Canada: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia

Whenever I do volunteer PDOS for Canada, I usually start with a trivia. “Canada is the second biggest country in the world, next to Russia. It is also the second preferred major destination of Filipino emigrants, after the United State of America.” Then I would ask the audience what is the population of the Philippines, then Canada. Some would get the answer right, and many are usually surprised to find out that the maple country only has less than 40 million population compared to Philippines’ more than 100 million. And to think that our country is 36 times smaller, just a blip on the global map. And then some would get the point why Canada need more human resource and is liberal in accepting migrants.

Anyway, our recent official activity from the office – a series of consultation with the Filipino communities - took me back again to the country I love (there is so much to love about Canada foremost are universal health care, free education until high school, clean air, and generally very courteous people, particularly drivers).

While I’ve been to the Atlantic region before, this time I got to see the main cities and capitals of three main provinces: Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. I was with my bosses and colleagues from our office and partner organizations.

It takes 14 hours for a direct flight from Manila to Vancouver. I was able to watch 5 full-length movies the entire duration of the flight. From East Coast to West Coast of Canada, it takes usually four hours by plane or three days by bus or train.

Always nice to see The Rockies, from above.

Ottawa is the seat of power and capital city of Canada. I was happy to visit the Parliament Hill. Canada's parliamentary system is open, democratic, and consists of three parts: the Queen, the Senate, and the House of Commons. I would often ask a question to my PDOS attendees “Who is the President of Canada?” And many would say “Justin Trudeau.” And I would tell them that it was a trick question since Canadian government is not a presidential system like the Philippines.

The Embassy offered to host our stay at the historic Tahanang Rizal, the Ambassador's residence. Ooops… sina bossing lang pala.

Tim Hortons, Canada’s home-grown doughnut and coffee and shop is omnipresent. I wouldn’t be surprised if they also have branches in Nunavut (there actually is). Just like Tim Hortons, Filipinos are almost everywhere; in fact some of the crew at the coffee shop are Pinoys.  Filipinos, who represent roughly 2% of the total population in Canada, are among the largest immigrant settlers.

The capital city of the province of Ontario, Toronto is the largest city in Canada in terms of population. It is the centre of business, finance, arts and culture, and is recognized as one of the most multicultural and cosmopolitan cities in the world; reminds me so much of NYC, except Toronto is cleaner and tamer.

Toronto used to hold two world records: one for the tallest free-standing structure – the CN Tower, and another for the world's longest road, Yonge Street.

Their Canadian version of Times Square has less traffic, and lesser mammoth billboards and lights.

We stayed at Victoria’s Mansion in Gloucester, a 100 year old guest house with modern amenities but the charm of the 19th century. It is a “self-catering” bed and breakfast; in short wala kami nakita na receptionist or staff all throughout our stay.

We visited a multicultural centre that serves the Greater Toronto Area and got wealth of information on the different problems encountered by newly-arrived migrants. Kasama na dyan yung mga mag-asawa na magkasama pa nung nasa petition stage but eventually nagkahiwalay na nang sumunod ang isa sa Canada; yung petitioner may iba na asawa. The social costs of migration are real and ugly.   

The Niagara Falls is dubbed the most beautiful waterfalls in North America. The Consulate offered to tour us around Niagara, which is about an hour and a half drive from the city. The falls lie on the border between Canada and US; and the largest producer of electricity in the state of New York. I was already satisfied watching the majestic spectacle from the viewing deck but since pangarap talaga ni Ivy na makalapit, we didn’t miss the opportunity to ride the boat to get up close, very wet and personal. I find it amazing that the ducks were already immune to the freezing and raging waters.

The province of Alberta with all its majestic lakes and mountains, is my favorite among the three provinces that we visited.

Calgary is the province’s largest city. Just over an hour of car-drive from the city is the Bannf National Park, Canada's oldest national park. It encompasses 6,641 square kilometres of mountainous terrain, with numerous glaciers and ice fields, dense coniferous forest, and alpine landscapes; and hosts some of the world's finest unspoiled ecosystems.

I often tell my PDOS attendees bound for Alberta to go visit Lake Louise in Banff. Buti na lang Maam Astra has friends in Calgary who offered to took us to Banff, during our free time. It was a very scenic drive, and nakakatuwa to see wildlife crossings, sort of footbridge built mainly for the use of animals such as deers, grizzly and black bears, wolves, coyotes, cougars, moose, elks, and bighorn sheep,  so they could safely cross the 82-km section of the busy Trans-Canada Highway.

Banff is part of UNESCO’s Canadian Rocky Mountain World Heritage site, and boasts a cornucopia of postcard-perfect mountains. The most famous attraction of Banff, the crystal-clear lake attracts millions of visitors annually to take in its stunning, mesmerizing views.

Of course we enjoyed playing with the snow, and got enthralled with the snow-capped mountain scenery.

The Fairmont Banff Springs, a fairy tale-like castle hotel designated as “National Historic Site of Canada”, is a sight to behold. Built in 1888, it is an early example of a Canadian Châteauesque-styled railway hotel.

It would have been nice to stay at the hotel, only it costs more or less CAD$500. Anyway, we stayed in a homey and cozy AirBnb home in Calgary.

Di rin namin pinalampas ang Alberta steak, which is recognized around the world for its rich taste and consistent quality.

British Colombia is another beautiful province to settle in. Less cosmopolitan than Toronto but still has that refreshing and cool country-feel.

We were hosted by another multicultural centre, which owns a decent glass-house that serves as halfway homes to distressed migrants.

Vancouver, the seaport city, holds the record for having the largest port not only in Canada but also in the Pacific Northwest.

An officer from the Consulate drove us around the city and we passed by a street downtown where drug addicts are free to use and inject drugs. Naisip ko, kung sa Manila ang eksenang yun, marami na siguro natokhang ora mismo. Vancouver, actually pioneered a radical approach to drug treatment and rehabilitation and that is to support drug addicts for their continuous use of the substance. I’ve observed that drug addicts are fairly tolerated basta lang they do not cause any violence or public disturbance. Late 2018, Canada legalized the recreational use of marijuana.

The officers of the multicultural centre also toured us around some of the interesting sites in BC like Purdy’s, the well-loved hedgehog chocolate of Canada; and La Casa Gelato, distinctly known to be the only place in the world with 238 flavors on location.

The Queen Elizabeth Park, a horticultural jewel, is very picturesque with all the beautiful flowers in bloom. The 52-hectare garden was named in honor of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother of reigning Queen Elizabeth II.

We also dropped by University of British Columbia, BC’s oldest university, ranking among the top 20 public universities worldwide.

Interestingly, right across UBC, there is a stair leading to Wreck Beach, a clothing-optional or nudist beach. Though Canadian law states that it is unlawful to be nude in public (and well that applies to everybody including Justin Beiber), there are some places that anybody could take off their clothes and run around where nobody would dare call the authorities. Wreck Beach is one of those places.

So how did it feel seeing 50% of the beach bums nude? Well not that exciting as I imagined it to be hehe.

Canada used to hold the no. 1 spot in terms of having the highest quality of life among all the countries, but recently it slid down to no. 12. Although for me, it is still one of the best countries to live. I think of PGH and compare it with Canadian hospitals, where citizens and residents need not pay up-front when hospitalized. Pag wala ka trabaho sa Pinas, mamamatay ka sa gutom or mahihiya kang humingi ng tulong sa kamag-anak, but in Canada, the state will pay you pa because they are a welfare state – they look after everybody’s safety and well-being. Privacy and life are valued a lot.

The Filipino communities are so warm; so are the embassy and consulate officials and staff. I learned a lot from the inspiring stories I heard first hand from the people we’ve met.

For those ready to start all over again, Canada is one of the ideal choices.