News from Across Canada
Summer 2024
Diary News :
See you at the Financial Times Weekend Festival ?
Subscriber? You'll have seen news about the September 7th Financial Times Weekend Festival. Destination Canada is one of the event sponsors and will be welcoming Dianne Whelan to the Travel Tent to talk about her 24,000 KM Cross Canada journey and resulting film, '500 days in the Wild'. You will have a chance to do some curated Canadian wine tasting, whilst the Destination Canada team will be there that day along with tasty Nanaimo Bars and would love to meet you there. The team will be supported by UK Tour operators ; Canadian Affair and Audley Travel and an interactive pop up photo booth will give visitors the chance to find their perfect Canadian trip.
More about Dianne Whelan:
Dianne is an award-winning Canadian Documentary filmmaker, and accomplished photographer,
Artist , storyteller, author and public speaker. Dianne has written, directed, and produced two award winning films, a three-part series for CBC, a Gemini-nominated interactive website, written two books and has exhibited her photographs in numerous art galleries in her 30-year career as an artist and storyteller.
In August 2021 she completed the land and water trails of the 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail and is the first person and woman to do so. The journey is the subject film project 500 Days in the Wild and will be the story of her next book.
Her feature documentary 40 Days at Base Camp was shot on Mt. Everest and is accompanied by her
book about her Everest experience called, Base Camp:40 Days on Everest.
Dianne's book, This Vanishing Land, is based on her experience filming in Canada's High Arc;c called, This Land (NFB).
Stay connected with Dianne on Instagram @500daysinthewild for a visual journey through the making and release of her latest feature documentary
FT Weekend Festival tickets can be purchased here : https://ukftweekendfestival.live.ft.com
Save the Date :
October 10th , 16.00 -17.00 Wrap up with Canada - a virtual webinar showcasing upcoming winter news, story angles and feature ideas from Canada. Featuring stories from the Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario it will be a quick hour of your time to delve into what the winter months offers up as story ideas for 2025.
To make sure you are on the invite list please email your email contact with details of who you write for to Ms. Nim Singh care of singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication)
Canada on your screens 2025:
BBC have just announced a brand new filmed version of Walking with Dinosaurs with each episode dedicated to a different dinosaur. With a North American dinosaur episode filmed in Alberta and British Columbia link into Alberta's many dinosaur links and stories here :
Home - Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum (dinomuseum.ca)
Dinosaur PP - Dinosaur Provincial Park | Alberta Parks
Dinosaur Adventures | Canada's Alberta (travelalberta.com)
Find out more here : BBC and PBS join forces for the return of Walking with Dinosaur
Why Canada in 2025 ?
TORONTO
New routes, new hotels, restaurants and new Waterfront developments
Virgin Airlines have announced the launch of a brand new year round London to Toronto route starting March 30th, 2025. They will partner with WestJet to expand access to other parts of Canada and will be a year round service
And other reasons to consider Toronto for 2025
Nobu Hotel Toronto
Opening Spring 2025
Rising 45 storeys in the heart of Toronto's vibrant Entertainment District, Nobu announces its Canadian debut with the brand's first-ever announced Nobu Hotel, Restaurant & Residences in the world. Opening Spring 2025, Nobu Hotel Toronto is situated above the historic Pilkington Glass Factory with two dramatic residential towers housing 660 units within the hotel located atop the west tower on floors 41 to 45, offering dazzling, panoramic views of Lake Ontario and the city skyline.
An urban sanctuary in the sky, the 36-suite hotel is Toronto's most private retreat for guests seeking respite from the public eye, offering 24/7 personalized service. The largest in the city, our spacious suites welcome you to a haven of tranquillity with warm neutral tones and breathtaking floor-to-ceiling window views. Japanese spa-inspired bathrooms offer heated floors, double stone vanities, a Japanese Toto and a luxurious rainfall shower while Nobu's iconic deep-soaking wood tub situated beside the window invites guests to indulge in serene relaxation overlooking downtown Toronto.
Nobu Hospitality, the hotel and restaurant group founded in 1994 by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, has released a preview of Nobu Toronto ahead of its opening in early August 2024. The two-level Nobu restaurant and bar will open its doors ahead of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, located just one block away from TIFF Light Box in the Entertainment District. Celebrating 30 years in the hospitality industry this September, Nobu Toronto represents the latest location to join the global restaurant group, marking Nobu's inaugural presence in Canada. Located at 25 Mercer Street, this milestone location promises the latest trends in Chef Nobu's “New” style, Japanese cuisine influenced by his travels across South America.
Nobu Toronto's innovative design and sprawling property allow guests to immerse themselves in a world where culture and luxury intertwine, aiming for an awe-inspiring experience unlike any other for the hospitality brand's Canadian debut. Spanning 10,000 square feet across two levels, Nobu Toronto offers a total of 278 seats.
Bar and lounge (ground level): Entering Nobu Toronto guests will be greeted by Nobu's grand, yet intimate bar and lounge, with 57 seats enveloped in an alluring dark atmosphere. The bar's main centrepiece is a breathtaking 28-foot bronze chainmail Lasvit chandelier that gracefully descends from the mezzanine level imitating the elegant drapery of a Japanese kimono as well as handcrafted Kawara Japanese roof tiles which dress warmly lit pillars that elevate the two-storey high bar.
Restaurant bar & outdoor terrace (mezzanine level): Continuing the journey upstairs towards the main dining room, guests are met with a 20-seat sake bar area, while passing by an intimate terrace reminiscent of serene urban Japanese gardens. Bringing to life the iconic Japanese artwork "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai Katsushika, the bar space is adorned in a harmonious blue and white colour palette expressed in the striking Blue Tempest stone and a hand-applied plaster finish that gracefully curves across the layered ceiling.
Restaurant (second level): As guests proceed through the wave, they will reach the breathtaking blonde elm Japanese 140-seat courtyard dining room, including a private tasting room for 10 in contrasting dark cherry wood. Circular timber beams featuring intricate Japanese joinery details gently ripple around a suspended light and porcelain art installation crafted by Canadian ceramic artist Andrea Braescu. Surrounded by circular banquettes connected by four striking columns around its perimeter, the exquisite art piece represents a Japanese ginkgo tree known as a "living fossil" - a symbol of peace, hope, and longevity.
Sushi bar (second level): At the 11-seat sushi bar guests can appreciate the masterful craft of the culinary team while engaging directly with the sushi chefs.
Private dining room (second level): Guests will notice an intimate 20-seat private dining room discreetly tucked behind the cascading chandelier. Enclosed within bronze-tinted glass panels, this celebratory space offers a glimpse of and a vantage point over the ground-level bar, creating a captivating gallery view.
Opening Spring 2025
The Queens Harbour restaurant located along Toronto's vibrant waterfront, will occupy 23,000 sq ft of space and is scheduled to launch in Spring 2025. Transforming a 140-year- old shipping container, the restaurant will feature an expansive outdoor patio and retractable roof. Offering a blend of Mediterranean and Asian flavors (MediterrAsian), Queens Harbour is anticipated to bring a refreshing vibe to the waterfront.
Expected to open Summer 2025
Villier's Island is soon to be the newest addition to Toronto's Waterfront embracing its distinct industrial functions and the spectacular new parks, public spaces and ecological richness resulting from the naturalization of the mouth of the Don River. Villiers Island will introduce a liveliness to the area that honours the distinctive culture associated with waterfront districts and vibrant working ports.
Expected 2025
The Union Centre development will be making a change to Toronto's skyline. Expected to be 298 metres tall, this building will become one of the most prominent points in Toronto's skyline. The Union Centre will be a 54-storey, 1.7 million square foot office tower at Simcoe and Station streets and will be one block west of Union Station, it will be part of Toronto's PATH network also connecting to the Delta Hotel, Metro Toronto Convention Centre and other local attractions and office towers.
Air Canada boosts 2025 schedule to Canada with resumption of London Heathrow to Ottawa
Air Canada announced on August 14th, 2024 it is further boosting its schedule serving Canada's capital region with non-stop, international flights from Ottawa to London Heathrow. Flights will be operated four-times weekly with Air Canada's Dreamliner fleet offering a choice of three cabins beginning March 31, 2025. Seats are available for purchase now at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada app, travel agents and Air Canada's contact centres.
"We are very pleased to solidify Air Canada's leadership serving our country's capital with the resumption of trans-Atlantic services beginning next spring. In addition to London being a top global destination, Heathrow is one of the world's primary global gateways as well as home to Air Canada's largest international operations. Conveniently located together with our Star Alliance partner airlines in The Queen's Terminal, Air Canada offers customers easy connections to a vast array of more than 30 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa with our airline partners. With continued demand for visiting friends, relatives, leisure and tourism, as well as supporting business and corporate travel, this route gives customers from both the National Capital Region and abroad direct, convenient international travel options to and from Ottawa," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President – Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada.
"We are looking forward to the future delivery of Air Canada's new Airbus A321XLR fleet. The economics, optimum cabin size and range of the XLR which is expected to begin arriving in late 2025, will enable us to consider operating this important international route with greater frequencies and potentially with year-round service," concluded Mr. Galardo.
Up , Up and Away
The two part National Geographic series featuring Sir Ranulph and the actor Joseph Fiennes exploring Canada , "Return to the Wild" will be featured on Air Canada's inflight entertainment system from September 2024 for one year. Travellers will be able to immerse themselves into a journey from Canada's Northwest Territories into Alberta and ending in British Columbia , learning about each other along the way and experiencing Canada's majestic scenery.
WestJet and Air North, Yukon's airline, announce interline agreement to bring critical air access to Canada's most remote communities
WestJet and Air North, Yukon's airline, recently announced a new interline agreement directly connecting both carrier's networks. Starting July 31 , 2024 guests can book a single ticket with a connected itinerary between WestJet's global network and the Yukon and Northwest Territories with a single point check-in and through – checked bags for connecting itineraries.
Air North currently serves 12 Canadian destinations including four Northern communities in the Yukon and Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Through this interline agreement, guests can book a single ticket to connect between more than 100 destinations in WestJet's growing network including popular tourism hubs in Asia, Europe and the United States conveniently through Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto or Edmonton to or from Whitehorse or Yellowknife, Yukon. This will also allow WestJet guests to book a single ticket to some of Canada's most remote Northern Communities, allowing for increased tourism and economic opportunities to bring the world to the North.
Bookings will be available through a travel agent or third-party ticket sales website starting July 31. WestJet and Air North will continue to work towards future enhancements, including full through check-in capability to be added in the future.
Why Kananaskis in 2025 ?
G7 Summit to come to Kananaskis, Alberta
Canada will welcome world leaders in June 2025 at Kananaskis in Alberta. Local Calgarians make this a weekend spot, turning off the trans Canada Highway (HWY 1) on to HWY 40 and the so called “Trans Kananaskis”, offering 100 km of scenic driving including the highest paved road in Canada. Jaw dropping scenery of mountain meadows, alpine valleys, and back to the prairies. Be sure to buy the Kananaskis Conservation Pass to drive, separate to the National Park Pass.
One of the great explorers of the Canadian Rockies, Captain John Palliser, named the area on an expedition more than 150 years ago. He chose the name Kananaskis, derived from the name“Kin-e-a-kis,” a warrior who survived an axe blow to the head spurred by a fight to win the attention of a woman. Kananaskis Country is a park system In the foothills of the Canadian Rockies covering 4000 square km, and is a collection of designated wildland parks,provincial parks, recreational park, ecological reserves and cultural zones.
Kananaskis is an year round adventure playground: Hiking, Biking, Rafting, Fat Biking, Skiing and Boarding, skating on the Spray Lakes, paddle boarding, canoeing in vibrantly coloured lakes, star gazing due to the lack of light pollution and all explorable in a range of accommodation types : trapper huts at Sundance by Base, Glamping domes, Indigenous culture at the Stoney Nakoda Resort Casino, the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge by Autograph to the newly opened Malcolm.
2025 Sporting Events
Invictus Games comes to Vancouver and Whistler February 8 - 16, 2025
The Invictus Games – founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex to help wounded, injured and sick service personnel recover and rehabilitate through sport – are coming to Canada again (Toronto hosted in 2017.) Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler will be the first Invictus Games to incorporate winter adaptive sports. Participants and spectators can look forward to an exciting roster of alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic skiing and biathlon, skeleton, and wheelchair curling, in addition to the core Invictus Games sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. Competitions will take place at venues across Vancouver and Whistler, BCincluding the Vancouver Convention Centre, Hillcrest Centre, Rogers Arena, UBC Aquatics Centre, Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler Sliding Centre, and Whistler Blackcomb.
Indigenous partnership: Unique to Canada, the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler have involved Indigenous Peoples from the beginning. With competitions and events taking place on the traditional territories of the Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam),Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, each Nation contributedto the initial bid and has representation on the Games' Board of Directors. Also, four local Indigenous artists designed a new visual identity for the Games, representing the first time the four host First Nations have united to create a piece of art for a major sporting event. The final designs are rooted in cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest's Salish people, incorporating symbolic elements such as oval shapes, crescents, and trigons.
Storytellers:
Indigenous members of the Board of Directors, including Chief Dean Nelson of Lil̓wat7úl (Líl̓wat), yəχʷyaχʷələq; Chief Wayne Sparrow of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam); Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, spokesperson and general councillor of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish); and Chief Jen Thomas of səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh). The Indigenous artists who designed the Games' visual identity are Levi Nelson of Lil'wat Nation, Mack Paul of Musqueam Nation, Ray Natraoro of Squamish Nation, and Olivia George of Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
2025 Anniversaries
250th anniversary of the Invasion of Québec during the American War of Independence
The Invasion of Québecin December 1775 (also called the Siege of Québec) represents a key moment in the American War of Independence that has shaped Canada's geopolitical history. During this siege, 1800 British regular troops andCanadianMilitia successfully defended the city of Québec from an invading American army (after the 1774Quebec Act, the city was part of a greatly enlarged entity called theProvince of Quebec, a British colony, also known simply as Canada or the Province of Canada).
25th anniversary of theModernization of the Benefits and Obligations Actwhich extended benefits to same‑sex couples and same sex marriage
TheModernization of Benefits and Obligations Actgave lesbians, gays and heterosexuals living in Canada common-law relationships legal responsibilities and benefits in areas such as income tax, pensions and employment insurance and was introduced in 2000. 2025 also marks 20 years since Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same sex marriage (Netherlands, Belgium and Spain ahead)
New Dining Spots in Montreal
Architecture lovers and gourmands rejoice! One of the city's most iconic dining spaces perched on the ninth floor of the Easton Centre in Montreal is back on the scene as a dining and special events space. Nick-namedLe 9eby locals upon its opening in 1931, the room remains one of Canada's most important art deco locations, protected by Heritage Montréal since its closure in 1999.
The Humaniti Hotel in Montreal unveils its 9th floor patio dining outlet Terrasse Alize, under the guiding hand of chef Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Offering classic bistro fare like beef tartar alongside intriguing seafood bites including scallop ceviche and Nordic shrimp guedille, your stomach will be as happy with the flavours as your eyes will be with the unobstructed view of down town Montreal
New Mountain Adventures
Explore the fantastic Athabasca Glacier on a new sustainability-oriented guided tour with Rockaboo Mountain Adventures . Join small groups and engage in the realms of glacier science, environmental preservation, and sustainable travel. If conditions allow, consider descending into the icy depths using ropes for a unique and unforgettable experience. Rockaboo Mountain Adventures | Mountaineering, Climbing, Ski, Hiking in Alber
New Ocean based Adventures
See through Kayaks! Wolastoq Adventures in New Brusnwick , a 100% Indigenous owned business brings guests the first ever illuminated kayaking and SUP experience in Atlantic Canada. Transparent kayaks and SUP's are fully equipped with vivid colour changing LED lights and waterproof Bluetooth speakers, ensuring an abundance of joy as you explore the beautiful and bountiful Wolastoq (also known as the St. John ) river . Find out more : Wolastoq Adventures Inc.
New Montreal City Tour
Montreal's Sin City Golden Age Era & The Red Light District
While prohibition and the temperance movement put a damper on the early 20th century in the United States and elsewhere in Canada, the booze kept flowing freely in Montreal. This led to the city quickly becoming known as “Sin City” and the “Paris of the North.” Thirsty folk, particularly Americans, flocked to Montreal to savour its notorious nightlife, anything-goes attitude, and raucous times. Our cabarets and jazz clubs were famous and attracted talented musicians like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie, among others. The Montreal Red Light District was infamous for its rampant brothels, crime, and bootlegging. Whatever the vice or pleasure, it could be found in Montreal. Dancers, singers, mobsters, sex workers, bookies, musicians, strippers, gamblers, and cops all rubbed elbows in the old Red Light District. Join us to learn about this entertaining era of history in the unique city of Montreal.
* Note that portions of this tour goes through off-the-beaten path and non-touristy areas.
* A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to Stella Montreal. Stella's primary mission is to improve the quality of life and working conditions for woman-identified sex workers.
https://mtldetours.ca/tour/montreal-red-light-district-tour/
New Spa Openings
2025 MTN House by Basecamp/Nordic Spa in the Kananaskis is set to debut in 2025, offering an immersive mountain retreat experience including massage, facials, body treatments, and more, all designed to promote wellness and tranquility.
Wellness upgrades: An eco-friendly thermal facility designed by Italian architect Matteo Thun will soon replace the outdoor pool at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta. Opening in late spring 2025, it sets a new standard for guest experience and low-impact design.
Sustainability leader: Prince Edward Island's newly opened Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort, located on St Peters Bay, is on track to become 100 percent sustainable and 100 percent energy self-sufficient this year. In addition to the thermal spa and blissful massage treatments, the resort invites guests to stay overnight in fully renovated cottages overlooking the bay.
Visitors encouraged to to leave north island beaches better than they find them
#LivetheWildPledge rewards visitors for their volunteer cleanup efforts
Snuneymuxw Territory (Nanaimo, BC) – As the remote and rugged beaches of northern Vancouver Island draw visitors from around the world, local organizations and tourism operators are teaming up to engage tourists in the important work of collecting and recycling ocean plastic debris.
Led by the Ocean Legacy Foundation in close partnership with Vancouver Island North Tourism and 4TVI, the #LivetheWildPledge initiative builds on the success of the Wild Pledge, which encourages visitors to follow best practices informed by local residents and First Nations. Inspired by similar programs that connect visitors with local volunteer initiatives, community partners are now helping to strengthen visitors' connections to the north island as they leave each place better than they found it.
The wild coast of northwest Vancouver Island, in the territory of the Quatsino First Nation, is regularly impacted by plastic debris left behind by ocean currents. Environmental groups such as the Ocean Legacy Foundation have successfully collected more than 125,000 kgs of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear and other debris in the last two years alone, with more than half of this being recycled. Local volunteers have always been essential in this work, but moving forward, local leaders are excited to count on assistance from visitors.
“Marine plastics are a global issue, but action must happen on a local level,” said Chloé Dubois, executive director of Ocean Legacy Foundation. “The problem has increased dramatically since the 2021 Zim Kingston container spill, which resulted in 109 shipping containers lost from the vessel, four of which washed up in Cape Scott Provincial Park. Despite our ongoing efforts to clean these remote shorelines, there are still high volumes of materials washing up on beaches every year. We need the help of visitors to help us enhance these special places while reducing the amount of microplastics in our local ecosystems.”
Starting at one of six different designated sign-up and collection points across the north island, visitors will get to learn about the common types and sources of ocean plastics that they might encounter while exploring. Upon signing up for the #LiveThePledge challenge, hikers will be provided with a custom biodegradable tote bag that reminds them of The Wild Pledge and shows approved locations for proper ocean debris disposal.
After completing their coastal adventures, participants will be encouraged to take a photo with their collected debris and then properly dispose of it at one of several convenient drop-off points, including the Scarlet Ibis Pub, Fox's Disposal, the 7-Mile Ocean Plastic Depot, and Visitor Centres in Port Hardy, Port McNeil, and Port Alice. Upon drop-off, visitors will become eligible for rewards, ranging from free beverages to discounted accommodations, with participating local tourism operators across the north island region.
“Visitors to the north island tend to be adventurous spirits who care about nature and are willing to go a bit further to experience our rugged wild coast,” said Natalie Stewart, tourism development specialist for Vancouver Island North Tourism. “Now that we have a way for these visitors to give back, we're looking forward to directing folks to beaches and trails that we know could benefit from some extra cleanup.”
Each ocean debris collection point will be monitored and emptied throughout the summer season thanks to in-kind support from Fox's Disposal. Disposal sites will be supervised during business hours and otherwise locked and stored to prevent improper use. Residents and business owners are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the #LivetheWildPledge initiative, including their nearest signup and drop-off point, and to recommend the experience to visiting friends and family during their stay.
Learn more about the #LivetheWildPledge vancouverislandnorth.ca. For more information about ocean plastic debris and to get involved in future beach cleanups, visit oceanlegacy.ca.
For readers wanting more information on Canada as a holiday destination please go to www.explore-canada.co.uk or can follow the UK Face book pages via Explore Canada UK.
For media wanting news, images please go to www.destinationcanada.com/media or contact Ms. Nim Singh, Media and PR Manager, Destination Canada, care of singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication)
