Yesterday the 50th Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. Barring the horrible accident that occurred with the Track Marshall, there was some exciting action. Here is our favorite part of the race.



Fernando Alonso vs Lewis Hamilton - GP Canada 2013 from desvalijador1989 on Vimeo.

- North Of The Border

“My goal is not to be a race-car driver. The reason I'm racing is because I enjoy being in the car and being on the edge.” - Jacques Villeneuve

Canada. We live in this beautiful country that spans 9,306 km across, and an area of over 9 million square kilometres. And within this area lies some of the most breathtaking views and scenery and experiences that everyone in this land should try to see at least once. The following video takes us through a via rail journey that showcases our lovely home.




- North Of The Border

Don Cherry has worn a plethora of different inane suits in his career. Not much needs to be said, the pictures to the talking:

Check out http://doncherryjacketwatch.wordpress.com/ for more Don Cherry jacket fun!

- North Of The Border

“I think the people, the working-man people, made a statement here, that you don't have to be a college graduate to be a good Canadian.” (Don Cherry)

Canadian women are b-e-a-utiful! Here is a collection of what we think are the most stunning Canadian actresses in the industry today:

Emmanuelle Chriqui

Evangeline Lilly

Kirsten Prout

Laura Vandervoort

 Katheryn Winnick

Rachel McAdams

- North Of The Border

I am a believer in women, in their ability to do things and in their influence and power. Women set the standards for the world, and it is for us, women in Canada, to set the standards high. (Nellie McClung)

Surprise, surprise....Canada and US face-off in the IIHF Women's World Hockey Championship, again. This match-up will be the 15th in a row, and the US team will be plotting revenge as they were beaten in their home last year. Canada defeated Russia by a margin of 8-1 to take them to the championship game, and the States had much tougher time beating Finland 3-0.

There is always a sense of pride when Canadian hockey players put on the sweater emblazoned with the Maple Leaf, be it the World Juniors, World Championships, or Olympics, and we wish Team Canada good luck to bring home the victory!

- North Of The Border

Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inhospitably cold, hockey is the change of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter, we are alive. (Stephen Leacock)

 **Photo from hockeycanada.ca

CBC News has a great section called "Only in Canada", where they show uniquely Canadian stories, quoting "sharing your tales, from every region of this country, about people, places and events."

Here is a piece on pulling an all-nighter at a University in Halifax, something that all students can relate to:



- North Of The Border

Education is intellectual travel  - go with confidence and explore the world with your mind and your own eyes. (Geraldine Kenney-Wallace) 

Great TED Talk about saving some Canadian land from destruction. The description from TED is as follows:

"Ethnographer Wade Davis explores hidden places in the wider world -- but in this powerful short talk he urges us to save a paradise in his backyard, Northern Canada. The Sacred Headwaters, remote and pristine, are under threat because they hide rich tar sands. With stunning photos, Davis asks a tough question: How can we balance society's need for fuels with the urge to protect such glorious wilderness?"



- North Of The Border

You look at the history -- the aboriginal people welcomed the first settlers here with open arms, fed us and took care of us ... that continues today, we welcome people from all nations to come in and share. (Peter Stoffer)

Quite funny actually, an infographic on Canadian 'stereotypes'

- North Of The Border

A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe.  (Pierre Berton)

Old is gold they say, and although 3 years is not particularly old, in the online world it is considered ancient. However this video showing a set of shots of Vancouver is spectacular!


Video is Vancouver - Testing the Canon 7D from Brandon Moza on Vimeo, be sure to check him out!

Here is some more amazing city videography to appease your appetite:

Toronto:


Planet Toronto from Ryan Emond on Vimeo.

Montreal:

Moments in Montréal from Emmanuel Gaucher on Vimeo.

Lastly, we leave you with some gorgeous Alberta timelapses:


Alberta Timelapses from Alexander Kondratskiy on Vimeo.

- North Of The Border

We have it all. We have great diversity of people, we have a wonderful land, and we have great possibilities. So all those things combined there's nowhere else I'd rather be. (Bob Rae)

The Great White North. What does it really mean to be from this great nation we call home? What is it that defines us as a country and as a population?

Some people would say it is our spirited sense of adventure. It is known, from patriotic beer commercials, to direct observation, Canadians are classically great adventurers and love to be outdoors. Activities such as ice skating, trekking, exploring our vast "backyard", canoeing, and skiing are but a few of the things that we love to do, and will continue to do.

Some say it's our peaceful and helpful nature. Though sometimes the butt end of a joke, we wouldn't have it any other way that we are known as one of the nicest people on the planet. Take, for example, the well reknown Canadian  peacekeeping missions that solidify our presence as a peaceful nation, or our friendly attitude to others (other than when on the ice rink, which I'm about to get to).

Many Canadians signify our identity with the sport of hockey. There is a sense of pride when we talk about the sport we invented, and a deep passion that surrounds it from sea to sea to sea. From the way Canada united during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, to the thousands of backyard and community rinks that fill with hockey players, this sport has a deep-rooted integration in the Canadian culture.

Ultimately, there are countless ways to define what it means to be Canadian, and it is how they all work together to shape the ever changing definition. Our rich history of settlement, our ancient Native culture, our troops, doctors, teachers, politicians, entrepeneurs, athletes, and all in-between, work like gears to turn the wheel of Canadian identity.

Being Canadian is not one idea, it is many. But most of all it is what we as people define our country with our actions. Oh Canada indeed.

I think every Canadian should have a map of Canada in his or her house. It should be displayed in a place where one can sit and contemplate the wonderful vastness of this land. As Canadians we are continuously groping for an identity and a sense of love for our nation. We grapple with the concept, find it somewhat distasteful and leave it for another day. We find American flag waving, hand over heart while belting out Oh, say, can you see... too much and avoid doing the same. We admire their national spirit, but Canadians are, in contrast, understated. To understand the identity that exists in our hearts think of our sweepingly majestic home, its quiet, serene beauty. A beauty recognizable to us all. We are proud of this nation and of who we are. We just don't say it. It's like the map. It just sits there on the wall displaying the lines of our coasts, the bulk of our waterways, and the breadth of our northern territories. Surveying all of this leaves me in awe. It brings a tear to my eye...O Canada... (Debora O'Neil)

-North Of The Border

** Photo by www.istockphoto.com/shaunl

December 16th, 2002, Canada. -15 degrees Celsius, snow billowing with the strong, cold, piercing wind. In theory, indoors is the place to be, enjoying a warm hot chocolate by a crispy fireplace. The suburban streets of Mississauga, however, are full of children not only braving the harsh climate, but enjoying it. There are dozens of street hockey games, snowball fights, tobogganing, driveway shoveling, and the characteristic mother yelling for their children to come inside. This is the classic Canadian winter that is reflected in the back of the iconic five-dollar bill. Whatever the weather, be it rain, sun, wind, snow, the kids were out to play.

Fast-forward to present day, where milder winters do not reflect what should be the scene on these same streets. The streets are barren, few street hockey games litter rare pockets of the city. What has happened to  the endless joy that accompanied with "playing outside"? It is technology? Changing habits of parents? It seems that as the youth of today are not enchanted with the idea of leaving the home to explore the neighborhood and make friends with one another as they used to be.

I just hope that future generations will take up the Canadian spirit, because we are in a state of a great outdoor depression.

- North of the Border

It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she's something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power that you are a part of. (Emily Carr)

 -
**Picture taken from Mind Care New Brunswick Webpage