fjord creates very deep water that the wales love meaning some can be seen within a few meters of the shoreline. But if you want the true whale watching experience you need to get on a boat and go to them.

The Marine Park is one of the national marine conservation areas of Parks Canada. This means that although the tourism industry is very important to the area, the wildlife is protected. A code of ethics has been in place for many years to help protect the whale species in their natural habitat whilst at the same time allowing visitors to view them.

Although the whole route offers great whale watching opportunities there are some areas which stand out. We mentioned Tadoussac, this is one of the main departure points for boar tours. Further down the coast, Les Escoumins is another village offering many boat tours.

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Contents of this issue:

Discover the whale route in Quebec, visit La Main, the soul of Montreal, Deepshikha Brar makes waves in Calgary, Meet the Mayor of Ville de Gatineau, fancy investing in Cheese? We also have 10 simple tips for success in finding a job. We spoke with singer and songwriter Marie-Jo Therio about her new English album. Stephen Draper provides his real life story about the highs and lows of moving to Canada. Plus much muchmor…..enjoy

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You hear them before you see them, those vocal “canaries of the sea” clicking and whistling their own high-pitched tunes. As shifting white shapes loom from the depths, your heart does a back flip. Adult beluga whales some five-m (16-ft) -long shimmy at you from below, swivelling their heads and peering into your eyes an arm’s length away. Babies dart daringly past. You’re surrounded by smiles as wide as Casper the Friendly Ghost’s (watch a video), the mammals edging closer to examine this strange humming human.

Entering the belugas’ world is a rare opportunity to commune with normally elusive wildlife on their own turf. The season is short: July and August.

Sea North Tours Ltd. offers a chance to chum with chubby whales or watch them from your own kayak on daytrips out of Churchill, MB. At the outfitter’s remote Seal River Heritage Lodge a short floatplane flight to the north, Churchill Wild has a multi-day “Birds, Bears & Belugas” adventure so you can mix it up, enjoying wildlife in the air, on the ground and under the water.

When your turn is up and you’re gently pulled back to the Zodiac by the rope, you’ll have a unique encounter etched into your memory and a smile as wide as a beluga’s on your face.

www.travelmanitoba.com

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Award-winning, Montréal, QC-based freelance writer and photographer Margo Pfeiff’s work has appeared in Lonely Planet guidebooks, Reader’s Digest, GEO,enRoute, explore, Canadian Geographic, Outpost, The Walrus, up here, LosAngeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, National Post and The Globe and Mail.She is working on a book about contemporary life in Nunavut.margo.pfeiff@gmail.com

The majority, 92% rated Canada, as the best for its diverse environment, natural beauty and resources, while 94% said its peaceful nature was a real draw. Expats from around the world now account for more than 70% of the whole Canadian labour force growth.

Canada leads the G7 in terms of the safest place to live and conduct business with the most fairly administered judicial system. It was the leading performer among the hard-hit G7 developed economies during the global recession, helped by its sound banking system and the fact it avoided the property crash seen in the United States and much of Europe.

READ THE REASONS PEOPLE GAVE FOR MOVING TO CANADA

In second place is New Zealand, followed by Australia, France and South Africa. Making up the rest of the top ten is Portugal, Spain, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

As well as the country’s natural beauty and peaceful reputation, Canada’s healthcare system is also well regarded by expats living there and was rated high by 90%. Furthermore high standards of education are enjoyed by expats in Canadian Schools and Universities. Canada has the highest percentage of individuals achieving at least college or university education among the top 50 countries surveyed by the World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2009.

‘This is the second year Canada has topped the tables of the NatWest IPB Quality of Life Index. Its excellent working conditions, financial security and peaceful reputation have pushed Canada into this year’s pole position. It seems the pull of the beautiful Rockies, the Mounties and the marvellous taste of maple syrup is a real sticking point for expats,’ said Dave Isley, head of NatWest International Personal Banking.

’As a member of the Commonwealth, Canada offers Brits common values and goals shared with the UK, helping British expats settle into the country and feel at home,’ he added.

The booming economy in Canada also makes the country more attractive. Canada‘s recent expatriate intake has been double those of the United States, with priority given to highly skilled workers.

Financial assets in Canada are up 6% from last year’s levels. Household finances improved in the fourth quarter of 2010, and net worth is rising to record levels. Household net worth per capita increased to $181,700, representing the highest level on record.

Canadian household net worth grew by 2.2% in the fourth quarter of 2010 to $6.2 trillion. The gain pushed Canadians’ net worth to a new record high, 4.1% above the pre-recession peak seen in the second quarter of 2008 and 14.6% above the recessionary trough seen in the first quarter of 2009.

‘UK expats say they are living a more fulfilled lifestyle abroad, whilst also benefiting financially. This is particularly true for UK expats in Canada who not only say they benefit from financial security, improved cost of living and a happier working environment but a better work life balance and equal opportunities,’ explained Isley.

For the wider expat community, living and working abroad enables them to earn and save more despite the current economic downturn. More than half of those living and working abroad earn between £50,000 and £100,000. Expats based in Hong Kong have the highest salaries with close to half earning more than £100,000 a year.

The factors that influence individuals’ decisions on where they pursue their careers are many, but a key factor is the powerful link between earning capacity and the ability to build a nest egg. Some 74% of respondents claim to have increased disposable income since becoming expats.

Top 12 Expat Destinations:

1.  Canada
2.  New Zealand
3.  Australia
4.  France
5.  South Africa
6.  Portugal
7.  Spain
8.  U.S.
9.  United Arab Emirates
10. Singapore
11. Hong Kong
12. China