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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 2020 Signal Star • Wednesday. June 21, 2017 COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE � BRITISH COLUMBIA OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE... Two members of the North West Company, Simon Fraser and David Thompson, established the first European settlement in present-day British Columbia during the early 1800s. The region was mainly used for the fur trade and remained largely undeveloped for the next 50 years or so, contrasting with the rapid development underway in Eastern Canada. In 1849 the British government invested in colonizing the area, and James Douglas became the first governor of the colony of Vancouver Island in 1851. Things were relatively calm during the next few years, but this quiet period came to an abrupt halt when gold was discovered along the lower Fraser River in 1858. Gold -seekers flocked to the area and eventually formed a second colony, this one on the mainland, called British Columbia. In 1871, the 12,000 non -Aboriginal residents of the Vancouver island and British Columbia colonies agreed to join Canada as a single province, on the condition that the federal government build a transcontinental railroad to link them to the economic mainstays of the east. British Columbia entered Confederation on July 20, 1871; 15 years later, the much -delayed Canadian Pacific Railway finally reached the province's southwest coast. NOT TO BE MISSED If you're headed out West to explore beautiful British Columbia, expect the experience to be a memorable one. This Pacific Northwest paradise has it all: ocean breezes, mountain views, incredible food, world-class wine, rich history, vibrant culture and year-round festivals and events — not to mention Canada's warmest weather. During your visit, you could: • Spend a few hours exploring Canada's first and oldest Chinatown in Victoria, or its biggest in Vancouver. • Skinny dip at Wreck Beach. • Swim in the warmest freshwater lake in Canada, Osoyoos Lake. • Experience the West Coast Special: skiing and golfing on the same day. • Enjoy the booming waft beer scene at one of 100+ breweries and brew pubs. Alternatively, join the fun during Vancouver Craft Beer Week, the Great Canadian Beer Festival or the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale. • Travel back to the gold rush era at Barkerville Historic Town. • Discover the province's diverse Aboriginal heritage at the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, the Haida Village Centre or the Nk'mip Desert Cultural Centre. • Embrace the pristine remoteness of the Great Bear Rainforest, the world's largest intact temperate rainforest and only place where it's possible to glimpse a majestic Spirit bear. • Take in the majesty of Canada's highest waterfall at Strathcona Provincial Park, on Vancouver Island. At 440 metres, Della Falls is eight times taller than Ontario's Niagara Falls! • Leam about Arctic exploration at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, prehistory at the Dinosaur Discovery Gallery, a the fur trade era at Fort Langley National Historic Site. • Tour one or several of BC's 200+ wineries, located mainly in the gorgeous Okanagan Valley. • Attend the annual International Bathtub Race in Nanaimo. Participants must make their way to the finish line while staying afloat in a modified bathtub. It's quite the sight to behold! • DID YOU KNOW? • British Columbia is one of North America's largest film production centres. The province's stunning scenery was featured in the Twilight series. The Hurt Locker. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Dawn of the Planet of the Apesamong many other movies and TV shows. • Rumour has it that from 1947 to 1986 it was illegal to sell a stove in Vancouver — but only on Wednesdays. • Nessie who? Okanagan Lake is the purported home of B.C.'s own sea monster. named Ogopogo. • B.C, has a surprising collection of roadside attractions. including The worlds largest tiro soldier. push lawnmower. chainsaw. hockey stick and cross-country skis. • Sasquatch sightings abound in B.C.. and there's even a provincial park named after the elusive hairy creature located in one of its rumoured hangouts. Campers beware' • The electric oven. egg carton and walkie-talkie were all invented in British Columbia. Congratulations Goderich Canada! 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T: 519-357-1554 F: 519-357-1793 `%ii 746.4 Queen St Kincardine, ON N2z 2Y2 T: 519-396-3274 F: 226-396-1793 DEMONYM People from B.C. are called British Columbians PROVINCIAL NICKNAME The Pacific Province OFFICIAL MOTTO Splendor sine occasu (Splendour without diminishment) LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS Beau�fulBrmish Col XNK00 Beautiful British Columbia A special Olympic licence plate inscribed "The Best Place On Earth" was available between 2007 and 2010 in celebration of the Vancouver Winter Olympics