Goderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 2828 Signal Star • Wednesday, June 21, 2017
COAST-TO-COAST PRIDE
OFFICIALLY
CANADIAN SINCE...
1873
Construction of a railroad on Prince Edward Island left
the colony with a crippling debt. Confederation was the
solution to this financial disaster, as well as an answer
to the so-called Land Question (a highly contentious
issue involving. the system of land ownership on the
Island). Canada agreed to pay out the railway debt
and buy land from absentee landlords, and further
promised to implement and maintain a year-round
communication Zink with the Island. On July 1, 1873,
it became official: P.E.I. was the seventh province to
enter the Canadian Confederation. The occasion was
observed in Charlottetown with a small ceremony and
celebration.
However, all of this occurred Tess than ten years
after the Charlottetown Conference, during which the
Maritime colonies and the Province of Canada (Quebec
and Ontario) first began to put together the ideas
that led to Confederation. Unlike the other colonies
involved, Prince Edward Island ultimately declined
to partake in the union, feeling that the terms were
disagreeable. Still, P.E.I.'s original involvement in the
preliminary talks led to the province touting itself as
the birthplace of Confederation.
PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES
• ile Saint-Jean was the province's name
prior to 1799
• Garden of the Gulf
• Eilean a' Phrionnsa
(Island of the Prince in Gaelic)
• Epekwitk (Resting on the Waves in Mi'kmaq)
• Birthplace of Confederation or Cradle
of Confederation
DEMONYM
People from P.E.I. are called Prince Edward
Islanders, or simply Islanders
OFFICIAL MOTTO
Parva sub ingenti
(The small under the protection of the great)
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND'
NOT TO BE MISSED
FRESH, WILD LOBSTER
P.E.I. has not one but two lobster
seasons: the first runs from May to
June and the second, from August to
October. The Maritime delicacy can be
enjoyed at numerous restaurants on
the Island or picked up at a grocery
store alive or cooked. However, for a
more hands-on experience, consider
participating in a floating lobster boil.
You'll go out on a boat, learn about
lobster fishing, help haul in traps and
ultimately enjoy a lobster feast with all
the trimmings aboard the vessel.
GREEN GABLES HERITAGE PLACE
This iconic literary landmark is located
in a National Park and a must -see for
visitors to the Island. The National
Historic Site in Cavendish is the
inspiration and setting behind Lucy
Maud Montgomery's world-famous
novel, Anne of Green Gables. Guests
are able to tour the house itself (styled
to reflect Victorian -era realities) and
the external grounds •as well.
SANDY BEACHES
Prince Edward Island has over 800
kilometres of sandy beaches. Basin
Head is known for its singing sand (a
mysterious phenomenon not entirely
understood), Cavendish Beach —
often rated one of the best in Canada
— will allow you to partake in all your
favourite beach activities with those
famed red cliffs to keep you company,
and Jacques Cartier Beach is perfect
for beach camping.
CONFEDERATION TRAIL
In 1990, the railway lines in P.E.I.
stopped running and' all the tracks
were dismantled. The newly freed
passageway became a recreational
trail that can be cycled, jogged,
walked, or snowmobiled. The
273 -kilometre gravel path crosses
the Island from end to end, with
additional trails branching off the main
line. Some of these branches permit
horseback riders. Exploring the trail is
a great way to take in the beauty of
Prince Edward Island.
VICTORIA ROW
The cobbled streets of Victoria Row
in Charlottetown offer an abundance
of cafes, restaurants, art galleries
(including the Confederation Centre of
the Arts), live musical performances
and shops selling local products to
explore. Victorian -era architecture
gives the area a rustic charm, and
historic buildings (such as Province
House) can be toured.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The province actually consists of more than one
island — Prince Edward Islandand a few dozen
much smaller islands. Some of these minor islands
are deserted, others are privately owned and a few
are occupied by the Mi'kmaq peoples.
• Prince Edward Island produces a quarter of Canada's
potatoes. Spuds have been grown on the Island since
the 18" century.
• PEI is the smallest Canadian province, in both size
and population. Howeverit s also the most densely
populated (approximately 24 people per square
kilometre).
• The Island has no major lakes or rivers (only ponds.
brooks and streams); residents are therefore
dependent on naturally filtered groundwater for
drinking.
• Prince Edward Island was briefly part of Nova
Scotia. In 1763. after French territories in North
America were officially ceded to the Britishthe two
colonies were Joined. Six years laterafter much
lobbying by Island proprietors. P.E.I. became its
own colony once again.
• Confederation Bridge, which links Prince Edward
Island to Nevi Brunswick by road, first opened in
1997 It's 12.9 kilometres long, curved to keep
drivers alertand takes about 10 minutes to cross.
• The musical rendition of Anne of Green Gables
(first performed in 1965) is officially recognized by
Guinness World Records as the longest running
annual musical theatre production in the world.
LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN
Birthplace of Confederation
A YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS
HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY CANADA!
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