A TASTE OF CANADA

The following are the basic elements needed to begin to access official and unofficial sources on the Web related to our country.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

War Memorials

HIGHLIGHT

THIS WEEK IN CANADA: September 17

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SPECIAL PROJECTS Last Page Update: September 17/98

"A Taste of Canada" - like CANADA itself - is a work-in-progress. It is a loving tribute to a beautiful nation which we are privileged indeed to call Home. The site is called a "taste" because that is all it truly can be. We want to share with the world a glimpse of what this country is all about. We also hope to promote a Canada that is MORE THAN. More than we have even dared to dream of. More than M. Lucien Bouchard and his stale posturings would have the world believe. More than a referendum away from being "gutted and chopped up" like a carcass. More than the sum of its parts. More than its founders could envision back in 1867. (Besides, the Unity Minister, Stephane Dion, shouldn't have to do all the work by himself!)

The Essential Links (to the left) will be maintained and expanded. As we add what we regard as essential links, we also hope to take you on a special tour of this great land - the True North, strong and free.

OUR SYMBOLS
We begin our tour by asking you to take a look at some of our national symbols. Our official national animal is the beaver while our unofficial animal is the moose. The Canadian flag with its maple leaf and its red and white, our national colours, is known and recognized around the world. Our anthem has both an English and a French version. The RCMP (whose 'commercial" identity is now being handled by an USA firm!) is our national police force and is strongly emblematic of Canada. Meet our Prime Minister the Right Honourable Jean Chretien. We are proud of our country and our heritage - and so are many other Canadians. The Maple Leaf is worn proudly by Canadians all over the world. The Federal Government has declared February 15th 1997 as National Flag Day as a celebration of our heritage. If you are a Canadian, you can send away for a free flag.

FROM OUTER SPACE
Modern technology is a wonder. It allows you to take a trip without ever leaving home - or having to qualify for the rigors of extraterrestrial travel. For a tour of Canada from space see Images of Canada.

NEW LEGS OF THE JOURNEY

Uniquely Canadian

Oddities abound here from caost to coast. In Ontario, creek is pronounced "crick." Brown bread is wholewheat in Ontario but a whole other thing in the Maritimes where it is an oatmeal and molasses bread served with the ubiquitous Saturday night treat of Baked Beans AND Molasses. In Ontario they like baked beans in tomato sauce. Salt pork is a staple in Maritime kitchens (at least it can be found at the grocery store) but not so in Ontario. "You betcha!" is a common phrase in British Columbia but little heard elsewhere. Outside Toronto people pronounce it as "Trono." If you weren't born and bred in the Maritimes, you're "from away." People in the Maritimes and in BC feel sometimes that they live in an abbreviated Canada. Newscasters will speak of Eastern Canada, only for us to discover that they mean Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces have disappeared somewhere. While in BC they always "know" how the rest of the country has voted before they even finish. They always feel like the outcome has been decided without them. Quebec has its own take on "belonging" which isn't surprising considering that the rest of us often feel "left-out" too. Not so surprising in such a large country! Maybe if we all talked with each other we'd discover that WE ARE NOT ALONE!

You might want to take the test: Am I A Canadian?.

Canadian Hospitality

Canadian Firsts

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Noted and Talented Canadians

• Lois Siegel: Freelance photographer, filmmaker, professor. Has made films for the National Film Board.