I visited Canada many years ago, and spent most of the time around the mining communities in North Ontario and Quebec, in late winter / early spring. (I didn't see much of Toronto or Niagara; it was throwing it down when I went there, and nothing was visible beyond fifty yards or above two stories.)


My impressions, or observations were that:

Canada is made of:-
    25% ice-covered lake
    25% trees
    25% bog (with trees)
    25% bare rock.

(On the other hand, a trip as far as Mattagami in Quebec would suggest that 99% trees is closer to the real total, and the amount of bare rock is exaggerated close to any working mine or smelting operation. For example, the geology around Sudbury, Ontatio, is believed to be an "astrobleme" i.e. originally derived from a meteor impact. The varions nickel extraction companies seemed determined to recreate the appearance of the landscape immediately following the impact.)

In Ontario, they speak accented but clear and lucid English. In Quebec they speak incomprehensible French. Not just French, which most English people mangle horribly anyway, but a variety of French that many Frenchmen would struggle with.

Ice hockey is simultaneously the religion, wallpaper, and background music of Ontario.

The north wind goes far beyond any quality that could be described as "bracing". It also seemed to be the wind most heavily laced with suplhur fumes from various smelting plants, I suspect because the sulphur would emerge from the stack, shiver uncontrollably in the blast from the arctic and then huddle as close to the ground as it could get.

Against any implied or express criticism in the above, I found that all Canadians and Quebecois were friendly, direct and welcoming.

I wasn't as heavily into music then as I am now, and didn't hear much of it on that trip, nor did I make much effort to seek it out. I regret that now, but should I ever win the lottery, or earn enough to do more than just stay ahead, I hope to make it back to Canada some day, and see more of the place.

Best wishes to all in Canada.