Presenting: Ottawa – Canada’s Capital and An Exciting Travel Destination

In anticipation of my upcoming trip to Ottawa next weekend I have started to do some research and contacted Ottawa Tourism. Ottawa, as Canada’s capital, is one of Canada’s most popular travel destinations and it has a great variety destinations, activities and events to offer.

I had an opportunity to talk with Jantine Van Kregten from Ottawa Tourism who was kind enough to give me a great general overview of things to see and do in Ottawa.

1. Please provide us with some general information about Ottawa. How large is the city, where is it located, what is the weather like?

Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and its fourth largest city. With the neighbouring city of Gatineau in the province of Quebec, the region has about 1.2 million people. Ottawa is located in eastern Ontario, about four hours’ drive northeast of Toronto; two hours west of Montreal; and one hour north of the border with the state of New York.

Ottawa enjoys four distinct seasons, with warmest temperatures and sometimes high humidity in July and August; a temperate fall with gorgeous fall colours; a cold and snowy winter; and a wet spring.

2. How can one get to Ottawa and what is the best way of getting around in Ottawa?

Ottawa is accessible with direct flights from major centres in Canada and several U.S. cities including New York, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Atlanta and more. Ottawa is a major stop along the Windsor-Quebec City corridor of VIA Rail and bus service also links the city with other Canadian cities.

By car, major thoroughfares include Highway 416 that links Ottawa with Highway 401. Highway 417 runs through the city, while Autoroutes 5, 50 and 148 are the major highways on the Quebec side of the river.

3. Ottawa is Canada’s capital and has played a significant role in the history of this country. Please tell us more about that and the Canadian Heritage Experiences offered in Ottawa.

The story of Ottawa begins with the building of the Rideau Canal between 1826 and 1832 by Lt. Col. John By of the Royal Engineers and thousands of mostly Irish labourers. The Canal stretches 202 km (126 miles) through eastern Ontario to the St. Lawrence River and was built to ensure a supply line in case of American attack (which never came). The Canal was never used for a military purpose and its 49 locks are still operated in the same way as when they were built. In fact, the Rideau Canal is Canada’s nominee to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is expected in 2007, the 175th anniversary of its construction.

Queen Victoria decreed in 1857 that Ottawa would be the capital of the country that became Canada. The majestic Parliament Buildings were constructed shortly thereafter and remain a “must-see” attraction in the capital. As the capital, Ottawa is also home to 24 Sussex Drive (the prime minister’s residence and not open to the public); Rideau Hall (home of the Governor General, with guided tours of residence and gardens available); and dozens of high commissions and embassies from governments around the world.

Don’t miss Laurier House, home to both Sir Wilfrid Laurier and WIlliam Lyon Mackenzie King, two former prime ministers, or the Mackenzie King Estate, King’s summer home in Gatineau Park.

4. Please tell us about some of the major attractions, museums and galleries in the Ottawa area.

The latest addition to the national museum scene is the impressive Canadian War Musuem, which opened in May 2005 in a stunning location next to the Ottawa River. Canada’s most-visited museum is Gatineau’s Canadian Museum of Civilization. The National Gallery of Canada offers the largest collection of Canadian art, along with European and American masters. Other cultural facilities include the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography; the Canada Aviation Museum; the Canada Science and Technology Museum; the Canada Agriculture Museum; the Royal Canadian Mint; the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada; and the Canadian Museum of Nature, currently in the midst of a massive renovation project, to be completed in 2009.

Other museums include the Bytown Museum, which tells the history of Ottawa’s early days, including the building of the Rideau Canal; the Billings Estate Museum that traces the history of a prominent local family; and the funky Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, a four-storey underground bunker that was constructed between 1959 and 1961 as the location to which the Canadian political and military elite would ride out the effects of a nuclear attack.

5. Our readers would like to find out about the festivals and special events in Ottawa.

The festival scene in Ottawa is a robust, year-round affair. The year kicks off with Winterlude, a huge winter festival held over the first three weekends in February. In March, the Irish community celebrates Irish week, and in March and April, the maple syrup season spawns a number of delicious festivals and events celebrating this tasty treat.

May belongs to the Canadian Tulip Festival–three weeks of celebration of Ottawa’s favourite flower. During World War II, the Dutch royal family took refuge in Ottawa and Princess Margriet was born here, in a hospital room designated Dutch soil for the event. Canadians played a huge role in liberating the Netherlands and when the royal family returned home after the war, as a gesture of friendship, respect and appreciation, they sent thousands of tulip bulbs. The bulbs have followed every year since and now 3,000,000 tulips bloom in Canada’s Capital Region.

Late May brings Canada’s largest marathon as part of the Ottawa Race Weekend. Over the summer months, festivals abound: Doors Open Ottawa showcase heritage buildings; Italian Week; the Ottawa Fringe Festival; the TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival; the Nortel Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival; Cisco Systems Ottawa Bluesfest (Canada’s largest); the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (the world’s largest); the Sound of Light fireworks festival; Ottawa Busker Festival; Ottawa GreekFest; CKCU Ottawa Folk Festival; the Central Canada Exhibition; and Pride Week.

On Parliament Hill, two free activities occur daily in the summer: the 10:00 a.m. Changing the Guard ceremony and the evening Sound and Light Show.

In the fall, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival colours the skies; while the La Vendemmia Harvest Festival tempts visitors’ palates. The Ottawa International Animation Festival showcases artists from around the world while the Ottawa International Writers Festival provides a forum for authors’ lively debates. Fall Rhapsody celebrates the splendid autumn colours.

The capital lights up for the holidays with the Christmas Lights Across Canada program.

6. What about restaurants and entertainment / nightlife areas in Ottawa?

Several neighbourhoods offer entertainment options in Ottawa. The ByWard Market is one of Ottawa’s oldest neighbourhoods and also functions as its entertainment district, with over 100 food and drink options in just a four-block-square area. Whether it’s fine dining, a good diner, a cosy bistro, or a romantic cafe, you can find it in “the Market.”

Elgin Street is another popular nightlife area, with an eclectic selection of bars, restaurants and cafes in just a few blocks. Bank Street offers three or four distinct areas along its length, including a popular area known as the Glebe. In the near west end, Westboro is also an attractive option for dinner and drinks.

Of course, one could also choose to explore the various options at the Casino du Lac-Leamy–whether it’s gaming excitement or a show at its popular theatre or a dinner at its five-diamond restaurant Le Baccara. The region’s other five-diamond establishment (two of only 11 across Canada) is Signatures at Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa.

7. Please give us an overview of the performing arts on offer in Ottawa.

The National Arts Centre is Canada’s premier performing arts centre, offering English and French theatre performances, dance, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Numerous smaller theatres also abound, in both English and French, including the Great Canadian Theatre Company, La Nouvelle Scene, Ottawa Little Theatre, Third Wall Theatre Company, Odyssey Theatre (offering outdoor performances next to the Rideau River), A Company of Fools, and many productions at Arts Court, a municipal facility.

From May 18 to June 11, the Cirque du Soleil will bring its production of Quidam to Ottawa. The Canada Dance Festival takes place every two years (June 2-10, 2006) in Ottawa and the Ottawa Fringe Festival (also in June) is one of the best ways to see new productions and new innovations. In

The Centrepointe Theatre in the west end offers a variety of performances, as do the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

Larger events are usually held at Scotiabank Place and the Ottawa Civic Centre.

8. What are some of the shopping opportunities in Ottawa?

Some great shopping centres exist in Ottawa, including Bayshore Shopping Centre in the west end, Rideau Centre downtown, the St. Laurent Centre in the close east end, and Place d’Orleans Shopping Centre in the east end. These centres offer the best of the well-known brands.

For more eclectic offerings, the ByWard Market neighbourhood offers great fashion and housewares; as does the Glebe, Westboro, and some small towns on both the Ontario and Quebec side of the Ottawa River–inclouding Merrickville, Manotick, Perth, Chelsea and Wakefield.

9. What are the outdoor, recreational and sports opportunities in and around Ottawa?

From a professional perspective, the Ottawa Senators are particularly beloved by Ottawans, as they march to a Stanley Cup victory! The Ottawa ’67s offer a window to the Ontario Hockey League. The Ottawa Renegades provide Canadian Football League excitement while the Ottawa Lynx are part of baseball’s International League (they’re the Triple A farm team for the Baltimore Orioles).

But sports in Ottawa are much more participatory than that. Home to hundreds of kilometres of recreational pathways, Ottawans love to cycle, inline skate and hike. The Ottawa River offers unbelievable whitewater rafting, as well as canoe and kayak adventures for the adventurous.

The highest bungee freefall in Canada is located just north of Ottawa, just outside Gatineau Park. Year-round, Gatineau Park offers something for the outdoor lover. Whether it’s camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking or swimming in summer; or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in winter, the Park is beloved by all in the region.

As proof of how diverse a destination Ottawa is, it’s the only location where you can skate on the world’s largest skating rink and play in the world’s largest beach volleyball tournament?

10. What type of accommodations options are there in Ottawa?

There are over 11,000 hotel rooms in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. The major chains (Hilton, Fairmont, Westin, Marriott, Delta, Sheraton, Novotel, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Comfort Inn) are represented, as well as more unique offerings such as the boutique ARC the.hotel or Brookstreet Resort.

Downtown locations are within walking distance to many major attractions. Several bed-and-breakfast providers also offer a cosy alternative to hotels.

A comprehensive list of options is found at http://www.ottawatourism.ca

11. What are some of the major events and big news stories coming up in 2006 and beyond in Ottawa?

The Canadian Museum of Civilization celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2006. It began its life in May 1856, as part of the Geological Survey of Canada. The young museum grew into the National Museum of Canada and then, into the National Museum of Man. In 1986, it became the Canadian Museum of Civilization, moving into its magnificent Gatineau buildings three years later and continuing to present informative and entertaining exhibitions for a wide range of interests.

The Casino du Lac-Leamy celebrates 10 years of non-stop excitement in March 2006. Originally opened as the Casino de Hull, it has grown to be one of the top attractions in Canada’s Capital Region, offering gaming each day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.; five-diamond dining at Le Baccara; an adjoining Theatre offering matinees, musical programming, and variety shows of all kinds; docking facilities; an adjacent Hilton hotel with spa; and conference facilities. The Casino is celebrating with a series of themed activities, including the popular 7 Lucky Days promotion which offers a different promotion each day of the week.

Emily Carr is the featured exhibition from June 2 through September 3, 2006 at the National Gallery of Canada. Her paintings of First Nations villages and landscapes of the northwest Pacific coast, including many images of totem poles, help define Canadian art, especially that of the early 1900s.

In the third Indiana Jones movie, the climactic scene took place in a spectacular desert location carved into the side of a cliff. That venue is part of Petra, located in Jordan, and from April 7, 2006 through January 2, 2007, you can learn more at the Canadian Museum of Civilization’s exhibition PETRA: City of Stone.

The Seven Years War is the focus of a new exhibit at the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa’s newest cultural attraction which opened with much fanfare in May 2005. The exhibit Clash of Empires: The War That Made Canada runs from May 18 to November 12.

Outdoor activities are a crucial part of Ottawans’ lives. This summer, residents will be able to relish in others’ accomplishments, too, as Ottawa plays host to more than 3,500 athletes and coaches during the 2006 Ontario Summer Games from August 9 to 13, 2006.

Québec Scene: April/May 2007: The National Arts Centre has played host to two previous “scenes”–Atlantic Scene in 2003 and Alberta Scene in 2005–and in 2007, it’s Québec’s turn to shine, as the very best of its theatre, music, dance, comedy, culinary arts, literature and film forms the basis of this cultural festival.

Treasures from Beijing: May 11-September 30, 2007: At the Canadian Museum of Civilization, learn more about the development of Chinese civilization while viewing selected treasures from the National Museum of China. There will also be an attempt to provide a glimpse of China’s recent history, including economic reforms and the Olympic Games bid.

Renoir’s Landscapes: June 8-September 9, 2007: One of the best-loved of all the Impressionists, Renoir will be front and centre next summer at the National Gallery of Canada.

FIFA World Youth Championship 2007: July 1-22, 2007: Ottawa has been selected as one of six Canadian host cities for this three-week, 24-nation, 52-match tournament featuring the best youth (under-20) soccer players in the world. It is the second largest event staged by FIFA, following the FIFA World Cup.

Rideau Canal as UNESCO World Heritage Site: The heritage Rideau Canal, stretching 202 km from Ottawa to Kingston, is Canada’s entry to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The designation should be received in time for the 175th anniversary of the completion of the Canal in 2007.

Portrait Gallery of Canada: Following last spring’s opening of the new Canadian War Museum, the next major cultural institution planned for Ottawa is the Portrait Gallery of Canada, due to open across the street from Parliament Hill in late 2007.

Thank you, Jantine, for providing such a great overview of all the things Ottawa has to offer. You have given me some great ideas for my trip next week and possible future excursions over the coming year.

Source by Susanne Pacher

Canada’s Provinces, Territories, Cities

What makes Quebec special?

Quebec has a rich and long history spanning five centuries. In 1534, Jacques Cartier, under an expedition sent by King Francis I, landed in Gaspe and claimed the lands for France. The Algonkian, Iroquoian, and Inuit natives initially populated the Quebec area, but Quebec City was not officially founded until 1603 by Samuel de Champlain. This region was governed as a French Royal Province and was known as New France. However, when the French were defeated in the French-Indian War, France’s agreement in the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave its provinces in North American to Great Britain. Thus, New France became the Province of Quebec.

Today, Quebec’s official language is still French, and it is the only province in Canada that is populated by a majority of French Canadians. French, not English, is spoken as the main language in the province. Quebec has also grown to be the largest province in Canada, with the large majority of its population living near the St. Lawrence River.

Quebec’s historical and present-day multiculturalism is evident through its celebration of the crossroads of cultures. Quebec can be compared to the melting pot between the Americas and Europe, with a population that has strong ties to France, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. There is a deep creative energy that runs throughout the province, which is experienced through plays, festivals, operas, sculptures, art galleries, paintings, and cultural festivals.

The interesting history and various cultural influences on Quebec make the area a very unique place to visit. The St. Lawrence River is a majestic landmark which shapes much of the life in Quebec. The Quartier Petit-Champlain, which is on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, is home to the oldest street, church, and commercial district in all of North America. Old Quebec City is also a historical area, as it is the only walled city that exists north of Mexico. The area retains its history with its cobblestone streets and 17th and 18th century architecture. Within Quebec City stands the Château Frontenac, which is one of the most photographed landmarks in all of Canada. Opened in 1893, its chateau style architecture exudes both historical charm and luxury.

Toronto

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world. With more than 100 languages spoken in the city, it is home to essentially all cultural and ethnic groups. Approximately 52% of Torontonians are immigrants, while another 22% are second generation immigrants. This cultural diversity is symbolically represented by the presence of five Chinatowns, little Italy, a Greek community, Little Portugal, and India Bazaar in Toronto.

Within Ontario, there are several interesting landmarks that demonstrate the history and culture of Toronto. Ontario Place was created to enhance the potential of Toronto’s waterfront through Lake Ontario. Spanning three man-made islands, Ontario Place exists as cultural, leisure, and entertainment park within a five pod pavilion complex. It houses an IMAX theater, amphitheatre, water park, look-out areas, amusement rides, and many other attractions. Ontario Place is symbolic of the revitalization efforts made by the government and people of Toronto to ensure that the waterfront would turn away from industrial pollution and instead focus on promoting a lake-culture.

Over 52 million people annually visit Downtown Yonge, which brims with shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and businesses. As the longest street in the world, Yonge connects Toronto with the surrounding suburbs. Surveyed in 1793, Yonge Street has been host to countless cultural and historical events surrounding Toronto. As a prominent landmark of Yonge Street, the Maple Leaf Gardens housed the NHL team, which was sold out for every single game between 1946 through the final game in 1999. Old City Hall, the Mackenzie House, and the Church of the Holy Trinity are all historical landmarks of Yonge Street that represent its mighty origins and development.

Vancouver

In 1824, Hudson’s Bay Company developed fur-trading posts along the Pacific slope, and James McMillan led a scouting party throughout the area to find proper locations. In 1827, McMillan and a crew of 25 returned back to the area, marked by a prominent tree north of the interior of Fraser River, to create a trading outpost. Thus, this marked the birth of Greater Vancouver. Subsequent trading posts, farms, and mills sprang up around this area as families migrated to the area seeking a better, more prosperous life.

Gastown, the birthplace of Vancouver, was established in the same year that Canada officially became a country. In 1867, John Deighton, also known as “Gassy” Jack for his conversational skills, opened a saloon catering to the workers of Hasting Mill, which was written by W. Kaye Lamb as “the nucleus around which the city of Vancouver grew up in the 1880s.” From that first saloon, Gastown grew into the third largest city of Canada, as well as developed into the most cosmopolitan areas of the country. Despite all of the changes of modernity, Gastown still retains its historical charm and unique spirit.

The popularity of immigration to Vancouver has made the city one of the most multi-ethnic in Canada. A study by Statistics Canada reveals that Vancouver holds the highest percentage of visible minority communities of all of the provinces in Canada. According to the study, by 2017, one out of every three people living in British Columbia will be of a visible minority descent. Vancouver certainly retains the reputation as being one of the most culturally integrated cities in the world. With more interracial couples and lower levels of culturally defined residential segregation, Vancouver is certainly Canada’s most diverse and integrated city.

There is a strong Asian influence in Vancouver. Chinese-Canadians comprise 16% of the total population of Vancouver, which is the highest percentage of residents of Chinese descent in all North American cities. Between the years 1991 to 2001, Chinese residents in Vancouver grew by 86%, according to the census. The prevalence of the Chinese culture is evidenced through the large spectrum of regional, authentic Chinese restaurants in the city. Many families choose to immigrate to Vancouver because of the city’s significant Asian influence. Other prominent Asian ethnic groups include the Filipino, Cambodians, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

Fishing in British Columbia

British Columbia sports the Sunshine Coast, which is renowned for excellent fishing and great weather. This region is surrounded by the Coastal Mountains, with a protected coastline spanning 175 kilometers from Howe to Desolation Sound on the Strait of Georgia.

For sport fishing, the Georgia Strait is an ideal location, as Vancouver Island protects the waters from any tumultuousness of the open sea. Additionally, with the number of islands surrounding the areas, the Georgia Strait is sheltered and free from the swells and fogs of the Pacific Ocean. The prevalence of bottom fish fishery makes the Sunshine Coast popular as well. Red snappers, ling cod, rock cod, tommy cod, and flounder are mostly available for fishing year-round. The fishing for bottom fish is plentiful in many areas of the Sunshine Coast, including Halfmoon Bay, Seal Reef, Bucaneer Bay, Secret Cove, Lasqueti Island, Bejji Shoals, Bargain Harbour, and Texada Island.

Chinook salmon can be fished year-round at many resorts along the Sunshine Coast, such as the Secret Cove, Powell River, and Pender Harbour. In the winter, fisherman can catch feeder Chinooks, while springtime presents the migratory Chinooks. The optimal season for Chinook and Coho salmon fishing is between June and September, while Chum salmon is optimal during September and October. Between mid-September and late October, the spring salmon is plentiful for fishing at the Lang Creek Estuary, which is south of the Powell River and approximately 22 kilometers north of Saltery Bay. The salmon caught in this area during the time period can range between 9 to 23 kilograms.

There are also great locations for fly fishing surface-feeding trout. Hotel Lake, Mixal Lake, Trout Lake, and Garden Bay Lake, are all optimal areas for fly fishing, with March being a great month to catch trout.

Fishing in Ontario

Ontario’s 250,000 inland lakes and shorelines on four of the Great Lakes makes the province an excellent fishing location, with its muskellunge waters and walleye fishery being the most popular aspects for fishers. However, there are 158 species of freshwater fish that live in Ontario waters, with the following being the most prevalent: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Lake Trout, Brooke trout, Chinook Salmon, and lake whitefish.

Rice Lake, with its weedy cover and algae production, is renowned for its ample supply of largemouth bass. Two and three pound bass are quite common, and they can even range up to seven pounds. Additionally, Big Rideau Lake, Georgian Bay, Bay of Quinte, Lake Simcoe, Tri-Lakes, Lake St. Francis, Rowan Lake, Weslemkoon Lake, and Lake Scugog are great locations for bass fishing.

The Grand River is considered one of the best places to fly fish for brown and rainbow trout, but the fish is ample throughout the entire province. From the streams of the south to the lakes of the central area and extending to the northern rivers, trout is easily caught throughout the province.

The Chinook salmon is most prevalent in the Great Lakes by the Greater Toronto Area. The walleye are also found in the Great Lakes, but can also be fished in the wild waters of Northern Ontario down to the reservoirs of the southern area of the province.

Fishing in Quebec

Walleye, pickerel, perch, pike, speckled trout, lake trout, and Atlantic salmon are all prevalent throughout Quebec. With the great forests and thousands of lakes and rivers, Quebec is an excellent province for fishing enthusiasts. Because of the pristine condition of its natural resources, Quebec is often considered “La Belle Province,” which provides one of the best opportunities for sports fishing in Canada. Especially in the rivers and lakes of James Bay in northwestern Quebec, the trout, pike, and walleye are easy catches for fishermen. Between the spring and fall seasons, angling is best in the thousands of lakes and rivers throughout Quebec. The optimal times for walleye are between late July and early August.

Atlantic salmon is best in the eastern region of the province, while fishing in Central Quebec will reap an abundance of speckled trout. Julian and Craven Lakes, the Roggan River, Seal River, and their offshoot rivers are considered the best areas for trout fishing.

Fishing in Labrador

Known as one of the last unspoiled frontiers of Canada, Labrador is an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts. With hundreds of public rivers, Labrador is an excellent province for catching trout and salmon.

Awesome Lake provides an ample area for sport fishing, especially for Brook trout. Exploits River, a Class 1 river, is grounds for some of the best Atlantic salmon fishing in all of Canada, with a run of over 30,000 fish. August is the optimal time for fishing in the Exploits River, which flows through Windsor-Grand Falls.

Humber River, which is approximately 16 kilometers north of Corner Brook, is a great location for fishing big salmon between the optimal times of August and October. As a Class 1 river, Humber is home to literally thousands of jumping salmon during the peak season of August and September.

Eagle River is the largest river in all of Labrador, and it is a superb location for ample salmon fishing. Its catch number is three times the amount of other comparable rivers in Canada.

Fishing and Hunting in the Yukon: the Last Frontier

The Yukon, known to be the last frontier, is an excellent province for outdoor enthusiasts. Considered to be an untouched, pristine province, whose seclusion is only matched by Northern Russia, the Yukon has ample fishing and hunting for both rare and popular species. The Artic grayling, northern pike, and lake trout are abundant in the icy lakes and streams of the Yukon. Additionally, the rare inconnu and Arctic char can be fished throughout the rivers that flow throughout the Yukon, which is one of the world’s most remote and untouched locations.

Wolf Lake, one of the most secluded lakes in Yukon, is known for its excellent supply of trophy trout. With very low fishing pressure, there is an ample supply of trophy trout that can be caught through fly fishing; with the shallow bottom of the lake, Wolf Lake is certainly a paradise to fly fish trophy trout.

At the Tagish Bridge Site, which is located where the Six Mile River enters into Marsh Lake, there exists ample Lake Trout, Whitefish, Lake Cisco, and Arctic Grayling for the fishing enthusiast. Other great fishing locations for the trout, grayling, and pike can be found in many regions across the Yukon, such as Watson Lake, Daughney Lake, Morley Lake and River, Marsh Lake, Kusawa Lake, Pine Lake, Kloo Lake, Kluane Lake, and Pickhandle Lake.

The environment and dense forests of the Yukon provide hunters with a plentiful supply of game, including caribou, black and grizzly bear, wolf, mountain bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goat. In the Yukon Territory, there is an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 grizzly bears. The Alaska-Yukon moose is very popular because it is the largest size out of all the subspecies.

A popular region is the Yukon corridor, which has an abundance of Dall sheep and deer. Another plentiful region is the South Nahanni Outfit with its sheep, goats, caribous, Dall rams, moose, bears, and wolves that all live plentifully in the secluded region. Between July 15th and the middle of August, this is the optimal time for hunting Dall sheep in the Mackenzie mountains.

References

Baglole, Joel. Bisetty, Krisendra. “Cultural Shift Takes Aim at British Columbia.” The Vancouver Sun, March 23, 2005.

British Columbia, Canada. “BC Sport Fishing – Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.” British Columbia Tourism Travel Guide. Available at http://www.britishcolumbia.com/

City of Toronto. “Diversity.” City of Toronto. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chateaufrontenac-quebec-canada-rs.jpg

Davis, Chuck. A Brief History of Greater Vancouver. Greater Vancouver Book. Vancouver: Linkman Press, 1997.

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon.” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/default.html

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon – Locations and Species Found” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/fishare.html

Downtown Yonge B.I.A. “About Downtown Yonge.” Downtown Yonge. Available at http://www.downtownyonge.com/index.asp?navid=2

Etling, Kathy. Hunting Bears: Black, Brown, Grizzly, Polar Bears. New York: Woods N’ Water, Inc., 2003.

Fishing in Quebec. “Fishing in Quebec.” Available at http://www.fishinginquebec.com/

Gastown. “Gastown History.” Available at http://www.gastown.org/history/index.html

Leacock, Stephen. Ulysses Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler. Toronto: Hunter Publishing, 2006.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. “What Can I Expect to Catch?” Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2003.

Montague, Arthur. “Fishing in Quebec: Trophy Brook and Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike are Routine Catches for Anglers in Northern Quebec.” Pagewise, 2002.

“Quebec: Providing Emotions Since 1534.” Government of Quebec. Available at http://www.bonjourquebec.com/ca-en/qcaujourdhui0.html

Shockey, Jim. “North America’s Best Bargains.” Petersen’s Hunting, 2005.

Smith, Charlie. “Researcher Reveals Asian Diversity.” Straight. August 4, 2005. Available at http://www.straight.com/article/researcher-reveals-asian-diversity

Statistics Canada. “2001 Community Profiles: Community Highlights for Vancouver.” Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE, released June 27, 2002.

The Portal of Quebec. “Tourist Guide of Quebec.” QuebecWeb. Available at http://www.quebecweb.com/TOURISME/quebec/introang.html

Wegman, Wil. “Best Largemouth Bass Destinations.” Outdoor Canada. Available at http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/fish/best_largemouth_bass.shtml

Source by Sigurdur Nordal

Canada’s Provinces, Territories, Cities

What makes Quebec special?

Quebec has a rich and long history spanning five centuries. In 1534, Jacques Cartier, under an expedition sent by King Francis I, landed in Gaspe and claimed the lands for France. The Algonkian, Iroquoian, and Inuit natives initially populated the Quebec area, but Quebec City was not officially founded until 1603 by Samuel de Champlain. This region was governed as a French Royal Province and was known as New France. However, when the French were defeated in the French-Indian War, France’s agreement in the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave its provinces in North American to Great Britain. Thus, New France became the Province of Quebec.

Today, Quebec’s official language is still French, and it is the only province in Canada that is populated by a majority of French Canadians. French, not English, is spoken as the main language in the province. Quebec has also grown to be the largest province in Canada, with the large majority of its population living near the St. Lawrence River.

Quebec’s historical and present-day multiculturalism is evident through its celebration of the crossroads of cultures. Quebec can be compared to the melting pot between the Americas and Europe, with a population that has strong ties to France, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. There is a deep creative energy that runs throughout the province, which is experienced through plays, festivals, operas, sculptures, art galleries, paintings, and cultural festivals.

The interesting history and various cultural influences on Quebec make the area a very unique place to visit. The St. Lawrence River is a majestic landmark which shapes much of the life in Quebec. The Quartier Petit-Champlain, which is on the shore of the St. Lawrence River, is home to the oldest street, church, and commercial district in all of North America. Old Quebec City is also a historical area, as it is the only walled city that exists north of Mexico. The area retains its history with its cobblestone streets and 17th and 18th century architecture. Within Quebec City stands the Château Frontenac, which is one of the most photographed landmarks in all of Canada. Opened in 1893, its chateau style architecture exudes both historical charm and luxury.

Toronto

Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the entire world. With more than 100 languages spoken in the city, it is home to essentially all cultural and ethnic groups. Approximately 52% of Torontonians are immigrants, while another 22% are second generation immigrants. This cultural diversity is symbolically represented by the presence of five Chinatowns, little Italy, a Greek community, Little Portugal, and India Bazaar in Toronto.

Within Ontario, there are several interesting landmarks that demonstrate the history and culture of Toronto. Ontario Place was created to enhance the potential of Toronto’s waterfront through Lake Ontario. Spanning three man-made islands, Ontario Place exists as cultural, leisure, and entertainment park within a five pod pavilion complex. It houses an IMAX theater, amphitheatre, water park, look-out areas, amusement rides, and many other attractions. Ontario Place is symbolic of the revitalization efforts made by the government and people of Toronto to ensure that the waterfront would turn away from industrial pollution and instead focus on promoting a lake-culture.

Over 52 million people annually visit Downtown Yonge, which brims with shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and businesses. As the longest street in the world, Yonge connects Toronto with the surrounding suburbs. Surveyed in 1793, Yonge Street has been host to countless cultural and historical events surrounding Toronto. As a prominent landmark of Yonge Street, the Maple Leaf Gardens housed the NHL team, which was sold out for every single game between 1946 through the final game in 1999. Old City Hall, the Mackenzie House, and the Church of the Holy Trinity are all historical landmarks of Yonge Street that represent its mighty origins and development.

Vancouver

In 1824, Hudson’s Bay Company developed fur-trading posts along the Pacific slope, and James McMillan led a scouting party throughout the area to find proper locations. In 1827, McMillan and a crew of 25 returned back to the area, marked by a prominent tree north of the interior of Fraser River, to create a trading outpost. Thus, this marked the birth of Greater Vancouver. Subsequent trading posts, farms, and mills sprang up around this area as families migrated to the area seeking a better, more prosperous life.

Gastown, the birthplace of Vancouver, was established in the same year that Canada officially became a country. In 1867, John Deighton, also known as “Gassy” Jack for his conversational skills, opened a saloon catering to the workers of Hasting Mill, which was written by W. Kaye Lamb as “the nucleus around which the city of Vancouver grew up in the 1880s.” From that first saloon, Gastown grew into the third largest city of Canada, as well as developed into the most cosmopolitan areas of the country. Despite all of the changes of modernity, Gastown still retains its historical charm and unique spirit.

The popularity of immigration to Vancouver has made the city one of the most multi-ethnic in Canada. A study by Statistics Canada reveals that Vancouver holds the highest percentage of visible minority communities of all of the provinces in Canada. According to the study, by 2017, one out of every three people living in British Columbia will be of a visible minority descent. Vancouver certainly retains the reputation as being one of the most culturally integrated cities in the world. With more interracial couples and lower levels of culturally defined residential segregation, Vancouver is certainly Canada’s most diverse and integrated city.

There is a strong Asian influence in Vancouver. Chinese-Canadians comprise 16% of the total population of Vancouver, which is the highest percentage of residents of Chinese descent in all North American cities. Between the years 1991 to 2001, Chinese residents in Vancouver grew by 86%, according to the census. The prevalence of the Chinese culture is evidenced through the large spectrum of regional, authentic Chinese restaurants in the city. Many families choose to immigrate to Vancouver because of the city’s significant Asian influence. Other prominent Asian ethnic groups include the Filipino, Cambodians, Japanese, and Vietnamese.

Fishing in British Columbia

British Columbia sports the Sunshine Coast, which is renowned for excellent fishing and great weather. This region is surrounded by the Coastal Mountains, with a protected coastline spanning 175 kilometers from Howe to Desolation Sound on the Strait of Georgia.

For sport fishing, the Georgia Strait is an ideal location, as Vancouver Island protects the waters from any tumultuousness of the open sea. Additionally, with the number of islands surrounding the areas, the Georgia Strait is sheltered and free from the swells and fogs of the Pacific Ocean. The prevalence of bottom fish fishery makes the Sunshine Coast popular as well. Red snappers, ling cod, rock cod, tommy cod, and flounder are mostly available for fishing year-round. The fishing for bottom fish is plentiful in many areas of the Sunshine Coast, including Halfmoon Bay, Seal Reef, Bucaneer Bay, Secret Cove, Lasqueti Island, Bejji Shoals, Bargain Harbour, and Texada Island.

Chinook salmon can be fished year-round at many resorts along the Sunshine Coast, such as the Secret Cove, Powell River, and Pender Harbour. In the winter, fisherman can catch feeder Chinooks, while springtime presents the migratory Chinooks. The optimal season for Chinook and Coho salmon fishing is between June and September, while Chum salmon is optimal during September and October. Between mid-September and late October, the spring salmon is plentiful for fishing at the Lang Creek Estuary, which is south of the Powell River and approximately 22 kilometers north of Saltery Bay. The salmon caught in this area during the time period can range between 9 to 23 kilograms.

There are also great locations for fly fishing surface-feeding trout. Hotel Lake, Mixal Lake, Trout Lake, and Garden Bay Lake, are all optimal areas for fly fishing, with March being a great month to catch trout.

Fishing in Ontario

Ontario’s 250,000 inland lakes and shorelines on four of the Great Lakes makes the province an excellent fishing location, with its muskellunge waters and walleye fishery being the most popular aspects for fishers. However, there are 158 species of freshwater fish that live in Ontario waters, with the following being the most prevalent: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, Lake Trout, Brooke trout, Chinook Salmon, and lake whitefish.

Rice Lake, with its weedy cover and algae production, is renowned for its ample supply of largemouth bass. Two and three pound bass are quite common, and they can even range up to seven pounds. Additionally, Big Rideau Lake, Georgian Bay, Bay of Quinte, Lake Simcoe, Tri-Lakes, Lake St. Francis, Rowan Lake, Weslemkoon Lake, and Lake Scugog are great locations for bass fishing.

The Grand River is considered one of the best places to fly fish for brown and rainbow trout, but the fish is ample throughout the entire province. From the streams of the south to the lakes of the central area and extending to the northern rivers, trout is easily caught throughout the province.

The Chinook salmon is most prevalent in the Great Lakes by the Greater Toronto Area. The walleye are also found in the Great Lakes, but can also be fished in the wild waters of Northern Ontario down to the reservoirs of the southern area of the province.

Fishing in Quebec

Walleye, pickerel, perch, pike, speckled trout, lake trout, and Atlantic salmon are all prevalent throughout Quebec. With the great forests and thousands of lakes and rivers, Quebec is an excellent province for fishing enthusiasts. Because of the pristine condition of its natural resources, Quebec is often considered “La Belle Province,” which provides one of the best opportunities for sports fishing in Canada. Especially in the rivers and lakes of James Bay in northwestern Quebec, the trout, pike, and walleye are easy catches for fishermen. Between the spring and fall seasons, angling is best in the thousands of lakes and rivers throughout Quebec. The optimal times for walleye are between late July and early August.

Atlantic salmon is best in the eastern region of the province, while fishing in Central Quebec will reap an abundance of speckled trout. Julian and Craven Lakes, the Roggan River, Seal River, and their offshoot rivers are considered the best areas for trout fishing.

Fishing in Labrador

Known as one of the last unspoiled frontiers of Canada, Labrador is an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts. With hundreds of public rivers, Labrador is an excellent province for catching trout and salmon.

Awesome Lake provides an ample area for sport fishing, especially for Brook trout. Exploits River, a Class 1 river, is grounds for some of the best Atlantic salmon fishing in all of Canada, with a run of over 30,000 fish. August is the optimal time for fishing in the Exploits River, which flows through Windsor-Grand Falls.

Humber River, which is approximately 16 kilometers north of Corner Brook, is a great location for fishing big salmon between the optimal times of August and October. As a Class 1 river, Humber is home to literally thousands of jumping salmon during the peak season of August and September.

Eagle River is the largest river in all of Labrador, and it is a superb location for ample salmon fishing. Its catch number is three times the amount of other comparable rivers in Canada.

Fishing and Hunting in the Yukon: the Last Frontier

The Yukon, known to be the last frontier, is an excellent province for outdoor enthusiasts. Considered to be an untouched, pristine province, whose seclusion is only matched by Northern Russia, the Yukon has ample fishing and hunting for both rare and popular species. The Artic grayling, northern pike, and lake trout are abundant in the icy lakes and streams of the Yukon. Additionally, the rare inconnu and Arctic char can be fished throughout the rivers that flow throughout the Yukon, which is one of the world’s most remote and untouched locations.

Wolf Lake, one of the most secluded lakes in Yukon, is known for its excellent supply of trophy trout. With very low fishing pressure, there is an ample supply of trophy trout that can be caught through fly fishing; with the shallow bottom of the lake, Wolf Lake is certainly a paradise to fly fish trophy trout.

At the Tagish Bridge Site, which is located where the Six Mile River enters into Marsh Lake, there exists ample Lake Trout, Whitefish, Lake Cisco, and Arctic Grayling for the fishing enthusiast. Other great fishing locations for the trout, grayling, and pike can be found in many regions across the Yukon, such as Watson Lake, Daughney Lake, Morley Lake and River, Marsh Lake, Kusawa Lake, Pine Lake, Kloo Lake, Kluane Lake, and Pickhandle Lake.

The environment and dense forests of the Yukon provide hunters with a plentiful supply of game, including caribou, black and grizzly bear, wolf, mountain bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goat. In the Yukon Territory, there is an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 grizzly bears. The Alaska-Yukon moose is very popular because it is the largest size out of all the subspecies.

A popular region is the Yukon corridor, which has an abundance of Dall sheep and deer. Another plentiful region is the South Nahanni Outfit with its sheep, goats, caribous, Dall rams, moose, bears, and wolves that all live plentifully in the secluded region. Between July 15th and the middle of August, this is the optimal time for hunting Dall sheep in the Mackenzie mountains.

References

Baglole, Joel. Bisetty, Krisendra. “Cultural Shift Takes Aim at British Columbia.” The Vancouver Sun, March 23, 2005.

British Columbia, Canada. “BC Sport Fishing – Sunshine Coast, British Columbia.” British Columbia Tourism Travel Guide. Available at http://www.britishcolumbia.com/

City of Toronto. “Diversity.” City of Toronto. Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chateaufrontenac-quebec-canada-rs.jpg

Davis, Chuck. A Brief History of Greater Vancouver. Greater Vancouver Book. Vancouver: Linkman Press, 1997.

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon.” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/default.html

Department of Tourism and Culture. “Fishing in the Yukon – Locations and Species Found” Government of Yukon. Available at http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/yukonfishing/fishare.html

Downtown Yonge B.I.A. “About Downtown Yonge.” Downtown Yonge. Available at http://www.downtownyonge.com/index.asp?navid=2

Etling, Kathy. Hunting Bears: Black, Brown, Grizzly, Polar Bears. New York: Woods N’ Water, Inc., 2003.

Fishing in Quebec. “Fishing in Quebec.” Available at http://www.fishinginquebec.com/

Gastown. “Gastown History.” Available at http://www.gastown.org/history/index.html

Leacock, Stephen. Ulysses Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler. Toronto: Hunter Publishing, 2006.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. “What Can I Expect to Catch?” Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2003.

Montague, Arthur. “Fishing in Quebec: Trophy Brook and Lake Trout, Walleye, and Northern Pike are Routine Catches for Anglers in Northern Quebec.” Pagewise, 2002.

“Quebec: Providing Emotions Since 1534.” Government of Quebec. Available at http://www.bonjourquebec.com/ca-en/qcaujourdhui0.html

Shockey, Jim. “North America’s Best Bargains.” Petersen’s Hunting, 2005.

Smith, Charlie. “Researcher Reveals Asian Diversity.” Straight. August 4, 2005. Available at http://www.straight.com/article/researcher-reveals-asian-diversity

Statistics Canada. “2001 Community Profiles: Community Highlights for Vancouver.” Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE, released June 27, 2002.

The Portal of Quebec. “Tourist Guide of Quebec.” QuebecWeb. Available at http://www.quebecweb.com/TOURISME/quebec/introang.html

Wegman, Wil. “Best Largemouth Bass Destinations.” Outdoor Canada. Available at http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/fish/best_largemouth_bass.shtml

Source by Sigurdur Nordal