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by Steven Rosen
Canada’s Capital City has a long and colorful history. First inhabited by Algonquin Indians, occupied by the British beginning in 1759, chosen by Queen Victoria as the
Capital City in 1857, and granted independence in the 1870s, Ottawa gradually grew into its role as the heart of Canada. Today, she is Canada’s fourth largest city, with
approximately 900,000 residents within her city limits, and she is still a colorful capital. While English and French are the predominant languages, Ottawa boasts such cultural diversity that one could hear any given language being spoken on any given day. In fact, it is estimated that over 25% of Ottawa’s residents were born in other countries. With such diversity, it is no wonder that Ottawa enchants her visitors with parks, museums, restaurants, and festivals to satisfy any world-weary traveler.
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The Baldwin-LaFontaine Statue
Robert Baldwin, shy and prone to depression, was a lawyer who dedicated his life to improving the Canadian political system in the mid-1800s. Louis Hippolyte LaFontaine, though a lawyer like Baldwin, enjoyed the political limelight. Elected to the Lower Canadian Parliament when he was only twenty-three, LaFontaine lost his election due to the unification of the Upper and Lower Providences when his supporters were prevented from voting due to the political unrest. Baldwin, who was reluctantly elected, persuaded LaFontaine to run in a special election to take over his seat, and the two became tireless crusaders in French-English relations in Canada. The statue that immortalizes their efforts on Parliament Hill mirrors the unification of the Upper and Lower Providences with its acoustics. The two distinguished gentlemen stand atop a pedestal set in the center of a curved wall. A person standing at one end of the wall can clearly hear another standing at the other end of the wall, even when speaking in whispers, uniting the two speakers much like the two heroes united Canada.
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The Cat Sanctuary
Also located on Parliament Hill, the Cat Sanctuary was founded by Irène Desormeaux in the 1970s and passed to René Chartrand in 1987 upon her death. Chartrand expanded the original project, constructing miniature parliament buildings to symbolize the days when cats were permitted into the real buildings to control the rat population. The cats’ care relies solely on donations, including free inoculations from the local animal hospital. Sussex Drive and Rockcliffe Area Home to the Prime Minister and the Governor General, several embassies, monuments, parks, Ottawa golf courses and museums, a drive through this area of Ottawa is a beautiful and relaxing activity. The early morning Changing of the Guard is not to be missed, rain or shine. Also take time to visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride and Training Facility and to enjoy the view from the Ottawa River outlook.
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Gatineau Park
Located just minutes from Parliament Hill, Gatineau Park is a stunning natural preserve with hundreds of kilometers of trails, scenic parkways and lookouts, and hundreds of species of birds and mammals. Thousands of years ago, the Park hosted Native Americans; from the 1600s to the 1800s it saw the beaver and fur trade decimate its native mammal population; in the early 1800s it witnessed settlers cutting its trees to clear farmland; and in the early 1900s loggers arrived to take the trees that the settlers left behind. Finally, in 1958 the land was declared a national preserve, and Gatineau Park has shared her natural beauty with thousands of visitors since.
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Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
All eyes are on the sky during the long Labour Day weekend at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. Hundreds of balloons representing various countries take to the air early each morning. Book a balloon ride or enjoy some of the Festival’s other attractions such as face painting, a petting zoo, amusement rides, fireworks, and, for the brave (or brave of heart), the Strong Man Competition.
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National Capitol Region
With more than 400 kilometers of bike trails located within its city limits, it’s no wonder that cycling is a popular form of transportation all year long. Most streets have wide curb lanes perfect for cycling, and several streets are restricted to only cycle or pedestrian traffic. While cycling, take time out to stop by the ByWard Market to experience a true cross-section of Canadian cuisine day or night. Whether by foot, bicycle, car, canal boat, or steam train, Ottawa offers a feast for the eyes, mind, body, and soul. Art, architecture, history, government, and cultural diversity all combine to make Ottawa a true destination city for every taste.
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