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.

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.

Things to discover

The sights and stopovers are countless in the Georgian Bay. Here is but a sample of where one can rove, starting at the 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.

Downhill Skiing at Blue Mountain

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.

The Sun Sets over Georgian Bay

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.

Guides and maps can be found here

Official website can be found here

More Information here

To make Icewine, grapes are left to freeze on the vine until temperatures fall below -8C (17.6 F). Hard as marbles, the grapes are crushed to drip out a concentrated juice containing 35-45% sugar. With the frozen water removed, it takes five to 10 times more grapes to make a bottle of Icewine than table wine: each grape produces roughly a drop of Icewine, the reason it costs about $50 for a 375 ml bottle.

Icewine is produced in several wine-growing regions across the country; here are three places to celebrate this winter ambrosia at Icewine festivals:

Nova Scotia

Who knew Nova Scotia was producing award-winning Icewine and celebrating with the annual Nova Scotia Winter Icewine Festival from Feb. 2 to 12, 2012? In Halifax and surrounding wine-growing valleys there are 40 events including Icewine tastings and pairings with local cuisine – everything from appetizers to gelat. Sample Icewine with cheese at Domaine de Grand Pré winery and with chocolate at the Gaspereau Vineyard then finish up the evening with an Icewine martini.

Ontario

The 17^th Niagara Icewine Festival is a 10-day salute to Ontario Icewines – which make up 75% of Canada’s production – from Jan. 13-29, 2012. There are Masquerade Gala evening toasts, chestnut roasts, Icewine dinners and ornate ice bars, not to mention winery tours, carriage rides and late-night Icewine grape picking. Thirty Ontario wineries including Pillitteri, Inniskillin and Reif Estate will present more than 100 award-winning Icewines.

British Columbia

From Jan.14-22, 2012, the Winter Okanagan Wine Festival showcases the province’s award-winning Icewines made by the likes of Jackson Triggs, Mission Hill and Hainle – the vineyard that started it all back in 1978. The event includes an Icewine seminar as well as tastings where guests wander through the snowy alpine village stopping in at restaurants and hotel lobbies where more than 20 wineries have set up. Then everyone heads outside to stroll and sip while listening to live music.

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.

Established in 1941 as the site of Defence Industries Ltd. munitions plant, and named after the warship HMS Ajax, the Town quickly grew on the values of progress, accountability, community and the environment. Now home to more than 100,000 people, Ajax is quickly becoming recognized in Canada and North America for its diverse population and business growth.

Ajax is one of the most progressive communities in the Greater Toronto Area, specifically recognized for key site selection criterions including cost effectiveness, infrastructure and economic growth potential.

With two existing interchanges along the Highway 401 corridor, and two future links to Highway 407, Ajax provides accessibility for products and people. These entry points provide direct access to existing zoned business areas, and 700 acres of cost effective “shovel-ready” industrial land. Lot sizes that range from one acre to 80 acres are serviced and ready to go – all backed by PriorityPath™, a unique, customized municipal process specifically designed to streamline your project.

Cost effectiveness in Ajax starts with affordable land prices. But as North America’s first fully ISO certified municipality, Ajax understands that time is money, too. Ajax has the  infrastructure, zoning, processes, and people in place, to ensure your project moves quickly.

Along the 401-Highway of Heroes corridor, Ajax history is repeating itself as a result of continued dedication to progress, accountability, community and the environment. It is a place where you can get more for your dollar and do more for your business and customers.

www.firstforbusiness.ca

The history of Ajax dates back to 1941 during World War II, when the largest defense industry in North America, Defense Industries Limited (DIL), located in the area to provide supplies for the Allies in the war. Thousands of workers and their families settled in the immediate area, and a community was born. The name “Ajax” was chosen in honour of one of the three ships that in 1939 had engaged and routed the German battleship Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate near Uruguay.

Remembering the veterans

Today, this unique history lives on in many forms. All around Ajax, you’ll find reminders of the Town’s early beginnings – historic sites and landmarks, each with unique stories of times long ago. Each new street of the Town is named in honour of the officers and crew that served on the Ajax, Exeter and Achilles ships. Trees are planted on these streets when a veteran or family member visits.

Around this distinct heritage, Ajax has built an arts and culture community that continues to grow and flourish. At the centre of activity is Pickering Village, an Original Quaker settlement from the 1800’s, which is now a district for unique restaurants and shops. The Town has completed a number of improvements to restore the area over the years. Most recently, an urban square in the heart of the Village was constructed, creating a unique space for gatherings, celebrations and events.  To create a community space for the arts, The Town also restored the 140-year-old St. Francis de Sales Church into “The St. Francis Centre”, a multi-purpose facility for the arts which will feature live theatre performances and showcases of local talent.

Ajax is a creative and culturally diverse community with amazing local talent. Art Shows, exhibits and galleries showcase this talent and feature everything from water colours to pastels, photography to sculpture. Throughout the year, Cultural and Heritage Celebrations that recognize various cultural groups and heritage districts of Ajax are held. And, to enhance the Town’s already breathtaking natural landscapes and open spaces, public art has been created for residents, and visitors to enjoy and reflect upon.

Ajax is a community unique in its history and values. For enthusiasts of the arts, culture and heritage, it is truly a destination to experience.

Click here to learn more.

The Canadian economy generated 17,000 new jobs a month on average during the third quarter of 2011, down from 29,000 new jobs a month in the second quarter and 33,000 in the first quarter. The CIBC Employment Quality Index (EQI) fell by 0.5 per cent in the third quarter and is down by 1.5 per cent over the past seven months.

“The decline in our quality index over the past seven months is not so obvious when one glances at the headline statistics,” says Benjamin Tal, deputy chief economist and author of CIBC’s Employment Quality Index. “During this period, paid employment rose faster than self-employment and full-time job creation outpaced growth in part-time jobs. The reason for the index’s decline, despite these positive indicators, is the fact that all the fulltime jobs created during this period were in low-paying sectors.

“Looking ahead, the likelihood is that employment quality in the coming year or so will soften. Key here will be softer public sector hiring in general, and public sector construction activity in particular — a factor that will limit growth in high quality construction jobs in the coming twelve months.”

The recent decline in the EQI followed a strong rebound in job quality that began in early 2010. At its current reading, the index is roughly where it was at the eve of the recession.

However, job quality is not uniform across the country. While Ontario, British Columbia and Atlantic Canada weighed down the national number with declines in overall employment quality, Alberta, Québec and Manitoba/Saskatchewan saw improvements over the last seven months.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Jobs: Full-time employment rose by 1.2 per cent during the past seven months accounting for all of the increase in employment during the period. This factor acted as a positive for the index.

Self-Employment vs. Paid Employment: Paid employment rose by 1.2 per cent vs. only a 0.1 per cent increase in the number of self-employed. This was also a positive contributor to the index over the past seven months.

Compensation: During the past seven months, the number of full-time jobs in high-paying industries fell by 0.1 per cent while the number of jobs in low-paying industries rose by 2.3 per cent. This diverging performance is the sole reason for the recent decline in CIBC’s EQI index. The most notable weakness was in high job quality sectors such as the federal government, heavy and civil engineering construction, telecommunications and computer and related manufacturing. Strong job growth in sectors such as machinery manufacturing and professional scientific and technical services helped to limit the damage.

Percentage Change in EQI by Province 
Q1-2011 vs. Q3-2011

The CIBC Canadian Employment Quality Index (EQI), combines information on:

• the distribution of part-time vs. full-time jobs;
• self-employment vs. paid employment;
• and the compensation ranking of full-time paid employment jobs in more than 100 industry groups

The complete CIBC World Markets report is available at: http://research.cibcwm.com/economic_public/download/eqi-cda-20111102.pdf.

Search for jobs across Canada

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

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.

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 

“We spend a lot of time and money getting to and from work each day – not to mention the environmental strain and stress that comes with commuting,” saidKelly Dixon, President of Workopolis.  “Today, working from home is a viable option for many. We need to continue to promote the benefits of telecommuting and encourage more flexible working arrangements for Canadian workers.”

Just Getting to Work Can be Hard Work
Part of getting back into the daily routine of commuting can mean expecting public transit delays, busier stations and, of course, more traffic jams – all contributors of stress to the Canadian worker.

More common modes of commuting include:

• Two-thirds (69%) of workers commute by car on their own;
• One-in-five (19%) take public transit;
• One-in-ten (10%) carpool;
• 12% walk ; and
• 4% ride a bicycle

Commuting: By the Numbers
The latest Statistics Canada Census from 2006 reveals there are over 18 million people (over the age of 15) who are currently employed in Canada. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Canadians polled said they commute by car on their own. That would equate to a savings of nearly $120 million for Canadian workers and more than 60 Kg of CO₂ emissions if these workers were given the option to work from home for just one day a year.

Not surprising, the longest average commuters reside in provinces with Canada’s most urban cities. Those in British Columbia and Ontario lead the way with an average commute time of 48 minutes each, while Atlantic Canadians and Quebecers spend the least amount of time commuting (31 and 34 minutes respectively).

Today, only four in ten (38 per cent) of Canadian workers work from home a few days per month even though many companies have the capability through emerging and secure technologies and practices to offer this as an option to their employees. Offering the option of working from home can also help to position a company as an employer of choice.  In fact, seven in ten (68 per cent) of respondents indicated they have turned down a job prospect just to avoid a long commute.

“Grappling with gridlock is a terrible way to begin or wrap up any work day,” said Dixon.  “Offering Canadian workers the option to work from their own homes, even if it’s just one day a year, would do wonders for our collective rush hour mentality.”

“Found” Time
By working from home, Canadians are able to spend the time they would normally be commuting on doing the things they want such as spending time with family and friends.

The top five ways Canadians would prefer to spend their extra time are:

• Completing chores or housework – 83% (even higher for women at 86%)
• Spending time with family or friends – 79%
• Engaging in other recreational, hobby or leisure activities – 76%
• Preparing more nutritious meals – 74%
• Get more sleep – 71%

Interestingly, six in ten (58 per cent) said they would spend the extra time working more hours.  This number is even higher for those Canadians who are already working from home some of the time (73 per cent).

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

“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.” Daryl Bennett—Mayor of Peterborough

Here’s some advice from Newcomers who have already relocated to Peterborough:

Dean Pappas, City Councillor and Business Owner (family originally from Greece).

• Embrace your new country. Getting settled can be hard, so it is important to get to know your community and get support when you need it.
• It can be tough for mothers who stay home to look after the children while fathers are out working. While fathers get to meet new people, mothers bear a great deal of the stress and isolation that come with being a newcomer.
• Get out there- go to the library or the New Canadians Centre.
• Remember, there is a lot of support for families in this city. Use them!
• Canada’s school system is one of its strengths. It does a great job in integrating newcomers. If your kids are in school, take advantage of all the community has to offer and get involved.
• The city offers many services, and a team of friendly staff who are happy to help. Take advantage of the free library, free museum, art gallery and various programs for kids and adults.

Ali Imran and Mostafa Rahman, Business Owners (originally from Bangladesh)

• Make sure you know the business you’re going into.
• Either get some schooling at Trent or Fleming, or work for someone who knows the business well.
• Talk to others who are doing something similar.
• Peterborough is a smaller city, which means word of mouth travels fast. So if you are good at what you do, people find out relatively quickly.
• Believe in yourself, and know that starting your own business is the best thing you can do. If you are serious and willing to work hard, anyone can succeed in this country.

Farah Zafarzadeh, Business Owner (originally from Afghanistan)

• Good customer service and a high-quality product are the keys to maintaining a successful business.
• Don’t be a follower. Be a leader. Over time, others will accept your decisions, even if they are against it at first. Never fear others.
• We are not getting any younger, only older. We shouldn’t cover ourselves with a shell. We should use right now, today, not wait for tomorrow.
• Encourage yourself. Encourage, encourage, encourage. Don’t worry about how long it takes. Keep pushing and saying to yourself “Yes, I can”.

Fadhil Al-Sarraj, Business Owner (originally from Iraq) 

• Have a vision, and pursue your dreams for a better life with determination. Always look forward.
• Appreciate the achievements of others, regardless of how big or small they may be. Expand your own experiences by learning from their successes and failures.
• Be sincere in your relationships. Love for others what you love for yourself.
• Only try to work in a field that you are good at (and you enjoy!). Money will come after.
• If you are going into a business partnership, make sure you have a lawyer involved. This country runs on written statements, not on verbal agreements.
• Remember: lucky people are those who work hard and do a good job.

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

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.

Police reported nearly 2.1 million Criminal Code incidents last year, down about 77,000 from 2009. There were declines in a variety of crimes, including homicide, attempted murder, serious assaults and robbery and other property crimes. But there were increases in some areas, including sexual assault, firearms crimes, criminal harassment, child pornography and drug offences.

The Crime Severity Index reached its lowest point (82.7) since 1998, the first year for which Index data are available. The decline in crime severity in 2010 was seen virtually across the country. The only exceptions were increases in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Violent crime

Police reported just over 437,000 violent incidents in 2010, about 7,200 fewer than in the previous year. Violent crimes accounted for just over 1 in 5 offences.

The violent Crime Severity Index declined 6% in 2010 to 88.9, the fourth consecutive annual decrease. Decreases were reported in every province except Newfoundland and Labrador, where police reported a 13% increase.

There were 554 homicides, 56 fewer than in 2009. The national rate of 1.62 homicides per 100,000 population in 2010 was the lowest since 1966. The 10% decline in the homicide rate from 2009 to 2010 followed a decade of relative stability.

The national decline in the homicide rate was driven primarily by a large decrease in British Columbia, where the rate (1.83) was at an all-time low. However, the rate in this province was still slightly higher than the national average.

The number of attempted murders also declined, from 801 in 2009 to 693 in 2010. This resulted in the lowest rate for this offence in over 30 years.

Police reported more than 22,000 sexual assaults in 2010. This represented an increase of 5% in the rate since 2009, the first increase in sexual assault since 2005.

Non-violent crime

Similar to previous years, most crimes (79%) reported by police in 2010 were non-violent. Theft under $5,000, mischief and break-ins accounted for close to two-thirds of the almost 1.7 million non-violent offences.

The non-violent Crime Severity Index fell 6% in 2010 to 80.3, the seventh consecutive decline.

Police reported nearly 200,000 break-ins last year. The rate of break-ins fell 6% in 2010, continuing a steady decline since peaking in the early 1990s.

Nearly 93,000 motor vehicles were reported stolen in 2010. This represented a 15% drop in the rate since 2009 and a continuation of the downward trend seen since the mid-1990s.

Saskatchewan reported the highest rate of motor vehicle theft in 2010. This is a change from a decade-long trend which saw Manitoba reporting the highest rate among the provinces.

The national rate of impaired driving fell 6% from 2009, following three consecutive years of increase. However, the rate of impaired driving has generally been declining since peaking in 1981.

In 2010, police reported over 108,000 drug offences, about half of which were for possession of cannabis. The rate of drug offences increased 10% from 2009, continuing a general upward trend that began in the early 1990s.

Provinces and territories

Among the provinces, Alberta and British Columbia reported the largest declines in crime in 2010. The crime rate fell by 6% in both provinces, while the Crime Severity Index decreased by 8% in Alberta and 7% in British Columbia.

As in previous years, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories continued to report the highest Crime Severity Index values. Among the provinces, Saskatchewan reported the highest Crime Severity Index, followed by Manitoba and British Columbia. The lowest Crime Severity Index values were seen in Ontario, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Metropolitan areas

The volume and severity of crime fell or remained stable across virtually all census metropolitan areas (CMAs) in 2010, including Canada’s 10 largest cities.

In 2010, three CMAs reported an increase in crime severity. St. John’s had the largest increase, up 12%, followed by Greater Sudbury (+4%) and Peterborough (+3%).

As has been the case since 1998, Regina reported the highest Crime Severity Index, followed by Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Calgary was the only western CMA to have a Crime Severity Index below the national average.

Guelph reported the lowest Crime Severity Index for the fourth year in a row, followed by Québec, Toronto and Ottawa.

Youth crime

Police reported that nearly 153,000 youth aged 12 to 17 were accused of a crime in 2010, almost 15,000 fewer than the previous year. The youth crime rate, which measures the overall volume of crime committed by youth, declined by 7%.

Youth crime rates declined for most offences in 2010, including homicide, serious assaults, motor vehicle thefts and break-ins. However, robbery was one of the few offences to show an increase for youth in 2010, up 2%.

The youth Crime Severity Index has also declined over the past 10 years, including a 6% drop in 2010. However, the severity of violent crime committed by youth has not seen the same decrease. Despite a 4% drop between 2009 and 2010, the youth violent Crime Severity Index was 5% higher than in 2000.

“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.”

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

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

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.

I had just finished my plumbing apprenticeship and had gained employment with a local firm where Barb worked as a clerk. Our relationship started out as purely friendship and developed into boyfriend/girlfriend after about six months. After a year together we decided to get our own house, well a rented house as neither of us was earning much back then. Two years after that we got married.

Our lives plodded along like most people’s and after six years of working for the same company I decided to start my own plumbing business. This ended up being one of the best decisions I made (apart from marrying Barb of course) as I was suddenly working the jobs I wanted, in the hours that suited me and was soon earning more money than before. After only eight months I was in a position to take on another plumber to help out, along with an apprentice.

It was at this point that we bought our first home together, having lived in rented accommodation until this time. We purchased a small town house in a reasonable area of Calgary, close to where my business was based. Barb decided she wanted to leave her employment and she came to work for me (or was I working for her?) She was a godsend as by now business was very buoyant which meant that I had little time for taking phone calls or doing paperwork. Barb effectively became my personal assistant, booking in all the jobs, allocating the work, doing the bookkeeping and generally keeping us three guys in order.

In 2002 we moved house again, this time to a bigger property in a better area of  Calgary. Business was booming and we now had five employees working for us. During 2003, what is now known as the Alberta boom started to impact our lives. At first it was a very positive thing as it meant that there was plenty of work for us and the business was going from strength to strength. We were having a hard time keeping up with the number of jobs coming our way. We took on two more plumbers and everything was great.

This upward trend carried into 2004 and basically anyone who was in the construction trades was doing pretty well for themselves, including us. In June 2004 we moved house once again. This time we moved to the edge of the city to a lovely four bedroom detached property with a pool. It was the biggest and nicest property either of us had ever lived in and we felt very proud of ourselves for achieving so much in a relatively short time.

In 2005 three of my plumbers were offered jobs in other towns, which were also seeing the effects of the boom. Although they said they preferred to stay working for me, the other companies were offering more money, as they were so short of workers. Although our business was going well, we could not afford to pay the wages that other larger companies were paying and so they left.

This was a very strange time as work was plentiful, but I only had half my workforce and trying to recruit new workers when they could basically name their price in other companies and locations was very difficult. During 2006, although the company was still making a good living and we had no major complaints we still considered ourselves failures for having downsized the business albeit against our control. We saw other similar companies also experiencing the same issues and it became a major problem in the area. There was tons of work everywhere but no one to do it.

In the summer of 2006 Barb was talking to one of our neighbours who was thinking of moving to British Columbia to be near her daughter. Her husband had died the previous year and she lived alone. She told Barb the quote she had been given for the value of her house and we were both stunned. Although both our properties differed slightly, they were very similar and so would be worth similar amounts. If this valuation was correct it would mean we had made a lot of money from our house even though we had only lived there two years.

This put the idea of downsizing into our heads to free up some equity. We even broached the subject of taking a vacation, which we had not done in years. Barb decided to get our house valued and it turned out to be worth even more than we anticipated. The realtor suggested that the prices were increasing almost hourly and that he would have no trouble selling it.

The next few weeks we had to sit down and decide what we wanted to do. I was fed up with working all the hours of the day and so was Barb. One of my plumbers had previously asked about buying my business and we had laughed it off at the time, but now we had to decide if this was what we wanted to do. Basically we could carry on as we were, working all hours, living in a nice house and earning good money but having no time to enjoy ourselves. Or, we could sell the business and the house and walk away with a lot of money and free time. The trouble was we were still quite young and so the money would not last forever and also the house prices were rising all the time so even a property like we owned five years ago would cost a small fortune now.

After many weeks of sole searching we came to the conclusion we would be able to afford a much better property for a much smaller outlay in another province. Alberta was getting too expensive to live in and we felt we would get much better value for money and lower living costs elsewhere. My sister, Marcy lived in London, Ontario and we had often visited her and thought the area nice, so we decided to see what type of property we could afford and whether I could set my business up there.

Marcy did a lot of legwork for us looking at the business side of things and basically found out that I should have no trouble setting up a business in the area. There also seemed to be plenty of work about, so we made the big decision to move to Ontario.

Over the next few months we got the business valued and made arrangements to have it transferred to one of my employees. We spent two weeks in London with Marcy and spent most of the time house hunting. We found a really nice property in a small subdivision on the northern side of town that we really loved. It was a little smaller than our home in Calgary, but was still big enough for our needs. It also had a pool which we had gotten used to so did not want to have to loose, so that was a bonus. We put in an offer, which after a little haggling was accepted.

After this we went back to Calgary to tie up everything there. Fortunately Marcy kept an eye on everything for us in London, including overseeing the house inspection and keeping in touch with the realtor.

Our house went on the market in Calgary and amazingly we sold it within a week for more than the market valuation. In the end three parties wanted it so they ended up bartering between themselves and the price went up which was great news for us. The people that secured the house had already sold theirs and so they wanted a completion in three weeks. Although we would not be getting our London house for three weeks after this date we decided to accept this and Marcy said we could stay with her in the meantime.

We arrived in Toronto and Marcy collected us from the airport, we were now officially Ontarians. As arranged we stayed with Marcy whilst we waited for our house to complete and for one week after so that we could do some decorating before moving in for good. We spent our first night in our new house in October 2006.

We decided that we would not do anything regarding the business until after Christmas and so spent a couple of months getting used to the area. It is very flat around here compared to Calgary where we could see mountains in the distance. This took quite a lot of getting used to, there just isn’t any scenery here and not so many winter sports. We both love skiing and were used to driving a short distance to many different ski areas, but here we have to travel longer to find them. The fact that we are only a short distance to either Lake Huron or Lake Eire is really nice. There are quite a few really nice beeches about and so our summer activities have increased.

In 2007 I finally set up my business again and started off as just myself and Barb as my right-hand-woman. The equity we released from the sale of the Calgary house and business has been invested for our retirement, apart from some we kept back to live on and have holidays with.

In February 2009 we went back to Alberta for a skiing trip and Marcy and her partner Pete came with us. We had a great time but were not too disappointed to leave, so felt content that we had made the right decision to move.

In late 2010 we had our first child, Sarah, who was a bit of a surprise as we hadn’t actually planned to have children, but once we knew she was on the way we were really pleased.

As I write this Barb is pregnant with our second child. We don’t know the sex and don’t want to know until the birth, but a boy would be nice. I don’t think we are planning any more children after this one, but as we have found out, you never can tell what is in the future.

My business is doing well and I have one other person working for me. I could expand, but we decided a couple of years ago not to do that again and to stay smaller. We now seem to have the work-life balance about right. In Calgary it was all work and no time to have fun, but here life is more relaxed.

All in all we are very happy with our new house and new location. If we could throw in a few mountains it would be the icing on the cake, but you can’t have everything in life, can you? I feel much more relaxed in my work, although in Calgary I had lots of work and was earning more money, I didn’t realize how stressed out I had become until it all stopped.

I think our story proves that things can be just as frantic and frightening moving from one side of the country to another as moving from overseas. We were lucky to have Marcy to help us, I really feel for people who move to Canada and don’t know anyone, it must be really hard.

“Housing starts increased modestly in May due to an increase in multiple construction in most provinces and in rural starts,” said Bob Dugan, chief economist at CMHC’s Market Analysis Centre. ”The increase in multiples and rural starts was partly offset by a decrease in single starts.”

Urban starts increased 0.8 per cent to an annual rate of 161,000 units in May. Urban multiple starts were up four per cent to 100,000 units, while single urban starts fell 4.1 per cent to 61,000 units. May’s annual rate of urban starts increased 33.3 per cent in British Columbia, 13.5 per cent in Quebec, 11 per cent in the Atlantic region and 10 per cent in the Prairies. Urban starts fell 22.9 per cent in Ontario.

Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 22,600 units in May. TD Bank economist Francis Fong said in a note that affordability is beginning to erode as home price increases have significantly outpaced income and job growth.

“With the Bank of Canada set to raise interest rates later this year affordability will weaken further, putting downward pressure on overall prices and, thus, construction activity,” Fong wrote.

“TD Economics anticipates housing starts to run below their long-run sustainable level over the next few years as multi-unit building slowly unwinds.”

CIBC World Markets economist Krishen Rangasamy said housing starts reached a peak of around 200,000 in the first quarter of last year and the numbers have been on a gradual decline ever since, even with low interest rates.

“And with a recent softening in the pace of existing home sales, the listing to sales ratio rose to a seven-month high in April. So, we may see some softness ahead for housing,” Rangasamy said.

“We expect housing starts to continue to soften — a 10 per cent or so drop in starts compared to last year — as home prices stagnate in light of higher interest rates in the second half of the year.”

The findings of ONPHA’s 2011 Report on Waiting List Statistics for Ontario shows that the number of households waiting for social housing continues to grow despite the modest economic recovery in Ontario. As of January, 152,077 households were on waiting lists for financially assisted housing in Ontario – a 7.4% increase since 2010 and an almost 18% jump (22,824 households) from the 129,253 seniors, singles and families on waiting lists in 2009.

“Despite discussion of economic recovery, it is clear that many households are struggling to find a stable home they can afford,” said Sharad Kerur, ONPHA’s Executive Director. “While employment numbers may be improving, many Ontarians are living through an uneasy economic recovery characterized by reduced work hours, lost jobs or new jobs at lower wages.”

Many workers undergoing employment transitions need immediate housing assistance, but find that they will likely wait years to be housed. Discouraged by lengthy waiting times, in some cases up to 15 years, many households in need walk away without applying.

“In reality, the actual number of people requiring assistance is even higher than these statistics suggest,” said Kerur. “Over 260,000 households spend more than half of their income on housing and virtually all of them would be eligible for financially assisted housing – the numbers we see on waiting lists are really just the tip of the iceberg.”

The 2011 report found that waiting list applications in all three groups studied – seniors, non-senior singles and families – have increased. In particular, the number of seniors in need is rising quickly, with active applications in this group up 10% since last year. As Ontario’s population ages, more and more seniors will require access to community-based housing, making it a significant long-term issue that will need to be addressed if the province is going to meet the needs of aging parents and grandparents.

“Housing is the foundation of inclusive communities, strong economies and healthy families,” says Kerur. “The provincial Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy provides a starting point, but the on-going needs of an aging population and a changing workforce will require lasting and consistent funding for new affordable housing development. Our members and other concerned citizens will be calling on candidates of all political stripes to articulate their vision for Ontario’s affordable housing infrastructure in the months ahead.”

For over 20 years, ONPHA has been the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario. Our 760 member organizations operate more than 160,000 non‐profit housing units and provide housing for approximately 400,000 people such as the elderly, low‐income families with children, the working poor, victims of violence and abuse, people living with developmental disabilities, mental illness, HIV/AIDS or addictions and the formerly homeless/hard‐to‐house. ONPHA’s members include municipal and private non-profits of all sizes, with all types of funding.

A copy of the report can be found at: www.onpha.on.ca

For more information about this report click 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

The substantial increase in issuance of new licences in the last decade has significantly improved the overall physician supply in Ontario, which has risen by 3,988 physicians, up 20% since 2000.

College policies and programs, government support and the work of other partners have helped pave the way for international medical graduates to enter medical practice, and the results demonstrate our success,” said College President Dr. Lynne Thurling. In fact, in 2010 more licences were issued to IMGs than to Ontario graduates, a trend that has continued for seven years.

For more than a decade, all categories of graduates – Ontario, Canadian and international – have seen increased issuance. Some key factors contributing to the rise include the positive effect of new CPSO registration policies; increased enrolment and residency positions at Canadian medical schools; and more Ontario government-funded residency positions reserved for IMGs.

“We are pleased with the progress made and will continue to work with our partners in government, medical education and training, and specialty certification to ensure access to qualified medical care,” said Dr. Thurling.

The CPSO issues postgraduate training certificates to physicians in residency training and practice certificates to all other candidates. Of the 3,708 certificates issued last year, 1,617 were practice certificates, the highest number issued since 1985. International medical graduates received 39% or 636 of those licences.

With the neighbouring farmhouse empty, complete with old wood floors, and plastered walls, it allowed the brothers to convert the old stone home into a music studio.  Together Cole and Mike create and record music, along with their band (bass player David Rodrigues & Drums, Matt Smith) which they will be playing on tour this summer.  “Our farm is buried deep in the back of Hastings, and has provided us with perfect inspiration for writing and recording our music…”Cole added, “..it has also allowed us the privacy when necessary.”

Whether they are jamming in the old farm house, or in a Tavern downtown Toronto, the Matthews Brothers are authentic folk/rock artists that deliver music that has both depth and feeling.  This four piece band evokes a sound that is calm, yet diverse to many.  The Matthews Band appeals to a wide array of audiences ranging from folk to rock.  The brothers have the ability to harmonize, and pull you in and leave you wanting more.

“These classically trained brothers take inspiration from their past to write the diverse songs you hear today…..Take a listen you won’t forget them”

~New Music Canada CBC Radio 3 ~

“Rock meshed with folk-beauty, rich vocals, passionate energy, and soaring spirit that takes this journey sky-high into the atmosphere…this music that’s both joyous and introspective, a powerful statement from these rootsy-troubadours from Ontario.  This is a sound that’s irresistible in it’s vibrancy, harmonies, and atmospheric ode to classic Americana. Wonderful.”

~ The Lonely Vagabond, Exclaim! ~

Cole and Mike Matthews can often be seen downtown Toronto at the Horseshoe Tavern, The Bellevegas Lounge, downtown Belleville, or featured at the Indie Week Festival, which they have been given a return invitation. The band looks forward to this summer’s 2011 upcoming tour across Canada.

Listen to a few of their songs for FREE at http://www.thematthewsbrothers.com/ …”WHAT IF I”, “GEM”, “UNDER THE WINTERSKY”, ” FOREVER THE DAY”.

The Matthews Brothers can be contacted on facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/TheMatthewsBrothers or myspace at http://www.myspace.com/TheMatthewsBrothers for tour dates and recent updates on the band!

Original article By Lesley Galloway

The Arts Route directs you to artists, artisans and galleries across Hastings County.  The Arts Route creates a trail of discovery to painters, potters, jewellery makers, photographers and other creative people. Travel the Arts Route at your leisure, at your own pace, enjoying beautiful local artwork. The Arts Route is membership driven and developed and operated by the Hastings County Economic Development Office, in partnership with the arts community. Andrew Redden has been working to promote local talent in the Hastings County area. The goal is to create awareness of the talent in Hastings County, while increasing profit for these businesses. There are hundreds of artists in the Hastings County area, but the question is, how word is getting out, and was there a program that was collectively “binding” them together as a core unit.

With the $10,000 initiative being funded by a grant from the Community Futures Development Corporation and Trenval Business Development Corporation, they began by developing a website for ARTS ROUTE. The website will include a database for all of the artists, as well profiles of all of the members. As Andrew commented “…the website will showcase artists, galleries, theatres, and other art-based attractions in Hastings County and will be used to advertise events like studio tours.”

Within each page, each artist will have the name of their business, their contact information, address, photos, each will have a ARTS ROUTE’s sign to match the signage along roadways so that patrons can identify the artisan.

To become a member of ARTS ROUTE, the $200 fee covers a few costs such as producing and distributing marketing materials, signage/website upkeep, and other maintenance and administration costs. There are a variety of different members that have joined and have shown interest. Interest has been shown from everyone from a candle maker to potter or furniture designer. “We want to support those who want to sell their products and make some money”, said Andrew.

The requirements of joining the ARTS ROUTE are:

• Accessible to the public with consistent hours & availability displayed on the website
• Display signage for the Arts Route
• Carry $2,000,000 (2 million) comprehensive liability insurance
• Notify the administrator easily of changes to hours and other information about your location

The next project on the list will be an application for the smart phone, which is in the works.

To join the ARTS ROUTE visit www.artsroute.ca and complete the application. If you have any further questions please contact: Andrew Redden, Economic Development Manager, Hastings County 613.966.6712 ext 4011 866.321.9563 ext.4011

Despite the pinch that rising gas and food prices are having on many Canadians’ wallets, the RBC CCO index has risen 3 points to 96, buoyed by modest, across-the-board gains:

• The current conditions sub-index has risen 3 points and now sits at 108 points.
• The expectations sub-index has risen 6 points and now sits at 86 points.
• The investments sub-index has risen 12 points and now sits at 112 points.

Four in ten (38%) Canadians say that they’re confident that they’re managing their debt well, while one in three (35%) think they’re doing OK but know they could be doing a better job. However, two in ten (21%) say they’re just keeping their head above water, 3% say they’re not so good and don’t know where to start, and another 3% admit they’re terrible at managing their debt.

Debt repayment appears to be a priority for many Canadians over the next year. Four in ten (39%) say they intend to pay off as much debt as they can over the next year or so, while three in ten (30%) plan to spend less and one quarter (23%) intend to save or invest more. An additional 25% of Canadians plan to do all of these things over the next year or so, while just one in ten (7%) won’t do any of them.

Thinking about the overall state of the economy, six in ten (61%) would describe the economy as being ‘good’ (4% very/57% somewhat), up 1 point from January. Assessment of the economy is the brightest in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (75%), followed by those living in Alberta (69%), British Columbia (63%), Ontario (61%), Atlantic Canada (61%) and Quebec (55%).

However, job anxiety has risen two points, with 22% of Canadians saying that they or someone in their household is worried about losing their job or being laid off. Ontario, at 28% (an increase of 5 points since January), is considerably more anxious than any other region of the country when it comes to job security. Those living in Quebec (21%), Atlantic Canada (21%), Alberta (18%), British Columbia (17%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (16%) are less nervous about losing their jobs.

Over the next year, four in ten (42%) Canadians believe the national economy will improve (down 1 point). Those most optimistic about the future of the national economy live in Alberta (50%), while Canadians living in British Columbia (46%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (45%), Ontario (44%), Quebec (37%) and Atlantic Canada (33%) are less optimistic.

Four in ten (39%) believe their personal financial situation will improve in the next year (up 1 point), with Albertans (45%) once again leading the way, along with Quebecers (43%). Those living in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (40%), Ontario (39%), British Columbia (36%), and Atlantic Canada (31%) are less inclined to believe that their personal financial situation will improve in the next year.

Three quarters (74%) of Canadians predict that interest rates will increase in the next six months. If rates increase, four in ten (44%) say they’ll spend less in other areas, while one in three (34%) say they’ll find ways to reduce their interest costs or monthly payments. Others will establish/increase their line of credit (5%), while 5% would find out how they could change their mortgage from variable to fixed. Interestingly, three in ten (27%) see higher interest rates as an opportunity, and would increase their savings and/or investments. Two in ten (21%) wouldn’t do any of these things.

Canadians continue to say that they’re delaying major purchases on account of the current economic conditions. A majority (55%) of Canadians maintain that they’ve delayed a major purchase, such as buying a car or household appliance, or a vacation, due to current conditions (up 3 points), with Ontarians (60%) being the most likely to say so. Looking ahead, two in ten (23%) Canadians say they intend to spend ‘more’ (5% much more/18% a little more) on their major purchases this year than last year. Most (32%) don’t anticipate changing their level of spending, or even intend to spend less (44%, 22% much less/22% a little less).

In addition to his duties as Mayor, Mark serves on the Police Services Board, Kingston Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, Kingston Hydro, St. Lawrence College Community Council, the FOCUS Kingston Steering Committee and is ex-officio of all council committees.

Mark studied computer science at St. Lawrence College and has a degree in Economics from Queen’s University of Kingston. He is a self-employed property manager who currently resides in the Portsmouth district with his partner, Kate, and their dog, Otis.

He kindly agreed to answer some in-depth questions where we discover his love of lasagna and snowboarding, not necessarily in that order!

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1. Village Historique Acadien, New Brunswick

Outside the town of Caraquet on the Acadian Peninsula are roots so rich they go back four hundred years. This is la belle vie, Acadian style, circa the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Hear the anvil ring in the blacksmith shop. Listen as French fiddlers tap out a lively tune for you during a musical dinner theatre performance. Visit the period lobster hatchery. And don’t leave without trying “poutine râppé”—a traditional Acadian dish of potatoes and pork you can eat with molasses, ketchup, butter or brown sugar.

2. Barkerville Historic Town, British Columbia

In another life, I craved the adventure of being a gold prospector and drawing the attention of a dance-hall girl. Barkerville is an original gold-rush town and a place to live out your dreams. Pan for gold, visit Chinatown, go to school as it was in the 1800s, catch live theatre and stroll through a town of more than 140 restored heritage buildings and historic displays.

3. Old Fortifications of Québec, Québec

Every time I visit Québec City, I fall in love all over with the cobblestone streets, glorious architecture and seductive French cuisine. No wonder they keep the city protected. Québec City is the only remaining fortified city in Canada or the US—a big reason it’s designated a World Heritage City by UNESCO. In this 400+-year-old city, explore three centuries of a dramatic military past in fortifications set atop a plunging cliff.

4. Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, Nova Scotia

If you ever wanted to break bread like a soldier but eat like a king, the Fortress of Louisbourg is the place. This is the largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town in North America. Along the streets and on the waterfront, costumed interpreters capture the mood of a fabled century with tales of dancing, music and cooking. Inside the King’s Bastion—“a fort within a fortress”—soldiers share their secrets. Just plug your ears when the muskets fire.

5. Upper Canada Village, Ontario

When I was a child we visited Upper Canada Village every year, wandering around this 19th-century village in the former British colony. I remember laughing at how short the beds were, and loving the scent of fresh baked bread pulled from a red brick oven. Once you tour the schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, sawmill, printing office, tavern, cheese factory and family farm, you may never want to step out into contemporary life again.

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. Contact her at lorilegba@hotmail.com.

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 kilometres north of Toronto, Ontario’s provincial capital, and 483 kilometres west of our Nations capital, Ottawa, where the Trans Canada Highways 17 and 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. Spring is alive with signs of summer which is just around the corner. Our summers and falls are warm and offer outdoor enthusiasts an abundance of activities to meet every lifestyle.

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The sound of drums echo through the air and the audience is transported to a time and place far from the Grand Theatre in Kingston where they actually sit. They are captivated by the sound of Kodo, a traditional Japanese drum troop who graced the stage in March as part of their One Earth Tour.

This amazing performance is one of many that Cultural Director Brian McCurdy has brought to the stage of the Grand since its reopening in May 2008. His vision of bringing performing arts to Kingston led to the formation of Grand Theatre Presents.

“With the aid of sponsors, donors and government support, we aim to bring new experiences to the community and expose them to the best the performing arts can offer.” says McCurdy. “Kodo is an excellent example of that”

The theatre is very community driven, indeed its very existence is thanks to the locals both at government and public levels. Although the theatre originally opened its doors back in 1879 as Martin’s Opera House, it has been through both good and bad times. In 1889 it presented Leo, the Royal Cadet, Canada’s first ever opera written by two Kingston residents. But in 1898 a fire destroyed the building.

In 1902 Ambrose Small rebuilt the theatre, this time calling it the Grand Opera House, to much acclaim. Many performances graced its boards over the next few years including Al Jolson and Harry Houdini. However in 1919 the theatre saw its first real life murder mystery. In that year Small decided to sell the Grand along with other theatres he owned for the sum of $1,700,000. On the day of the sale he met with his lawyer at the Grand Opera House in Toronto which he owned. The meeting ended and the lawyer left, but Ambrose Small was never seen again.

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City Hall located in the downtown core is a limestone building that was completed in 1844 whilst the city was still the capital. The architect was George Browne and the building cost 25,000 pounds to build. Originally the clock was housed in a wing that was destroyed by fire in. The clock, donated by John Counter and Sir John A. Macdonald was then moved to the main dome. Unfortunately another fire destroyed part of the dome and the clock

in 1908. The dome was rebuilt and a new Seth Thomas clock was installed along with a new bell. Both are still present today. The building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1961.

We just mentioned Sir John A Macdonald who became the first Prime Minister of Canada in 1867 and held the position until his death in 1891. He did have one hiccup when a scandal erupted and he had to resign in 1873, but was reelected five years later. Before his notoriety he purchased Bellevue House in 1848 as a home for his family. Unfortunately due to his wife’s health issues and financial concerns they did not stay long and moved to a smaller property in downtown Kingston.

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“Parents can quickly determine how the schools in their community are doing, and which of them are improving or declining academically,” said Thomas, the institute’s associate director of school performance studies.

He said the tool can also be used by parents moving from one city to another to get insights on school’s academic history.

While investigating performance, users will be able to compare up to five schools at once based on exam results in multiple subject areas, including percentage of exams below standard and overall rating. Graphs can also be downloaded showing how schools sit in the rankings.

Average parental income at each school and the percentage of ESL and special needs students enrolled can also be searched on the website.

However not everyone agrees with the website, claiming the statistics put all the emphasis on test scores.

Annie Kidder, executive director of People for Education, a research and advocacy group, said the website could negatively change the way people judge their local schools.

“The worry for me is that what it leads to is a narrowing of our definition of success by just looking at the test scores,” said Kidder

However Thomas says the report card is only one part of the picture.

“We never said that parents should only look at our report to decide what schools their children should attend,” said Thomas. “It’s only one part of the picture.”

Thomas says that one purpose of the website is to put the spotlight on schools that have improved, and encourage them to share their recipe for success.

The institute’s report card shows a reduction in the percentage of exams scoring below the provincial standard over the past five years, dropping to 30.1 per cent in 2010 from 33.0 per cent in 2006.

“This is good news and Ontario schools should be proud,” Thomas said.

“But more work must be done, and our report card makes it easy for anybody to identify which schools most need to improve, and in which academic areas.”

Thomas added that statistics for secondary schools will be posted to the website in about six weeks.

The website can be viewed by visiting www.compareschoolrankings.org.

Canada’s fourth quarter population growth was lower than in the same period in 2009 (+55,900). While growth due to natural increase was relatively stable, net international migration declined from 25,400 to 10,900.

This decline in net international migration can be explained by a larger decrease in non-permanent residents living in Canada. Immigration in the fourth quarter (57,700) was similar to the level observed in the same period in 2009 (56,400).

Atlantic Canada

Newfoundland and Labrador’s population remained virtually unchanged in the fourth quarter and was estimated at 509,100 on January 1, 2011.

Prince Edward Island posted a population of 143,500 as of January 1. The level of immigration to Prince Edward Island was, in relative terms, the highest amongst the provinces for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Nova Scotia’s population was estimated at 943,400 at the end of the fourth quarter. The province’s small decrease was mostly due to net outflows in interprovincial migration.

The population of New Brunswick was estimated at 753,200 as of January 1. During the fourth quarter, the province received more than 400 immigrants, the highest level for the fourth quarter since 1979.

Quebec’s population grew by nearly 11,000 (+0.1%) in the fourth quarter to 7,943,000 on January 1. The main factor in this demographic growth was natural increase (+6,700). The province had a slight net outflow from interprovincial migration (-400). Quebec usually experiences higher outflows of interprovincial migration.

In Ontario, the population was estimated at 13,282,400 on January 1, an increase of 13,900 (+0.1%) compared with October 1, 2010. Most of the province’s growth in the fourth quarter came from natural increase (+10,500).

Western Canada

Manitoba posted the fastest demographic growth in the country in the fourth quarter with an increase of over 3,600 (+0.3%). Net international migration (+2,600) was the principal factor for the demographic growth in the province. As of January 1, the population of Manitoba was estimated at 1,243,700.

The population of Saskatchewan increased by 2,300 (+0.2%) in the fourth quarter to 1,052,100. Natural growth (+1,100) and net inflows in international migration (+1,100) were the primary contributors to the demographic growth of the province.

Alberta’s population was estimated at 3,742,800 as of January 1, an increase of close to 7,700 (+0.2%) compared with October 1, 2010. The province’s population growth came mainly from natural increase (+7,200) and net inflows in interprovincial migration (+2,500).

The population of British Columbia had a small increase (+2,200) in the fourth quarter and was estimated at 4,554,100 on January 1. Natural increase (+2,500) was the main factor of the demographic growth in the province.

The territories

While the population of both Yukon and Northwest Territories decreased slightly in the fourth quarter, Nunavut’s remained virtually unchanged. The three territories had net outflows in interprovincial migration. As of January 1, Yukon’s population was estimated at 34,300, compared with 43,600 for the Northwest Territories and 33,300 for Nunavut.

Canada’s population growth in 2010

Canada’s population growth in 2010 was lower than that observed in 2009. The Canadian population increased by 375,600 (+1.1%) in 2010 compared with 394,400 the year before (+1.2%).

Canada received more than 280,000 immigrants in 2010, the highest level recorded since the 1950′s. This was 28,500 more immigrants than in 2009. Increases in immigration were recorded by most provinces and territories.

The increase in immigration in 2010 was offset by a decline in the net inflow of non-permanent residents. The net non-permanent residents was estimated at 12,900, down from 55,400 in 2009. As a result, net international migration in 2010 was estimated at 244,400, down from 258,900 the year before.

There were an estimated 382,000 births and 250,800 deaths in 2010, resulting in a natural increase of 131,200. This was lower than the natural increase of 135,600 recorded in 2009.

Prince Edward Island, Nunavut and all provinces west of Quebec recorded 2010 growth rates above the national average.

According to the Running On Empty report, even as the province recovers from the recession, more than 400,000 Ontarians are forced to turn to food banks each and every month. The report is the most recent in a series of high profile announcements by national and provincial organizations pointing to an alarming growth rate in the number of malnourished and chronically hungry people in Canada.

“The numbers don’t lie: our report provides irrefutable, once-and-for-all empirical evidence that hunger and lack of basic necessities are chronic problems across Ontario,” said Ed Borkowski, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks. “How many more reports will it take for Ontario political party leaders to wake up to the fact that hunger needs to be at the top of their agendas?”

The OAFB is asking Ontario citizens to support its call to action by sending an online e-card petition to all three main political parties in Ontario, asking them to put hunger at the top of their election platforms. The e-cards can be completed and sent from the OAFB website at: www.oafb.ca

Running On Empty reveals that the average profile of those accessing food banks across Ontario has shifted over the last 10 years, with single adults now comprising the largest proportion of the population served by them. Meanwhile, food bank use has grown by as much as 28 per cent since 2008, with 3.1 per cent of the province’s entire population accessing food banks, making Ontario the third most intensive user of food bank services in Canada.

The report also finds that 85 per cent of food bank users are either Canadian-born or have lived in Canada for more than 10 years. The number of newcomers turning to food banks decreased from 29 per cent in 2007 to 15 per cent in 2010.

“Health care is always at the top of everyone’s political agenda, but not enough is being done to proactively address health problems arising directly from poor nutrition and poverty,” said Borkowski. “We must start thinking about turning these trends around so Ontario can remain a strong and healthy place for families to live, work and thrive.”

Report Highlights: Running On Empty: A Decade of Hunger in Ontario

More than 400,000 Ontarians are forced to turn to food banks each and every month (3.1 per cent of the province’s population). This makes Ontario the third most intensive user of food bank services in Canada. Other key facts and findings:

Family background

• Single adults now comprise the largest proportion of the population served by food banks (38 per cent in 2010, up from 26 per cent in 2002)
• Single parent families are the second largest group served (30 per cent in 2010, down from a peak of 39 per cent in 2003)
• Two parent families come third. They accounted for 22 per cent of food bank clients in 2010 (down from 27 per cent in 2002)
• Children and youth under the age of 18 account for 37 per cent of the population served by food banks in March 2010, down from 40 per cent in 2000.
• 15 per cent of food bank clients were new Canadians (have lived in Canada less than 10 years) in 2010 down from 29 per cent in 2007
• Aboriginal clients also declined over time to 7 per cent in 2010

Sources of income

• Most Ontario households using food banks depended on social assistance (45 per cent) in 2010. But this was much lower than the 65 per cent in 2000.
• In contrast, the number of households receiving Ontario Disability Program (ODSP) benefits increased over the decade from 14 per cent in 2000 to 23 per cent in 2010
• Over 5 per cent of the households served relied on pension income, the same as in 2001
• Only 11 per cent of households had employment income in 2010, about the same as the early 2000s; access to Employment Insurance (EI) fluctuated through the decade, hitting a low of 2.6 per cent of households in 2008 and a peak of 5 per cent in 2004
• In rural areas (communities under 10,000), 9 per cent received EI benefits and 40 per cent received social assistance, while 22 per cent accessed Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits

Housing

• 64 per cent of people served by food banks in 2010 lived in market rental accommodation; 27 per cent lived in social housing. Only 4.4 per cent owned their own homes
• Comparing the Ontario average with rural areas, homeownership was higher in rural settings (17 per cent of food bank clients), but rental accommodation was lower, at 51 per cent in 2010. And more people were living with family or friends (6 per cent rural vs. 2 per cent for the province as a whole)

While times have now changed for the credit-card statement (a $100 Canadian ticket will now cost $100 US or about £65), a ticket to Toronto theatre still provides exceptional value, as the performances and production quality of Toronto’s mega-shows are on par with New York’s Broadway and London’s West End.

Meantime, if you’re a true theatre fan like me, you know that much of the world’s finest theatre happens “off” Broadway and “off” West End. In Toronto, there’s no equivalent term but there isan equivalent experience—and this is where visitors to Canada are reminded they’re not in New York or London.

The lesser-known performance spaces of Canadian Stage Company, Buddies in Bad Times, VideoCabaret, Acting Upstage and many others deliver theatre experiences that send audience members away with powerful—often uniquely Canadian memories. And that’s true value.

VideoCabaret is not your everyday term, even in the theatre world. But as I discovered in Toronto, it’s code for some of the most powerful and most marvellously creative theatre I have ever seen. In a nutshell, it works like this: book the back room of a nightclub, build a tiny black shadowbox (about 15 sq ft) as your stage, install pinpoint-perfect lighting, clothe and paint a mega-talented cast of about seven actors in hyperbolic style, and let them tell great Canadian tales through satirical language, facial expression and quick juxtaposition. On my recent Toronto theatre trip, VideoCabaret took me through Canada’s involvement in World War I in a jarring, emotional, funny and poignant play—that included characters from Sir Wilfred Laurier to German POWs to the Duchess of Cornwall—all told within the confines of the shadowbox stage. It is uniquely Toronto, and whatever tale these actors are telling, you need to experience it.

World’s Biggest Gay Theatre! Across town in the area known as Church Wellesley Village, theatregoers find the remarkable Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. In a country where gay “issues” have mostly ceased to exist (Canadian gays have been allowed serve in the military since the early 90s, and could legally marry and adopt children since the early 2000s), it may seem like the gay stories have all been told. Well, Buddies in Bad Times has been telling gay stories since 1979, and today still finds plenty of GLBTQ material to perform on its stage—the largest facility-based queer theatre company in the world. The company’s 2011 season, says Artistic Director Brendan Healy, “tackles experiences of citizenship, racialization, religiosity, marginalization and social repression…encompassing the full complexities of contemporary queer existence with humour, intelligence and ferocity.” Most recently was the remounting of “The Silicone Diaries,” which dramatizes a character’s male-to-female transition. Fascinating stuff.

Keeping it current. Perhaps best known of Toronto’s play producers is Canadian Stage, which has its own two gorgeous performance venues in the city centre, and mounts around 10-14 productions each year focusing on contemporary theatre. Some of it, such as the upcoming productions of “Saint Carmen of the Main”and “Project: Humanity’s The Middle Place,” are decidedly Canadian with stories that take place in Canadian settings, while others take audience members to story settings around the planet and even into space. On my recent theatre trip I was lucky enough to see “The Anderson Project,” a magical one-man show by legendary Canadian actor Robert Lepage.

Double Feature. There’s one piece of theatre that rarely gets mentioned in theatre stories, and that is the décor and history of the theatre venues themselves. While Toronto has many world-class facilities, one stands out for its sheer historic significance—not to mention its pure visual interest regardless what’s playing on the stages: The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres, which opened in 1913 (Irving Berlin performed) and 1914 respectively. The fact that I said stages in the plural is not necessarily remarkable for a theatre venue; many modern performing arts centres have multiple stages in one complex. What is unique about these two theatres is that they are stacked, literally, on top of each other. The Winter Garden sits seven storeys above the Elgin. They are the only surviving “double-decker” theatres still operating in the world. Tours are offered that take theatre and architecture lovers through the elegant, gilded Elgin before venturing way upstairs to the magical Winter Garden, a theatre like none I’ve everseen. Its walls are covered in delicate garden murals and the support columns are disguised as trees; the ceilings are covered in leaves and paper lanterns. While these theatres don’t have a resident company, they are in frequent use by professional and community theatres. Those lucky patrons who saw Donny Osmond in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” saw him at the Elgin. You can catch Christopher Plummer as “Barrymore”there from the end of January to the beginning of March this year.

While once upon a time Toronto’s theatre scene was about dollar value, today it’s definitely a scene in its own right. Whether watching mega-productions such as the recent pre-Broadway run of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and the upcoming “The Secret Garden”(Feb. 8-March 19)or tiny-but-powerful shows mounted inside a black shadowbox stage, theatregoers will find that Toronto’s live performance scene is an exceptionally valuableexperience, with memories that live happily ever after.

Selected Toronto Theatres and/or Companies:

Acting Up Stage Company: mostly musicals, some new works
Angelwalk Theatre: mostly musicals
BirdLand Theatre: plays and musicals
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre: world’s largest facility-based queer theatre company
Canadian Stage: mostly contemporary theatre
Crow’s Theatre: mostly plays questioning accepted truths about history
Dancap Productions: large-scale musicals
Factory Theatre Company: new Canadian plays
Hart House Theatre (University of Toronto): variety of productions
Little Red Theatre: children’s theatre
Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People: youth theatre
Mirvish Productions: large-scale musicals
Nightwood Theatre: mostly women’s theatre
Stage Centre Productions: classic theatre
Studio 180: mostly “socially relevant” theatre
Tarragon Theatre: new plays
VideoCabaret: satirical historic drama in blackbox stage
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. Reach him via www.RandallShirley.com.

The climate in the Windsor area lends itself to a vibrant and picturesque environment. The natural beauty is enhanced by the city being bordered by water on three sides. Having the most southerly location in Canada (Windsor is similar to Madrid, Spain in latitude) doesn’t hurt either. Convenient access draws in approximately 9 million visitors annually, making Windsor the country’s busiest port. Much of the nearly $1 billion dollars generated through trade and tourism comes in the form of US dollars through Michigan, Ontario’s largest trading partner. Its unique location on the southwestern tip of Ontario puts 100 million Canadian and American citizens >within 800 kilometres (500 miles) of city limits.

History:

Growing out of a small Jesuit Mission, Windsor was officially founded in 1748. Originally a French settlement, Windsor grew in steady unison with the city of Detroit, MI on the opposite bank of the river. These French roots can still be seen in the pattern of roads and streets in the downtown area. The settlement grew slowly and remained under French control until 1797, when an increasing number of British loyalists began moving in, seeking to remain under British rule and avoid the political changes of post civil war America.

The town of Windsor would change further with the arrival of Great Western Railway in 1854, in what is now Downtown Windsor. This move ensured commercial success for years to come, connecting the township with the larger centres in the north.

In 1904, the Ford Motor Company set up shop in Windsor, beginning what would become the area’s most prominent industry. So big was the automotive industry that during the First World War the growing industrial complex was actually known as Ford City. By 1930, the industry had become so influential that Windsor had grown to include the smaller surrounding communities into a city of 100,000 people. The Second World War led to further increase in both industrial production and growth of the city.

Today the city of Windsor is still primarily a manufacturing based economy, remaining a forerunner in automotive engineering. The Windsor region is also eastern Canada’s largest agricultural business community. This, combined with an ideal location and more than 800 companies in the Windsor area, secured an impressive 40% of the Canada-USA trade market, generating an exchange of $400 million dollars daily between the two countries.

Climate:

Being surrounded by Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River has created a temperate climate, with annual average temperatures between the mid teens to high 20s Celsius (mid 50s to low 80s Fahrenheit) in the summer months. Winter temperatures are mild, between -5 and 2 Celsius (low 20s to mid 30s Fahrenheit) but the higher humidity from its waterfront location often creates the sensation of a deeper, penetrating cold.

Rain is common but rarely heavy. Rainfall averages around 9 cm (3 inches) in the summer months, varying only slightly throughout the year.

Transportation:

Passage to Windsor comes in many forms. The 401 Highway runs directly to the heart of Windsor, connecting the southern tip of Ontario to London and Toronto. The Ambassador Bridge joins Windsor and Detroit above land. The idea for a motorway spanning the Detroit River came to light in the early years following World War I, but the bridge would not get built for almost 10 years, and at a cost of $23.5 million US dollars. When completed in 1929, the 2804-meter (9,200 foot) masterpiece of engineering was the longest suspension bridge in the world.

A fun alternative to the Ambassador Bridge is the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. At 22.8 meters (75 feet) beneath the river and nearly 1,600 meters (almost a mile) long, the tunnel is the fastest connection between the cities of Windsor and Detroit. The tunnel connects to the 401 via Ouellette Ave. for getting around the Windsor area.

The Windsor Airport is designed for charter and commuter flights. While smaller than many international airports, is quite capable of handling flights and aircraft of all sizes. Shuttle, taxi and car rental service are available.

VIA Rail has a scenic train station close to the river and connects Windsor with the rest of Canada through the Quebec / Windsor Corridor. Trains make regular trips to Toronto, as well as to Chicago Il, with stops between.

Getting around the city is fairly easy as the public transportation system is easily accessible from anywhere in the city. Transit Windsor operates both within the city and between the city center and downtown Detroit through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, with stops at casinos on both borders.

Attractions:

Because of its waterfront location, the city of Windsor has developed a taste for water sport. It is not uncommon to find residents enjoying the summer weather with their boats and water skis, swimming at the beaches of Pelee Island, or even taking in a boat tour along the banks of the Detroit River.

The Charlie Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain, a popular summer attraction, is a floating fountain on the Detroit River. In fact, the fountain is one of North America’s largest and offers a variety of water “shows” daily, pumping 12,000 gallons of water into the air every minute.

There is also the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, a two-lane roadway 23 meters (75 feet) below the surface of the Detroit River. Considered a great feat of engineering, the tunnel opened in November of 1930 at a total cost of $23,000,000. Be forewarned that the tunnel is the second busiest route between Canada and the US, and has toll and customs inspection booths at either end.

Of course, there is a variety of restaurants, clubs and bars to choose from, offering everything from a relaxed atmosphere to live music and comedy.

Accommodation:

Lodgings abound in the Windsor area, and range from the budget minded to first class and even a restored Victorian Inn. Most of these can be found in the downtown area, which keeps visitors close to the Cleary International Center, casinos, superb dining, the many parks along the banks of the beautiful Detroit river and, of course, many attractions unique to Windsor.

For more information about this region click here

Not surprisingly, most of the top ten theme parks have at least one  up to 15 roller coasters to entice the bravest of souls. There is of course more than roller coasters, skyscreamers, boomerangs, top spinners and mindbenders to enthuse the park lover; sea creature shows, amazing water parks and even go-karting and mini-golf have satisfied many visitors. For the not so courageous park goer, bring some comfortable shoes and for those bold enough to try anything, pack some lozenges for the throat because screaming on those hairpin turns and inverted ascents and descents is likely.

Canada’s Wonderland

It’s not hard to see why Canada’s Wonderland is the largest and perhaps the most popular theme park in Canada. Commonly called Wonderland, this park has lured millions of visitors annually since 1981. The park boasts over 200 rides and a 133 ha (330 acre) water park. Roller coaster fanatics can get a thrill from one of the 15 different roller coasters at the park, almost a record number of coasters in any theme park. Coaster enthusiasts will love a few rides, including Time Warp, Canada’s only “flying” roller coaster where passengers ride lying face-down and are lifted up like the passenger is flying. New to the park as of 2008, Canada’s biggest, fastest and tallest roller coaster, the Behemoth, is not for the faint of heart reaching a height of 70 m (230 ft) and dropping down at an angle of 85 degrees.

Movie-themed rides started a trend in 1994 when Paramount Pictures bought Canada’s Wonderland, which became Paramount Canada Wonderland for 12 years before reverting back to its original name. Some of the popular rides inspired by movies are: Flight Deck, Canada’s only inverted roller coaster and named after the Top Gun movie and Back Lot Stunt Coaster, created from a car scene in the 2003 movie The Italian Job.

Roller coasters are definitely a main pull at this park but for the weak-stomached rider and younger kids, the Splash Works water park offers plenty of exciting rides that will entertain and delight. Splash Works is a 8 ha (20 acre) water playground that features 16 water slides and over two-million gallons of heated water. Situated adjacent to the theme park, the water park is home to high-speed slides such as the Plunge, the Blackhole and the Super Soaker, a fast ride through a tunnel that spirals down into an open-air flume. For the less adventurous, try heading down the Lazy River, a more relaxing ride which takes one down a one-quarter mile river in individual rafts. The Riptide Racer and the Baracuda Blaster are two other exciting water rides to try. Also stop in at Canada’s largest wave pool.

La Ronde

The largest amusement park in Quebec and the second largest in Canada, La Ronde was originally built for Expo 67. Located on Saint-Helen’s Island in Parc Jean Drapeau, this park is also home to the annual fireworks competition that attracts thousands of locals and tourists every summer.

One of the most popular rides at La Ronde is the Monster, a wooden roller coaster that invokes a fear of the unknown as the structure of this beast rattles on the first ascent. Other exciting rides at this tourist attraction include the Boomerang and the Tornade, the largest suspended roller coaster in Canada. At 32 m (105 ft) high and reaching up to a speed of 80.5 kmh (50 mph), if the visitor has to choose to ride only one of the nine roller coasters that this park offers, the Tornade is the one.

Since 2002, La Ronde was deemed an official world-class theme park with over 40 rides to choose from. The water rides are a perfect choice for hot and humid days that are typical during the summer. Try the Splash, a 20-passenger boat that plunges down a 15 m (50 ft) waterfall creating 5 m (17 ft) waves. Staying dry is not an option for this ride. Tour de Ville is a custom-designed Old Montreal theme ride that takes up to 48 brave souls on a carousel ride to the sky. In 2001, Six Flags bought La Ronde from the City of Montreal.

Galaxyland Amusement Park

Located in the popular West Edmonton Mall and in operation since 1981, this amusement park has 26 indoor rides that will entertain and thrill the entire family. Kids’ rides are plentiful at this indoor playground. The Space Bump allows kids to drive carts around bumping into others or wee ones can try the ever-popular Carousel. The Galaxyland Raceway is a good ride for the would-be little speed racer, featuring Go-Karts that drive through an “Indy” style racetrack. For something a little slower, the kids will enjoy the Balloon Race, a ferris wheel with balloon-shaped cars. The whole family will enjoy the Cosmic Spinner, an intermediate space ride which features individual spinning UFOs.

The older crowd seeking a thrill to remember will be drawn to the Mindbender, the world’s largest indoor high-speed triple loop roller coaster. If being launched 37 m (120 ft) skyward and then thrust back to the starting position with 11 other screaming people sounds exhilarating, try the Space Shot. The Sonic Storm is an advanced ride which takes the passenger back and forth in a circular bouncing motion while the Galaxy Orbiter is a stomach-churning spinning roller coaster. Find out more here

Playland Amusement Park

The Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) site is home to one of the oldest amusement parks in Canada, Playland Amusement Park. Since 1910, this amusement park, once named “Happy Land,” is sure to make guests smile when they take on the park’s marquee attraction, the wooden roller coaster from 1958. At least that’s what half a million thrill-seekers do each year. Ideally located in Vancouver B.C.’s Hastings Park, Playland has various thrill rides, a bonanza shooting gallery, and an 11 m (35 ft) climbing wall. If the wooden coaster doesn’t scare the guest enough, maybe the Demon of the Dark haunted house will do it. For jolts and spins, try the Crazy Beach Party, also called the Frisbee, a ride which spins on a huge disc and swings back and forth like a pendulum reaching a 90 degree angle. Other exciting rides include the Hellevator, the Wave Swinger and the Scrambler.

Those with a faint heart may want to try their hand at the mini-golf course, the glass house or the pirate adventure ship geared towards kids. The popular Midway games are also a pleasing sight to those with a fear of heights. Great rides for the kids include the Dune Buggies, Flying Elephants, or the Paddle Wheeler, a fun ride for water lovers who don’t want to get wet as they ride down a river in safari-themed paddle boats.

Marineland

The main attractions and unique features of Marineland, located one mile from Horseshoe Falls in Niagra Falls, Ontario, is the marine mammal shows, feedings, mammal touchings and animal exhibitions. But what really sets this place apart from some of the other theme parks is its open green spaces, picnic areas and the low-tech feeling of the whole park. In addition to spotting sea creatures, this park offers 16 amusement rides and plenty of fun activities to keep the kids busy. Be sure to catch the dolphin and walrus moves at the park’s main daily show, The King Waldorf Stadium Show, or stop by the Arctic Cove to spot or touch the beautiful beluga whales. Killer whales can be found at the Friendship Cove for a show that will always be remembered. For a thrill or two, escape to the adult roller coaster, Dragon Mountain, or test vocal cords at the Skyscreamer, the world’s highest triple tower ride at 137 m (450 ft) that launches the rider up and down at speeds of 96 kmh (60 mph). Other rides include a spinning ferris wheel called the Tivoli Wheel and the Topple Tower ride. Kids will enjoy the Lady Bug Coaster, the Bumble Bee ride and the Orca Screamer, a kid’s version of the Skyscreamer. As well as interactive animal displays, catch a glimpse of the black bears, deer and elk.

Ontario Place

Since 1971, this parkland located in downtown Toronto has grown from a pavilion complex with one restaurant and an IMAX Theatre into a recognized leisure and entertainment centre that encompasses a huge water slide, a children’s village, the Molson Amphitheatre and regionally-themed restaurants, stores and rides. Situated on three man-made islands on Lake Ontario, Ontario Place’s Soak City water park features heated water slides, including the Pink Twister and Purple Pipeline. Located on Adventure Island, the visitors will discover the world’s largest animated flume ride and the Wilderness Adventure, which takes the passenger down a 12 m (40 ft) splashdown. On a hot and humid day, the Hydrofuge ride is the perfect recipe for cooling off. At speeds of 80.5 kmh (50 mph), zoom down a tube on a thin sheet of water through a gigantic bowl of water, then a dip into the 20 m (6 ft) of deep water at the bottom. Other fun water activities include Go-Karting on water (Aquajet Racers) and Waterplay, a water park designed just for kids. For a short break from the rides, drop off the little ones at Microkids, an activity centre for pre-schoolers, and spend a few hours at the five-pod pavilion complex to browse the technology and communication displays. Kids can also try their driving skills at the O.P. Driving School, where kids drive around a realistic course on electric cars or just zoom around in the mini-bumper boats. For adult fun, try the simulator ride MARS, or check out the concert schedule at the Molson Amphitheatre.

Upper Clements Park

Situated in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Upper Clements Park offers a mix of rides, music and wildlife suited for every age group. Kids have plenty of rides to keep them busy, including bumper boats, bumper cars and the Red Baron Airplanes, where kids can act like pilots controlling their own elevation. The ever-popular carousel, kiddie bumper boats and mini trucks are also a treat for the young park enthusiast. One of the most hair-raising rides at this park is definitely the Tree Topper Roller Coaster, a wooden roller coaster that soars above the trees. Spin and roll into the air on the Rock N’ Roll Planes, another thrill ride that will bring the rider back for more.

Entertainment in the evening also attracts visitors with the park’s annual “Park After Dark” concert and fireworks display which takes place every Saturday in July and August. Other annual events include Christmas in the Park and Halloween, which both take place during the last two weekends in August.

After experiencing the rides and adventures at the theme park, walk through the underground tunnel to get to the adjacent wildlife park where views of snowy owls, black bears, deer, wild cats, emus and rheas are common. Participate in the Adopt-an-Animal program and then take a wildlife tour at the park in just under an hour. Be one of the thousands of visitors each year that experiences the thrill rides, musical entertainment or the cast of characters that roam the park grounds: Sparkles the Clown, Captain Kid Ryerson or story-telling Clementine are on site to entertain and expand the imagination.

Sandspit Cavendish Beach

The largest amusement park on Prince Edward Island comes alive for nearly three months of the year, offering more than 18 attractions and rides to entertain the whole family. Thrill rides, Go-Karts, bumper boats and country fair rides attract visitors from all over the country. The Cyclone roller coaster is bound to rattle some nerves; the largest coaster in Atlantic Canada goes through three big drops and two corkscrews before the rider decides whether they want to do it all over again. The country fair rides include the Tilt-A-Whirl, the Scrambler, Rock N’ Roll and the Paratrooper. Not afraid of heights? Head over to the 21 m (70 ft) ferris wheel. If being closer to earth is more the style, try the fast and fun double rider Go-Karts, the bumper boat pool or the mini-golf course. Children of all ages will enjoy the softball playground, the mini-helicopters, pony carts and the miniature train.

For more information click here.

Magic Mountain Water Park

Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, Magic Mountain Atlantic Canada’s largest water park has been refreshing guests since 1987. This park offers everything from body slides, tubing and matting to slides for kids. Slide down more than 30.5 m (100 ft) at speeds of more than 60 kmh (37 mph) on the Kamikaze slide, close to a vertical drop. Twist & Shout takes the rider through a fully-enclosed slide in the dark, dropping 11 m (35 ft). If medium speed is preferred, the Loop de Loop may be more pleasing as the rider can choose from three slides with more gentle turns and drops. The Sidewinder is another easy but equally fun alternative for the body slides. For an even more relaxing experience, stroll over to the Lazy River, a relaxing ride on a 19th-century replica steam ship. Water-logged guests or those waiting for family members enjoying a splash can enjoy a relaxing day at one of two 18-hole golf courses.

Valcartier Vacation Village

This family theme park opened in 1963 and is currently a major playground in both the summer and winter. A 20 minute drive north from Quebec City, this summer water park turns into a major winter playground paradise during the colder months. Bundle up for some fun in the snow – snow rafting and inner tube slides with daunting names such as Everest and Himalaya will give the adventurous rider a run for their money. Jump into the Tornado and swirl down a hill with seven other brave riders for some breathtaking fun. Kids’ eyes will open wide at the sight of the giant Ice Castle, where mazes and slides seem endless. An outdoor skating path is also available for the tamer winter adventure.

As summer brings hotter weather, this park is an ideal place to bring eager kids. The water park can entertain the whole family with close to a dozen water rides and attractions. The Pirates’ Hideout features a pirate ship and a watercourse that takes the adventurer over a wooden walkway, through water slides and hundreds of interactive water games. For a fast rush, head to the Supersonic Falls, two massive water slides 20 m (65 ft) high or slide down a 12 m (40 ft) tower called the Corkscrew. For kids aged one to six years old, visit the Cookadoodle Farm complete with mini-slides and waterjets. Other rides that stir the imagination are the Amazon and Dungeon City rides. For activities on dry land, watch the acrobatic diving shows or try karting or the 18-hole mini-golf course, Maxigolf. A modern 700-site campground located next to the waterpark is available for tents or RVs.

More information here.

The festival’s mandate is to preserve this heritage and celebrate the tulip as a symbol of international friendship by engaging local organizers, volunteers, artists, performers, tourists and festival-goers in what has become an annual ritual of spring and one of Canada’s best loved and well-known cultural events.

In the fall of 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs. The gift was given in appreciation of the safe haven that members of Holland’s exiled royal family received during the World War II in Ottawa and in recognition of the role which Canadian troops played in the liberation of the Netherlands.

The tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship and spring, with special meaning to the people of Canada and its Capital Region.

In early June 1940, Princess Juliana and her two small daughters secretly boarded a Dutch vessel bound for Halifax. After a long sea voyage, they moved into Ottawa’s Government House. Safe in the Ottawa region, Princess Juliana was able to take over the reins of government-in-exile if the need arose.

The birth of Princess Margriet Francisca, the third daughter of Princess Juliana and Prince Bernhard, was a symbol of hope and a source of inspiration for the Dutch who were fighting for their survival in Europe. The only royal baby ever born in North America, her birth created a living bond between the people of Canada and the Netherlands. To ensure the baby’s Dutch citizenship, the Canadian government temporarily ceded a room at the Ottawa Civic Hospital to the Netherlands. On January 19, 1943, the flag of the Netherlands flew on Parliament’s Peace Tower and Princess Margriet was born a Dutch citizen on Dutch soil in the safe haven of Canada. Once the war had ended, the people of the Netherlands and Princess Juliana sent the Canadian people many magnificent gifts, including 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada’s Capital in gratitude for the involvement of Canadian troops in the liberation of the Netherlands. In 1946, Princess Juliana herself gave an additional 20,000 bulbs to the country that had given her refuge. A few years after the Dutch tulips arrived in 1945, they became a strong attraction in Canada’s Capital, and stunning pictures appeared in newspapers nationwide resulting in more and more events around the annual bloom of tulips.

The Birth of a Festival

The first Canadian Tulip Festival was held in 1953 lead by the Ottawa Board of Trade, at the suggestion of world-renowned photographer Malak Karsh. Karsh is considered the founder of the Festival and his photographs have immortalized the tulip. Through his efforts, the Canadian Tulip Festival was formalized to coincide with the tulip’s annual bloom. In 2002, the Festival celebrated its 50th Anniversary dedicated to its founder, having expanded to an event of 18 days, showcasing over 3 million tulips throughout Canada’s Capital Region.

Over the years the Festival has been opened by Governor Generals, Prime Ministers and Royalty, including several return visits from Queen Juliana and Princess Margriet. Through the 1990s and into the new millennium, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrated the Tulip as a symbol of Peace and Friendship creating an international bond by collaborating with Friendship countries, which include the Netherlands, Turkey, France, Japan, the United States, Great Britain and Australia.

Each spring hundreds of thousands of people from all over North America, Europe and Asia make over a million visits to the Canadian Tulip Festival

The Festival Today

To celebrate its roots of International Friendship, the Canadian Tulip Festival created the International Pavilion in Major’s Hill Park and became the “festival without fences” with all park events offering free admission. The International Pavilion provides a venue for over 20 partnering embassies and local cultural groups to showcase their wares and origins to tourists and festival-goers alike.

Each spring hundreds of thousands of people from all over North America, Europe and Asia make over a million visits to the Canadian Tulip Festival. The event, which grew from the Dutch gift of friendship, has become the world’s largest Tulip Festival. The tulip has also become Ottawa’s official flower, making Ottawa the tulip capital of the North America.

Details and travel information if you intend to visit this years Canadian Tulip Festival

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tulip Festival

Chateau Frontenac

An architectural marvel constructed in 1893, this luxurious resort hotel defines Quebec City’s European-styled urban design. Steeped in history, Chateau Frontenac was designed to evoke renaissance-era castles and cathedrals. As such, the resort is defined by its several towers, thick foliage and brick facades. Visitors exploring the grounds cannot help but be amazed to know they are walking within the same confines that have housed celebrated guests such as King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt.

The hotel is also home to Le Champlain, a premiere fine-dining establishment. Dinner guests of this restaurant can enjoy a menu composed by executive chef Jean Soulard, which features traditional and contemporary French-Canadian cuisine.

More information:

Rogers Centre

At an estimated cost of $570 million, this sports and entertainment venue located in Toronto is noteworthy for its fan-friendly experience and innovative design. Opened in 1989, the Rogers Centre was originally known as the Skydome, and designed by Rod Robbie and Michael Allen to be the home of Toronto sport franchises the Toronto Blue Jays and Toronto Argonauts. The stadium is noteworthy for being the first complex in professional sports to have a fully-functional retractable roof, a necessity in dealing with Toronto’s inclement weather.

Tourists visiting the Rogers Centre can stay in the dome’s adjoining hotel, the Renaissance Toronto Hotel. A four-star hotel, guests of this establishment have the opportunity to stay in a room with a view of the Rogers Centre field. The Renaissance also provides modern amenities such as babysitting, wet-bar and wireless Internet access.

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CN Tower

One of Ontario’s premiere tourist destinations, this freestanding structure has been a landmark of Toronto’s skyline since its erection in 1976. The architectural wonder stands 553 m (1814 ft) tall, making it the largest tower in Canada – by comparison the Calgary Tower measures in at 191 m (627 ft) – Originally constructed by the Canadian National Railway, the CN Tower was sold to the Canada Lands Company in 1995, but to this day it still maintains its primary function as a communication tower for several national broadcasters such as the CBC and Rogers Communications.

Travellers may be interested in making reservations to dine in the CN Tower’s fine-dining restaurant, the 360. An upscale dining experience, the restaurant is housed 351 m (1152 ft) up the tower and slowly revolves, giving guests a magnificent 360-degree view of Toronto and beyond.

More information:

Calgary’s Plus 15 Walkways

An architectural wonder based on its functionality and the sheer area it covers, the Plus 15 system is a series of 57 suspended walkways that connect almost every building in Calgary’s metropolitan centre. Constructed to alleviate traffic congestion and provide pedestrians with shelter from Calgary’s extreme winters, the Plus 15 spans over 16 km (10 mi), and connects buildings as varied as the Calgary Tower and the Sheraton Suites. This substantive system has become ingrained in Calgary’s popular culture, inspiring the major motion picture, Waydowntown, by local filmmaker Gary Burns and starring Tony-award winner Don Mckellar.

View the walkway map (PDF)

Centre Block

The focal point for political discourse in Canada, this complex’s current rendition was constructed in 1927. Modeled around modern gothic design, this wonder can be found on Parliament Hill and spans an area of approximately 10,000 sq m (32,000 sq ft). Inside Centre Block is the House of Commons, the Senate, and the offices of several high ranking government officials, not the least of which include the Prime Minister of Canada.

Attached to the Centre Block is the Peace Tower, which was commissioned in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I. Designed to mesh the rest of Parliament Hill, the tower is notable for containing the Books of Remembrance; a large document containing the names of all Canadian soldiers who gave their lives to military causes.

Halifax Citadel

28 years in the making, this historic military complex is a reminder of Halifax’s storied naval past. Completed in 1856, the Citadel is a classically-designed fortification that was originally commissioned to provide long-range defense against assaults from land and sea. Designated a national historic site by the government of Canada, the fort is now open to casual visitors, who will find military remnants such as ramparts, trenches, towers and shooting ranges.

Potential visitors to the Citadel should consider planning their trip around one of the Halifax Citadel Regimental Association’s living history re-enactments. Active year-round, this group enacts historically accurate activities such as gun firing, infantry maneuvers and military music performances.

Montreal’s Olympic Stadium

Known as much for its colourful history as it is for its design, Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is nonetheless an architectural wonder of Canada. Originally built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, due to a series of labour strikes and construction problems, the stadium was not officially completed until 1988. Barring its ample problems, the innovative design employed by French architect Roger Taillibert cannot be denied. In fact, the inclined tower attached to the stadium is still considered the tallest in the world.

While it no longer hosts Major League Baseball games, Olympic Stadium still books large sporting events and trade shows. In 2008, the stadium will host the Canadian Football League’s championship game, the Grey Cup.

More information:

Habitat 67

Designed by celebrated Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, Habitat 67 is an innovative residential condominium complex found in Montreal. Originally commissioned to demonstrate modern urban living for Montreal’s Expo 67, all 148 units were sold as private residences at the conclusion of the world fair. The design has been commended for its use of cubic structures – 354 in all – and its effort to include green space into each unit. To this day, Moshe Safdie regularly advises the Habitat 67 board on renovation and upkeep planning.

More information:

The Confederation Bridge

Completed in 1997, this bridge spans 12.9 km (8 mi), and connects the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Confederation Bridge is a wonder because of the social and economic impact it has had on the two provinces; its construction has been directly linked to an increase in tourism and trade.

Besides its value to PEI and New Brunswick’s economic well being, for tourists Confederation Bridge is a great way to travel from the island to the mainland. While driving along the bridge, travellers are presented with breathtaking views of the ocean, and the various sailboats and ships inhabiting it.

More information:

Canadian Museum of Civilization

One of Canada’s most popular museums, the Canadian Museum of Civilization building is a modern marvel designed by Douglas Cardinal. Completed in 1989, the museum covers over 100,000 sq m (328,000 sq ft), and has been heralded for its imaginative use of curved walls and abstract structures representing Canada’s diverse environments. Open year-round, visitors to the museum will find themselves immersed in permanent exhibits such as the Grand Hall which features an expansive collection of aboriginal artifacts, while the Canadian Personalities Hall, showcases rare photographs and memorabilia of some of Canada’s most influential residents.

More information:

So if you are feeling a little adventurous then here are some suggestions to wet your taste buds.

Famous People Players, Toronto, ON

If you want to experience something a little different for the whole family to enjoy then this dinner theatre show could be for you. You will enjoy a fabulous three-course dinner followed by a spectacular black light theatre show combining music, dance and amazing special effect. Round off the event with dessert and coffee. Famous People Players has a special Achievement Program and employs staff with disabilities encouraging them to fulfill their dreams and integrate into society.

O’Noir, Toronto, ON & Montreal, QC

This is a gourmet restaurant with a difference, a big difference. You eat in complete darkness, yes really. The idea behind this is that diners get to know what it is like to be blind and rely on other senses. It is also worth knowing that all the wait staff are blind. If you have no sight then food tastes better as your other senses are heightened. It is not unusual for guests to lose cutlery or to spill food, but it is all part of the charm of this restaurant. Five percent of O’Noir’s profits are donated to local associations that serve the blind and visually impaired community.

Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, Stettler, AB

Why not combine the experience of a real steam or diesel train with your meal? You will find different adventures throughout the year such as murder mystery, teddy bear specials, dinner theatre etc. You may also be part of a hold up if the outlaw “Reynolds Raiders” decides to raid the train, bringing it to a sudden stop. If he does, be prepared for a gun battle. All experiences include a full curse buffet meal as well as stunning scenery and of course entertainment.

Medieval Times, Toronto, ON

Now famous all over North America this experience is not just a dinner but a complete show. You will be transported back to the 11th century to enjoy King Philippe’s massive four-course feast followed by fabulous displays by Andalusian stallions. You can then experience the excitement of the Knights of the Realm completing in games on horseback and of course jousting and general rivalry ensues.

Oxford Express, Sherbrooke, QC

This tourist train can offer you a unique dining experience whist taking in the sights of the area. You can choose to have  a simple meal on board – perhaps brunch or dinner. Or you can go for the whole experience and include an overnight stay at a hotel in one of the stop-over locations.

Buzzards Restaurant & Bar, Calgary, AB

Although for most of the year this restaurant is a great casual dining steak house, for 10 days every year a little something different is on the menu. During the Calgary Stampede it is home to the Testicle Festival, yes you did read that right! During this time you can delight in Prairie Oysters (calve’s testicles) maybe with a little pasta or perhaps you prefer fries? Or you might want to try the Great Balls O’Fire instead. If you do manage to digest one of these delicacies you will get a certificate to prove it.

Flying Saucer Restaurant, Niagara Falls, ON

For out-of-this-world food why not try this unusual eatery? Specializing in all-day breakfasts you cannot miss this establishment as it looks like exactly what you would expect. At night it lights up and resembles something out of Close Encounters. If breakfast isn’t your thing then you can also enjoy steak, seafood, pasta etc.

The Great Viking Feast, Leifsburdir, NL

Why not partake in a Viking lunch or dinner or go for the full monty: The Great Viking Feast Dinner Theatre. You will get an insight into Viking life with lots of fun and frolics along with great food. It is also worth noting that this is the only sod covered restaurant in North America.

Ric’s Grill Watertower Restaurant Lethbridge, AB

This old water tower has been converted into a high quality steakhouse restaurant. Eat your meal whilst enjoying great views over the city. Certainly something a little different eh?

Spice it up

Torontonian Iron Chef Sasi Meechai-Lim has hosted the likes of Kate Moss, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson at her Cabbagetown restaurant, Mengrai Thai. Every Sunday, she shares her spicy secrets at “Kitchen Romance for Couples” cooking classes (private lessons are available by reservation). As well as learning to blend and harmonize flavors by making dishes like succulent grilled beef salad, sweet lemongrass and chicken soup, and snuggle-inducing pad Thai (packed to take home), couples pick up expert tips on wine pairing. The last part of the three-hour experience involves sitting back and unwinding by candlelight over a paired tasting menu of Chef Sasi’s exquisitely presented signature dishes.

For the love of wine

Architecture lovers will get a kick out of Niagara’s Jack Diamond-designed Southbrook Vineyards pavilion. Animal lovers will adore the sweet sheep grazing placidly among the biodynamic vineyard’s vines. And all lovers will be charmed by Southbrook’s limited-edition Poetica wines: Each year that the vintage truly excels, one white and/or one red is bottled under the Poetica name, and is then assigned an individual poem on its label, penned by a renowned Canadian poet. Couples can book an exclusive tasting session from a decade’s worth of Poetica wines, and afterwards shop for their favorites in the high-design boutique. And if you’re lucky, you can also get your hands on one of the 200 blankets woven each year from the resident sheep’s wool – perfect for post-tipple snuggling.

Some like it hot:

Warm up your hands (and hearts) at Soma Chocolatemaker’s hot chocolate bar. As you sip from a steaming mug, you can peer through the glass wall into the “chocolate lab,” where all kinds of cocoa beans, from feral Bolivian to organic Costa Rican, are transformed into inventive chocolate barks, gelatos and micro-batch bars. Sampling is encouraged. The liquid elixirs at the bar include Mayan Hot Chocolate, made from dark Venezuelan chocolate, cinnamon, Australian ginger, chili peppers, orange peel, Madagascar vanilla and a secret blend of spices, and Bicerin, made with milky Italian hazelnut chocolate and a shot of espresso – sure to boost energy and libido. Can’t decide which to try? Take home an elixir gift box stocked with four Soma flavors and extend your Valentine’s break well into spring.

Highlights

• Pure Spirits Oyster House, 55 Mill St., Toronto, 416-361-5859 purespirits.ca
• Mengrai Thai, 82 Ontario St., Toronto, 416-546-0331 mengraithai.com
• Southbrook Vineyards, 581 Niagara Stone Rd., RR4, Niagara-on-the-Lake, 1-888-581-1581 southbrook.com
• Soma Chocolatemaker, 55 Mill St., Bldg. 48, Toronto, 416-815-7662 somachocolate.com
• Ontario Tourism, 1-800-ONTARIO  1-800-668-2746    www.ontariotravel.net

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Valerie Howes As the senior editor of Pure Canada, I’m on the lookout for stories about new and interesting lodgings, restaurants, spas, events, packages and experiences. Pure Canada is the Canadian Tourism Commission’s unique travel-lifestyle magazine. It is published by Spafax Canada Inc., publisher of enRoute, Air Canada’s award-winning inflight magazine. We represent Canada and it is our mission to take our readers on a sensory journey. Pure Canada is an invitation to the reader to discover Canada and experience it in a whole new way – it is an invitation to explorers.

In Newfoundland & Labrador you can visit Come By Chance to your Heart’s Content whilst having a Happy Adventure at Nameless Cove. If body parts interest you then why not take a look at Barry’s Head, or Robert’s Arm and whilst you’re at it check out Jerry’s Nose. If you are feeling daring then a good place to start is Dildo followed by a trip to Blow Me Down on the way to Paradise.

Not to be outdone other Atlantic provinces also have their share of strange names. For instance in Nova Scotia you can visit the Garden of Eden or the rather worryingly named Malignant Cove or how about some fun in Shag Harbour? In New Brunswick you can visit Burnt Church or the sweet sounding Ripples.

Quebec can offer you a overnight stop in Asbestos, um lovely! Or perhaps you might like the sound of Saint-Louis-du-Ha-Ha better? If you can pronounce it you also might like to visit Aachikaayusaakaasich Portage on the way to see Old Harry.

Alberta also has some great names such as Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump or Medicine Hat. Then there is Wood Buffalo, Wild Horse, Rosebud and Entrance. Why not get a little reflective in Mirror or have a Stand Off at Dead Man’s Flats?

Whilst over on that side of the country check out British Columbia. There you will find places such as Skookumchuck, Spuzzum and Squamish. As you are in BC you may as well pay a visit to Baldy Hughes or his mate Flathead, but don’t forget to stop off at  Ta ta Creek.

If you are looking for somewhere to visit that is easy to pronounce, then check out Ochiichagwe’Babigo’Ining a First Nations community in Ontario. Other Ontario strangeness includes Bummers Roost, WaWa and Precious Corners. Swastika is also another Ontario must, although it got its name long before Hitler made it famous for not so great reasons. Ontario can also offer Punkeydoodles Corners, Old Womans Bay and Nipissing.

The town of Climax Saskatchewan

As if Saskatchewan wasn’t a weird enough name on its own, the province also has a few oddities. These include Forget, Fertile and Climax. If you are into people watching then why not go to see Old Wives or perhaps Poor Man? You could also take a look at Eyebrow or Elbow or Grizzly Bear’s Head.

Visiting Manitoba may entail trips to Flin Flon or Dropmore. You may also want to take a look at Starbuck or Snowflake whilst on the way to Finger or if you are feeling greedy Five Fingers. Of course you should also have a look at Ebb and Flow, Ripples and Wampum.

The far north also has a few surprises. The Yukon can offer you Champagne and Snag as well as Destruction Bay. Northwest Territories also has Enterprise, The Ramparts and of course Yellowknife.

So as you can see Canada has lots of funny and strange sounding place names and these are just a few of the hundreds to choose from.

Now we want to hear from you – share your funny place names:

If you know of others, let us know by adding a comment or emailing us a photo of the town sign. If your the Mayor of one of these towns drop us a line as we’d love to add you to our “Meet the Mayor” series

Meanwhile, the value of non-residential permits fell 22 per cent to $1.9 billion, the lowest level since January 2010. This decline was due primarily to decreases in the commercial and institutional components in almost every province. The value of permits issued rose in half of the provinces, led by Ontario. Quebec recorded the most important decline.

For 2010 as a whole, the value of building permits issued by municipalities was up 19.8 per cent to $73.1 billion.

The year-over-year increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in residential construction intentions, which jumped 27.6 per cent from 2009 to $44.3 billion.

In the non-residential sector, the value of permits totalled $28.8 billion, up 9.5 per cent when compared with 2009. Permits issued for multi-family units rose 55.3 per cent to $1.6 billion in December, the highest level since April 2008. There were increases in seven provinces, with Ontario accounting for most of the gain.

The value of building permits for single-family units rose 3.6 per cent to $2.1 billion, a second consecutive monthly gain. There were increases in six provinces, led by Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Quebec, on the other hand, experienced the largest decline in single-family construction intentions.

At the national level, municipalities approved the construction of 17,893 new dwellings in December, up 27 per cent. Most were multiple-unit projects.

The value of commercial permits fell 21.7 per cent to $1 billion. This marked a second consecutive month of large declines.

In the institutional component, permits totalled $396 million, down 38 per cent from November.

It was the third straight monthly decrease in this sector, pushing it to its lowest level since February 2009. Every province except Saskatchewan recorded a decline in this area, with the largest drops coming in permits for medical facilities in Quebec and educational institutions in Ontario.

After two consecutive monthly gains, industrial construction intentions edged down 0.4 per cent to $450.5 million. Overall in December, the value of building permits rose in five provinces. The largest gain was in Ontario, with substantial jumps in housing permits. Quebec recorded the most important decline, following an 18.2 per cent increase in November. The decrease was due primarily to lower construction intentions for institutional and commercial buildings in the non-residential sector.

Vote for your great place

As of January 25, 2011, the results so far are:

• In British Columbia., George Little Park Spirit Square in Terrace has attracted 1,330 votes – far more than any other location in Canada, and way ahead of the top pick inVancouver, Van Dusen Botanical Garden, which has 189 votes.
• In the Prairie Provinces, the Town of Canora in Saskatchewan is the leader with 183 votes. The top place in Alberta, RiverWalk in Calgary, has 97 votes. The Exchange District in Winnipeg is the front-runner in Manitoba with 47 votes.
• In Ontario, Zwicks Park in Belleville has the most votes with 546. Interestingly,Toronto leads with the most nominations, but this has split the voting with its most popular place to date, St. Lawrence Market, getting only 28 votes.
• In Quebec, Le Parc des Chutes Montmorency leads with 791 votes but Auberge le Baluchon is right behind it with 787. These are the second and third most popular nominations in Canada
• In the Atlantic Provinces, Pippy Park in Newfoundland and Labrador leads the way with 592 votes, with City Market in Saint John, New Brunswick, being a distant second with 64 votes. The Hydrostone in Halifax has 57 votes while Prince Edward Island’s Charlottetown has 42 votes.

“We’re seeing a great deal of friendly rivalry as Canadians vote for their local places, and the competition is heating up as we enter the last two months of the contest,” says Steven Brasier, Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Will your city or town be among the Great Places in Canada?

Go to www.greatplacesincanada.ca to nominate or vote for your favourite street, open space, or community. Also check out the website for the most recent voting numbers and popular entries.

“It’s a reverse brain drain,” said Minister Kenney. “We’re making it easier for Canadians abroad to bring their skills home and contribute to the Canada of tomorrow.”

We’re making it easier for Canadians abroad to bring their skills home and contribute to the Canada of tomorrow said Kenney

For some Canadian workers living abroad, an obstacle to returning to Canada is that their non-Canadian spouse, common-law partner or dependent children may be unable to work until they are processed as permanent residents, which usually takes between six months and one year.

Since November 22, family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to work in Ontario in the health care and academic sectors have been able to get temporary work permits immediately upon arriving in Canada. Ontario’s health and academic sectors have faced significant skill and labour shortages in recent years and were identified as the most appropriate sectors for the pilot project.

“By encouraging highly-skilled workers to come back to Canada, we are laying the foundation for long-term economic growth,” added the Minister.

A pledge to establish this pilot project was included in the 2008 Temporary Foreign Worker agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario. It is operating on a trial basis until May 22, 2012. Upon completion of the pilot project, the government will evaluate the initiative’s effectiveness.

MPs urged the government to reverse its decision to slash $53 million in funding

The MPs urged the government to reverse its decision to slash $53 million in funding from agencies that help new immigrants become integrated and self sufficient. According to Statistics Canada, the third quarter of 2010 saw the highest immigration rates the country has seen in four decades.

• Immigrants made up 70 per cent of Ontario’s population growth during that period.
• Roughly 85 per cent of the cuts — announced late last year — will be in Ontario, a total loss of $43 million.
• More than 30 agencies will lose their funding entirely, while dozens of others will see their funding decrease, said Kennedy.
• Around 78,000 recent immigrants in the GTA are expected to lose the help they need to find jobs, apply for documents or enhance their language skills.

“What we want to do is make sure that this remains a federal issue and doesn’t end up becoming something that city council is forced to deal with because of the problems it creates for the City of Toronto,” said Kennedy.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has said the cuts will ensure that taxpayer money is used efficiently. Kenney attributed the funding cuts to shifting immigration patterns. Newcomers to Canada have been spreading out across the country, with Ontario receiving a slightly smaller share each year. But the overall number of immigrants in Ontario is still growing, Kennedy argued.

“There are 85,000 more people in the GTA needing help, not less. How does he justify cutting $53 million?” he asked.

“It makes no sense to be taking services away from people at the very point when they need them to succeed as new Canadians.”

MPs, settlement agencies and other supporters have launched a campaign called Fair Start, urging Toronto residents to stand up for new Canadians who need help getting settled. The campaign will include letter writing, a petition and a motion to be introduced to Parliament on Feb. 8 2011

“I thought that was really extraordinary,” says Maggie Jacques, special collections librarian at the Petawawa Public Library, who helped place the 20-year-old interview online. It was part of a collection of interviews with city’s early residents. When it comes to online research, she notes, “You never know where it will take you.”

Our Ontario is partnering with more than 30 public libraries and 20 other community organizations from across Ontario

The audiocassette recording was digitized thanks to a two-year project coordinated by Knowledge Ontario (KO), a provincial not-for-profit collaborative. The Community Digitization Project (CDP) is an extension of KO’s Our Ontario service, which provides the tools and support for Ontarians to create and display digital content for online discovery.

Genealogists are not alone in benefiting from the CDP, which already has created more than 36,000 digital files of everything from 19th-century photographs to old diaries. In Prescott-Russell, a largely francophone area east of Ottawa, the OPP used heritage photos from the collection for their annual calendar.

The CDP has also created something of an information avalanche for participating institutions. Jacques notes that patrons who see staff digitizing materials with scanners, cameras and other equipment often ask how they can contribute.

CDP partners often run “digitization days” to encourage residents to bring in family materials and collections from their basements and attics (the materials are later returned to their owners). People respond in droves, often revealing lost treasures. In Tweed, a small town north of Belleville, residents who heard about the CDP contributed images and documents about Sulphide, a mining ghost town.

Loren Fantin, project manager for Our Ontario, delights in the program’s popularity. “We work hard to ensure that we make Our Ontario tools and services accessible and easy to use for both novices and expert users. It’s terrific to bring Ontario communities on board so they can share and tell our stories to a wide audience.”

Our Ontario is partnering with more than 30 public libraries and 20 other community organizations from across Ontario to implement the CDP. Funded through a $15-million grant to Southern Ontario Library Services and Ontario Library Services North from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, CDP partners are provided with valuable equipment, staff and training, at no cost to the participating institutions. “I’m very thankful to Knowledge Ontario for supporting us,” says Jacques.

Organizations participating in the project stretch across almost 1,500 kilometres of the province. They include libraries and museums with large archives; single-person libraries, such as the Head, Clara and Maria Public Library, north of Algonquin Park; Franco-Ontarian community organizations like the West Nipissing Public Library, near North Bay; and a First Nations library, the Kanhiote Tyendinaga Territory Public Library near Deseronto.

Communities all over Ontario are excited to tell their stories. Find them here.

Originally from Quebec she moved to Toronto in 1942 where she met and married her husband Sam who sadly died in 1997. The couple have three children.

Hazel McCallion has been Mayor of Mississauga, Ontario since 1978

She began her political career in Streetsville, Ontario. She began as chair of the Planning Board in the late 1960’s and then became deputy reeve and then reeve. In 1970 she became Mayor of Streetsville and when Mississauga was established in 1974, Streetsville was merged with it. She was elected Mayor of Mississauga in 1978 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Mayor McCallion was one of the first Mayors to commit to pay-as-you-go philosophy which has meant the city has not had to borrow money since 1978 and is currently debt-free.

In 2005 Mayor McCallion was appointed Member of the Order of Canada and received her Insignia of Member of the Order of Canada at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall on November 18, 2005. This is the highlight of many awards and accolades she has received over the years.

We hope that you will get to know Mayor McCallion a little better with our Q&A sections which she kindly agreed to take part in.

Q: What was the first car you ever owned?

A: A  Ford

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

A: A Bentley because of the fine craftsmanship and attention to detail.

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

A: That I do my own grocery shopping, cleaning and cooking.

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

A: I wish I were younger as there are still so many things I would like to do.

Q: What do you most value in other people?

A: Loyalty

Q: Mac or PC?

A: Mac, I use an iPad.

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

A: Probably Dubai. I spent the day riding a camel in the desert.

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

A: China. The people there are so friendly and their growth is so impressive.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: I don’t go to movies.

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

A: I read “Starting Your Day Right” by Joyce Meyer everyday.  It has an inspiring quote for each day of the year and keeps me motivated.

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

A: I support the value and benefits of all sports but there has always been a special place in my heart for hockey as I used to play professionally when I was a young woman.

Q: What hobbies do you do to relax?

A: I love to garden.

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

A: Receiving the Order of Canada in 2005. I haven’t had a worst as I consider everything that I experience, positive or negative, as an opportunity for growth.

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

A: A gardener.

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

A: Spend it with my family.

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

A: Rainbow Trout.

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

A: My work ethic and enjoying being with people.

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 dog Missy.

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

A: Work hard and never give up and be confident in your ability to accomplish things.

We thank Mayor McCallion for agreeing to answer our questions and wish her all the best for her continued success.

Starting on the West Coast with Vancouver’s waterfront, crossing through the prairies and into the Rockies, and then stretching eastward to Canada’s entertainment and cultural hub of Toronto, these places feature some of the best restaurants with stunning views.

Vancouver Harbour View

West Coast Dining

Vancouver, British Columbia is gaining quite the reputation as a foodie destination in Western Canada. With an abundance of seafood and local produce, restaurants can highlight the fresh flavours of Pacific Coast cuisine. Vancouver’s lovely waterfront and bustling downtown make for an ideal setting for several of the city’s best restaurants.

Aqua Riva
Enjoy waterfront dining at Aqua Riva, offering harbour front views of Burrard Inlet and the North Shore Skyline. Located downtown next to Canada Place, Aqua Riva is within walking distance to many hotels in the area. The window-wrapped dining room and bar allows patrons to indulge in Pacific Coast delicacies while watching the cruise ships sail in and out of the harbour. The menu consists of tapas and starters, including thin crust pizzas featuring bold flavours such as wood roasted barbecue duck. Lunch and dinner highlight Vancouver’s prime seafood with dishes such as wood grilled wild salmon and Pacific cioppino–a hearty seafood and fish stew featuring salmon, sablefish, dungeness crab, clams, mussels, clams, and prawns. To complete the visual appeal, the restaurant’s decor features murals and nautical themes, adding to this waterfront dining experience.

The Observatory
Begin this dining experience with a scenic gondola ride (included with reservations) to the top of Grouse Mountain in Northern Vancouver. From here, one can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean and Gulf Islands, with the city of Vancouver in the distance. Patrons of the Observatory restaurant will dine on West Coast cuisine, where the emphasis is on fresh, regional ingredients. Hand-selected wines, chosen by the in-house sommelier, complement the dishes served here. To experience the ultimate in food and wine pairing, the Observatory offers a prix fixe menu featuring multiple courses paired with various wines. An a la carte menu is also available for those wanting to pick and choose their own selections. Sample menu dishes include local oysters dressed with a sherry mignonette, beef tenderloin with black truffle jus, magret of Barbary duck with a green peppercorn sabayon, and for dessert, a vanilla bean panna cotta.

Stanley Park
Any visit to Vancouver would not be complete without a trip to Stanley Park, the city’s forested playground situated along the harbour. Several dining options are available in the park, including Prospect Point Cafe and the Sequoia Grill.

Prospect Point Cafe
Stanley Park’s highest point, Prospect Point offers visitors panoramic views of the North Shore Mountains, the Lion’s Gate Bridge and the Burrard Inlet. The on-site Prospect Point Cafe offers a full service restaurant, allowing patrons to indulge their taste buds while taking in the beautiful scenery. Favourites at this eatery include the Prospect Point ice-cream, an ideal way to cool down on a summer’s day, and the fish and chips made with Granville Island Draft Beer Batter. Other menu items include a number of fresh salmon dishes, grilled burgers and sandwiches, and pasta entrees.

Sequoia Grill
Found at Ferguson Point, the Sequoia Grill offers ocean views surrounded by towering trees. The restaurant’s menu highlights the best of Vancouver’s bounty, including such dishes as BC Albacore tuna tartar, mussels bathed in a red curry coconut broth, and cedar plank salmon topped with a maple whiskey glaze. A brunch menu is offered on the weekends, making for a lovely way to spend the morning.

Glo EuroPub & Grill Victoria
Only a day trip from Vancouver, Victoria also offers pleasant sights and eats. One of the newest restaurants on the scene is the Glo EuroPub & Grill. Touted as one of Vancouver Island’s best patios, the Glo EuroPub & Grill features a 180-degree view of Victoria’s Selkirk Waterway. Patrons can enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and late night bites on the patio, taking in views of the harbour at any time of the day. Blankets are provided for cooler evenings making this outdoor experience comfortable and enjoyable. Minutes from downtown, the grill offers a retro-modern interior with a contemporary menu featuring gourmet pizza, burgers, steaks, seafood and pastas. An extensive wine list and drinks menu also make this place a popular social gathering venue.

Maligne Lake

Rocky Mountain Views

Jasper National Park and Lake Louise are two of the most popular destinations in the Canadian Rockies. After a day of exploring the area’s wildlife, mountains, lakes and forests, visitors will be pleased to note the Rockies offers some prime dining venues, offering hearty food and awe-inspiring views.

The View Restaurant
Perched above Maligne Lake in Jasper Park at the day lodge, the View Restaurant lives up to its name offering breathtaking views of the Canadian Rockies. Maligne Lake, found 40 km (25 mi) southeast of the Jasper townsite, is the park’s oldest attraction and the largest lake in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The View Restaurant’s multi-levelled sundeck is the ideal lunch spot after a day of exploring the park. This popular venue features homestyle dining with homemade soup, stew, vegetarian chili, salads, and sandwiches on the menu. Baked goods, including European tortes, breads, pastries and cookies are also available from the bakery found on-site.

Fairview Dining Room
Located at the prestigious Chateau Lake Louise, the Fairview Dining Room affords views of Lake Louise’s turquoise waters from its multi-tiered dining room. This 4 Diamond establishment specializes in Canadian cuisine, offering such items as grilled Alberta beef tenderloin, maple glazed Quebec duck breast, slow poached Atlantic salmon and seared scallops.

East Coast Eateries

Canada’s largest city, Toronto, Ontario offers its residents and visitors an eclectic dining scene, with over 7,000 restaurants located here. From fine dining to local eateries, all types of cuisines are represented, indicative of Toronto’s diverse, multicultural population.

Canoe
For an impressive view of the city check out Canoe, perched on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, part of the Toronto-Dominion Centre. Located in the Financial District, this restaurant attracts a corporate clientele, matching its upscale environment and decor, featuring wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, polished wooden floors and clean and stylish furnishings. Canoe’s menu highlights Canadian cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and grilled meats; bison striploin with Northern Woods mushrooms and peppercorn sauce, roast suckling pig, and broiled BC sablefish are just a sample of Canoe’s modern approach to Canadian fare.

Dine high above Toronto's city streets

360 The Restaurant
Dine high above Toronto’s city streets, found 51 m (1,151 ft) below, at 360 The Restaurant, situated in the CN Tower–Toronto’s most recognizable landmark. The restaurant is one of the world’s highest revolving restaurants and offers ever-changing views of the city, completing a rotation every 72 minutes. Regional ingredients are the focus of the menu, which features innovative, market fresh cuisine. An extensive wine list of over 550 wines also adds to the dining experience. For a more casual meal, head down to the look out level to the Horizons Cafe, offering lighter meals.

C5 Restaurant
Found atop the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal of the Royal Ontario Museum, the C5 Restaurant offers an ultra modern culinary experience. It gets its name from being situated on the 5th Crystal of the glass and aluminum structure, which was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind and consists of five interlocking and self supporting prismatic structures. Inside, patrons continue to be visually stimulated with angled windows providing urban views and interesting lighting effects. A sensational glass sculpture named “Hearsay,” by Canadian designer Jeff Goodman, adorns the space, adding to the intimate surroundings of this crystal palace.

The menu itself features inspired selections, fusing the flavours of Toronto’s ethnic markets and Ontario’s local ingredients. Vindaloo scented Dorset lamb loin, and duck confit and foie gras served with a Thai curry onion tartlet are some of the noted creations by Chef de Cuisine, Ted Corrado.

Canadian Valentine

• Tofino, BC:  You can opt to watch the storms from your porch at the Wickaninnish Inn—voted one of the Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest—while sipping on champagne and nibbling house-made truffles. Prefer to take your love outdoors? Tofino is one of the world’s surfing meccas and nothing says, “I love you” like walking the beach or riding the waves with the one you love. www.hellobc.com

• Québec City, QC: Montréal will do in a pinch, but Québec City is the spot for connoisseurs of French romance, thanks to cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriage rides and walks under old-fashioned lamplight. Add bistros to eat in, cafés to watch from and boutique hotels (like the Relais & Chateaux-branded Auberge Saint-Antoine) that are as luxurious to sleep in as they are interesting to look at. Bring your camera and ask a stranger to snap a photo of you and your partner amid backdrops that provide an unparalleled setting for romance, then dine by candlelight on fine French-Canadian cuisine before a night out on the town. www.bonjourquebec.com

• Peggy’s Cove, NS: Buy him a fisherman’s sweater, pack her a shawl, grab a blanket and head out to “The Cove” for a weekend of quiet, simple living and fresh seafood you’ll remember for years to come. Stand on the rocky shores near the lighthouse and watch the sun set after a day walking the tiny village and getting to know the locals. www.novascotia.com

• Muskoka, ON: The region is crowded with sun seekers in the summer, but come winter, it’s all yours. Whether you prefer your time outdoors—walking or skiing the trails—or indoors in front of a roaring fire, Muskoka hotels and resorts mean never having to choose. At Taste Restaurant in Touchstone resort, you’ll find (along with stunning views of Lake Muskoka) a farm-to-table philosophy in the kitchen and locally produced ingredients on the menu. Spend the night and take full advantage of the spa’s two-bedroom suite.  www.ontariotravel.net

• Stratford, ON: The plays, including some by the Bard of Love himself, William Shakespeare, will draw you here, but with a lakeside trail to hold hands along and now the Stratford Chocolate Trail, Stratford is a top choice for romantics. Buy a $20 Chocolate Trail Pass at the Stratford Tourism Alliance and visit eight stops of your choosing on the 16-stop self-guided tour. Sample the cocoa fares and speak with the chocolate makers. You can even take a chocolate mint bath soak. How sweet. www.ontariotravel.net

Also See: The top 20 most romantic cites in Canada

Article courtesy of the Canadian Tourism Commission Media Centre

Writers Bio: Heather Greenwood Davis is a freelance writer and travel columnist based in Toronto, ON. Always on the lookout for a new adventure, she’s often in an airport with notebook in hand, camera over her shoulder and children in tow. Her twice-monthly Toronto Star column, “Alternate Arrangements,” features interesting people, places and things across the planet. Learn more at www.greenwooddavis.com

The area surrounding the falls has been a tourist mecca for many years

The actual falls is divided into two: The Horseshoe Falls located on the Canadian side and the American Falls, yes you’ve guessed it, on the American side. Together these two falls make up one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

We have all seen the stunning photos of the falls in the summer with the sun beating down, but is this a place worth visiting in the cold winter months? The answer is, most definitely yes. Because you see, there is far more to Niagara Falls than just the waterfalls.

The area surrounding the falls has been a tourist mecca for many years, but in the last few years many more attractions have opened their doors making it a great place to spend a few days. Even if you can only spend a day here you can still enjoy many of the things Niagara has to offer. You will find that the majority of the attractions are open year round and a lot are inside, so no need to worry too much about the weather. So what exactly can you do in Niagara in the winter?

Well, the first and most obvious thing to do here is view the falls of course. Fortunately Canadians get the best deal out of the falls. From the Canadian side we can see the full extent of the falls including magnificent views of both the Horseshoe and American Falls, along with the smaller Bridal Veil Falls located between the two. There is a large observation deck known as Table Rock located above the Horseshoe Falls where you are so close to the rushing water you can almost touch it. Be prepared to get wet here though, so wrap up warm. You can view the falls all along the Canadian side of the river, so make sure you pack your camera.

The journey Behind the Falls is not to be missed

The one attraction you will not be able to experience in the winter is a ride on the famous Maid of the Mist. These boat rides which take you under the falls themselves can only operate when the river is free of ice and snow, so unfortunately you will have to visit again in the summer months to appreciate this great experience.

One attraction you will be able to take advantage of is the Journey Behind the Falls. This is open year round and allows you to actually walk behind and below the Horseshoe Falls. You will travel down in an elevator to get to the base of the falls and walk along tunnels behind the water. Observation areas allow you to literally stand behind the falls and watch the water flowing, the noise alone makes this worth doing. One observation area which allows you to view the falls from the bottom and side may be closed during a winter visit. This is because the platform can get very icy and slippery and no one wants you to fall in! You will still be able to see the side view of the falls from this vantage point, but without walking out onto the platform itself.

Niagara’s Fury is one of the newest attractions which allows you to experience the falls first-hand. Located on Table Rock at this indoor attraction you stand on a specially constructed platform that tilts and trembles allowing you to experience the fury of Niagara yourself. You will be surrounded by incredible 4D imagery and fantastic sound in the 360 degree theatre. The show lasts six minutes, but is preceded with another show explaining how Niagara Falls was formed millions of years ago.

If you want a really good view of the falls then you will want to experience the Skylon Tower. There is an observation deck located at 233 metres (775 feet). To get to the deck you ride the Yellow Bug elevators which travel externally up the tower, like little bugs running up a flower stem. From the deck you can see over 8,000 square miles of both Canada and the USA.

The tower is also home to the Revolving Dining Room where again at a height of 233 metres you can enjoy award-winning continental cuisine for lunch or dinner with spectacular views. If you prefer more casual dining then you should consider the Summit Suite Buffet which is more catered to families and slightly smaller budgets.

There are other things to experience at the Skylon apart from the food and the views. You can also watch the 3D/4D movie “Legends of Niagara Falls” with amazing special effects. If you are visiting with children then you might want to visit Niagara Falls largest indoor entertainment centre offering rides for all ages. If you want to leave the kids there and catch up on some retail therapy then the shopping concourse is the place to be. You will find everything from souvenirs to discount shopping as well as several speciality shops.

If you love wildlife, especially birds, then one place you must visit whilst at Niagara is Bird Kingdom. This is located close to Rainbow Bridge and is great for bird lovers all year, but offers a tropical escape during the winter months. You will be able to walk amongst the birds, yes most are free to fly and wander round so you never know what will be swooping above your head or walking across your path. You will see everything from the smallest finches to large macaws and everything in between. There is also a nocturnal section where you can see owls and some other creatures such as bats and insects.

Another great wildlife attraction is the Butterfly Conservatory.

Another great wildlife attraction is the Butterfly Conservatory. Because this is located about ten minutes north of Niagara Falls you will have to either drive or catch one of the buses which travel between the two locations. You will go on a self-guided tour where over 2,000 butterflies are free to fly around the tropical rainforest setting. You can also watch butterflies emerging from their pupae and flying for the first time. Be aware that they may land on you and you need to be careful where you tread. You absolutely must have your camera here, but be warned that tripods are not allowed, only monopods.

Clifton Hill is another location you will want to visit. This is the main tourist and shopping area at Niagara Falls. Here you will find places such as Ripley’s Museum and 4D Ride, wax museums, haunted houses, Niagara SkyWheel, arcades, restaurants, hotels and lots more.

If gambling is for you then you will not be disappointed in Niagara. Places such as Casino Niagara, Fallsview Casino and the Ontario Casino Hotel will allow you to indulge in your passion.

The Winter Festival of Lights is another good reason to visit Niagara in the winter, although you will need to get your skates on if you are going to take advantage this year. Between November and the end of January the whole of Niagara Falls is festooned with lights, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Most Fridays, weather pending, there are firework displays over the falls during the festival as well as the illumination of the falls themselves.

So as you can see, there is no good reason why you should not visit Niagara Falls during the winter, in fact there are lots of good reasons why you should.

The city curls around the shore of Kempenfelt Bay on shimmering Lake Simcoe, and is cocooned by a panoramic combination of hills, farmland and quaint towns. Barrie is over 150 years old, and shows no signs of stagnation.

The history of Barrie:

The Spirit Catcher

Aboriginal communities once occupied the land that is now the urban centre of Barrie. Trappers and fur traders identified the area as Nine Mile Portage, the land route connecting Lake Simcoe to the Nottswasaga River and continuing on to the Georgian Bay. In the early 1800s, the east end of the portage by Kempenfelt Bay was the location of a Hudson’s Bay Company storehouse. During the War of 1812, the British expanded the portage to accommodate wagons carrying troops and supplies from Upper Canada. The route allowed the British to bypass the Americans in Detroit, on their way to posts near Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

During the 1820s, the British chose the area as a location for a military post. Named after Sir Robert Barrie, the admiral in command of the British fleet stationed at Kingston, the settlement of Barrie sprang forth.

Throughout the mid 1800s, the lumber and agricultural industry burgeoned. The local economy continued to spiral upward when the Ontario Simcoe Huron Railway, later known as the Northern Railway, added Barrie to its rail line. The line also operated a steamer that connected Barrie to Orilla and Muskoka.

Barrie became a hamlet in 1853, and was incorporated as a town in 1871. Further boosts came over the next few decades with the construction of a general hospital, a nursing school (which later became Georgian College) and Camp Borden, a Canadian Forces base.

In the 1950s, Highway 400 was built to join Barrie to Toronto and the rest of Southwestern Ontario. This eased the daily commute to and from Toronto, thus prompting many to choose Barrie as their home. In 1959, Barrie matured to city status. A recent land annex and a continual influx of residents have many proclaiming Barrie as one of the fastest growing communities in Canada.

Climate:

Temperatures in Barrie’s warmest months, July and August, can reach 25 ºC (78 ºF) and upwards, making it necessary for lighter clothing and a generous slathering of sunscreen.

Agreeable temperatures accompany the month of May, when the spring air averages 11 ºC (52 ºF), much like the fall, which also hovers in the low teens (50 ºF).

The month of November typically greets winter-like temperatures, as the mercury begins to dip to zero and downwards (20 ºF).

Bundle up during the months of January and February, as they are typically the coldest months in Barrie, averaging around – 8 ºC (17 ºF). The temperature has been known to drop down to – 14 ºC (7 ºF), but this is not extremely cold by northern Canadian standards. Snowfall is ample in January, much to the bliss of winter sport enthusiasts.

The rainiest months are usually August and September, with rainfall averaging 80mm a month. The humidity is generally above 80 per cent year round, so people with the predisposition for curly locks will enjoy (or curse) a head full of them. The humidity also gives a bit more of a bite to winter weather, however it is usually manageable in Barrie.

Enjoying the great outdoors:

Golfing, Cycling and Hiking:

There are at least 11 golf courses in the area. Enjoy the crispness of an early spring morning, or the flaming colours of fall out on the greens. National Pines and Horseshoe Valley, two of the more exemplary courses in the province, are in the vicinity of Barrie. However, other area courses have features that make them enjoyable excursions as well.

Big wheels keep on turning – down the hills of Hardwood Hills Mountain Bike Centre. Spring, summer and fall riders can clutch the bars of their bikes on over 80 km (50 mi) of double and single-track trails, ranging from family friendly to alarmingly gnarly.

Located east of Barrie, along the shores of Lake Simcoe, is Sibbald Point Provincial Park. This recreational area is suitable for all ages, as it has sandy beaches, treed hiking trails and picnic spots. The area was home to the Sibbald family for 130 years. Visitors may tour the Sibbald manor, Eildon Hall (circa 1800s) and St. George Church, the family church. Springwater Provincial Park, north of Barrie, is also a pleasurable diversion from city life. The park’s natural springs have played a large part in the areas reforestation, which have suffered the effects of over-logging. A wildlife area of bears, wolves, owls and swans is also on site.

Kempenfelt Bay, Barrie, Ontario

Lakes and Beaches:

The waters around Barrie win over many visitors, as they are postcard perfect. In summer, lifeguards patrol the sandy beaches of Centennial Beach and Johnson’s Beach. A grand view awaits those who gaze off from the beaches into Kempenfelt Bay – the blues of the water, the gray rocks of the jetty and the polychromatic plants (natural or planted) scattered around the shore imbed lasting visions in the memory.

The beaches often branch into trails suitable for cycling, inline skating and walking. Children’s playgrounds, public boat launches and special events mark Kempenfelt as a happening summer spot. For a short excursion, hop aboard the Serendipity Princess, a replica of a triple-decker paddle wheel boat. Cruises around Kempenfelt Bay operate from June until September and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Warm and clear in the summer, Lake Simcoe is ideal for swimming, canoeing and boating. Travel around the fringes of the lake for desirable spots, some dense with sun lovers, ravenous picnickers and splashing water frolickers. If a location appears remarkably uncrowded and the sun is high in the sky, there is a good chance it is private property, so check for signs.

Skiing and Winter Expeditions:

When the snow comes, and it surely will, out come the skis, snowboards, skates, toboggans and other various winter apparatus. Snow Valley is an exceptional downhill ski hill for children and has some of the best snow tubing facilities in the province. Barrie’s alpine skiing treasure would be Horseshoe Resort. The hill has 22 alpine runs (14 lit for night skiing), a half pipe and a tubing area. The Heights at Horseshoe is designated for members and offers 20 private slopes. Another alpine ski facility near Barrie is Mount St. Louis/ Moonstone Ski Resort, which is 26 km (16 mi) away. Travel 64 km (40 mi) west to whisk down the slopes of Ontario’s largest ski hill, Blue Mountain, located in Collingwood.

Hardwood Hills Nordic Ski Centre, a short drive from Barrie at Oro Station, offers a fully equipped ski centre with 45 km (28 mi) of trails for various levels. Snowshoe trails are extensive as well, with 20 km (12 mi) of both groomed and ungroomed trails.

For the patient soul who is not against staying motionless in colder temperatures for undetermined periods of time, ice fishing may be appealing. Huts can be rented, and bait and licenses are sold in the area.

The Arts and Festivals:

Culture is not lacking in this city – opera, music, stage and art venues flourish. One event of note is Kempenfest. Billed as Canada’s largest outdoor arts and crafts festival, Kempenfest draws hundreds to the lakeshore area to view fine art, sample food, watch live performances and enjoy special activities such as a petting zoo or wall climbing.

A rather startling sight on Barrie’s waterfront is the 20 tonne (44,000 pound) steel ‘Spirt Catcher’. Created for EXPO ’86, held in Vancouver, the statue resembles the Thunderbird, the creature that carries dreams and desires to the Creator, in First Nations mythology. The purchase and donation of Spirit Catcher to Barrie impacted the arts committee, as it inspired the development of a public art gallery – the McLaren Art Centre. Today it has become a city icon and a memorable roadside attraction.

The MacLaren Art Centre accommodates over 40,000 varied art media, mostly Canadian contemporary but some classic items such as the permanent Rodin collection.

Gaming:
Join the roar of the excited crowd at Georgian Downs, which offers year-round harness racing, viewed from the luxury of a glass-enclosed grandstand, as well as slots and games.

For those in the mood for more, head half-an-hour north of Barrie to Casino Rama. Take in a Vegas-style show, spotlighting former singing heart-throbs or hilarious comedians.

Historical and Educational Sites:
Camp Borden, located 34 km (21 mi) southwest of Barrie, was the first military flying field ever built in Canada. In 1924, the base became the birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with Lt. Col. William J. Barker as commander. Barker went on to become the most decorated war hero in Canadian history. Still an active military base, the site is home to Base Borden Military Museum, which consists of four buildings (one being an aircraft hangar). Many one-of-a-kind land and air artifacts are displayed, some dating back to the First World War. Outside the buildings are 10 vintage flying machines, including an ex-training plane for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Canada’s acclaimed aerobatic flying team.

Take a mystical trip on an authentic steam locomotive south of Barrie at the Village of Tottenham. The South Simcoe Railway offers a nostalgic 1800s tour on a portion of the route that once connected Hamilton with Barrie and Collingwood. The train chugs forth from mid-May until mid-October, with a few special occasion runs.

Swooping upward, then plummeting towards ground, the birds of the Falconry Centre near Tottenham perform aerial feats daily. Step into the medieval style courtyard to observe this educational research centre’s over 200 falcons, hawks, eagles, owls and vultures.

Shopping and nightlife:

Bayfield Street is known as Barrie’s ‘Golden Mile’, as it features a multitude of shops, malls, restaurants and services. Dunlop Street in downtown Barrie is home to many shops as well, and has the added bonus of being a very short amble to such sites as Heritage Park on Kempenfelt Bay.

Cookstown Manufacturer’s Outlet Mall is a siren’s call that cannot be ignored by die-hard shoppers. A short drive from Barrie, there is also a bus service that takes eager spenders to the mall. Bricks & Blocks (Lego) Outlet, Cadbury Factory Store, Polo Jeans Store, and Jones Factory Finale are just a few of the retail establishments where customers may leave with money still in the wallet.

The Barrie Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday morning in front of Barrie City Hall. Offering a cornucopia of produce, baked goods and handcrafted items, this market has a proud history of over 150 years in Barrie, and attracts locals and visitors alike.

The student population may be partly responsible for Barrie’s active nightlife, but many locals have been known to take advantage of the city’s after dark activities by frequenting one of many pubs, sports bars, lounges, clubs and live music venues. The Molson Centre is often the site of roof-raising concerts.

What do they mean?

The name Canada is derived from the word Kanata, a Huron-Iroquois word for settlement or village. Jacques Cartier came to the New World looking for a Northwest Passage to the Spice Islands and the promise of exotic goods. He was directed to the village of Stadacona by aboriginals who used the word Kanata. From that time on, Cartier referred to the village as Canada, as well as the entire land mass he was exploring. Many of the territories, provinces, cities, lakes, rivers, parks, and mountains reflect their aboriginal roots.

Provinces

Manitoba – The word Manitou means spirit, and originally referred to the land areas along the Red River. It is likely from the Cree expression maniot-wapow, or Ojibwe’sManitou-bau which means the strait of the spirit. Along the narrows of Lake Manitoba the sound of the pebbles made a noise that was said to be the sound of the spirits, or of the spirits banging drums. It is also thought that the name came from the Assiniboin expression mine-toba or Lake of the Prairies.

Nunavut – This is Canada’s newest territory, having been incorporated on April 1, 1999. The name Nunavut comes from the Inuktitut language of the Inuit, the indigenous peoples of the area, and means our land.

Ontario – There are three accepted theories as to the origin of the name Ontario: kanadario meaning sparkling or beautiful water, onitariio meaning beautiful lake, and Skanadario meaning very pretty lake. In all three cases, the land area was named for the body of water known as Lake Ontario of the Great Lakes.

Québec – The name Québec comes from an Algonquin word kébec meaning the narrowing of the river. The geographical expression likely refers to the narrowing of the river around Québec City.

Saskatchewan – The Cree word kisiskāciwani-sīpiy, meaning a swiftly flowing river, became the name of the body of water (Saskatchewan River) before it became the name of the prairie province.

Yukon – This territory derives its name from the Gwich’in word Yu-kun-ah, which means great river.

Capital cities

Many of the capital cities of the provinces and territories also have names with aboriginal origins:

• Toronto (Ontario) – tkaronto – place where trees stand in the water
• Winnipeg (Manitoba) – win-nipee – muddy water
• Iqaluit (Nunavut) – iqaluit – many fish

Traditionally, the Spring months (March, April, May) in our 4-season climate, are when home-buyers are ready to venture out on the roads, and begin trecking around to find new homes to move into. Often, the Spring buyer would like to have the sale done by the end of June, in time for summer vacation and to be all settled before the kids are ready to start their new school. This, being the average pattern of most people, also creates a bit of a surge in activity with many sellers submitting listings in the Spring knowing there will be buyers actively shopping in the warming weather.

When the market is full of homes to sell, that creates more competition betwween individual sellers, and will create what is known as the “buyer’s” market.  With many homes listed for sale, buyers will have an advantage to compare listings and have more leverage to negotiate. The seller will be less likely to stand firm on the asking price if the buyer can say they have another similar home in mind during the negotiations. In January, you can hope for more qualified buyers with less competition which would mean a better chance you will sell your house.

There are, in fact, people searching for homes all year round, and we don’t need to wait for the Spring “glut”. Sometimes, with the nice weather, you may get people out who simply enjoy the past-time of viewing homes and attending open houses, to see what is available in a certain neighborhood, or see what their neighbor’s house looks like inside or to get decorating ideas! Not all fair-weather home viewers are necessarily serious buyers and are sometimes referred to as “tire-kickers”. At this time of year, those who are willing to venture out in minus 20 C temperatures and slosh through snow drifts will be more serious buyers than those in Spring.

This January 2011, we are starting off strong with what seems to be a more active than usual real estate market during our Canadian winter. Traditionally there are not too many phone calls or requests for showings in the midst of these short days of the year,  but this month I have had several requests for showings in sub zero weather: at waterfront cottages with no heat or plumbing switched on;  I met buyers on the crest of a hill-top vacant lot with the brisk wind-chill creating an ache on my face as we tearily blink at the amazing views over a frozen Rice Lake; I have asked home sellers to please keep their walks and porches shoveled of snow to allow a pleasant winter curb-appeal for showing requests.

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) News Release on January 14, 2011, activity in December 2010 ran slightly ahead of the ten year average for the month. “The hand off to 2011 for sales activity in the fourth quarter suggests that the continuation of low interest rates will further support the housing market,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist.

“With activity having returned to healthy levels and a firm floor under prices, many sellers who shied away from the market heading into the summer are expected to list their properties heading into the spring,” said Klump.

Asking price $224,900

With a confident forcast for 2011, based on a strong end to the year 2010, it would seem that the early bird seller would do well to beat the Spring rush, and list their home with a REALTOR® who is ready to market the home to the serious buyers that are already shopping.  Here is a Campbellford bungalow that was listed on a Tuesday in January this year, and there was a showing scheduled the following weekend!  Tucked into a hardwood woodlot, this 2-BR bungalow with potential in-law suite in the lower level with kitchenette and whirlpool tub could be your retirement oasis. The home is located in a rural neighbourhood of tastefully designed homes, only a few minutes drive from the scenic town of Campbellford and all its amenities. The surrounding trees afford cool shade all summer and privacy from the easy access off municipally maintained roads. A natural gas service heats a cosy gas “wood-style” stove in the roomy family room. A double garage with carport and workbench, heated with an oil furnace rounds off the package. Asking price $224,900. See the YouTube video here:

Astrid Hood of Remax Eastern Realty Inc

If you have any questions about locating properties in Ontario please feel free to contact our realty expert Astrid Hood of Remax Eastern Realty Inc., Brokerage at

astridhood@remax.net or by toll free at 1-800-567-4546

Follow Astrid on TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/AstridHoodRemax
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Actual (not seasonally adjusted) national sales activity via the Multiple Listing Service^® (MLS^®) Systems of Canadian real estate Boards was down 14.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in December 2010, which reflects record level sales for the month of December in 2009.  Activity in December 2010 ran slightly ahead of the ten year average for the month

The national trend for monthly sales remained stable in December, with seasonally adjusted sales activity having edged down by less than a percentage point from the previous month.  Led by Calgary, Winnipeg, and Hamilton-Burlington, seasonally adjusted sales activity was up month-to-month in half of local markets. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal were among the markets that posted a small month-over-month decline in December.

“Overall sales activity has improved in recent months, but the upturn has been uneven among local markets,” said Georges Pahud, CREA President. “Housing market trends often differ due to a number of local factors, so buyers and sellers should consult their local  expert to understand how trends are shaping up in their market.”

National home sales activity improved steadily over the second half of 2010, with seasonally adjusted sales up 18.3 per cent in December compared to the recent low reached in July. As a result, seasonally adjusted activity in the fourth quarter of 2010 rose 12.1 per cent from third quarter levels, and was up less than a percentage point compared to second quarter activity.

“The hand off to 2011 for sales activity in the fourth quarter suggests that the continuation of low interest rates will further support the housing market,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Sales may be starting to plateau in some of Canada’s most active and expensive housing markets.  Combined with a pickup in new listings and further interest rate increases, the stage is being set for smaller price gains and a further deceleration in the growth of mortgage debt.”

Some 447,010 homes traded hands over Canadian MLS^® Systems in 2010, down 3.9 per cent from 2009. Annual sales activity was higher than CREA had forecast previously due to stronger than projected sales activity in the fourth quarter.

The number of new residential listings on Canadian MLS^® Systems held steady in December, rising by less than one percentage point on a seasonally adjusted basis. New listings remain 14.2 per cent below the recent peak reached in April 2010.

The housing market remained in balanced territory on a national basis in December, with sales as a percentage of new listings amounting to 55.2 per cent. Just over half of local markets in Canada were in balanced territory in December.

Three-quarters of the remaining local markets are sellers’ markets.  “With activity having returned to healthy levels and a firm floor under prices, many sellers who shied away from the market heading into the summer are expected to list their properties heading into the spring,” said Klump. “Sales in the months ahead are not expected to continue trending upward as steeply as they have in recent months, so an increase in new listings may return many sellers markets to balanced territory.”

The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and can be used to gauge the balance between housing supply and demand. The seasonally adjusted number of months of inventory stood at 5.8 months at the end of December on a national basis. This was unchanged from November, and remains 1.4 months below where it was in July.

The number of months of inventory in December rose compared to November levels in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and was down from the previous month in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.

The national average price for homes sold in December 2010 was $344,551, up two per cent from the same month last year, and stable compared to average price in October and November. About 60 per cent of local markets recorded year-over-year gains in December. Average price was down on a year-over-year basis in 30 per cent of local markets, and remained stable in the remainder.

The annual average price for homes sold via Canadian MLS^® Systems rose 5.8 per cent to $339,030.  Much of the increase reflects compositional factors within and across housing markets that caused average price to be skewed downward in 2009.

Denise first noticed vision problems with her right eye and went to see her eye doctor. She was then referred to a neurologist and by this time was also experiencing numbness in her toes which moved up to her waist.

“My expectations for the treatment are that I can get rid of the fatigue and get more energy.”

“I was diagnosed after a year of seeing various doctors.” explains Denise, “I had MRI’s and spinal taps done. My initial response was shock at first. I didn’t know what MS was except seeing Richard Pryor and Annette Funachello. I thought I was going to be in a wheelchair. My husband said “don’t worry, we will figure it out, we will are together on this.” My son was 7 years old and when we explained to him, once we understood the disease, he said “Are you going to die?” I said not anytime soon, he said “ok” and was fine with that answer. My daughter was quiet.”

Over the years Denise has had many different MS symptoms including weak left side, balance issues, right eye cloudiness, brain fog, spams, fatigue and heat intolerance.

“Sometimes if feels like someone dumped cold water down my back.” she says “Not being able to stand up from a chair because my leg has stopped working and having bladder issues are also constant problems. My life has been affected, I have to preplan anything that I do: I need to sleep if I have a function to go to, I need to make sure I am prepared. Some days I stay in bed all day. In the summer, I have to use air conditioning which costs more the summer. I could not go on school outings with my children because of the walking involved. My own mother was very supportive in that role, but I still feel I missed out on a lot with my children. My children are my world.”

Denise was very skeptical about CCSVI when she first heard about it, after all MS’ers are used to “miracle treatments” being found such as bee venom therapy and the like. However after talking with over 80 people either on the phone or internet and listening to their experiences she was convinced of its benefits and decided to go ahead with treatment.

So far she has had Doppler done in Ontario and is now looking to fundraise to receive the treatment.

“I haven’t fully decided where to have my treatment done, but I want a doctor who is experienced in this procedure, not someone who has treated only a handful of people.

“My expectations for the treatment are that I can get rid of the fatigue and get more energy. Just to be better than I am now, even if it takes time will be a huge benefit.”

Denise is now actively fundraising so that she can book treatment.

‘When grandchildren come along, I want to be able to hold them without fear of dropping them because of my MS.” she says, “Hopefully this treatment will give me my life back.”

Husband Doug ads, “I want the vibrant, bubbly wife I married back. If this treatment can even go part way to offering that then it will have been worth every penny.”

If you would like to help Denise please drop us a line

More Stories from real people:

Yvonne Andersen from Truro, Nova Scotia is 52 and since being liberated herself is campaigning vigorously for the right of all Canadian MS’ers to receive the treatment here at home. Read about her MS journey here.

Maria Dekleer was first diagnosed with MS in 1991 when she was just 29 years old, married with two young children. She is now 49 and lives in Carlsbad Springs near Ottawa, Ontario. Read about how CCSVI treatment changed her life

Steve Garvie from Barrie Ontario is now in the process of helping others who suffer from MS

Read more real life stories about MS and CCSVI treatments

Dennis Staples (64) has been Mayor of Smiths Falls in Ontario for 16 years

Dennis studied at Carleton University in Ottawa and has held many roles over the course of his life including working in financial management roles at RCA Records, Johnson-Weldon Company Public Accountants, the Ottawa Civic Hospital and the Rideau Regional Centre.

He is an active member of the American Federation of Musicians as well as being a member of the Smiths Falls Rotary Club and a member of the Society of Management Accountants of Ontario for which he received a Honorary Life Membership in 2002 and having receiving his FCMA “Fellow” designation in 1990.

Dennis has been married to his wife Jackie for 44 years and they have two children Tracy and her husband Jeff, and Dennis Jr and his wife Allison have given the couple two grandsons Colton and Clark.

We asked Dennis some questions to allow us all to know the person behind the politics and here are his answers.

Q: What was the first car you ever owned?

A: 1964 VW Beetle

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

A: 1965 Mustang convertible – because it was my favourite of all cars owned

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

A: It would be too embarrassing to reveal

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

A: My sense of humour

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

A: To have played more sports during my high school years

Q: What do you most value in other people?

A: Honesty, optimism and a positive outlook

Q: Mac or PC?

A: PC

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

A: Punta Cana, been there twice with my wife and it has beautiful beaches

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

A: Smiths Falls, a great place, my family is here and many friends

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Misery

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

A: Currently reading two: A Journey My Political Life – Tony Blair and Titanic Thompson

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

A: Golf, hockey, ball, x-country skiing

Dennis loves nothing better than playing guitar in the Downchild Blues Band

Q: What pastime do you do to relax?

A: Play my guitar and reading

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

A: The best was assisting with Ice Storm 98  and the worst dealing with the job losses in Smiths Falls

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

A: The richest person in the world so I could distribute my wealth to others who really need it

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

A: Spend it with my family and close friends

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

A: Something simple – soup, salad, rice and a small steak

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

A: A positive attitude and strong work ethic

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: Probably my old Tele guitar

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

A: To get involved in the Community, meet people, make new friends

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

You can find out more about living and working in Smiths Falls here

When we last spoke in early 2009, you were working on your second album. Now that it has been released what can you tell us about it?

My latest album titled “Blondes Prefer Gentlemen”

My latest album titled “Blondes Prefer Gentlemen” was released in July of 2010. I wrote and produced all the songs myself except for the one cover song “I Wanna Be Loved By You” first made famous by Betty Boop and later Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe was a bit of a theme behind this album. The title itself is a play on one of her famous films “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. And of course the image of me on the cover of my new album was very inspired by the famous shot of Marilyn in her white dress, but instead I chose magenta for my dress – my favourite colour. I actually first released my cover of “I Wanna Be Loved By You” on Myspace on August 5^th, the 48^th anniversary of her death. I’m very proud and excited about my new material. I’ve had only amazing feedback about it so far and I’m still in the process of promoting it.

What else have you been doing since we last spoke?

I’ve been super busy dealing with lawyers and contracts and possible management deals. Also a couple of months after the release of my second album I released a music video to support one of my new songs. I produced and wrote the video myself. I also did most of the behind the scenes work for the video such as designing & building the sets and putting together my wardrobe. It was a lot of work and a very stressful experience. I had to go through many animators and editors to find the right ones to collaborate with. In the end I’m very satisfied with the results.

Are you planning a third album?

I still have hundreds of songs in my soul that have yet to be recorded & produced… so most definitely.

Who would you describe as your musical influences and why?

Well since my first love of music is in Classical and Opera, I would have to say the core of my music is influenced by Mozart and Puccini. Any other influences would have to be subconscious because I don’t purposely try to sound like anyone or be like anyone else.

What do you consider are the best and worst things about the music industry?

The music industry on the whole is very volatile. I’m not sure whether I love it or hate it. The internet has been the main cause for the drastic changes we’ve seen over the years in this industry and can be the best and the worst thing for an indie artist such as myself. I do know that I love making music, it is the fuel of my soul.

What is your favorite song of all time?

Madama Butterfly by Puccini

Who would you choose to collaborate writing a song with if you could chose anyone?

That’s a tough one. I love many artists and all sorts of genres of music. I might want to work with a style that’s very different than my own, so that there is a cool and unique merging of worlds like with Eminem. Or, I might want to collaborate with someone who I admire like Madonna. I think it might be fun to work with Marilyn Manson or even the Beastie Boys to create a bizarre concoction. But hands down, it would’ve been awesome to meld musical minds with John Lennon.

It is clear that music means everything to you, but if you weren’t a musician what would you be?

Dead!

I watched the video that accompanies your song “X’d My Mind.” How long did it take to make?

It took about 6 months from the start of the idea to when it was up and playing on YouTube. It took me about a month and a half months to prepare the sets and collect all the wardrobe and props, some of which I made myself. I also kept running into bad luck with some incompetent animators and editors, who wasted a couple of months of my time as well. The actual shooting took only 4 days and when the work actually began for the editing that only took one and a half weeks. The animation took about 2 weeks. The rest of the time was just other people screwing me around.

There are many songs and artists that I am very sure that everyone would be shocked about.

What song or artist would someone be surprised to find on your MP3 player?

I just quickly looked through my digital library of songs and couldn’t help but laugh. There are many songs and artists that I am very sure that everyone would be shocked about. I have everything from the expected electronica, alternative, gothic and punk rock, to the unexpected classical, country, hip hop, jazz and folk. Tibetan Buddhism Ritual Orchestra & Chants – that’s the one I’m picking to be the least expected in my collection.

Lets move away from music for a moment and talk about you. What one word would you use to describe yourself?

Enigma

What is the one thing that people would be most surprised to find out about you?

Haha there are many things about me that I’m sure would surprise people. I was an honour student for all my high school years. I was accepted into every University I applied for but turned them all down and decided to focus on the arts. Music was something I never studied in school; everything I learned was self-taught. I am a loner and don’t have many friends, but I prefer it that way I love being by myself.

What is the worst job you have had?

I guess every job has had their good and bad moments. I usually tended towards fields that I enjoyed, so there was always something that I liked, especially whatever I learned. When I was a teenager I worked in a kitchen preparing Tex/Mex cuisine, it was non-stop work and hot and dirty and the sous chef yelled at me all the time. He even threw a knife at me once because I refused to handle any meat. However, I did learn a lot of great things about cooking and now make one of the best vegan Caesar dressings ever.

Are you a Mac or PC?

I wrote & produced my songs on a PC but mixed and mastered them on a Mac.

If your home was on fire, what one item (excluding family, pets and photos) would you grab as you left?

My external hard drives which contain all my music and video files…. and writings and poetry and song ideas… my soul basically.

What was the name of the last book you read or are currently reading?

I finished “Conversations with the Devil” by Jeff Rovin a couple months ago. It was a good read for fiction. I am currently reading “A War of Witches” By Timothy J.Knab, which is actually non-fictional writings on the research and travels of the author.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Right now, it would be my location. I want to live in L.A. The music industry there is better suited for me. Toronto’s music scene is too conservative.

What are your plans for 2011 and going forward?

This year I plan on orchestrating a great live act and doing some live shows. I will also devote some effort into moving to L.A.

That sounds really interesting. Where are you planning on doing your shows?

I haven’t really thought all that through as yet since I do wish to move to L.A. but as I am still in Toronto at the moment, I guess I would have some shows here and maybe some neighboring cities.

And finally, if you had to be remembered for one thing. What would it be?

My words

Thank you Moonlyn, we really appreciate your candid answers and wish you lots of luck with your current album and future plans.

Thank you so much for your interest in me and for taking the time to interview me.

Find out more about Moonlyn via the following links:

Catch up on our original interview conducted during 2009.

Moonlyn has her own website at www.moonlyn.com, or you can check her out at:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/moonlynmusic

MySpace: www.myspace.com/moonlynmusic

Twitter: www.twitter.com/moonlynmusic

“I was diagnosed by the head of the MS clinic at St. Micheals, Dr Paul O’conner. My family was very dismayed and did not know how else to react or help. I was alone with this. My response…wow, then what do I do to make this better?”

Like Maria, Steve’s symptoms over the years have been severe and debilitating. “I have suffered from severe fatigue, numbness in my left hand rendering it useless and my left leg and foot have not been receiving signals from my brain causing foot drop. I lost control of my bladder and suffered from sexual disfunction.”

Steve is now in the process of setting up The CCSVI Foundation

Steve’s symptoms became so severe that he had to live in assisted housing funded by the government. The agency behind the housing: Simcoe County Association for the Physically Disabled provide professional carers and Steve relied on them for many of his daily needs.

“They would come to my home three times a day to help me with breakfast and get me off to work in the morning, then help later in the day when my fatigue set in to help with supper. In the evening they would help me shower as I could not have carried out this task without falling if they were not around.

“The help they gave me was enormous and I cannot thank them enough. With them helping me I was able to still go to work and support myself and retain some of the dignity that MS stole from me.”

Steve was on many medications for his MS, but fortunately his group plan covered most of the expense. He says that without this he would have had to pay in the region of $3,000 per month for his medication.

“When I first heard of CCSVI it made sense and I wanted to know where I could get the treatment in Canada. I took the protocols to my doctor and told her I needed a doppler test. She booked this with Dr McDonald.

“On January 29th I received my CCSVI procedure at the The Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie. It was done by Dr Guest and I was the second person to receive the procedure in Canada. The cost to me was nothing.”

Steve had angioplasty which took about 45 minutes and even whilst still on the operating table he got back the use of his left hand. He could also wiggle his toes and lift his left leg.

“Within days I had no more fatigue, but it took a little longer for some of the other symptoms to improve. My bladder took around seven months to repair itself as did the blood flow to my left foot. Now I have no MS symptoms and only have a few mobility problems from the CCSVI damage. I walk with a cane as my electric wheelchair gathers dust in the corner.

“I am slowly getting stronger and have started physiotherapy to regain some of the movement that CCSVI robbed me of.

“When I decided to have this treatment my aim was simply to stop the progression of MS. The fact that my symptoms have actually disappeared is truly a blessing and I cannot praise the doctors enough for giving me back my dignity and my life.”

Steve is very angry towards the MS Society and the government for not allowing CCSVI treatment to be performed in Canada. He says it is inhumane and unintelligent for them to be dragging their feet over this issue. He has this message for them.

“Even after 40 plus years of going down the wrong path it is never too late to do the right thing. Bury your pride, greed and ego and do the right thing. Stop allowing people to suffer and die and give them the simple angioplasty they need and desire. Discrimination is ugly in any form, when death and disability are involved it is nothing short of criminal.”

Latest News About Steve:

Steve is now in the process of setting up The CCSVI Foundation whose mandate is to help people get the angioplasty treatment they need. Many MS patients cannot afford the procedure or travel expenses associated with it. The sole purpose of the CCSVI Foundation is to financially help those who wish to have this treatment. It will also help those who have any questions about where, who and when to go. Also any information on the procedure or questions they may have about anything to do with CCSVI.

There will be very little overhead and anyone connected with the organization works on a volunteer basis. All donations will be used in the pursuit of saving lives and restoring quality of life.

More Stories from real people:

Yvonne Andersen from Truro, Nova Scotia is 52 and since being liberated herself is campaigning vigorously for the right of all Canadian MS’ers to receive the treatment here at home. Read about her MS journey here.

Maria Dekleer was first diagnosed with MS in 1991 when she was just 29 years old, married with two young children. She is now 49 and lives in Carlsbad Springs near Ottawa, Ontario. Read about how CCSVI treatment changed her life

Read more real life stories about MS and CCSVI treatments