Happy Canada Day!

Today, Canada is 146 years old. It's hard to believe that anyone who is turning 100 this year, was born only 46 years after Canada was born. When we read about the history in school it seems like it was so long ago, even when you hear the year 1867, it seems ohhh so long ago.

Facts about Canada.

1. The West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, AB was once the world's largest mall. It is now ranked 5th, but it still contains the World's Largest Indoor Amusement Park.

2. Alberta has 50% of the world's supply of bitumen.

3. BC pioneers made use of the oolichan, also called the candlefish, at night time. The small fish is so fatty it can be dried, strung on a wick and burned like a candle.

4. Canada officially got its own national flag on Feb. 15, 1965 almost 100 years after it became a country.

5. In 1962, Pincher Creek, Alberta experienced the fastest, biggest temperature change ever recorded in Canada as a result of a Chinook (a warm, dry wind that comes off the Rocky Mountains). The temperature rose from -19C to 22C in just one hour!

6. Between 1984 and 2008, it was illegal to sell pop in cans in PEI. All carbonated drinks had to be purchased in refillable glass bottles. PEI was the only place in North America to ban cans.

7. Canada has its own mysterious lake creature, Ogopogo, who lives in Lake Okanagan, BC

8. Canadians consume more Kraft Diner (macaroni and cheese) than any other nation on earth. 

9. Canadian Parliament has a sanctuary for stray cats. Originally cats were used in Parliament buildings to control mice. A colony of strays have lived just behind the Parliament buildings since the 70's. Fed and cared for by volunteers, today's residents live in little wooden houses and have their own FB page.

10. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King (he's on our $50 bill) used a crystal ball to try to get advice from his dead mother during seances. You can see his crystal ball if you visit the Laurier House in Ottawa.

11. A Canadian Beaver built a dam big enough to be seen by space! First discovered by an environmental researcher using Google Earth in 2007, the dam is located just inside Wood Buffalo National Park, the second largest protected area in the world. The dam stretches 2,790 feet.

12. Canada is the worlds largest exporter of mustard seeds, 80% is grown in brilliant yellow fields in Saskatchewan. So even when you are away from home, you are likely eating mustard made with Canada mustard seeds!

13. Canada is home to 15,000 polar bears and in the town of Churchill, MB (I so wanna go there!) people leave their doors unlocked so that if you happen to see a polar bear wandering the streets you can take refuge inside!

14. Our Royal Mint has produced coins for more than 60 countries, including, Cuba, Yemen, and Iceland.