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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 2424 Signal Star • Wednesday, June 21, 2017 441 � COASTTO-COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE... 1867 Before Ontario was Ontario, it was part of the colony of Quebec, which was home to both French and English settlers. Unsurprisingly, religious, linguistic and social differences soon divided the area's' growing population. Both groups, eager to self - govern according to their own political views, parted ways via the Constitution Act of 1791. The Act split the Quebec colony in two: the French-speaking Catholics claimed the eastern portion, Lower Canada, and the British Loyalists and American settlers took Upper Canada, Ontario's predecessor. Lieutenant -Governor John Graves Simcoe was the first leader of the new Upper Canadian society. Things went smoothly at first, but the War of 1812 set off a chain of events fuelled by political instability and rebellions on both sides of the new border. In February 1841, less than a century after their divorce, Upper and Lower Canada reunited to form the Province of Canada out of economic necessity; but the communities retained their distinct character. When talks of Confederation began, both sides were at the table, with George -Etienne Cartier representing the French speakers and John A. Macdonald,) the former residents of Upper Canada. The Province of Canada was divided into Quebec and Ontario in early 1867. Together, but as separate provinces, they joined the new Dominion of Canada on July 1 of that same year. Many Fathers of Confederation were from Ontario, including Sir Alexander Campbell, James Cockburn, George Brown and the first Canadian prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. LICENCE PLATE SLOGANS ONTARIO SAMPLE • YOURS TO DISCOVER • • 1973-1981: Keep it beautiful • 1982–present: Yours to discover In 2008, a French -language version of the current licence plate was released. It features the translated slogan Tanta decouvrir. NOT TO BE MISSED Ottawa and Toronto are amazing places to visit, but there's a lot more to experience in Canada's most populous province than the CN Tower and Parliament Hill. For one, Ontario's vast and varied festival scene is truly in a league of its own! What are you looking to celebrate? MUSIC Put on your dancing shoes! Top music* events across the province include Burlington's Sound of Music F,,stival, the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Jazz Sudbury, and the one -of -a -kind Collingwood Elvis Festival. FILM TIFF — the Toronto International Film Festival — may be the biggest event of its kind inthe province, but there are loads of other fantastic movie -centric celebrations to check out in Ontario. Canadian creations take centre stage during the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, while the Windsor International Film Festival features flicks from both sides of the border and beyond. Ottawa hosts the world's largest Animation Film Festival, and Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival has a soft spot for French -language movies. THEATRE Stratford is the Ontarian mecca for fans of the stage. The Stratford Festival hosts a massive lineup of musicals, children's plays, pantomimes and classic pieces over the span of seven months. If you're in the area between April and October, attending at (east one performance is an absolute must. MULTICULTURAL DISCOVERIES Celebrate Canada's 150th birthday by getting to know the diverse cultures that make our country so unique. London's TD Sunfest, Markham's Jambana One World Festival, and Belleville's Waterfront and Ethnic Festival all have an international focus, while the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games and the Toronto Caribbean Festival, among others, shine the spotlight on one heritage in particular. FOOD AND DRINK Hungry? Sink your teeth into some barbecued goodness at Canada's Largest Ribfest in Burlington. For a healtf�'er altemative, try Carrot Fest in Bradford or the LaSalle Strawberry Festival. Thirsty? Wine lovers can sample the latest from Ontario's wine country during Pelham Summerfest, while beer enthusiasts can head to Peterborough's Kawartha Craft Beer Festival for a fresh pint of local ale. ONTARIO ill DID YOU KNOW? • Spanning more than a million kilometres. Ontario --- Canada's second-largest province -- is larger than the countries of France and Spain combined. • In addition to pop -stars (think Bieber and Drake). rock bands (like Rush and The Tragically Hip) and hockey greats (hello Wayne Gretzky). Ontario has given the world an impressive crop of comedy icons. including Dan Aykroyd, John Candy. Jim Larrey and Mike Meyers. • The name Ontario is thought to derive from either the Huron word for • great lake" or the Iroquoian word for `beautiful water." Both are incredibly appropriate seeing as the province contains more than 250.000 freshwater lakes. • The Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron. is the world "s largest nuclear power plant. • When Ottawa's section of the Rideau Canal freezes over. it becomes the world's longest out- door skating rink. 11. ,/,rr 1i i i1F • If you don't want the Hilton selling your horse. you'd better pay for your room. Ontario law still has a clause allowing innkeepers to auction off the horse of anyone who attempts to snooze and split. OFFICIAL MOTTO Ut incepit Fidelis sic permanet (Loyal she began, loyal she remains) DEMONYM People from Ontario are called Ontarians PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • The Heartland Province • The Province of Opportunity 441t, appy Birthd*yIin�adat Ce1ebratingJjjarsier oderich!` COI.DWCI.. BAN 1(Cli D ALL Points -Festival City Realty Brokerage' 'Irideperi(oritly ;Jwried driU Operated TODD STANBURY Sales Representative Cell: 515-52b-5691 138 Court House Square Goderich. ON N7A 1M9 todd@coldwellbanker.ca www.coldwellbankerfc.com