EmmJays Journal

Canada

I came to Canada a few days before Christmas 1969. Friends whom I had met in Spain invited me to spend some time with them in Oakville, Ontario. After a few weeks I thought I should explore this magnificent land before moving on to my next place of interest. A few years later I met my husband here and we bought a house about a 30 minute drive from Toronto. I am still here!

Canada is a great place to live. It is considered a multicultural society as opposed to a 'melting pot'. In English Canada, multiculturalism is defined as all cultures living in harmony, a mosaic in a way, where diverse cultures coincide with each other but do not become diluted or overpowered by another. Well, it sort of works that way. However, in Quebec it is a melting pot. New immigrants are expected to become 'French'.

History Tidbit

The native Americans of North America, known as 'The First People' occupied the country known to them as Canada, an estimated 30,000 years prior to the arrival of any Europeans. Canada means 'village' in the Cree language. It is assumed that the first Europeans to create a settlement in Canada were the Vikings from both Iceland and Denmark. They settled on the east coast of the country and did not penetrate the interior. The conditions were harsh and there was no 'wealth' to be had, so after a short stay, they left. Christopher Columbus has been given credit for discovering North America, even though history has proven that he did not. In 1492 he reached some of the islands off the coast, but he did not set foot on the continent. He thought he had reached India and referred to the natives as Indians. Prior to the 20^th century, all natives were referred to as 'savages'. The word 'savage' is French for 'native' and was used throughout the world at that time as a reference to all native peoples. English speaking people used the word 'savage' also, but it had a derogatory tone and generally meant wild animal. Churches, both Catholic and Protestant once established in Canada, took on the education of the natives thereby destroying their culture, religious beliefs, language and way of life. Today the First People struggle with their identity and dignity.

Canada has two distinct cultures and two official languages, English and French. Both cultures exist in relative harmony under a single government. The Capital of Canada is Ottawa which is located in the province of Ontario, within walking distance of the province of Quebec. Canada's Constitution recognises Parliament as the seat of government and the Governor General as the Queens Representative. Canada shares its borders with the United States of America.

Critters of Canada

I have a great deal of respect and love for animals. Canada has a plethora of wild life which can be seen in both rural and urban areas. I see squirrels, chip monks, raccoons, red tailed hawks, deer, red foxes, coyotes and geese in my neighbourhood.

A few hours north of my home I am able to see black bears and moose. There was a moose on the main highway about 10 minutes from my home several years ago and it had to be tranquilized as it was standing right in the middle of 8 lanes of traffic, looking somewhat stunned.. It was transported several miles away for its own safety.

To see a polar bear, I would have to travel to the shores of Hudson Bay. Grizzly bears are located throughout Canada and an encounter with one of these magnificent beasts may be your last.

Seals are found on both the east and west coast, but the most controversial seal hunt takes place on the east coast. River otters occupy the fresh water lakes and streams all over the country. In the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of Canada can be seen the Beluga and humpback whales and off the west coast on the Pacific side, one can see the orca.

Birds of all sizes are in abundance throughout the country. In early winter they fly south to basque in Florida's sunshine. Robins are the first to arrive after winter and they take up residence in my back yard. The red cardinal is a handsome crimson red bird that loves to eat the berries from the highbush cranberry tree that grows by the side of my house. Blue Jays arrive late and basically make a nuisance of themselves. They are thieves and they intimidate the smaller birds.

When the tulips are in bloom, the hummingbirds hover over the throat of the flowers to extract sweet nectar. They need the nectar to fuel their little bodies for the hundreds of kilometers north that they have yet to travel. Hawks circle looking for rabbits in the summer. The majestic Canada Goose, flying in 'V' formation make daily trips over the house to feed in the lakes and on farmers lands.

My home is a highway for squirrels. These very cute but invasive little critters gather food and bury it in my yard. In winter they make a nest of leaves in the trees that are planted around the neighbourhood. Squirrels will take up residence in your attic if they can get into your house. I had 4 grey squirrels that decided to move in with me and I had to hire a a man to trap them, repair the entry hole that they had made by chewing their way in and to release them in the local conservation area. A chip monk lives under my back deck and he is so very cute. I do get the occasional skunk visiting the yard.

My neighbour's dog got squirted on the snout by a skunk and had to be washed down with tomato juice to dilute the pungent spell from her coat. I am so glad that grizzly bears do not come to my yard.

Places

The north is not densely populated with people, but it does have a lot of beautiful trees and lakes. These are all fresh water lakes that are great for fishing, swimming and boating. A few hours drive from my home I can enjoy Haliburton and Muskoka, known as cottage country. There are some very nice camp grounds in the conservation areas that many people with young children take advantage of. The Great Lakes are just that. I have sailed on these lakes with friends and family. From my house I can see Lake Ontario.

The most spectacular of all sites has to be Niagara Falls. The Falls are just over a two hour drive from my home. The family has visited the Falls in both summer and winter, and to quote my brother, "Unbelievable". Niagara is Ontario's wine growing region and the wines are quite good. Most of the vintners are immigrants from Europe who brought grape root stock with them from the wine growing regions of France, Germany and Italy. Their hard work and knowledge has brought Ontario recognition and many international awards. Ice wine is very popular with the Japanese. I do not like ice wine, but it sells like hot cakes.