Good Morning #Canada
100 years ago, on the 1st of April 1924, the prefix "royal" was officially adopted, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) became a permanent component in Canada's defence force. From a humble beginning in WW1, when we sent a single aircraft to England, it has grown into the world's 27th most powerful air force (out of 145 ranked). We're not last!
Good Morning #Canada
In March of 1906, Canada's oldest outdoor club was established in Winnipeg. The Alpine Club of Canada has grown to 10,000+ members and maintains the largest network of back country huts and shelters in North America. The original founders, A.O. Wheeler and Elizabeth Parker, allowed women to join and treated them as equals, both as members and climbers.
Good Morning #Canada
On 14 March 1793, Adam Vrooman violently bound Chloe Cooley, a Black woman he enslaved and transported her across the Niagara River to sell her in New York State. Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe used the incident to introduce legislation to abolish slavery in Upper Canada. Well, the new laws limited slavery and although Canada was the 1st colony to take action, it was another 40 years before slavery was abolished by Britain.
Good Morning #Canada
The forecast for today in my tiny section of Canada is sunny skies and peak temperature of 16°C. No shoveling for me in the near future, but around this same time of year in 1888, one of the worst blizzards in history struck the northeast. Our cold artic air (sorry) slammed into a relatively warm gulf weather system. Canada suffered far less than most of the U.S. east coast where over 400 people died.
Good Morning #Canada
As I sit here this morning, still digesting the large portion of wings I had at the restaurant last night, I came across this article. Apparently Canada was recently ranked one of the world's healthiest countries. New analysis by the Global Wellness Index ranks Canada as the best country out of the 151 nations evaluated. Might have to exercise later today to help maintain our ranking.
Good Morning #Canada
My daughters have commented that we'd all be better off if there was an International Men's Day and women ran the planet the other 364 days of the year. I'd have to agree.
But it's #InternationalWomensDay so let's celebrate some Canadian women trailblazers and powerful agents of change. Here's a timeline of notable events in Canadian women’s history and the women who improvd our society.
Good Morning #Canada
You may not know that Canada is a world leader in the export of Mustard seed. In 2021 Canadian exports totaled $95M (USD), leading Russia ($71.5M), Germany ($31.1M), India ($28.2M), and Poland ($15.2M). Approximately 75% is grown in Saskatchewan.
So why is Subway in Canada removing Mustard as an option from its franchises? There's a conspiracy here and I demand that the RCMP get to the bottom of it.
Good Morning #Canada
Yesterday's weather here in #Caledon was interesting, particularly for February 27th. Three hours of thunderstorms with lightning, thunder, hail and heavy rain. It's appropriate, that on the day that numerous warm temperature records were broken across Canada, that The Weather Network released their Spring Forecast for the months of March, April and May. It's generally good news for all of us.
Good Morning #Canada
Happy Birthday to Irving "Al" Gross, a pioneer in mobile communication. He patented many communications devices, specifically in relation to an early version of the walkie-talkie, Citizens' Band radio, the telephone pager and the cordless telephone. Although he grew up in the U.S., and all of his inventions were created there, we get to claim him as Canadian since he was born February 22nd 1918 in Toronto.
Good Morning #Canada
Canada’s origin as a country could be traced back to February 10th 1763, when the Treaty of Paris was signed. Europe's colonial powers traded territory like hockey cards, and France gave up any future plans for North America. The treaty also sowed the seeds for the American Revolution, as Britain levied heavy taxes on their colonies to pay for the past decade of war.
Good Morning #Canada
Immigration policy is daily news but we should recognize that Canada is a big empty country. (Insert echo)
Sure 90% of us live within 100 miles of the U.S. border, and all levels of government currently suck at building housing. But we rank low in population density with each square kilometer having approximately 4 people.
Compared with:
Russia: 9/km²
USA: 36/km²
China: 146/km²
India: 412/km²
Good Morning #Canada
I've been binge watching Viking related series and movies lately, so a virtual visit to L'Anse aux Meadows is appropriate. This archaeological site, first excavated in the 1960s, was a Norse settlement dating to approximately 1,000 years ago. The site, located on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, existed for about a decade and served primarily as a base for exploration. On my bucket list to visit.
Good Morning #Canada
It's World Cancer Day, a day to share the story of a personal Canadian hero. Ellen Winters-Robinson is the inspiration, marketing guru & voice behind AskEllen.ai. The OpenAI & ChatGPT tool allows breast cancer patients to find answers using the voice of a cancer survivor. I worked with Ellen decades ago and this latest chapter of her life just makes me respect her more. Read about her story via the link.
Good Morning #Canada
Lucille Teasdale-Corti was born January 30, 1929 (died August 1, 1996) and was one of Canada’s first female surgeons. But her legacy was built in Uganda from 1961 until her death in 1996. Despite considerable hardship, including civil war and the AIDS epidemic, she cofounded with her husband a university hospital in the north of Uganda. An incredible story to read and share.
Good Morning #Canada
On this day in 1887 Georges Vézina was born. As a former goaltender (Narrator: that was in the distant past...) I feel it's my duty to post some history on a legend who's name is on the NHL trophy given to the top netminder each year. Vézina played in 327 consecutive regular season games and 39 playoff games, before leaving early during a game in 1925 due to illness, later diagnosed as tuberculosis.
Good Morning #Canada
The cold weather that has been sweeping across the country has finally reached #Caledon. It's currently -16.7°C this morning and I'll be digging out some thermals before I venture outside. Of course western Canada survived temperatures that were twice as cold so I'll have to suck it up. A week ago the list of the top 10 coldest places on the planet were all in Canada. But it's a dry cold...
Good Morning #Canada
OTD in 1974 Asylum Records releases "Court and Spark", Joni Mitchell's 6th studio album. It becomes her biggest seller.
Born in Fort MacLeod Alberta, one of Canada’s greatest talents has a list of achievements that is too extensive to list here, but includes 10 Grammy awards, hall of fame inductee in U.S. and Canada, and a postage stamp.
Here's a unique biography on Joni that I think you'll enjoy.
Good Morning #Canada
Today is Appreciate A Dragon Day. Did you know that Canada had its very own dragon patrolling our western prairies. You likely didn't notice because it lived approximately 77 million years ago. Cryodrakon boreas, a previously unknown type of pterosaur, was one of the largest flying animals that ever lived. The name means “frozen dragon of the north wind” and it was discovered in Alberta's Dinosaur Park.
Good Morning #Canada
On January 10th 1935 the "grandfather" of Canadian rock and roll was born in the USA. Ronnie Hawkins was born and raised in Arkansas but his career was launched in Ontario. Hawkins got wind of steady work available on the Canadian bar circuit from Conway Twitty, and began touring in here in 1958. Many backup musicians in his band went on to successful careers of their own, including members of The Band.
Good Morning #Canada
If you're lucky enough to hold a Canadian passport, ranked as a top security document worldwide, then most of the planet is open for travel. Canada’s passport is ranked 7th in the world in travel power. That means you can travel to 117 countries visa free and over 87% of countries won't impose any restrictions. As long as you're not interested in visiting North Africa or Russia, you can start packing.
Good Morning #Canada
Now that Christmas and New Years are out of the way, we can turn our attention to months of snow and freezing weather. Yippee...
But winter festival season is ramping up across Canada with events everywhere that are exciting enough to get you outside. Maybe the one in Toronto is a bit sad, but the rest are worthy destinations, particularly that world class event in Quebec City. Bring a fancy toque...
Good Morning #Canada
The Battle of Ortona, December 20–28th 1943, was fought between two battalions of elite German paratroops from the German 1st Parachute Division, and assaulting Canadian troops from the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. Although Canadian troops were victorious, they suffered heavy losses and the battle was known as"Bloody December". My father fought in the Italian campaign and was wounded just prior to this battle. #CanadaIsAwesome#WWII#Veterans https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/battle-of-ortona
Good Morning #Canada
On December 11th 1931, the Statute of Westminster dramatically increased the sovereignty of Canada and gave us the right to self-governing. As the statute removed nearly all of the British parliament's authority to legislate for Canada, it was a crucial step in our development as a separate state.
Good Morning #Canada
And Happy National Lard Day to those baking enthusiasts who grew up with Tenderflake. The reputation of one of the oldest cooking ingredients on the planet is being revised and has been making a comeback for decades. Canada is one of the top 6 per capita consumers of lard worldwide and just outside the top 10 in exports. Here's a look back in history when it was thought to be dead, before rising like a Phoenix.
Good Morning #Canada
Today we have a rare off-season edition of #BigStuffInSmallTowns. Duncan B.C. owns the world's largest hockey stick, at 62-metres and attached to the Cowichan Community Centre for the past 35 years. It's in a bad state of repair due to a pesky woodpecker and it needs a new home. But any new owner will get the 2nd largest hockey stick as Lockport in Illinois will soon install a 76.2-metre version outside a local arena.