Canada sounds too good to be true. It always seemed to me kind of like a cardigan-wearing, bookish neighbor. The only jokes I ever hear at Canada's expense are about how nice the people are, how cold it gets, or how they pronounce "about the house", all of which are pretty lame joke subjects.

If Canada were so great, wouldn't everybody be moving there? Come to think of it, on '60 minutes' they mentioned the Canadian per-capita immigration rate was double that of US, so maybe everyone is moving there.

So, come on you Canucks, give us the skootleboot, don't leave us writhing in envy: what's wrong with Canada?

As if they're gonna tell! :D

Ed

Since I really am a true Canuck - living in Beautiful British Columbia... I thought I would respond to your question.

The answer quite simply is NOTHING!

Canada - is a wonderful place to raise children. I have the benefit of the ocean - fishing, boating and island hoping. At the same time, we have the moutains (Whistler)! Now what can I say.

We do have RAIN - almost as much as Oregon. That being said, you kind of get used to it.

I wake up in the morning and look out my window. To right of me, I can see Mnt Baker - Washington and the mouth of the Fraser River. To the left, I see Golden Ears Park with it's vast moutain range.

May 1st - Spring salmon fishing begins!!!! Yippeee

OK Doug... That's what you get for asking what's wrong with Canada :wink:

On the negative side....

Our politics suck, our dollar value sucks more....
That's my 2cents.

Lisa

I'm Canadian.
Canada is a great country.
The United States is a great country.
What Americans don't seem to understand though, is that outside of these borders the U.S. is not popular. It's something the U.S. struggles with.
A famous Canadian writer - so famous I can't recall his name right now - once put it well by saying, "Canadians love Americans, but loathe the U.S."
Don't take it personal, there's a lot of love going both ways and we're lucky to have one another.
If you ever want to reduce your blood pressure, take a trip up to anywhere in Canada. It's beautiful and the people are all nice; I know this is fact cuz I know each and every one of them, including the Canadian guy you met once named Ed.

Mig

Heck, I won't take it personally. I loathe America. At times, anyway. Sometimes America can be very cool.

I loathe how we've built an economy around exploiting human failings. I loathe the "not in my back yard" epidemic. I loathe the complacency and provincialism that are championed here as virtues.

But I love how we can come together in a crunch, when it really matters. I love the non-stop ingenuity that breaks every limit declared unbreakable. And I love how we can turn on a dime, change everything, and amaze the world.

So...it rains a lot there? :)

so what's wrong with Canada? not much , in my opinion,
except the politicians, (not much different than anywhere else), and the dollar, like Lisa said. I'm really unimpressed with our education system. Our dollar is in horrible shape: $1 canadian = about 62 cents American! makes travelling to the US or buying anything from there pretty impractical.
on the bright side, in Edmonton we have one of the biggest river valleys around, which is beautiful and kept in very good shape, people here are very friendly, there's a great arts community, cost of living here isn't bad at all, theres all kinds of other great thingsI love about Canada, but I'm too lazy too write them all right now:D The only problem is that since it's so nice here, the vacancy rate is very low (here in Edmonton it's under 1%)
So...it rains a lot there?
in British Columbia it does, but here in Alberta it mostly snows, sometimes fairly late into the year (this year it went into late April!) so the snow can be another downside if you're a driver, but it looks really nice anyway!

- David :)

I suspect I'm a Canadian stuck in an American body.

And dollar values only matter to those who have dollars :)

We Canadians spend a lot of time whining about how low our dollar is compared to the US dollar, but when I went shopping in the Wal-Mart in Riverside California, the sticker price on a barbecue was the same as it was in the Wal-Mart right here in Regina, Saskatchewan.

What that means is that I can buy a barbecue here at Wal-Mart for $199 CDN, but the very same barbecue in California is $199 Us which translates into nearly $300 Canadian - you're paying more for the same thing.

I can only think of good things to say about Canada: butter tarts, saskatoon pie, Roger's corn syrup, Hawkins Cheezies, hockey, to name just a few.

In Saskatchewan we have cradle to grave free medical care. We have very little crime, it doesn't take us hours to get to work, we have as much sky as Montana, if you're claustrophobic you won't feel closed in by mountains or tall buildings.

What's wrong with Canada - all you nice people don't live here. Come on over, we'll set another place at the table and throw another potato in the pot.

Margaret

All to often the people of a country have a government that they do not deserve. It is odd that the people of Iran and Iraq are pro-American while their governments are anti- American. The reverse is true for many of the other Middle Eastern countries. Enough said about that.

I think that Canada and its people are great. We’ve limited our travels to the eastern part, but it has all been just wonderful. Some of the highlights were Montreal, Quebec, Nova Scotia, the Gaspe’ Peninsular, and areas in between.

We enjoyed all our trips even though the dollar was almost at parity and the best that we got was a 15% advantage. It is really time to go back.

Alan

oh yes how could I forget? our sports here are great! long live canadian hockey and free medical care!!!
I find it quite funny how oblivious lots of Americans are about Canada. when my friends go to visit people in the US, they always tell stories about living in Igloos, spear hunting seals, etc. etc. and they believe every word of it! :D
- David

David,

You mean you really don't do that? :D

Ed

No Ed,

We don't all speak french either :D

Lisa

Hi All:

Just saw this thread and had to say something.

I was born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. A great place to be a kid.

Now I'm here in Denver, Colorado. Also a beautiful place but different. There are so many things I miss about home but they are all little things. I miss the variation in stores, the bakeries and unique foods. Butter Tarts, potato cakes, malt bread, Naniamo bars, certain chocolate bars (Mr. Big, Aero, Coffee Crisp to name a few), restaurants like Swiss Chalet, Harvey's, New York Fries, and Liks.

I certainly think Canadian's are a bit more conservative, respectful and polite as a population. There are many American's that are all those things as well just they can be harder to find.

There is certainly a difference is certain pronuciations. oot, aboot, hoose and saying eh? I have the so called accent (although personally I think that is the correct pronuciation it's not spelled abowt you know!) but I was lucky that I never really said eh!

I am not used to the whole health care thing here. I watched a friend get picked up by an ambulance after hurting an ankle playing softball. Before they did a thing he had to show a medical card and tell them which hospital he wanted to go to. What's up with that? If I'm hurt I want to go to the nearest hospital not fill out paper work and show cards.

Canadian health care may have some downfalls, slower service for non-emergencies and so on but you will be taken care of no matter how much money you have, and if your child is sick you don't have to worry that you will go bankrupt trying to give him/her the care they deserve.

I have to say being the result of Canadian public school system and having a step son in the Colorado school system they aren't that much different. Both have severe problems. Our view of the school system is to keep a close eye on your kids no matter where they are and make sure they are learning what they need to know. We sit down with him while he does his homework every night and quiz him on things he should know and sit with him while he reads to us 20-30 minutes each evening and he is becoming a great student! They say learning begins at home!

Ok well I could go on and on but I need to get going. I highly recommend any American reading this to take a visit, many visits to Canada. It is a wonderful place, not all that different from the US in people and architecture (man made things) but amazing for it's natural beauty!!!!!

I love going home! :)

Cheers!

P.S. I'm not french either, although my husband told his mom that I was! Because all Canadian's are you know!


--Heather
www.tudhope.net

What do you mean? We have free medical care here in the US and as long as you're an illegal immegrant. :D
I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and have inheirited the Canadian accent common in that region so I agree with you Heather "about" is not spelled abowt so it shouldn't be pronounced that way. :D Can't tell you how many times I get teased about that here in South Florida.
Canada wasn't so much another country to me growing up more like a day trip over the bridge. I loved it there. I would love to see more of it someday.
DJ

I'll tell'ya what's wrong with Canada, it's too crowded.

Heather, David, Mig, Margaret -- I hope to visit Canada someday, and have always had an interest in the beauty of your country although it's a cooler climate than I would be comfortable staying in for long (being an Arizona "desert rat" ). My first recollections of anything Canadian was Sgt. Preston of the Canadian Mounties (and his dog King, of course) -- I've always loved those Mounties! :D

Then I saw photos of Vancouver, and Lake Louise, Atlantic puffins, etc. etc. -- your country is a treasure trove of beauty.

Your health-care system is one that the U.S. has looked at over the years, and one that I still think could help us fix our current nightmare of a system.

According to the census, Canada's population increased by only 4.0%, and the population density is 1/10th of the U.S. But you're safe from invasion by this Arizonan -- brrrr!! :cold:

Will all the stuff going on here in Zim, we've been looking at the possibility of emigrating somewhere else. But Canada never came to mind, until now! What put me off was that shortly after my parents married, they lived in Quebec for four years and some of my father's 8mm cine films show snow halfway up buildings!! They used to go tobogganing from a first floor window!

Well Sam, it's true... we have snow. For us however, it stays on the mountains most of the time. We have 2-3 snowfalls a year that actually amount to something. I think Canada is a wonderful place to raise children.

Lisa

Here is a shot I took of our local mountains yesterday afternoon. Does this look cold to you?

Lisa

"They used to go tobogganing from a first floor window!"

As a child I'd do this, and, we'd also jump off the roof of our house and then make angels in the snow. One time I came back to my house from a ski trip and we'd had a monster storm and in order to get to my front door from the street I had to surf on my skis. The snow was about 8 feet high. When I got to the front door my parents had to shovel the snow into the house in order to open the front door wide enough to let me in.

And CJ, you think Canada is cold? Try visiting S.F. in the middle of July. I was standing at a light last summer here in SF and a crazy street person said to no one, "The coldest winter I ever had was the summer I spent in San Francisco." In a queer sort of way it made sense.
In the summer months in the eastern part of Canada the temperatures are routinely in the 80's & 90's.
It does get cold in the winter though. Farley Mowat, the great Canadian author, once wrote, "It's so cold your spit freezes before it hits the ground."
The best time to visit is in August.

Mig

What's wrong with Canada?

....what's wrong with Canadian hockey? (Go Hurricanes! :lol: )

what's wrong with Canadian hockey?
no kidding!!! all our teams have been doing awful in the playoffs this year. whats up with that? I thought canada was supposed to be the nation of hockey!

- David

from Mig: The best time to visit is in August

Verrrry Interesting! The best time to leave the Valley of the Sun is in August.

Originally posted by d_kendal

I thought canada was supposed to be the nation of hockey!

- David

It migrated south this year!

Originally posted by CJ Swartz
you're safe from invasion by this Arizonan -- brrrr!! :cold:

I had a friend who was from Canada (Toronto) but lived here in the US. His friends used to find the funniest cards to send him for birthdays, etc. that ribbed him about being Canadian. The one I particularly remember showed a border station. The hut was manned on the US side by an American guard, and a mountie was manning the Canadian side. The US side of the hut had flowers blooming, birds singing and sun shining. The US guard was wearing shorts. The Canadian side of the same building was covered with snow, icicles were hanging from the eaves, a snow drift was up to the window and the Mountie, steam coming from his mouth and nostrils, was wearing a parka...

My friend said it was a fairly accurate perception of what people thought Canada was like... LOL

On Tuesday this week it was 28 degrees C (82 F)

On Wednesday we had a blizzard - I mean a whiteout. I couldn't see the building across the street!! Highways were closed lots of cars in the ditch, tow trucks run of their feet.

Margaret

We're having strange weather this year in Alberta too. we had snow up until late april, then it's been on and off very hot or really cold and raining during most of may. it's been really hot and dry in the last week, so there's been forest fires out in the prairies so it's been reeally smoky in the city here.

- David :)

Having lived in Michigan for most of my life (and being awfully close to Detroit and the bridge/tunnel to Canada), I tend to consider myself as an "honorary Canadian". (: I love it there.

When I was a kid, I lived in northern Vermont, not far from the Canadian/U.S. border. I remember cold, cold winters. Then we had summer (August) :) . At the time, it also was a good place to raise a family -- don't really know if it's changed much. I ran into a guy from Vermont about a month ago, and I told him I used to live in Essex Junction. I told him I thought it probably changed quite a bit since I was a kid. He said he didn't think so - there's still no Walmart there. :D

Ed

Thank goodness

Walmart is evil! Seriously, after hearing that they take out insurance policies on their employees and collect the money when they die...... that is just sick for an employer to profit that way. Especially when you figure their part timers work a few hour a week at minimum wage and take home very little. They up and die and Walmart make $60,000 on them. No wonder they make money every quarter. I won't go into the way they make their suppliers lowball their prices and put others out of business! Darth Vader has nothing on this Evil Empire!

It is unfotunate that Walmart has cracked into the Canadian market. Their rath will continue to kill many more small businesses.

Heather's Rant for the day! :)

Originally posted by Lampy

It is unfotunate that Walmart has cracked into the Canadian market. Their rath will continue to kill many more small businesses.

Heather's Rant for the day! :)


You can say that again! The little town where I attended college, had it's entire downtown retail area crushed when Walmart came to town. The shops were all small, "Mom and Pop" shops and just could not compete. It was frustrating because the downtown was within walking distance for us college students, and it had lots of unique restaraunts and shops...until Walmart landed on the outskirts of town!

...and could they at least plant a few trees in those giant parking lots they build!

Yet another proud Canuck here. I live in Montreal which is a totally fun fun city. I have lived in the New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and BC. I love every part of this country. The people are peaceful, friendly, decent and great neighbors. We care about each other and we care about the rest of the world. Sure, we talk funny... blame it on the buttertarts.

Doug, to answer your question... the only thing I could ever describe as "wrong" with Canada is the rotation of seasons which goes like this:

Winter, More Winter, Late Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Pre-Winter, Early Winter and Winter. :D

Yum!!!! Buttertarts! I miss so many yummy treats being away!

You know your Canadian when you make a Canadian receipe book up with all your favourite treats in it (naniamo bars, butter tarts, potato cakes and so on). I made one for my sister who's in California and included images of The Friendly Giant, Mr. Dressup and other Canadian icons. :)

You don't know what your missing until it's gone....

--Heather

Here's Mr. Dressup!

And Dick Irvin :)

Slightly off topic but I grew up watching Mr. Dressup. The picture has my two favorite characters in it... Casey and Finnegan. Ernie was a wonderful artist and actually inspired me. I would watch his shows and try and draw along with him.

Lisa

I must say the one thing I miss about living back east was the maple syrup. I remember going on a field trip and learning how the syrup was made.

My favorite part was getting to eat freshly cooked maple syrup and taking home a maple leaf candy made from maple syrup. Now that's Canadian!

Back east the in the fall... the trees and colors were amazing.

Lisa

Originally posted by OhThatGirl2001
My favorite part was getting to eat freshly cooked maple syrup and taking home a maple leaf candy made from maple syrup. Now that's Canadian!Hmmm - I always thought those candies came from Vermont! :) They're ubiquitous there too - along with the beautiful maple trees among the fall foliage... Then again - I suppose Vermont could have "stolen" the idea from across the border. ;)
Jeanie

Thanks for the picks everyone! :)

Lisa where did you grow up? I'm just curious because I'm from Southern Ontario (Burlington) and we did the same type of field trip at Mountsburg Park (sp??). Actually we played some game about carnivors, omivors and herbivors followed by tapping trees, boiling sap, drinking syrup and of course eating maple candy.

The strange Canadian I am, I'm not overly fond of the candy..... But I guess we're all entitled to like and dislike things!

Cheers! And happy day after Memorial day/ week after Victoria day to those in North America!

--Heather

Well... purhaps belabouring the sugar thread here, I hate to tell you jeaniesa, but Quebec produces 90% of the maple syrup in the world. Vermont and Ontario make most of the remainder.

Mr Dressup will be saddly missed. My son actually cried when he heard the news... and he's 25!

Lampy... I think what I would miss the most is Tim Horton's.

I'm not sure what this thread has to do with photo retouching but Doug started it and... well, I'm new here (2 days) and I feel like I've stumbled upon a treasure.

Is this an amazing site or what?

It has already helped me improve my skills and given me a wealth of information as I struggle to get my new business off the ground.
(I'm still pushing it along the ground at this point)
:eek:

My grandparents were from Montreal. They moved to Vermont soon after they were married. And yes, I also went on a field trip (in Vt.) to see how maple syrup was made. In fact, as a kid, my friends and I would tap our own maple trees (in woods that didn't belong to us), and make syrup on the kitchen stove. It always amazed me to see how much sap it took to make syrup. Personally, I don't like genuine maple syrup at all! :dizzy:

Ed

A belated welcome to the RetouchPRO site Marie (ravenmd)! :) I felt the same way about "finding a treasure" when I found this site too! And you'll definitely get a lot of help getting your business off the ground, so don't feel shy about asking questions. (Oh - and in this Salon forum, we talk about anything we want, essentially anything that's "off-topic" from restoration/retouching.)

I guess my US-centric focus got the best of me. In the US, the only "real" maple syrup I've ever seen is "Real Vermont Maple Syrup". And, having gone to the University of Vermont, I did notice there is an awful lot of maple syrup in that state. Never thought about where Vermont stood in the world market of maple syrup commodities though! ;) Thanks for putting me straight on that. :)

Ed - how can you NOT like real maple syrup!?!?! I actually agree with Heather that the candy is a bit too much (I like it only in very small doses), but the actual syrup is heaven! Well, that's my opinion anyway. ;)

Jeanie

You're more than welcome to my share. :D

Ed

I can understand Ed. I never liked maple syrup as a kid. I would use corn syrup when everyone else put maple syrup on their pancakes. It's starting to grow on me over the past few years and I like it more and more now.

I do miss Tim Horton's!!!! I thought Denver was a donut void for a while but my husband found a place near by that sells great chocolate glazed donuts that are as good as Tim Horton's so I'm very happy now! We also have a couple of new Krispy Kreams but I don't like them at all. The donuts melt in your mouth (raised not cake) and basically it's like eating sugar without any donut!

Hummmm it's sad that I've probably posted more to this thread than to all the others combined! Oh well it's fun anyway.

-Heather

sugaring off - everyone should try it

Mmmmmmm. :D

Hey Lampy,

I grew up in the Toronto area - very close to Black Creek Pioneer Village. I remember playing the same game and tapping the trees. Mig's picture is exactly what we used to do.

I think I'll make pancakes tomorrow morning. I need a maple syrup fix!

Lisa

I was working most of the day yesterday, so i didn't have time to come on here, but
HAPPY BELATED CANADA DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!

- David

Well Happy Canada Day to you too!!!



(ummmm... What is Canada Day?)

Well at least you didn't call it Canadian Day like the recent Yahoo travel ad.

The origin of Canada Day.....

Canada Day celebrates the events that occurred on July 1, 1867, when the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. The BNA Act proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada," hence the original title of the holiday, "Dominion Day." Dominion Day was officially renamed "Canada Day" by an Act of Parliament on October 27, 1982. This change reflected the policy of successive governments to downplay Canada's colonial origins. Canada's national celebration is always observed on July 1, unless that date falls on a Sunday, in which case it is observed the following day.

That's today's history lesson....so now you know!!!

Happy belated Canada Day and early 4th of July!

--Heather

Originally posted by Lampy
Well at least you didn't call it Canadian Day like the recent Yahoo travel ad.

:eek: ouch, i never heard about that one. it's Yahoo, a big company, they should've known better.

- David :)

Lived so close to Canada for so many years and I never heard of that. Thanks for the History lesson.
DJ

I haven't read all the messages......But. I like Canada.
When I bought a slice of pizza and a coke with a ten dollar bill(American). Not only did I get my ten dollars back.....but with change. What a country......... This was in Montreal. The people their, love the "La Forum". Where the Canadians play.

What's wrong with Canada ? They have to learn how to make money.......... In the pizza business anyway.

I love going to Three Rivers. That's a city between Montreal and Quebec. They have a KFC their. And the sign and menu is in French( I just can't see "The Colonel" speaking French). When I tried to place an order in English.....The lady looked at me weird (spoke to me in French).......I don't know....... Maybe it was my N.Y. accent that got her...........If it wasn't for Susan who understands French. I still be their ordering.

The falls are great........Canada side.

Going back again......This summer.

My husband and I are leaving today for our cottage in Long Beach (near Welland & Port Colborne) on Lake Erie.

We both grew up spending our family vacations there, and loved it so much, when an opportunity came up, we bought the cottage. It's nothing grand, but we love it.

Traveling back and forth between the two countries, I can really appreciate the cultural differences. But what impresses me the most, is how much more the Canadian government and people protect, and enhance the natural beauty of their country. For anyone who has ever visited Niagara Falls, you know what I mean. The US side is an embarrassment to all. I can't tell you how disgusted I am to drive through Niagara Falls, NY. This city has a natural wonder of the world, yet through bad politics and planning, it's an ugly slum area. Cross the bridge into Canada, and you'll see how it should be.

Originally posted by john_opitz
What a country......... This was in Montreal. The people their, love the "La Forum". Where the Canadians play.



uh.. hate to tell you John, but they don't play at the Forum anymore. It's now a movie theatre and museum of sorts. Most people find it quite tacky and a bit sacreligeous to turn such a landmark into a cheap commercial venue.. but I digress.. The team plays at the new Molson Center.

Montreal is still a cool city. Come here.. we speak english as well as french.

Just discovered this thread and have to throw in my thoughts.

Back in 98 (that's NINETEEN ninety eight, thank you) I decided to realize a life time ambition of becoming a total, shiftless, worthless bum, and so I bought a van with a bed and hit the road for Canada. I spent three months kicking around up in the far north, all the way to Inuvik (for the one or two people in the world who know where that's at...for the others, somewhere north of the Arctic Circle) and this is what I learned.

- British Columbia is better than sex. (OK, almost anyway.)

- Camping on the tundra is beautuful and the solitude is incredible and the experience is worth the oppresive loneliness of knowing there ain't nobody nowhere anywhere no how. (They didn't teach me grammar in Canada.)

- Smoked salmon purchased from a First Nations lady (Eskimo to those not in the know) is an acquired taste, but worth acquiring.

- There are BAZILLIONS of stars in the sky.

- Canada DOES have four seasons....June, July, August, and Winter.

- Canadians are reserved compared to us from the states, but, have a wonderful sense of decorum and and a polite and dignified attitude that I found VERY appealing.

- Big. bustling cities can be absolutely beautiful and tranquil. (Ever been to Edmonton? GO!)

- Lakes really are blue and trees really are green.

I gotta quit because writing this is making me wonder why I ever came back.

Originally posted by Hankster65
...I decided to realize a life time ambition of becoming a total, shiftless, worthless bum, and so I bought a van with a bed and hit the road for Canada.

:bigthmb:
I like that idea...I should try it!

I vote the title of this thread be changed to

What's awesome about Canada!

Cheers!

--Heather

Originally posted by Hankster65

I spent three months kicking around up in the far north, all the way to Inuvik (for the one or two people in the world who know where that's at...for the others, somewhere north of the Arctic Circle) and this is what I learned.

- British Columbia is better than sex. (OK, almost anyway.)

- There are BAZILLIONS of stars in the sky.

- Lakes really are blue and trees really are green.

I gotta quit because writing this is making me wonder why I ever came back.

I like your attitude Tim! :cool:

Makes me want to hit the road and make that trip back to northern BC where I was born.. and have not been back to since a baby. (eons ago)


... bazillions of stars eh?

Yeah, that's right....BAZILLIONS!!!

My goodness, Ravin' Mad, why did you ever leave?

Hey, G. Couch (say it fast enough and it comes out "grouch") you should read a book called "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Moon. Then again, maybe you shouldn't....cuz if you do you'll probably sell the SUV and the 200w stereo and the etc, and buy a dumpy old VW bus and hit the road and not know where you're going and end up who knows where. I'm tellin' ya, that book is POISON!

[Heaven help us if you end up in Dawson City, Yukon.....we may never hear from you again.]

"Ravin Mad"? :D

Actually, I don't think I had much say in the decision to leave. My parents went globetrotting and I had to follow. I have never actually seen northern BC up close and personal. I just have this strong feeling about it from the amazing story my parents told me about my birth there. (yes there is a story) There were only native people living there at the time until my parents (from Quebec) produced a baby there. It seems they were very welcoming and considered me one of them.

Originally posted by Hankster65
Back in 98 (that's NINETEEN ninety eight, thank you) I decided to realize a life time ambition of becoming a total, shiftless, worthless bum, and so I bought a van with a bed and hit the road for Canada. I spent three months kicking around up in the far north, all the way to Inuvik (for the one or two people in the world who know where that's at...for the others, somewhere north of the Arctic Circle) and this is what I learned.
well your not the only one who knows where inuvik is, most canadians know by now.


- Camping on the tundra is beautuful and the solitude is incredible and the experience is worth the oppresive loneliness of knowing there ain't nobody nowhere anywhere no how. (They didn't teach me grammar in Canada.)
living within easy driving distance of mountains is one of the best things about canada. I love going out camping for a relaxing weekend!!!

- Canada DOES have four seasons....June, July, August, and Winter.
soooo true.

- Big. bustling cities can be absolutely beautiful and tranquil. (Ever been to Edmonton? GO!)
yes! come to Edmonton!! (my hometown) we have the biggest riverl valley around (maaany square miles) that goes right through the middle of the city, going for walks/bike trips through there is one of my favorite things to do, it looks beautiful, smells great etc.

- Lakes really are blue and trees really are green.

I gotta quit because writing this is making me wonder why I ever came back.
it's especially like that in the mountains, the lakes there are beautiful. and at the glaciars you can drink the most pure water around pretty much, fresh off the ice in little streams coming down, it's reeeally great tasting. You should at least come back to visit then!!

- David :)