ERTC Travel Book 2022 - English, 062922

Know before you go

This chapter gives you essential information on how to prepare for your trip to Canada.

Welcome to Canada!

Consider the size of Canada Made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories, Canada is the second largest country in the world; only Russia is larger. The land plus freshwater area of Canada is 9,984,670 square kms (or 3,855 174 sq miles). The capital of Canada ’ s most westerly province, Victoria, is 4,491 kilometers (2,791 miles) from Toronto and a whopping 7,403 kilometers (4601 miles) from the most easterly capital, St. John ’ s Newfoundland. Time zones

There are six Canadian time zones in total, with a four and a half hour (yes, half an hour!) time difference from St John ’ s in Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver in BC all the way in the west. The east of Canada has the least time difference compared to Europe, and the west has the longest, with Pacific Standard Time 8 hours behind GMT.

Canada ’ s Culture What makes Canada truly special is its people and their culture. Friendly, outgoing and welcoming are just some of the words visitors have used to describe Canadians. Over the course of history, this country has been cultivated by people from across the globe. Their impact on the country can be seen in Canada ’ s wide range of colourful streetscapes, historical landmarks, mouth-watering cuisines, enthralling music and in its symphony

of languages. Reconciliation Our future, and the well-being of all our children rests with the kind of relationships we build today - Chief Dr. Robert Joseph Orange Shirt Day is a chance, every year on September 30th, for communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation, to educate and learn about the history and lasting impact of the residential school system. Reconciliation at its core is establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country, and is tied to the federal government's relationship with Indigenous peoples.

The term describes attempts made to raise awareness about colonization and its ongoing effects on Indigenous peoples. Reconciliation also refers to efforts made to address the harms caused by various policies and programs of colonization, such as residential schools. Reconciliation represents an opportunity to reflect on the past, to heal and to make right. Tourism is a gateway for those looking to learn more about Indigenous communities, their culture and their history. Throughout this Travel Book we will inform you of authentic Indigenous experiences, and our commitment is to continuously expand our content with and about Indigenous Nations and operators. Weather Canadian weather varies greatly from region to region and season to season. From rainforest to desert and everything in between, Canada has it all. With most communities situated in the south and along the southern reaches of the eastern and western coastlines, tourists will find Canada's climate is not as cold all year as some may believe. In winter, temperatures fall below freezing throughout most of Canada, but the south-western coast has a relatively mild climate. Along the Arctic Circle, mean temperatures are below freezing for seven months a year, but few will visit here. During the summer months, the southern provinces often experience high levels of humidity and temperatures can often reach 30°C. The west coast of British Columbia, including Vancouver, has a moderate climate year-round and thus the seasons are less distinct from one another. Overall, the west coast has summers that aren't as warm nor winters that are as bitterly cold as say Toronto or Montreal. In the Rockies, winter is long and snow is possible until May or so. From then on, snow stays around only in the higher altitudes. Banff and Canmore may get two feet in April or May. Page 5