While its true Quebec is one of the 10 provinces of Canada, it has long since fought for it’s independence. It thrives on its separatist way of thinking. Yet apart of Canada it remains for about 134 years (since Canada was formed into a country). Quebec’s first language is French and English takes second place, whereas the rest of Canada has English as is primary language. Therein lies the basis for the feud.
If you are planning to visit this beautiful, scenic, interesting and controversial province be prepared to read street signs, order from the menu and ask directions in French. What I found interesting is, many know both languages but will play the part of a true Quebecer until you first attempt to speak French. I have traveled there twice and I recall asking for a coffee with cream from a coffee shop. I asked in English and got a French reply. I fumbled through a French request and got a smile and an English reply, go figure!
The capital of Quebec is Quebec City but the economical capital by far, is Montreal. Montreal is the place to go when traveling Quebec. It has everything from historical attractions to theatre. A few things stand out in my mind when it comes to Montreal, one is Expo 67 which was the stadium built for the 1967 World Fair (marking Canada’s 100th birthday). Since Montreal is basically an island on the St. Lawrence River, it was virtually built up on top of the River. Expo was a year-long event with over 90 foreign, provincial, industrial and ’’theme’’ pavilions, drawing over 50 million worldwide travelers. This was also the site of the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Montreal is home to immigrants from more than 80 countries, it is the second largest city in Canada and was Canada’s major fur trading area, of past. This city offers wonderful museums, shopping from modern malls to unique Victorian shops in Old Montreal, fabulous dining, a wide-range of accommodations and festivals, to name a few.
Canada (especially Quebec) recently mourned the death of one of Canada’s most-beloved leaders, that of Pierre Elliot Trudeau (born in Montreal, 1919) who died on Sept. 28, 2000. He was considered the commanding political figure of his generation. He was the former Prime-Minister of Canada, leading the country for 16 years, starting in 1968.
If sports are what you enjoy, Montreal has something year round, from hockey with the Montreal Canadiens to baseball with the Montreal Expos and even the Canadian Football League’s new Alouettes. It also hosts the Montreal Grand Prix for the race-car enthusiasts on June 8th.
Montreal hosts the Montreal Comedy Festival (Just for Laughs July 12-22, 2001) and the Montreal Jazz Festival (2001 Jazz Festival - June 28 through July 8). Both these events have something to offer Canadians, as well as, others from around the world.
Transportation is available with the transit system (Montreal Subway) which I found suitable, clean and efficient, but a word of caution for those traveling by vehicle, the Quebecers are known for their could-care-less driving habits and from my experience, they are wild drivers indeed. Montreal is a 7 1/2/hour drive from the Niagara Falls border in Ontario and roughly a 6/hour drive from Toronto. Go ahead, take a trip and see the French side of Canada.