Canada: An Overview

Introduction

Consistently rated one of the top countries for quality of life, Canada is a land of vast open spaces and a generally relaxed pace, with a vibrant, multicultural society and plenty to offer visitors of all ages and interests.

Living standards are generally high, though the cost of living varies substantially. Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are the most expensive areas, and Charlottetown, Winnipeg and Edmonton less so.

Thousands of Britons have already bought second homes in Canada, a trend that is increasing. Many Canadian properties are aimed at the UK market, ranging from flats in central Toronto to apartments and chalets at the ski and sports resorts now being built across the country. In some Canadian resort developments, more than half the buyers are British.

Geography

Canada is bordered to the south by the US, to the northwest by Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic and to the west by the Pacific. Slightly larger than the US, it is the world’s second largest country (after Russia) and its northernmost one, extending through the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.

The country has a huge variety of landscapes, with magnificent lakes and forests, mountains, plains and even its own desert, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

The Great Plains, or prairies, cover Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastern Alberta. Western Canada has the Rocky Mountains, whilst the east is home to most of the major cities and Canada’s most popular visitor attraction, Niagara Falls. The highest point is Mount Logan (5,959m) in southwest Yukon.

Climate and weather

The Canadian climate varies greatly, from the extreme cold of the Arctic regions to the moderate temperatures of the more southerly latitudes, which, in contrast to the areas of permafrost, show pronounced seasonal variations.

In the Atlantic Provinces, summer heat and winter cold are modified by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in significant rain and fog. On the west coast, the warm Pacific Ocean currents bring mild summers, high humidity and copious rainfall. The Great Plains are relatively dry throughout the year.

Winters are universally long and extremely cold. In two-thirds of Canada, the average January temperature is -18 degrees Celsius. July and August are the warmest months, temperatures in the south reaching the high 20s Celsius.

History

For thousands of years, Canada was inhabited by aboriginal peoples, now known as First Nations. The earliest Europeans to arrive there, in around AD 1000, were probably from Greenland.

John Cabot reached Newfoundland in 1497, establishing the basis of the English claim to Canada. During the 1530s, Jacques Cartier led several expeditions to the region, which he claimed for France. These rival claims formed the basis of arguments about separatism that continue into the present.

France sent the first large group of settlers in the 17th century but the British dominated Canada until it won independence in the 20th century. The Dominion of Canada, a new nation, was created in 1867. It is still growing and changing.

Culture

Living in such an enormous country, Canadians naturally enjoy a wide variety of lifestyles. Even the major cities differ significantly in ambience, depending on their location. Vancouver, for example, has a relaxed west-coast feel, while the pace of life is faster in eastern cities like Toronto and Ottawa.

In the past, Canadian culture was strongly influenced by English, French, Irish and Scottish traditions. More recently, American cultural influences have predominated. In reaction to this, a vigorous and distinctive Canadian identity has developed in recent years, encouraged by a federal government focus on programmes, laws and institutions to support culture and the arts, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Policies to promote multiculturalism have been in place since the 1970s.

Politics and government

Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy with a federal system of government. Queen Elizabeth II is head of state, represented in Canada by a governor general. As in the UK, the leader of the political party that commands a majority in the House of Commons holds the position of prime minister. Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is the seat of government.

The federation is composed of 10 provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan) and three territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).

The provinces enjoy a high degree of autonomy, the territories rather less. Such matters as health provision, property title, rental regulations and local and federal taxes are dealt with at provincial level.

Healthcare

Canada’s medical system, known as Medicare but not the same as the US system of the same name, is similar to the NHS. Treatment is free at the point of need and the standard of care generally excellent, but waiting lists are often long, as are queues in casualty departments.

Non-residents are not entitled to free treatment, charges being anywhere from $50 to $1,000 per day. In some provinces, doctors and hospitals add a surcharge to treatment given to foreign nationals. It is therefore essential that visitors have comprehensive insurance to cover potential medical expenses.

Those unfortunate enough to suffer an accident can be assured that medical services will be provided quickly and charged for later.

Sightseeing

As well as spectacular scenery, Canada boasts cosmopolitan cities with a mix of contemporary and historic attractions.

Vancouver is set in the natural harbour of English Bay against a backdrop of mountains. Its renovated Victorian Gastown contains bars, restaurants, shops and galleries. The highlight of lively Chinatown is Dr Sun Yat-Sen’s Classical Chinese Garden. Stanley Park provides outstanding views.

Quebec is known for its ancient walls, narrow streets and stone buildings. Its historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walled Old Upper Town is connected to the Old Lower Town by staircases and a funicular. Place Royale, the heart of the Lower Town, is full of bars, restaurants and galleries. Quebec’s Citadelle is one of Canada’s great national historic sites.

The great outdoors

Canada is famous for the splendour of its scenery. Its mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and oceans provide opportunities for a range of outdoor pursuits, including golf, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, riding, fishing, canoeing, rafting, whale watching and even dog-sledding. Depending on location, you may be lucky enough to spot bald eagles, bears, lynxes, wolves or moose.

The country has more than 40 national parks, created to preserve the best of the Canadian landscape and make it accessible to visitors. These include Banff National Park in the Rockies, the country\'s first national park, created in 1885, and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It is fitting that Niagara Falls, one of Canada’s greatest natural wonders, is its most visited attraction.

Shopping

Like the rest of North America, Canada has many indoor malls, the harsh winters making it desirable to be able to enjoy shopping and entertainment facilities under one roof, without having to brave the cold. These include West Edmonton Mall, the world’s second largest retail and entertainment complex, which has more than 800 shops (including eight department stores), over 100 restaurants, six visitor attractions and a hotel.

If such huge complexes seem too impersonal, there are also smaller, specialist malls in some places, selling such items as antiques, and plenty of attractive town and city centres throughout the country where you can buy everything from designer fashion to sports equipment and from books and collectibles to local produce, crafts and souvenirs.

Eating out

Eating out in Canada is cheap compared to the UK. Portions are generous, service excellent and children welcome everywhere. Larger towns and cities have a wide selection of bars, restaurants and cafés, including not only the ubiquitous American chains but also an abundance of ethnic and speciality restaurants of every nationality serving good food to suit every taste and budget. Even in rural areas, there are plenty of smaller, family-run establishments offering good value.

Almost every café and restaurant has a non-smoking area and increasing numbers are smoke-free.

Each province and territory sets its own legal drinking age. In British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, the Atlantic Provinces and Northwest Territories, it is 19. In Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba, it is 18.

Entertainment

Music, cultural, sports and other festivals and events are held throughout Canada, featuring everything from country and western music to Shakespeare.

Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver provide a diverse range of evening entertainment for all tastes, from pubs, karaoke bars and clubs playing every conceivable type of contemporary music to opera, ballet and theatre. In ski resorts like Whistler, the after-dark scene tends to be particularly lively.

The nightlife of Montreal and Quebec City is distinctly French in flavour. Many bars hold regular music nights, jazz being especially popular.

In Calgary, side by side with live country and western music, bars and pubs, there are ballet and opera companies, a symphony orchestra and several theatre companies.

Sport and leisure

Ice hockey is by far Canada’s biggest spectator sport and an important part of its culture. Curling is also popular, as are lacrosse, the country’s national summer game, and Canadian football, which, like its American cousin, is derived from rugby but has evolved differently. Soccer is popular in youth leagues, but not at professional level as it is in Europe and other parts of the world.

Those wanting to participate rather than spectate will find Canada’s range of sports and leisure opportunities as varied as its landscapes. According to location, you can enjoy, among other activities, some of the finest skiing, golfing, sailing, windsurfing, angling/fishing and wildlife watching in the world.

Public holidays

In addition to New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Christmas Day, Canada’s national holidays are:

• Victoria Day (Monday before 25 May)
• Canada Day (1 July)
• Labour Day (first Monday in September)
• Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October)
• Remembrance Day

Banks are closed and shops may either be closed altogether or operate restricted opening hours.

The following regional holidays are also celebrated:

• Family Day – Alberta (third Monday in February)
• St Patrick’s Day – Newfoundland (Monday nearest to 17 March)
• St George’s Day – Newfoundland (Monday nearest to 23 April)
• National Day (or St-Jean-Baptiste Day) – Quebec (24 June)
• Discovery Day – Newfoundland (Monday nearest to 24 June)
• Orangemen’s Day – Newfoundland (Monday nearest to 12 July)
• Discovery Day – Yukon (third Monday in August)

Getting there

Canada has international airports in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. All offer a choice of flights and operators but some are better served than others and not all provide direct flights to the UK.

Flights are available from a number of UK airports, including Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London (Gatwick, Heathrow and Stansted), Manchester and Teesside. Scheduled flight operators include American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Low-cost flights are operated by, among others, Thomsonfly Charter and Zoom Airlines, a Canadian company.

Flight times vary according to UK departure airport and Canadian destination. Toronto is around 8 hours from London by direct flight and Vancouver about 9.5 hours.