If you’re Canadian, on July 1st your mind is probably on BBQs, fireworks and warm weather. Maybe a few of you are thinking about visiting relatives or have no plans at all. If you think Canada Day is just about food, fireworks and a great big birthday party - think again. There’s a lot more to it than that.

History

Canada Day has been called a few names in the past. It used to be known as Dominion Day, the First of July, Confederation Day and July the First. Canada wasn’t born on July 1st, but the holiday celebrates the events that took place on this day. On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. This Act stated that Canada would become an independant dominion (territory) of England, which is why Canada Day was originally called Dominion Day.

In 1982, Dominion Day changed to Canada Day after a vote in Parliament. Not everyone was happy about this change. Some people felt that a 115 year-old part of Canadian heritage was lost. But, the new name stuck and every July 1st, Canadians celebrate Canada Day. In celebration, Canadians have parades, fireworks, picnics, face painting and food.

Interesting Canadian Facts

- Canada was named from the Huron and Iroquois word kanata, which means village.
- Canada has approximately three million lakes across the country. More than 30,000 of those lakes are larger than three square kilometers!
- Princess Juliana of the Netherlands gave Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs as a thank-you gift in 1945 for keeping the Dutch Royal Family safe during World War II. The Netherlands was occupied by the Nazis until Canadian soldiers liberated the country in 1944-45.
- The Bank of Canada issued the last $1 bill in 1989. It was replaced by the one dollar coin, known as the loonie, which came out in 1987.
- The world’s only flying saucer launching pad is in St. Paul, Alberta. It was built in 1967.
- The largest mall in the world is the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta. It has over 800 stores and restaurants, an amusement park, the world’s largest indoor lake with four working submarines, 26 movie theaters and a hockey-sized ice arena.
- More than 75% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Canada.

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Tags: Canada-Day, July-1-2009, Dominion-Day, First-of-July, Confederation-Day, July-the-First

Quote of the Week
Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.
Denis Waitley

Have a great week!

Paul Croteau, AMP
Mortgage Specialist
BMO Bank of Montreal
31 King Street
St. Catharines, ON
ph: (905) 321-3230
fx: (905) 641-7854
Paul.Croteau@bmo.com

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Tags: St.-Catharines, Niagara, Canada, Mortgage-Rates, Paul-Croteau, Mortgage-Specialist, Bank-of-Montreal

I told you when I bought the house that I loved it and now, with additional renovations over the years, there would be no way that I would ever leave.  It is a FANTASTIC house and I LOVE it. Thank you again for finding this house for me and my family. You certainly knew what we needed. Thanks!

Mike and Nancy Skinner

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Tags: St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Timothy-Salisbury

This St. Catharines home is priced at $239,900.00!

Lovely and large 2 Storey Character Old Century Home located in Downtown St. Catharines. Brick and vinyl construction, some updated windows throughout the home, plaster walls, main floor family room with gas fireplace, some hardwood flooring, hot water gas system replaced about 5 years ago, electrical on breakers. Both bathrooms have had some updates. Sliding doors from the family room lead to a wooden deck approximately 24′ X 18′ in a beautifully fenced yard. No grass to cut. Grand staircase leads you upstairs to a nice landing area and 3 bedrooms. BC Zoning gives many opportunities with a property like this! Outside access to the basement only - used for storage, furnace area, laundry, etc. Detached single garage and private driveway. Close to all amenities, 3 blocks to City Hall, Court House and Police Station. Property Taxes for 2009 is $2400.00.

For further information, please contact Timothy via email or call him at 1-800-467-8498.

For pictures of this home and other homes I have listed, please visit St. Catharines Real Estate listings page or the listings section of the blog.

For St. Catharine’s attractions, please visit:

Tour St. Catharines

St. Catharines Website

St. Catharines on WorldWeb

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Tags: 5-Beecher-Street, St.-Catharines, Ontario, St.-Catharines-Homes, City-of-St.-Catharines, St.-Catharines-Listings, St.-Catharines-Attractions, St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Tour-St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury

The price has been adjusted!!!  This Fenwick home is now priced at $214,900.00!

This Fenwick home is priced at $219,500.00!

This great Fenwick located bungalow, which sits on a 174×275 lot, features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and also includes a large backyard with a pond. Vaulted ceilings adorn the main floor family room, living room, kitchen and master bedroom. There is a big stone natural fireplace in the living room. There is an extra room that could be used as a third bedroom or office located in the basement. The home also includes a wooden deck, central air, double detached garage with asphalt driveway. 2008 Property Taxes are approximately $,3,453.00 You can enjoy the outdoors right on your own property as it is nicely treed and has geese, ducks and birds that wander the area.

For further information, please contact Timothy via email or call him at 1-800-467-8498.

For pictures of this home and other homes I have listed, please visit St. Catharines Real Estate listings page or the listings section of the blog.

For Fenwick/Pelham attractions, please visit:

Short Hills Park
Pelham Art Festival
Fenwick Lions Carnival

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Tags: 748-Memorial-Drive, Fenwick, Ontario, Fenwick-Homes, City-of-Fenwick, Fenwick-Listings, Fenwick-Pelham-Attractions, Short-Hills-Park, Pelham-Art-Festival, Fenwick-Lions-Carnival, Timothy-Salisbury

UPDATE: This St. Catharines home has been SOLD!

Please use our online complimentary St. Catharines Ontario real estate search to find similar available listings.

The price has been adjusted!!!  This St. Catharines home is now priced at $279,900.00!

This St. Catharines home is priced at $284,900.00!

Commune with nature in your own private treed backyard on your wood deck, while soothing waterfall sounds emanate from the pond.

1400 Sq. Ft. living space on upper level plus totally finished lower level as well. There is a natural fireplace in the family room. Bathroom, office, 4th bedroom, utility and laundry are all located on the lower level.

Walk out to the back deck from the kitchen or onto flat rooftop patio (lifetime warranty on flat roof), over the garage from the dining room. Lots of hardwood and ceramic floors throughout. High efficiency gas furnace updated in 2002. Gas fireplace in living room. In the main bathroom, you can enjoy double sinks and a whirlpool tub. Central air and central vac. Double attached garage has entry to grade level from inside and the side yard. Property taxes for 2008 are $4,700.

For further information, please contact Timothy via email or call him at 1-800-467-8498.

For pictures of this home and other homes I have listed, please visit St. Catharines Real Estate listings page or the listings section of the blog.

For St. Catharine’s attractions, please visit:

Tour St. Catharines

St. Catharines Website

St. Catharines on WorldWeb

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Tags: 160-Woodside-Drive, St.-Catharines, Ontario, St.-Catharines-Homes, City-of-St.-Catharines, St.-Catharines-Listings, St.-Catharines-Attractions, St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Tour-St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury

Quote of the Week
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
Robert Collier

Have a great week!

Paul Croteau, AMP
Mortgage Specialist
BMO Bank of Montreal
31 King Street
St. Catharines, ON
ph: (905) 321-3230
fx: (905) 641-7854
Paul.Croteau@bmo.com

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Tags: St.-Catharines, Niagara, Canada, Mortgage-Rates, Paul-Croteau, Mortgage-Specialist, Bank-of-Montreal