There are 10 provinces and 3 northern territories that make up Canada.
As a couple, Ruth and I have been to all 10 provinces. We have never been to the northern territories, other than a quick jaunt across the Northwest Territories border for me about 37 years ago. We don't count that, so really, we still have a lot of northern Canada we'd like to explore!
One day, we will take Sherman the motorhome up there for a summer.
What's the difference between a province and a territory? Well in reality, not much. The same way that there is not much difference between a province, and a state. It's simply a border. If you want to get technical, you can read this, from Wikipedia...
The major difference between a Canadian province and a territory is that provinces receive their power and authority from the Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867), whereas territorial governments have powers delegated to them by the Parliament of Canada. The powers flowing from the Constitution Act are divided between the federal government and the provincial governments to exercise exclusively. A change to the division of powers between the federal government and the provinces requires a constitutional amendment, whereas a similar change affecting the territories can be performed unilaterally by the Parliament of Canada or government.
In modern Canadian constitutional theory, the provinces are considered to be co-sovereign divisions and each province has its own "Crown" represented by the lieutenant governor. The territories are not sovereign, but simply part of the federal realm, and have a commissioner who represents the federal government.
So, there you go.
In celebration of Canada's 150th birthday, visitors to Canada's National Parks get free entrance this year. Yes, you still have to pay for camping... but at least the entrance fee is free, and you can visit for day trips for free...
Canada Discovery Pass
And, with the Canadian dollar being in the toilet versus the U.S dollar, it's a great year for Americans to come and see what's to see up here in the great white north.
5 year $USD chart.
$1 USD currently buys about $1.35 CAD
American visitors will still find gasoline and alcohol expensive in Canada, even with the exchange rate. But most other items will be reasonable compared to the U.S.
So, stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as we take a closer look at the different provinces and territories.
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The big box of Finish dish washing tabs is still on sale dirt cheap. Time to stock up!
And in Canada, Viva paper towels are dirt cheap. Don't forget to use the coupon!
I've been to British Columbia and little of Ontario. I love BC area. BTW what happened to baby owl? Disappeared?
ReplyDeleteYou need to come up and explore some of our other provinces then Rita. If you liked British Columbia then we think you would love Alberta as well and the east coast has some amazing sights to see too.
DeleteYes, the baby owl has disappeared again. We saw it once since it fell from the tree a few days later but we haven't seen it since. We are keeping our eyes peeled for it though and if we see it, we will definitely let everyone know.
I've only been to five of our Provinces...if it didn't cost as much to fly across the country as it does to go to Europe I would love to do Quebec and the Maritimes
ReplyDeleteI know the cost of airfare in Canada is ridiculous! That's one of the reasons that we love traveling in our motorhome. :-) I hope that one day you can make it out to Quebec and the Maritimes, there are some really beautiful places out there.
DeleteWe have friends visiting Canada right now on their way to Alaska. They are loving the currency exchange.
ReplyDeleteHappy 150th Canada! Wishing you 150+ more great years.
I hope that they are taking their time to go through either British Columbia or Alberta depending on their route. It is gorgeous going through the mountains. I can't wait until we get our chance to do that some day. I bet they are loving the exchange rate, now is definitely the time to visit Canada.
DeleteWe spent 10 weeks in the USA this past winter and even with the favourable exchange rate (compared to either the euro or pound) we found it far more expensive than spending time in Europe. We're so fortunate to have toured most of America prior to 2017 because as of now and the current state of affairs we're looking elsewhere to spend both our time and Canadian dollar!
ReplyDeleteYes, with that exchange rate, going the the United States can become quite expensive. It will be interesting to see how we fare going through the States this fall as we make our way to the Mexican border. Mind you we will do lots of boondocking so that will make things cheaper, right there. We have been through most of the United States but there will always be things to see and do there that we haven't done yet but we are also looking at other places to spend our time and money.
DeleteThanks for the explanation about the territories vrs provinces. Interesting and new to me. We visited British Columbia (the most), Alberta, and Saskatchewan, mainly because I'm from Montana and grew up in NW Washington so those areas are just a hop, skip, and a jump for us. My maternal grandfathers family came from Ontario and I'm still researching my family history there. That is pretty awesome about the Canada Discovery Pass being free for the year!
ReplyDeleteHope you can make it to Ontario sometime so that you can check out some of the areas that you maternal grandfathers and their families lived in. It is always fun researching the family history and then actually making to that area.
DeleteYou need to stop by and visit us next time you hop over the border into Saskatchewan, we really aren't all that far from the border. :-)
That would be awesome! Cut Bank and Glacier Natl Park are some of our favorite areas and not far from you.
DeleteYou are right, those places aren't that far from us. You know that you would be welcomed with open arms here! :-)
DeleteWe have the discovery pass, not much in this area for us to explore that we have not already seen, and the camping is pretty expensive compare to what we usually pay, . Still is a great deal thing maybe we can check out a few places this year.
ReplyDeleteThere is actually quite a lot in the southern part of Ontario! Don't forget that the pass is good for all the National Historic Sites as well, many are just a day trip away from you. There is also Georgian Bay Islands NP, Bruce Peninsula NP and Point Pelee NP that really aren't all that far away. You also don't have to camp within the park, just camp nearby and go in for the day. We especially want to see Bruce Peninsula and Point Pelee, who knows maybe this fall we will go for a tour down there with the motorhome. :-)
DeleteI am assuming, without any prior knowledge, that the Northwest Territories is a buggy place in the summer similar to Alaska.
ReplyDeleteYep, you have that right! We haven't been either but we have heard that the bugs can get bad but we still want to go. :-)
DeleteHeading out in a week for Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. First time for NFLD,. and looking forward to life on "The Rock"
ReplyDeleteprobably a 6-8 week adventure.
You are going to love it! Take lots of bug spray though, especially for Newfoundland! We really have enjoyed our time in all of those provinces. Still want to do more exploring in Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland though. There is still lots that we haven't seen but we have seen most of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We loved Nova Scotia!
DeleteYou might want to hit PEI too - you can take the ferry from Pictou NS (a very nice town, touristy without tourists, and there's a great provincial park there on the ocean (Caribou-Munroe's Island). I think the ferry is free that direction, and then you can take the bridge off the island, $45 if I remember right. Also, we liked Charlottetown.
DeleteI believe you are correct Creigh, unless they changed their prices. You only pay to get off the island not on to it and the ferry ride is more expensive so it is better to take the ferry to get to the island and then the bridge to get off the island, or the bridge both ways.
DeleteRick and I have been through all the provinces except the territories and love it everywhere we go. Want to go back to PEI and explore the rest of the island and do northern part of Nfld. There is so much to see in Canada one does not need to go to the US until the dollar is more in our favor! Enjoy Canada and celebrate its 150 years young! P.S. BC and the island are my favourite places to be so far in this country!
ReplyDeleteWe have been to Prince Island twice now and although we enjoyed both our visits, it is one province that we probably won't go back to. I think because it is small that we were able to cover the whole island during that time and there is enough of a draw to bring us back. Now, Newfoundland is a different story, I have been twice and Kevin once and we have only seen a small part of it. We would love to go back and spend several months there exploring, we love the terrain and the rugged scenery, plus the solitude.
DeleteYep, there sure is a lot to see in Canada and it is a good place to explore especially with the exchange rate with the US dollar for both Canadians and with it being a great time for the Americans to come up for a visit.
I think we may have to agree with you about British Columbia being one of our favourite provinces to visit so far as well, although we still have way more exploring to do in Canada before we can truly say that! :-)
We are headed to Quebec City this summer. Good thing we already have reservations.
ReplyDeleteWe loved Quebec City! It is just a nice size for touring around and seeing the sights and very picturesque. I am sure you will both enjoy it there. :-)
DeleteJust like the US, Canada offers so many incredible places to visit. We've been fortunate to see a few. Once that knee heals, we hope to hop in Tergel and head north to BC. Maybe we'll have cake while we're up there, in celebration of the 150th!
ReplyDeleteYes, both countries have lots to offer. British Columbia is probably one of the most beautiful provinces so it will be nice to get up there and explore. Hope you can make it for the July 1st celebrations, it will be a lot of fun!
DeleteLook after that knee!