Roll up the Rim to Win

Held annually in February, Roll up the Rim to Win is Tim Hortons (another one of our favourite Canadian things) biggest marketing campaign nationwide. The premise is simple; buy an eligible size of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, etc and when you’re done drinking it, roll up the paper rim to reveal if you’ve won a prize or not.

Image provided by: Calgary Reviews

The concept was introduced to Tim Hortons in 1985 when Lily Cup (their paper cup supplier) approached them with a new design that allowed messages to be printed under the rim of their cups. Tim Hortons jumped at the chance to boost spring time sales and launched the contest in 1986. Initially the prizes were just in store goods, but since have increased to new cars, televisions, gift cards and of course staying true to their roots, coffee and baked goods.

Roll up the Rim to Win is not without its drama though. There was a heated legal battle between two families over who the rightful winner of a Toyata Rav 4 was. Long story short; 10 year old girl finds cup in trash and asks 12 year old girl to roll the rim for her. Toyota Rav 4 is the prize, families fight for who the winner is and a lawyer comes out of nowhere and says DNA test for who actually drank the beverage. The prize was eventually awarded to the family of the girl who found the cup. Another issue popped up in 2015 when Tim Hortons added pin codes to winning cups. Winners were disappointed after tearing off the prize tab and being denied the prize because they were missing the pin code. Advice: if you roll up a winner, just keep the whole cup.

Canada 150 Roll up the Rim to Win cup from Tim Hortons with a donut prize!

Tim Hortons is running a special edition of Roll Up The Rim for Canada’s 150^th birthday this year. So be sure to head out to your local Tim’s and grab a cup of Joe to enjoy while reading more of our 150 favourite Canadian things. 

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Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Photo from RCAF

Air show's have been keeping crowds on the edge of their seats since the beginning of time, starting with Pterodactyls swooping over cave people. In modern times, we are fortunate enough to have F-18's and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds to entertain us with their aerobatics instead of giant flying carnivores. 

The Snowbirds were in Barrie, Ontario yesterday putting on one last show, as they prepare to put on a Canada 150 celebration like no other, with the help of the Flying Museum and a special Canada 150 CF-18 in Ottawa on Canada Day.

The best pilots of the Canadian Forces are selected to pilot the CT-114 Tutors that make up the Snowbirds.  Officially known as the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at 15 Wing, near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. You can check this link here to see them perform this 
Summer.


 What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Peameal Bacon

Photo from theBlackPeppercorn.com

Often incorrectly identified as Canadian bacon (which isn't actually Canadian at all!), peameal bacon is a pork loin from the back of the pig. The loin is trimmed of all fat, wet cured, rolled in corn meal and then sliced. So why is it called peameal? Great question. Originally it was rolled in crushed peas!


What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Shovelling your Neighbour's Driveway

After spending almost 35 years on this planet I have realized that nothing else defines Canadian identity or character more than winter.  The harshness of winter brings out the best in us Canadians, you see it everywhere. People pulling over to help others in need, pushing cars out of snowbanks or just giving them a warm place to sit until help arrives. Winter truly unifies the nation because Canadians don’t survive winter alone – they thrive in it together. 

One of the finest acts that a Canadian can commit during the harsh Canadian winter is shoveling a neighbour's driveway or walkway . It’s a beautiful moment when a friendly neighbour shovels the snow off of your drive after a winter snowstorm. Swaddled in snow-packed mitts and salty boots, they’re just lending a helping hand of kindness and some friendly season’s greetings. Don't forget to shovel it forward this winter, it is the Canadian way. 


What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Marten River Provincial Park

Marten River Provincial Park is nestled in on 400 hectares of prime Canadian wilderness in Northeastern Ontario.  It is located just off of the highway by the hamlet of Marten River in the municipality of Temagami. 

Marten River Provincial Park attraction's include water front camp sites, good fishing, hiking trails that will put your weak ankles to the test and a very cool replica turn of the century logging camp, complete with a museum, camp buildings and outdoor displays.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Language

Canadian 1: "Put on your runners, grab your double-double and go pick me up a mickey and a two-four ya keener. Store's only three klicks away."

Canadian 2: "Give'r bud don't get yourself in a kerfuffle I'll meet ya by the Muskoka chairs. "

Canadian 1: "I'll owe ya two twonies and a loonie but I'll get ya Timmies or a pop next time."

Canadian 2: "Beauty."

It is a beautiful, poetic language, is it not?

Canada has two official languages to go with a number of aboriginal languages that pre-date them. Today, English is predominant while French is still largely spoken in Quebec. Many say Canadian French is completely distinct from that spoken in France, and, quite frankly, the English is pretty unique too. Particularly when you find yourself talking to a Maritimer or someone from the prairies, bunch of beauties they are.

Canada's mosaic also means that anywhere in Canada you may hear any number of languages. That said, it only takes a few trips to the hockey rink to have newcomers working in an "eh" or a "bar-downski" into their everyday vernacular.

And just FYI, no one says "hoser" in Canada. That was just an elaborate joke we played on Americans to make them sound silly. Boom.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Halifax Citadel Hill

POST BY MIKE CIUFFINI

Halifax Citadel Hill watches over the city’s downtown core and is an official National Historic Site.  It is a reminder of Halifax’s history and military fortification.

The colonial fortress, eventually named Fort George, has been around longer than Canada itself. First built in 1749, over one hundred years before confederation, the site was identified as strategically important and fortified for various conflicts over the years. The current star-shaped fortress was completed in 1856 by the British Army and fortified by the Canadian Army during the First and Second World Wars.

Today, the site is maintained by Parks Canada and visitors can take self-guided and guided tours, Ghost Tours, visit the Army Museum and even experience being a solider for a day. This unique experience allows someone to experience the life of a mid-19^th century solider, get fitted for an authentic uniform (include the bonnet!), runs drills and even fire a rifle (must be over 16 years-old).

Halifax is a wonderful east coast city and Citadel Hill is a must-see when visiting. Every local is used to hearing the Royal Artillery fire the Noon Gun at 12:00 p.m. 

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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The Canadian Summer

The Canadian summer starts near the end of June. It is around this time that our igloo's melt away and we are left with no choice but to find cover elsewhere.

No we don't live in Igloo's, but the Canadian Summer is as gloriously short as it is spectacular. At least, that’s what you remember during our 3 seasons of winter and you’ll want to keep it in mind as you inch your way along the 400 series highways as you make your way to the fishing hole, cottage, trailer or campsite in Ontario's vast cottage country.

This post is a public service announcement from Real Man Travels to inform you that there are 66 days until the end of August. Get out there and make those days count! 


What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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David Suzuki

Picture from Mary Winspear

David Suzuki is one of Canada's best-known environmental activists. Now age 81, he is an endearing figure to generations of Canadians, due in part to his role on television programs such as The Nature of Things and Suzuki on Science.

Born in Vancouver, BC, Suzuki and his family were victims of Canadian government internment during the Second World War. The government sold his family’s business and they were forced to move east of the Rocky Mountains after the war.

Suzuki went on to earn his PhD in Zoology and began a successful broadcasting career in 1970.

In recent years Suzuki has been an outspoken climate change activist, noted for his criticism of governments for not doing more. He is Canada’s answer to Neil deGrasse Tyson (or perhaps, more accurately, Bill Nye) and is respected both in Canada and abroad for his important and impassioned views.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Coffee Crisp

78 years ago a brilliantly delicious Canadian treat was born. Coffee Crisp, with it's rich chocolaty taste combined with a smooth coffee flavour and crispy wafer, has been delighting Canadians since 1939.

The chocolate bar originated in the UK in the 1930's named under Rowntree's Wafer Crisp. Which was later renamed Chocolate Crisp. The bar was introduced to us Canadians as Biscrisp and it had many different flavours including fruit flavours and more specifically a newly added coffee variation to make Coffee Crisp.

In 1948 Coffee Crisp became one of Canada’s top candy bar products, a position it has upheld throughout the years. In the 1980's Rowntree's was taken over by Nestlé Canada, this included Rowntree's Canadian operations and the Toronto chocolate factory where the bar is made today.

"How do you like your coffee Chris?" "I like it crisp!" (Let's face it I don't know from jokes and I'm no Jane Rivers)

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Trans-Canada Trail

Stretching over 21,000 kilometers, "The Great Trail" holds the distinction of world's longest recreational trail; that's right world, ours is bigger than yours. While the trail is not yet fully connected (goal is to complete the trail this year for Canada 150), it will one day connect Atlantic to Pacific and stretch from Vancouver Island to St. John's Newfoundland. It also reaches up to one of Canada's more northern continental regions in the Northwest Territories.

The trail is also multi-use, with sections for hiking, biking, paddling, snowmobiling, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. The trail winds through urban, rural and utter wilderness areas, truly representing all of Canada.

The trail is a symbol of Canadian cooperation, with over 400 community trails being managed by numerous community trail groups, municipal governments and conservation authorities. Though it is true that much of the trail runs next to highways, it is nonetheless a statement of Canadian commitment to outdoor recreation, adventure and fun to have created such a monumental trail.

Learn more at thegreattrail.ca 


What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Lake Louise

POST BY MIKE CIUFFINI

Through the mist of an inclined roadway in Banff National Park is the magical glacial-fed Lake Louise and the impressive Fairmont Chateau that overlooks it.

Incredibly scenic walking paths and hiking trails surround the emerald-coloured lake. I recommend the Plain of Six Glaciers trail. It is a 10.5 km return trail that offers views of Mount Lefroy, Mount Victoria and the Victoria Glacier. At the cusp of the incline I was lucky enough to witness a mini-avalanche off the mountain peaks in the distance.

Rooms in Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise were warm and super-comfy.  After a full day of hiking the surrounding trails, a nice warm bath and a rest on a bed made for a king was just what I needed.

In the spring and summer months, visitors can rent a Canadian-red canoe to explore the lake. In the winter, part of the lake becomes a skating pad. The lake is a jewel in the expanse of the rugged Canadian Rockies, a real beauty.

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Anne of Green Gables

Post By Cody with a ‘Y‘

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables is the first in a series of nine novels following the enchanting Anne Shirley through her life. Anne has inspired generations of little girls across the country and throughout the world, myself included, to be whimsical dreamers who look at the world through technicolour glasses and approach even the most dire of situations with unbounded enthusiasm and positivity.

Anne arrives as an unexpected orphan to the home of brother and sister Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. The misadventures and follies that follow are those that only a young girl with a flowery imagination, flair for the dramatic and magnet for mischief can get herself into. Their gift of a safe, stable home and opportunity to be a carefree child allow Matthew and Marilla to instill the old fashioned Canadian values (you know, before Kellie Leitch got a hold of them) that turn Anne into not only a respected daughter of their family but of their entire community.  

Reading the melodic prose of a young girl brimming with energy and the rich descriptions of maritime landscapes transports me back to being the young girl who first read Anne of Green Gables swaying in her grandparent’s hammock on a carefree summer afternoon.  While most of my reading is now done on a train racing into the city to a very serious, very grown up job, a few minutes with Anne and I am in a world where even the smallest puddle could be a Lake of Shining Waters and a White Way of Delight awaits ‘round every bend in the road.

The Kindle Paperwhite has been a life saver for commuting.  Allowing me to take the entire Anne collection (99¢ on Kindle Shop!) on the train without lugging around all 9 books in my purse. To win a $150 Amazon.ca gift card, enough for a Kindle Paperwhite of your own, be sure to enter our contest here.



What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Margaret Atwood

Post By Sarah Evans

Canada is home to many accomplished authors, poets, and essayists whose volumes of work have achieved international acclaim. However, none come to mind as quickly as our very own Margaret Atwood. Still working at the age of seventy-eight, Atwood has penned over forty fictional novels, critical essays and poems. She is perhaps best known to us for A Handmaid’s Tale, her brilliant examination of the place of a female in a dystopian society. This novel is a reading staple in many high school English classes, and has recently been adapted into a Bravo television series.

Born in Ottawa in 1939, Atwood spent her younger years growing up in northern Quebec and Ontario. She attended high school in Toronto, and after graduating went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toronto. She then attended Radcliffe College, Harvard, where she earned her master’s degree. After finishing school she held many roles at various esteemed Canadian and American universities, including University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, York University, and New York University.

Over the course of her career, Atwood has received much global recognition for her work, earning her countless awards and honourary degrees. Through her distinct writing style, political commentary and follies into feminism, she has earned a spot for Canada on the international literary stage. She is a true Canadian icon, who shows no signs of slowing. She is truly one of 150 Canadian things to celebrate! 

Make sure you enter our contest to win a $150 Amazon.ca gift card 

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Terry Fallis

Terry Fallis is a Canadian public relations professional-turned multi-award winning author.

His first novel, The Best Laid Plans, was not accepted by a publisher so was released by podcast and then self-published before going on to win CBC Canada Reads and the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. Talk about Canadian determination.

The Best Laid Plans is a wonderful piece of fiction that explores the inner workings of Canadian politics. The story has rich characters and its humour is remarkably simple, poignant and accessible. Fallis’ background with the Canadian Liberal Party gives depth and genuine character to the story. Character Angus McLintock is a modern day folk hero, a crotchety old academic who will do anything not to teach English to engineering students, even if it means running to become a Member of Parliament.  Angus’ diary entries to his departed wife give the story an amazing emotional arch which rounds out well against the humour.

Fallis followed The Best Laid Plans with sequel The High Road, along with four other books including No Relation, which netted him his second Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour.

Enter our contest to win a $150 Amazon.ca gift card and pick up Terry’s full collection.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Tom and Liz Austen Mysteries - Eric Wilson

I remember being in grades 2 through 5 and walking around my elementary school's library and picking out books that had a mysterious or thrilling cover (ya I know, I totally judged a book by its cover). However it worked in my favour as I found some great children's and young adult literature over those years (Bruno and Boots series, Goosebumps, Hardy Boys and much more). Truthfully, though I forgot most of them until I began to write this article, one book series in particular has stuck out. It was the Tom and Liz Austen Mysteries, specifically the title The Lost Treasure of Casa Loma by Eric Wilson.

The Lost Treasure of Casa Loma book cover

Eric Wilson was a former school teacher who wrote specifically to the desires of a younger age group. The books are relatively short, full of action and cliffhangers and are pretty out there in terms of plausibility. But hey, it's a book, an escape from reality. Most of the series takes place in Canada at famous cities and landmarks. I remember as a kid wanting to explore all the secret corridors and passageways described in The Treasure of Casa Loma.

I wish I could say that, as an adult, the books have held up over time, but unfortunately they are definitely geared toward the younger reader. However I believe there is an opportunity for any parent to have a book club with their children as most of the series touches on life topics that can spark a great household conversation.

If you are looking to start a family book club, check out our contest to win an Amazon $150 gift card to purchase any books you desire, you could even grab a Kindle Paperwhite and start an eBook collection! Read more about the contest details here.


What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Malcolm Gladwell

English-born Canadian author Malcolm Gladwell single-handedly reignited my interest in reading. His unique ability to blend the human element with quantitative data left me wanting more.

With worldwide best sellers such as Outliers,  Blink, The Tipping Point, and David & Goliath, we are proud to have Malcolm Gladwell sew a Canadian flag on his backpack when travelling (we don't know if this is actually something he does).

If you are looking for a page-turner to exercise the old gray matter, pick up a book by Malcolm Gladwell and be fascinated with interesting details about things we take for granted as mundane. Better yet enter our contest to win a $150 Amazon.ca gift card and buy the whole collection, or pick up a Kindle paperwhite and save space on the bookshelf for the macaroni sculptures the kids bring home from school!

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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CONTEST CLOSED: Amazon.ca and Real Man Travels Celebrate Canadian Literature

Hello all you loyal readers and those out there in gigabyte land who have been following our 150 Favourite Canadian Things!

Recently our friends at Amazon reached out to us about giving the gift of reading this Father's Day, and as a bunch of men, some of who are fathers, and all of whom have fathers, we were excited to join in.

Armed with our new Kindle Paperwhite we've been diving back into our favourite works from north of the 49th parallel. 

Over the next five days we will be highlighting some of our favourite Canadian authors and books as part of our 150 Favourite Canadian Things, while updating you on our experience with the Kindle Paperwhite. 

Thanks to its high resolution, glare-free screen and the long lasting battery life we have been cruising through some stories near and dear to our maple-glazed hearts.

Amazon wants to go even further, and is partnering with us to give away a $150 Amazon.ca gift card, that's enough for a Kindle Paperwhite of your own!

Do one or more of the following to be entered in for a chance to win:

1. On Instagram, share one of your favourite Canadian things tagging @realmantravels and #RMT150.
2. On Twitter, share this story, tag @realmantravels and #RMT150 and share one of you favourite Canadian things. 
3. On Facebook, share this story, tag @Real Man Travels and #RMT150 and share one of your favourite Canadian things. 

Contest Closes at 11:59 pm EST on Sunday June 18th, 2017.

The winner will be announced Canada Day (what were the odds of that)!

In the meantime, if you are looking for a last minute Father's Day gift, head on over to Amazon and give dad the gift of reading with the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite.

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Comedy

FreeImages.com/Julie Elliott-Abshire

Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Dan Aykroyd, Norm Macdonald, Russell Peters, John Candy (RIP), Lorne Michaels, Eugene Levy, Seth Rogen, Colin Mochrie, Phil Hartman (RIP), Howie Mandel, Tom Green, Elvira Kurt, Rick Mercer, Leslie Nielsen, Tommy Chong, Cathy Jones, Scott Thompson, William Shatner, Cobie Smulders, Will Arnett, Harland Williams, Caroline Rhea, Samantha Bee…

‘Nuff said.

Okay I’ll say a little more.

Canada is an absolute incubator of exceptional comedic minds. And we like to show it off, too, across all mediums. The Just for Laughs Festival in Quebec, Yuk Yuk’s comedy club, SCTV, Kids in the Hall, La famille Plouffe, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Beaverton, Trailer Park Boys, The Second City, Men with Brooms and Letterkenny are just a few examples of how Canadians show of their comic hardware.

Some fun “did you knows” about Canadian comedy:

• The Tom Green Show started as an Ottawa community cable TV program

• Lorne Michaels, creator of Saturday Night Live, was born in Canada. Perhaps one reason why Canadians dominated the show for so many years. Michaels also produced Kids in the Hall

• The Royal Canadian Air Farce was a radio program for 24 years before becoming a permanent television program

• The children’s author Robert Munsch, while not born in Canada, resides in Guelph, Ontario

It is another representation of the easy-going, friendly nature of Canadians that we find it so easy to laugh at ourselves, and, in a nice way, at others. 

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Quest for the Stanley Cup

POST BY MIKE CIUFFINI

Every year, Canadian hockey fans grow out their beards and don their unwashed jerseys to watch their favourite team compete in the NHL playoffs for a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

The Stanley Cup is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a professional sports franchise and it’s inherently Canadian. Governor-general Lord Stanley awarded it to Canada’s top-ranking amateur team, originally in 1893. It became the official NHL championship prize in 1927. Little known fact, the Stanley Cup is not actually owned by the NHL, it is entrusted to the NHL by the trustees of the cup.

Since the expansion of the NHL in 1967, the Stanley Cup has become one of the hardest trophies to win in all of professional sports and is often referred to as “The Holy Grail”. The ultimate goal for all hockey players, coaches, owners and fans all around the world.

During the NHL playoffs from April to June, Canadians consume more beer and potato chips than any other time of the year. They tune into the CBC more than any other time of the year and Don Cherry buys the most fabric for his ridiculous suits during the first intermission’s “Coaches Corner”.

Fans and the hockey world follow along closely with every goal, every missed call, every injury and every shot that rings off the post. Fans, including some of us here at Real Man Travels, have gone on playoff road trips to see some of our favourite teams compete in other cities over the years. But, in the end, it’s the Hockey Gods that will determine who wins the most coveted prize.

With only six Canadian teams in the NHL, and the league expanding to Las Vegas in 2018, it’s getting harder for Canadian teams to bring the trophy back to north of the border. The last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup was Montreal Canadians in 1993.

As the 2017 Stanley Cup was won yet again by Pittsburgh Penguins, at least we know the main ingredient was a Canadian himself. Sidney Crosby from Nova Scotia now has raised the Cup as captain of the Penguins three times. They are also bookmarked by two Canadian goaltenders in Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Quest for Stanley Cup during the NHL playoffs is a magical time. So guys, when April rolls around again in 2018, get ready to grow that facial hair, stock up on your favourite craft beers and buy those poutine-flavoured chips we all seem to love so much.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Ketchup Chips

Giving Canadians red finger tips and weird smelling breath since the 1970s , Ketchup Chips is the classic combination of adding ketchup-flavoured seasoning to potato chips. Every chip was dusted with tomato powder, garlic, onion and spices, infusing smoky, salty and sweet flavours. Since then, millions of chip bags have been ripped open and chowed down by Canadians, who have a hankering for the tart and crunchy addictive ketchup like flavour.

Although it is a true Canadian snack, the origins of ketchup chips are entangled in mystery, with no one putting their hand up to take the credit. The easiest way to tell the story is like this, it’s believed that this red-powdered snack was first formulated by Hostess Potato Chips in the early 1970s, and retailed exclusively to the Canadian market. Canadians loved the flavour and it has been on the shelves ever since.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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I'm Sorry

Photo from Jason Hanley

Hey! I'm walking here! Is something you rarely hear on the town and city streets throughout Canada.

It happens everyday. We bump into someone accidentally,  or we may cut someone off with a grocery cart or ask waiters or waitresses for another cup of coffee. We cannot really help it when our Canadian reflex kicks in, "Sorry" "Excuse me, sorry" "Sorry to bother you".  The classic apology can mean anything from sincere acknowledgement of a mistake to passive aggressive annoyance. It is no secret that we Canadian's say sorry, even when we haven't done a single thing wrong.  Just the other day someone stepped on my shoe and I appologized to them.

The word has spread throughout the world "Canadian's appologize for everything, they are so polite" When you are regarded as one of the nicest nations in the world, people start poking fun at us and naturally we enjoy the humour just as much as they do.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Parliament Hill

POST BY MIKE CIUFFINI

In the nation’s capital, the cornerstone on which this great country was built lies atop a grassy hill. The towering gothic-style buildings known as the Parliament Buildings overlook the raging Ottawa River and the rest of the city from their lofty perch. 

Within the walls are the country’s politicians and policy-makers that debate the country’s current issues and shape the future.

The original buildings were built in 1876, but a tragic fire in 1916 burned them to the ground. The Library was spared by quick action of an employee to close the large steel doors. 1927 the new buildings, as they are today, were complete. The now iconic bell and clock tower was named the Peace Tower.

Parliament Hill is the political and cultural heart of Ottawa and the nation. Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit the hill for the Canada Day celebrations. During the summer, there are changing of the guard ceremonies daily and nightly sound and light shows among many other events and festivities.  At Christmas time the Peace Tower is lit up with a magical light show as the rest of the city shines bright during the Christmas Lights Across Canada celebrations.

Be sure to toss a loonie into the Centennial Flame for good luck. This flame and water fountain commemorate the first 100 years of confederation of this great country.

A huge event and party is planned for Parliament Hill this Canada Day. Iconic and popular Canadian musicians and bands will be performing on the hill to get you dancing and a massive fireworks show will cap off the celebrations!

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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The Canadian Police Chase

One of the funnier commercials that aired in Canada was for Midas in 2011. The commercial depicts what a Canadian police chase would look like if the cars didn't have winter tires installed. The commercial was an instant success and to this day gifs still make the rounds on the internet for those stumbling across it.



The commercial proves that us Canadians love to laugh at ourselves and that winter tires are important!


What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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The Ardox Nail

While the nail dates back centuries, it was a Canadian who brought forward the Ardox spiral nail.

Allan B. Dove, born in Scotland, became a metallurgist in Hamilton, Ontario. It was there he realized a need to create a nail less likely to split wood, and hold stronger than the typical nail. By the mid 1930's the Ardox spiral nail was born. The design has stood the test of time as the Ardox nail is still used in the construction trades worldwide.

Way to go Allan, you nailed it.

I'm not even sorry for that pun

Sam

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Bruce Peninsula

Jutting out of the Niagara Escarpment, the Bruce Peninsula is full of rich diversity and awe-inspiring natural features. Home to two Canadian National Parks, including Fathom Five National Marine Park and the fames Flowerpot Island, the rugged beauty of the peninsula feels utterly Canadian.

The Bruce Peninsula is also home to Bruce Peninsula National Park and Cyprus Lake campground. Along with hosting some of the most amazing hiking trails in the region, the park is also home to “The Grotto,” an astounding natural cave found off the shores of Georgian Bay. If you can brave the cold water, you can swim right into this natural wonder.

At the tip of the peninsula you will find the pretty little town of Tobermory. Tobermory is a harbour town where you can catch ferries to Mantoulin Island and Fathom Five. It is also the terminus of the Bruce Trail.

Read more about an adventure I took to the Bruce Peninsula with my very young son. 

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Hinterland Who's Who

Screenshot of Hinterland's Who's Who

Thanks to Hinterland Who's Who, I know a bit about the animals that represent our country like the illustrious beaver, the renowned moose, the distinguished gannet and the famed loon all noble animals and all proudly Canadian. 

When you are out and about in nature and you see an animal and you don't try to copy the narrator from this series, you are not living life to its fullest. Give it a try next time you are out, it's great fun. 

Hinterland Who's Who is best known as a series of 60-second public service announcements paying homage to Canadian animals. The series was produced by Environment Canada Wildlife Service and the National Film Board of Canada in the 1960's and 70"s, and re-launched by the Canadian Wildlife Federation in the 2000's. While the word "hinterland" refers to an area near a coast line or river bank, the series explores wildlife throughout Canada, regardless of where they roam.

The Loon

The Beaver

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Swiss Chalet

Born in Toronto in 1954, the now Cara owned chain Swiss Chalet has been ingrained into the fabric of Canadian lives thanks to the Festive Special and Chalet Sauce.

Chalet sauce even has its own cult like following having reached the highest Canadian condiment honour we know....Potato chip flavour status.

Next time you find yourself north of the border and in need of sustenance, try a Swiss Chalet Quarter chicken dinner and smother each bite the the liquid gold that is Chalet Sauce

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Canadian Whisky

Go to any all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean and you will inevitably hear a Canadian asking for a "rye and coke" and receiving a look of confusion from a bartender. Rye is Canadian slang for whisky, which is somewhat funny when you consider the rest of the world refers to our version of the liquor as simply, Canadian whisky.

Canadian whisky does need to contain rye, but it is generally smoother and milder than other whiskys, which makes sense, as Canadians are generally pretty smooth and mild.

But that doesn't mean Canadian whisky doesn't get a little crazy sometimes. Crown Royal's Northern Harvest, a bold whisky made with 90% rye grain, took World Whisky of the Year in Jim Murray Annual Whisky Bible 2016.

On the rocks, neat or mixed, Canadian whisky is well-loved, both at home and around the world.

What is 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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