Canada News : International Media Marketplace : March 2nd, 2015

CANADA PREPARES TO CELEBRATE ITS 150TH BIRTHDAY IN 2017

As the capital, Ottawa is the place to be for Canada's sesquicentennial. Already announced for spring 2017: the unveiling of a new monument to former Governor General Lord Stanley and his famous hockey trophy the Stanley Cup, to be located on Sparks Street at Elgin Street. There's even talk of an outdoor National Hockey League game in December to commemorate 100 years of the NHL.

The federal government has announced an $80 million investment into the refurbishment of the Canada Science and Technology Museum  in Ottawa, with the reopening scheduled in 2017 as part of Canada's 150th birthday celebrations.

Follow updates on www.canada150.com

 CANADA'S FIRST ANDAZ HOTEL IS COMING TO OTTAWA OPENING 2016

A luxury boutique hotel chain has chosen the ByWard market area in Ottawa as the location for its first Canadian hotel. Hyatt Hotels  Corporation announced earlier this month that its affiliate has reached a management contract with Claridge Homes to create Andaz Ottawa Byward market. The hotel is expected to open in mid 2016. It wil be at the former site of the Union of Canada building on the southeast corner of Dalhousie and York Streets, which was demolished last year. The 200 room  hotel will be the first Andaz branded hotel in Canada. The hotel will feature a restaurant, a roof top bar and lounge and include an outdoor terrace

 CANADA TO HOST FIFA WOMENS WORLD CUP JUNE 6TH – JULY 5TH, 2015

The Canadian cities of Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg,  Edmonton and Vancouver will play host to the FIFA Womens World Cup in the summer of 2015. With the opening games taking place in Edmonton and the finals in Vancouver, group places will be drawn on December 6th, 2014 in Ottawa : http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/ 

NEW CANADA'S EAST COAST WILDLIFE SAFARI CRUISE MERGES ADVENTURE, EDUCATION AND FUN

Polar expedition cruise specialist, One Ocean Expeditions, is introducing a new 10 day trip in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada highlighting the Maritimes' otherwise inaccessible outports and islands. What's more, the new East Coast Safari which launches in July this year, features some new and exciting adventure options such as kayaking, cycling, and paddle boarding that will appeal to regular cruise guests as well as enthusiastic travelling families.

Starting in the historic town of Louisbourg on Cape Breton island,  the 9 night expedition showcases wildlife, natural beauty, rich culture and impressive marine  wildlife. A visual , musical, gastronomic and educational feast for travellers wishing to experience quintessential Eastern Canada. Highlights include: wild  ponies of Sable island, Canada's newest national park; puffins on Bird Island, Quebec's remote sandstone Magdalen Islands; the culturally rich Gaspe Peninsula and Anticosti Island, a spot that until now , even the most adventurous travellers found difficult to reach. This departure will also take guests to the spectactular Gros Morne National Park and the islolated marine community of Francois, as well as crossing the French border at St. Pierre et Miquelon, before returning to Louisbourg.

This 9  night/10 day East Coast Wildlife Safari takes place from 7th – 16th July, 2015. Prices start from US$6195 per person ex. International flights  , including all meals, zodiac excursions, foul weather gear, ground transfers from either Halifax or Sydney to Louisbourg on July 6th. All adventure options are included in the cruise price and are available on a first come first served basis, pre booked  through your agent.

For more information please contact www.oneoceanexpedtions.com

A NEW MUSEUM OPENING 2015

The Audain Art Museum, being built in Whistler , and named after Canadian Philanthropist and Art Collector Michael Audain , is due to open in Fall   2015.  Plans are for a 56,000 square foot  long, low structure surrounded by a spruce forest  on a site that up to now has been used as an impound lot.  The “Globe and Mail' reported that only a single tree would need to be felled in order to build the new gallery.  The Audain Art Museum  will be discreet and embedded in the forest. The Museum is set to house the most expensive Emily Carr painting ever sold – along with 20 of the B.C. artists pieces and  is shaping up to be a destination for art lovers.  Michael Audain, who is building the museum,  to house his private art collection  will  also include  an extensive collection of First Nation art.

NEW HOTEL  OPENING 2015

The Tidan Hospitality and Real Estate Group, established in 1970  in association with the Montreal architectural  and design firm Lemay, unveiled it most ambitious hotel project. The official opening of the Mount Stephen is due for the summer of 2015  and is timed to co-incide with the presentation of the Montreal Grand Prix. With 87 prestigious rooms and sky lofts, all featuring floor to ceiling windows, and in some instances a private terrace, as well as three banquet halls capable of accommodating up to 500 guests, the hotel will effectively combine neoclassicism and contemporary lines in a subdued environment. In fact,   described as innovative and dynamic by the jury  of the 45th edition of the prestigious Canadian Architect Awards of excellence, the projected new hotel complex earned in back in December 2012  a highly coveted Award of Merit,  when construction and renovation work had barely started.

NEW HIKING HOLIDAY  IN ATLANTIC CANADA WITH HF HOLIDAYS WORLDWIDE

A unique guided itinerary combining the three Canadian provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland has been introduced into HF Holidays' Worldwide walking programme for 2015.

HF Holidays is the only UK tour operator offering these three provinces together and highlights include an excellent mix of walking amid wild landscapes – taking in icebergs, whales, wild shores and colourful fishing wharfs, whilst experiencing the local culture.

There are walks in stunning national parks in all three provinces – taking in the rugged beauty of the  Gros Morne National Park, the natural wonders , spectacular canyons and iconic Skyline trail of Cape Breton Highlands, plus the high tides, forest trails and rugged coastline of the Bay of Fundy. Also includes is a superb coastal walk along the Port Joli Head Trail, a walking tour around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg's Old Town, a visit  to the colourful waterfront of Halifax as well as walks to Pollys Cove and Peggys Cove to see one of Canada's most well- known lighthouses. Other highlights include a walk along the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks and the possibility to see icebergs up close on a trip to Twillingate.

Available for three departures in 2015 , the cost is £3159 per person land only  or fro £3899 inclusive of return Heathrow flights and transfers.  These twin share prices also include 15 nights mainly full board accommodation in three and four star hotels, the full holiday programme with a specialist local leader , National Park entrance fees, travel by coach and ferry plus tips.

For more information : 0345 470 7558 www.hfholidays.co.uk

NEW TORONTO AIRPORT TRAIN LINK 2015

The Union Pearson Express will serve four key stations; Toronto Pearson, Union Station downtown, Bloor and Weston GO stations, running every 15 minutes and taking  25 minutes from Union Station to the Airport.  The new connecting line or 'spur' is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed in time for the opening of the PANAM Games taking place in Toronto next summer.

THE HOTTEST NEW LIFT IN CANADA WILL ARRIVE AT SUNSHINE VILLAGE FOR 2015/16

In August 2014 Sunshine Village received approval from Parks Canada to construct a new high speed quad chairlift to replace the existing Tee Pee Town double chair  dating back to 1979. The new chair will include heated seats, footrests and orange bubbles for wind and weather protection and will be the first chairlift of its kind in Canada.

“We are thrilled to announce that construction has started on the “hottest chairlift in Canada”, said Dave Riley, Chief Operating Officer for  Sunshine Village. “Sunshine is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences and this addition to the resort will clearly demonstrate our focus on providing comfort and value to our guests”.

Construction is already underway on towers one through to six as well as the lower terminal foundation and  had to be finished before the winter snows began. The balance of construction will be completed in Spring 2015, over the snow to protect the fragile high alpine vegetation. The Chairlift will be fully operational for the 2015/2016 season.

Construction in Banff National Park  requires extensive environmental analysis and use of the best methods available in order to protect the natural resources. Environmental mitigation techniques include helicopter construction, use of a low impact “Spyder walking excavator”, which is designed to minimize vegetation disturbance, rare plant surveys and protection systems, temporary wildlife mitigation fences and removal and replacement of topsoil and vegetation where excavation for foundations is necessary.

As a unique measure , all excavated soil is being placed in hundreds of tote bags to prevent soil from spilling onto surrounding vegetation. The bags of soil will be flown out by helicopter. 

The new lift is supplied by Doppelmayr, an Austrian company, with major components coming from Canada, USA, Germany, Austria and France. The construction crew is located in Kelowna, British Columbia. It will have an uphill capacity of 1,200 people per hour and climb 397 vertical metres over 1,334 horizontal metres.

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB ANNOUCES $5.4 Million upgrade for RENDEZVOUS LODGE

Increased Seating Capacity, Fresh Menu Items, New Décor and Layout for Blackcomb Mountain's Year-Round Mountain-Top Facility

The Rendezvous Lodge will see a significant upgrade for the 2015.2016 season with an investment announced last month of $5.4 million. This restaurant facility located on Blackcomb Mountain will benefit from increased capacity and improved functionality. The Rendezvous' fresh new look will complement new and fresh customizable menu options in the food court. 

“The Rendezvous was originally constructed in 1980 and is one of our busiest mountain lodges in both the winter and summer seasons because it anchors the Blackcomb side of the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola,” says Dave Brownlie, President and Chief Executive Officer at Whistler Blackcomb. “Increasing capacity is a priority and  we also want to ensure this lodge reflects Whistler Blackcomb's ranking as the No. 1 ski resort in North America. Our guests are here to experience the best and we aim to provide that quality of experience to them.”

Besides a design and capacity upgrade, the Rendezvous Lodge will also feature more food choices with the addition of a fresh sushi station with rolls made to order; a wok station dishing up ramen and rice bowls with customizable Asian flavours; a fresh Mexican counter with burritos, tacos and salads; and a burger bar using only naturally raised, hormone and antibiotic-free chicken and beef, as well as a plant-based option. The cappuccino bar will be expanded while new décor and a kitchen remodel in Christine's will elevate the lodge's full-service dining offering.

The retail shop will be moved to the lower level of Rendezvous Lodge which will continue to house the Whistler Kids' Snow School lunch space. Construction will begin this spring and is expected to be complete by the time Blackcomb Mountain opens for the 2015-2016 winter season in November. There will be a small food and beverage hut operating in the summer months to accommodate sightseeing and hiking guests and bathrooms will be available to the public.

“We are constantly looking at ways to improve the quality of our guests' experiences at Whistler Blackcomb,” says Brownlie. “The $5.4 million investment, planned for 2015.2016, comes on the heels of this season's $12 million investment of new gondola cabins for the Whistler Village Gondola and RFID technology, while the season before we introduced two new lifts to the tune of $18 million. We have made significant enhancements to the quality of the Whistler Blackcomb experience over the past three years to ensure the best possible product for our guests, our community and our employees.”

If the above stories  have floated your boat and you want to find out more please contact Nim Singh, Media and PR Manager, Canadian Tourism Commission on 0207 389 9983 or singh.nim@ctc-cct.ca (not for publication)

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