Deep-fried butter

Deep-fried butter became famous at American state fairs, where vendors from the Midwest and South go head-to-head every year trying to create the most outrageous foods imaginable.

The concoction features frozen butter covered in batter and then deep-fried so that the outside is crispy and the inside is melted. While many claim it tastes rich and delicious, Canadians felt that deep-fried butter took fair food too far.

Turducken

Turducken is three birds cooked together. There is a chicken inside of a duck inside of a turkey. Turducken was made popular through American football games and cooking shows during Thanksgiving dinner.

Canadians love their turkey day grub as much as anyone. But the difficulty in preparing and carving it, not to mention its massive size, makes them question why anyone would go through the trouble of making one to begin with.

Fried Kool-Aid

Fried Kool-Aid first became popular at American fairs, where vendors constantly try new gimmicks to catch customers’ attention. Mixed with batter, Kool-Aid powder is deep-fried into tiny balls and rolled in sugar. Purportedly, they have a bright color and sweet, fruity taste that will satisfy adventurous palates.

Garbage plate

Created in Rochester, New York, the Garbage Plate is a regional concoction of several comfort foods piled on one plate. Common toppings are home fries, macaroni salad, burger or hot dog, baked beans, onions, and a unique meat sauce. It was intended to feed factory workers and college students with cheap calories.

Canadians respect the ingenuity behind the plate, but admit it usually looks like several meals dumped together accidentally rather than with any sense of aesthetics.

Biscuits and chocolate gravy

Chocolate gravy has been consumed for generations in parts of Appalachia and the American South. Prepared with cocoa, sugar, butter, and milk, chocolate gravy is poured over soft biscuits and eaten for breakfast.

Canadians are no strangers to sweet breakfast foods (pancakes, maple syrup, etc.), but chocolate gravy is almost unknown north of the border.

Scrapple

Scrapple was invented by German immigrants in Pennsylvania as a method of using all of the pig. Pork scraps are mixed with cornmeal, spices, and broth. This mixture is then molded into a loaf, sliced, and fried.

Many love the crunchy outside and rich flavor, but no one tries scrapple after they know what it’s made of. Canadians like cutting down on wasted food as much as anyone else, but most believe there are simpler ways to use pork for breakfast.

Pickle pizza

Pickles on pizza seem to be gaining traction in American restaurants lately, specifically mid-west style pizza joints.

After rolling out the pizza dough, pizza chefs pile on sliced dill pickles, cheese, and typically a garlic or ranch-infused sauce. There are many people who swear by pickle pizza, and many people who cannot stand it.

Livermush

Livermush is particularly associated with North Carolina, where it is commonly served fried for breakfast, along with eggs and grits.

Made with pig liver, pork parts, cornmeal, and spices, livermush developed out of using every possible part of the pig. Livermush is even celebrated with festivals in some communities.

Frito pie

Frito Pie consists of corn chips topped with chili con carne, melted cheese, onions, and other toppings. This dish is popular at sporting events, fairs, and casual occasions throughout portions of the American Southwest.

Versions served directly into a partially opened bag of chips are common as well. Canadians generally like both chili and nachos, but they don’t really need the two combined into one portable snack.

Luther burger

The Luther Burger gets recognition for its substitution of a hamburger bun with two glazed doughnuts.

There are few meals quite as iconic or divisive as sweet doughnuts piled high with beef, cheese, and bacon. Fans love the sweet and savoury contrast, while others doubt the creation should ever have been attempted.

Chitlins

Chitlins (or chitterlings) are pig intestines that have been cleaned and cooked. They have been eaten for generations in Southern America. It is considered a soul food dish.

Pig intestines take hours to clean and cook properly, making them a labour-intensive meal. Though delicious, the distinct smell and texture alone is enough to keep chitlins as a cuisine unique to American culture.

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Peanut butter

Montreal pharmacist and chemist Marcellus Gilmore Edson filed the patent for peanut butter in 1884.

The patent, which described a process of milling roasted peanuts between two heated surfaces until the peanuts released their oils and became a paste, wasn’t intended to bring about one of the most dominant supermarket staples in history.

He was simply looking for an alternative source of protein for patients who had difficulty chewing solid food.

Canada Dry Ginger Ale

Torontonian pharmacist John J. McLaughlin experimented with many ginger beer recipes for years, trying to create a lighter, crispier version of the thick, sweet dark ginger beers being imported from Ireland.

In 1904, he hit upon the mix that would be used in his large-scale “Pale Dry Ginger Ale.” During prohibition, ginger ale became a favorite on the market because the crisp, dry flavor was especially adept at disguising the harsh taste of bootleg liquor and the brand became wildly successful worldwide.

The Caesar Cocktail

When asked to invent a signature beverage for the opening of a new Italian eatery in 1969, Calgary restaurant manager Walter Chell found inspiration in a plate of pasta alle vongole (otherwise known as spaghetti with clams).

After mashing up some clams and mixing their juices with tomato juice, vodka and a pinch of savoury spices, his quirky liquid concoction became Canada’s instant national cocktail; leading to a multibillion-dollar continental industry of pre-mixed bottled drinks, canned cocktails and endless restaurant menu options.

Poutine

Two or three rural Québecois towns are fighting over who originated this Québécois classic back in the late 1950s. However, the most popular tale involves Fernand Lachance, a restaurateur from Warwick who, in 1957, was asked by one of his regulars to dump cheese curds into his order of French fries carried in a newspaper bag.

Lachance is said to have replied that it would make “a damn mess” (une maudite poutine). Gravy was eventually added to keep everything warm, turning one messy dish into a worldwide fast-food phenomenon.

Hawaiian Pizza

In 1962, Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos was playing around with non-traditional pizza toppings at his Satellite Diner.

Inspired by how popular sweet and savory combos were in westernized Chinese dishes, he opened a can of Hawaiian-brand pineapple and tossed the rings on a regular ham pizza to see what would happen. It became an instant fan favorite and a multi-million dollar menu item at pizza chains worldwide.

Ketchup Chips

In the 1970s, Canadian snack food scientists were experimenting with spicy, extreme flavor powders to go with their regular line of chips.

Trying to duplicate the sweet, sour, salty flavor of regular tomato ketchup, they accidentally created a powder so red it completely glazed the chip. Intended to be a one-time novelty batch, the chip took off with an extremely devoted following, becoming a titan of the Canadian snack world.

Ginger Beef

When working at Calgary’s Silver Inn restaurant in the 1970s, Chinese immigrant chef George Wong struggled to sell traditional northern Chinese food to locals.

After noticing that people seemed to enjoy eating crispy, sweet foods, he took inexpensive, locally sourced Alberta beef cuts, fried them in batter, and covered them in a sweet, sticky ginger sauce.

The creative last-minute substitute ended up saving his failing business and inspired thousands of Chinese-Canadian restaurants across Canada.

Butter Tarts

Originating in rural Ontario in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the creation of butter tarts was a result of simple kitchen convenience.

Pioneer women often found themselves lacking ingredients for regular pie fillings and were instead limited to using what ingredients they could find in their pantries.

Mixing butter, sugar, syrup, and eggs and pouring the mixture into spare dough shells created a delicious dessert that later became a billion-dollar product line in grocery stores throughout Canada.

Puffed wheat

In the early 20th century, a Winnipeg food scientist was working with high-pressure steam cylinders looking for an efficient way to sterilize raw kernels of wheat. During one high-temperature run, a pressure valve got stuck. With nowhere to escape, the moisture was trapped inside the grains much longer than intended.

When the cylinder was forcefully opened, the rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure caused the super-heated kernels to explosively puff into light, crispy, hollow shells. After realizing that this structural implosion had accidentally produced a tasty and crunchy texture, the formula was soon commercialized and the multi-billion-dollar puffed cereal industry was born.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Old Quebec, Quebec

Visit Old Quebec if you’re looking to stroll through centuries-old atmospheric France. This 400-year-old historic district will transport you back in time better than any modern European city.

Home to the last remaining fortified city walls north of Mexico, Old Quebec is full of quaint, winding cobblestone streets, stone bistros, and outdoor artist markets. Towering above the St. Lawrence River, Château Frontenac’s turrets could have easily been borrowed from palaces in the Loire Valley.

Victoria, British Columbia

British Columbia’s capital city wears its Victorian heritage proudly. Victoria has the charm and atmosphere of a refined British estate town.

Red double-decker buses navigate past manicured floral displays, neo-Gothic parliamentary buildings, and Victoria’s inner harbour. To really get a taste of this old-world city, stop into the Fairmont Empress Hotel to enjoy a proper high tea.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Strolling the colorful timber buildings of this UNESCO World Heritage village feels like visiting a Northern German coastal trade port. German, Swiss and French colonists founded Lunenburg in 1753 and set the streets in a strict British grid.

You’ll find the town still maintains its seafaring soul, with tall ships docked and craftsmen working on the water’s edge.

Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

Located deep in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains, this pedestrian-only resort village looks like you’ve stumbled upon a bright, sun-soaked ski town hiding in the Swiss Alps.

Brightly painted chalets line the streets, complete with steep-roof angles to help melt heavy snowfall and outdoor fireside patios. There’s even a scenic open-air gondola that runs right above the cobblestone pathways.

St. John’s, Newfoundland

Built on the craggy cliffs of the Atlantic frontier, St. John’s looks and feels like a spirited Irish port town that somehow sailed halfway across the world to get there.

Famous for its “Jellybean Row,” a kaleidoscope of brightly painted wooden houses perched steeply against the grey harbour skies, St. John’s reminds visitors of the quaint painted streets of Cork or Cobh.

When the thick North Atlantic mist rolls into the harbor, the warm pubs, live fiddle music, and hospitality confirm why this is considered the most Irish place outside of Ireland.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Escape to the tranquil English Cotswolds without ever leaving southern Ontario. Everything about this immaculately maintained 19th-century village screams Jane Austen.

On the main street, you’ll find Georgian buildings, bright public flower boxes and horse-drawn carriages. Estate wineries dot the surrounding countryside. Even their festival theatres showcasing British playwrights couldn’t feel more Stratford-upon-Avon.

Banff, Alberta

Nestled among the high, sharp peaks of the Canadian Rockies, Banff has the Old World glamour of Zermatt or Chamonix written all over it.

The town’s main street was constructed to give visitors a straight shot to Cascade Mountain, placing a dramatic mountain backdrop behind charming wood- and stone-sided buildings, chocolate fondue restaurants and gear shops.

Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec

Wedged into a massive volcanic crater on the shores of Charlevoix, this scenic village is Canada’s version of French Provence.

Its streets are flanked by stone ancestral homes, slim-roofed churches and rows upon rows of independent art galleries and artisans’ boutiques. Rolling hills, working dairy farms and artisanal cheesemakers make you forget you’re in North America.

Fergus, Ontario

Built on the cliffs overlooking Elora Gorge, Fergus is a 19th century stone town that is pure Scottish Highlands.

Established by Scottish entrepreneurs in 1833, complete with limestone cottages, traditional pubs and a riverside stroll through rural Scotland, Fergus plays host to one of North America’s largest Scottish Festivals and Highland Games every August; attracting pipers and clan members from around the world.

St. Andrews by-the-Sea, New Brunswick

Built by British Loyalists in 1783, this coastal town has an uncanny resemblance to a posh Victorian-era seaside resort town in Wales or the South of England.

It’s a historic downtown area that comprises over 140 immaculately maintained historic buildings, traditional English-style estate gardens and a palatial Tudor-Revival style resort hotel.

Guests stroll past seaside clothing shops, whale-watching boats launch from the town wharf, and you can even drive your car across the ocean floor to Ministers Island during low tide.

Cambridge, Ontario

Situated on the banks of the Grand River is Cambridge, Ontario’s historic district of Galt. A literal twin of an old English university town nestled along the river, Galt’s streets are lined with limestone structures constructed from stone quarried nearby during the 1800s by Scottish stonemasons.

stone churches, mills and European bridges crossing the river make it a popular backdrop for period pieces.

Percé, Quebec

Perched atop sheer cliffs overlooking sea caves and featuring a weathered oceanfront village, Percé resembles a seaside town along the coast of Brittany.

Percé Rock dominates the village over the Gulf of St. Lawrence and is reminiscent of the natural limestone formations found along the coast of Etretat, France.

Goderich, Ontario

Famous as Canada’s prettiest town, Goderich is unusual in that its design was modeled after a European ideal.

Goderich’s whole downtown area circles around a huge, eight-sided green plaza. This style reflects Goderich’s similarity to radial piazzas and expansive octagonal plazas in Italian cities built in the Renaissance era.

Parental leave

The U.S. is the only industrialized country that does not offer some sort of federally mandated paid family leave policy. Instead, many new parents are forced to take unpaid time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows 12 weeks of completely unpaid time off work.

Meanwhile, Canada’s federal employment insurance program provides new parents with up to 18 months of job-protected parental leave and partial income.

Cleaner cities

Many large American cities struggle with visible litter and poorly funded sanitation departments due to severe socio-economic segregation and localized tax systems.

Canadian cities receive large funding centrally & littering is ingrained as rude behaviour, so major Canadian cities like Calgary and Montreal usually rank among the top of lists for cleanest cities in quality-of-life indexes.

Higher education

Attending university in America usually means accumulating decades’ worth of soul-crushing student loan debt. Tuition for private or out-of-state universities can cost upwards of $40,000-$60,000 per year.

Canadian post-secondary education is heavily subsidized by the government, with average in-country undergraduate tuition coming in at around $7,000 per year.

Retirement security

Retirement in the U.S. relies upon volatile 401(k) plans and an overburdened Social Security system that subjects large numbers of seniors to poverty.

Canada’s Old Age Security is supplemented by the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), a completely funded, universally portable, professionally managed public investment fund that is among the safest retirement systems in the world.

Tap-and-pay infrastructure

U.S. merchants spent years fighting the adoption of anything more advanced than mag stripe cards, and Americans still often get asked to sign a receipt or awkwardly plug their card into a reader.

Canadians adopted Interac chip-and-PIN and contact- less “tap” infrastructure many years before America, and today quick tap payments can be made everywhere from Tim Hortons to remote parking meters.

Mortgage Protection

Predatory, uninsured subprime lending and disastrous 30-year fixed mortgages were a primary cause of the United States housing market collapse in 2008.

Canada’s Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation insures mortgages against default for homeowners who put less than 20% down on a home (eliminating subprime mortgages entirely), helping to keep the whole country’s economy stable in the event of a sudden housing market shift.

Multi-ethnic integration

While the U.S. has long subscribed to a “melting pot” theory that immigrants should assimilate into the American culture, abandoning their unique heritage in favor of creating one American identity, Canada created official multiculturalism.

Canada’s “cultural mosaic” not only allows but encourages new immigrants to retain their cultural traditions, languages and heritages, and they attain citizenship at much higher rates with easier social integration.

Consumer protection

Consumer protection in the United States is a patchwork of state laws and ineffective federal enforcement, leaving consumers confused as to their rights.

Canada offers strong consumer protection by means of powerful provincial laws that require goods to carry an implied warranty of quality; if a product fails prematurely for its price and usage, the retailer must repair or refund it.

Public etiquette

Public life in the U.S. sometimes verges on hyper-individualistic, with aggressive driving habits, loud phone conversations in quiet zones, and a transactional approach to daily interactions.

Canadians pride themselves on social norms of courtesy, apologizing to smooth over small annoyances, opening doors for others, and quietly queuing up.

Immigration

The immigration system in the U.S. is built around strict employer-specific visas and a green card backlog so large that talented foreigners have to wait decades to get permission to stay in the country permanently.

Canada’s system is points-based, which means they grade you directly on your skills, ability to speak English/French, and education level. Qualified foreigners from all over can come to Canada and get permanent residency comparatively faster.

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New York North

One of the biggest complaints Toronto locals have is that everyone is comparing their city to New York. Sure, both cities have skyscrapers and busy downtown cores, but Torontonians say those are the only similarities.

There are many differences Toronto residents appreciate: multicultural neighborhoods, cleaner streets and a more relaxed vibe. Many Torontonians think their city should stand on its own, rather than being compared to a U.S city.

Everyone’s rich

Many people think that because Toronto is Canada’s financial hub, all Torontonians must be rich. Torontonians find this assumption hilarious.

Although Toronto does have richer areas, the city also has students, working-class families, immigrants just starting out, and others who can’t afford the city’s inflated prices. There are plenty of Torontonians struggling with sky-high rent, mortgages and high prices just like everywhere else.

Unfriendly people

It’s a stereotype that Torontonians hear all across Canada: people from Toronto are cold and unfriendly. Locals argue that this stereotype stems from people mistaking busy for rude.

When living in a bustling metropolis, many people are rushing to and from work and don’t want to stop for small talk. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t friendly. Once you get the conversation rolling, most people in Toronto are welcoming and will go out of their way to help strangers.

No history

Toronto’s skyline is filled with towering skyscrapers, so many people believe there is nothing historic about the city.

Residents disagree, however, and claim that Toronto is home to many historic neighborhoods and Victorian-era houses, churches that are hundreds of years old, and monuments that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the past

Unsafe city

Extreme headlines and media coverage lead some to believe Toronto has turned into an unsafe city. While crime is present in Toronto like any big city, locals say it’s not as bad as you think.

Most neighborhoods across the city are safe for residents to walk around in the evenings, children play in local parks, and families take public transportation without fear. Plus, millions of residents commute to and from work or school every day without incident.

Bad weather

Many people think Toronto has constant snow, freezing temperatures, and gloomy weather. Torontonians will tell you that Toronto has some of the nicest weather in Canada.

It’s warm in the summer and sunny much of the time. Fall brings vivid colours and winter is usually quite mild compared to areas north or west of Toronto. Sure, the weather can be bad at times, but it’s way more balanced than most people think.

No nature

People think Toronto is a big city of concrete and steel. Residents explain that there is actually more than enough green space. The city boasts massive park systems, beaches, ravines, trails and even the Toronto Islands. A person could spend a whole day outside in Toronto and never actually leave the city.

Hockey only

Another assumption people make is that everyone in Toronto is obsessed with hockey. Although many people enjoy hockey, locals say they have many more diverse interests.

Basketball, soccer, cricket, baseball, tennis and other sports draw big crowds.

No community

Due to Toronto’s immense size, some believe Torontonians can feel isolated from each other. Residents claim otherwise.

Several neighbourhoods have distinct identities. Some have grassroots communities that band together often. Toronto may be a big city, but many people say it feels like a collection of smaller communities where neighbors genuinely know and support one another.

Center of universe

Many Canadians joke that Toronto thinks it is the center of the universe. Residents will laugh and tell you they have heard that joke thousands of times.

They are sick of hearing it. Toronto is a major financial and cultural hub. But few people spend their days reckoning that their city is better than the rest of Canada. Some joke that the stereotype says more about rivalries than about Torontonians themselves.

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Canadian Tire

To Americans, the name sounds like a tire store. To Canadians, it’s a department store, but also a home improvement megastore, sports retail chain, garden center and automotive center all rolled into one.

Best of all? Canadian Tire Money. Since 1958, Canadian Tire has operated its own loyalty program currency that was so revered it became the target of counterfeit rings and was actually accepted as official currency by local pubs and bars.

Shoppers Drug Mart

America has Walgreens and CVS. Canada has Shoppers Drug Mart. But they don’t operate on the same level. Sure, it’s a pharmacy. But it’s also an upscale beauty boutique (complete with luxury cosmetics shelves and full-on beauty consultants), grocery shop, electronics store and neighborhood hangout.

Hudson’s Bay Company (The Bay)

Founded in 1670 as an actual fur-trading empire that once controlled an immense portion of land on the North American continent, “The Bay” was North America’s oldest continually functioning company till recently. Though the stores shut down recently, their green, red, yellow, and indigo striped point blankets are literally pieces of history.

Harvey’s

Fast food joints have been built on the concept of moving burgers down an assembly line wrapped in paper before they arrive at your restaurant window.

Harvey’s gambled for nearly 60 years on the exact opposite concept: “Beautiful Munch”.

Since opening their doors in 1959, Harvey’s has been serving flame-grilled burgers in front of customers who then walk down a glass enclosed garnish case to select how they want their burger dressed by an employee making them fresh to order.

LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)

The LCBO is a government-owned crown corporation. It is one of the largest single buyers and retailers of alcohol on the planet.

The size and centralization of its buying power allow it to request rare vintages, set worldwide pricing patterns and demand unparalleled luxury, curated retail that feels like a chic museum. Government run alcohol monopoly this large and authoritarian doesn’t fly in the U.S., with its state-by-state liquor laws.

Swiss Chalet

The menu might seem shockingly simple to outsiders: rotisserie chicken cooked slow-roasted on a spit, fries, a white roll, and a cup of intensely proprietary, herb-forward, acidic dipping sauce advertised simply as “Chalet Sauce.”

Established in 1954, Swiss Chalet operates on old-fashioned, multi-generational comfort food nostalgia. The unique taste of their signature dipping sauce polarizes outsiders and bonds Canadians in a nostalgic sit-down dining experience that a new brand could never replicate in the US.

Cineplex (Odeon)

For much of the past decade, American movie theater chains have struggled to stay solvent while Canadian theater giant Cineplex has continued to expand, working towards dominating Canada’s movie theater market.

Much of its success comes from gobbling up competitors and becoming less about films and more about entertainment experiences; introducing amenities like VIP dine-in theaters, The Rec Room (gigantic restaurant-arcades), and entertainment destinations that help theater-going stay relevant in the digital age.

Dollarama

Most dollar stores in America are corporate chains such as Dollar Tree or Dollar General that have notorious issues with overcrowded shelves and local resident complaints.

Dollarama is the opposite: their stores are pristine, extremely organized, ultra-efficient. They have cornered the discount market in Canada so well that they have no real competition, presenting themselves as a higher-end, well-curated establishment and raising the bar for the entire dollar store concept.

Boston Pizza

This casual dining empire wasn’t actually founded in Boston. Rather, it was started in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1964.

It is unique from a structural standpoint. Each establishment is divided right down the center into two entirely different atmospheres: family friendly, high-booth dining room on one side; energetic, high-intensity sports bar on the other, complete with an enormous menu ranging from artisan pizza to wings and noodles.

Roots

Roots was founded in Toronto in 1973 and refined the hardworking cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic of the Canadian outdoors into elegant urban streetwear.

Defined by its trademark beaver logo, salt-and-pepper sweatpants, and hand-stitched leather goods, Roots struck a careful balance between comfy athletic apparel and earnest luxury.

MEC

Started in 1971 as a co-operative, buying anything from MEC (Mountain Equipment Company) meant purchasing a five-dollar lifetime membership, whether you were buying a climbing rope or a jacket.

Membership made customers shareholders and birthed a cult-like following who viewed this brand as an environmental crusade and less of a store. Though MEC has moved away from the pure co-op model since 2020, it still owns the narrative when it comes to Canadian wilderness.

WestJet

Started in 1996 as a low-cost Canadian West startup, WestJet has done what U.S. discount carriers have failed to do: grow into a global premium airline without losing its down-home personality.

It challenged Canada’s long-distance, sparse population with international routes and upscale Dreamliners without sacrificing its famed employee profit-sharing program.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Skylon Tower Dining

The revolving restaurant atop Skylon Tower provides some incredible views of Niagara Falls, but some feel that the food isn’t always worth the inflated prices.

Tourists looking to dine here may end up spending double what they would at other restaurants in the Niagara region. If you’re looking to take in the view, locals suggest buying your ticket to the observation decks and then visiting one of the restaurants around town.

Banff Main Street

Banff’s downtown core is charming with plenty of mountain town charm. However, it can get very crowded and expensive during tourist season. Restaurants, gift shops, and hotel rooms all jack up prices because they know people are coming to Banff. Locals will tell you that a huge influx of tourists never leaves Main Street and miss some of the most beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and lookouts that are just beyond downtown.

Peak Season Lake Louise

Arguably one of Canada’s most photographed areas, Lake Louise comes at a price. Visitors often arrive early to stake their spot in the parking lots. Summer crowds pack the shuttle line and lakeshore, trying to snap that perfect photo. Most locals recommend getting there as early as possible. Visit during the off-season or check out some of the smaller lakes within driving distance that offer similar scenery without all of the people.

Old Quebec Carriages

While horse-drawn carriage rides through Old Quebec may look like a romantic and historic way to see the city, many locals will warn you they’re not worth the steep price. Old Quebec is a small district you can easily walk around. It’s filled with quaint streets, gorgeous historic buildings and secret spots you’ll want to discover at your own pace.

Gastown Souvenirs

Gastown’s (Vancouver) cobblestone streets, historic buildings and famous steam clock are definitely worth checking out. However, a lot of the stores along the streets will be tourist trap shops selling over-priced souvenirs that are likely made in China. Try to enjoy the history and architecture of the neighborhood, and support the area’s local independent businesses instead of buying Gastown-themed souvenirs you could find cheaper anywhere else.

Whistler Village Prices

Whistler is one of the best mountain destinations in North America. However, accommodation, dining, parking, and entertainment there can be very expensive, especially when visiting during ski season or summer holidays. Visiting Whistler is worth it, locals agree but recommend staying in nearby villages and booking as far in advance as possible to avoid some of Canada’s worst tourist prices.

Stanley Park Horse Tours

One of Canada’s most beautiful urban parks, Vancouver’s Stanley Park has forests, beaches, gardens and waterfront views you won’t want to miss. Though many tourists choose to take in the views by horse-drawn carriage, locals know the park is easy to navigate. Rent a bike or simply walk Stanley Park’s seawall for more flexibility, better photo ops and at a fraction of the cost.

Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls

Walk a few steps away from the breathtaking Horseshoe Falls and you’ll find yourself on a street littered with overstimulating souvenir shops, over-priced wax museums, mirror mazes and junk food chains. Locals avoid it completely and drive 20 minutes south to Niagara- on-the-Lake to check out quaint historic streets, local wineries, and picturesque biking trails along the Niagara River.

CN Tower Restaurant

Eating at Toronto’s CN Tower Revolving Restaurant 360 has become something of a cliché bucket-list experience, usually accompanied by a prix-fixe menu minimum and disappointing over-priced food. For truly memorable Toronto skyline views, Torontonians recommend visiting an upscale rooftop patio in the downtown core, or taking the inexpensive ferry to Ward’s Island for breathtaking vistas across the water.

Peggy’s Cove Restaurants

Nova Scotia’s Peggy’s Cove is a famous destination among visitors from around the globe. Known for its picturesque lighthouse and breathtaking views along Canada’s Atlantic coastline, the scenery here is well worth the trip. However, some restaurants and gift shops located near the Cove have been known to price-gauge tourists. Instead, local tourists recommend visiting nearby communities outside Peggy’s Cove for cheaper eats and shopping.

Parliament Hill Gift Shops

While touring Parliament Hill is a must for visitors to Ottawa, many of the shops surrounding the city’s major attractions overcharge on maple leaf-themed gifts, T-shirts and novelty items. Ottawa locals know there are plenty of smaller, Canadian-owned stores elsewhere that offer better prices, higher quality goods and more unique gifts.

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Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the United States Declaration of Independence and wrote that “all men are created equal,” was a slave owner. Jefferson owned more than 600 slaves during his lifetime.

After his wife died, Jefferson began an interracial relationship with Sally Hemings, one of his teenage slaves who was also his wife’s half-sister. He probably fathered at least six children with Hemings, all of whom were born into slavery.

Winston Churchill

Best known as the prime minister who guided Great Britain during World War II, Churchill was privately cruel and contemptuous towards colonial subjects. Churchill’s policies and refusal to redirect shipping space to India worsened the Bengal Famine of 1943, which killed up to three million Indians from starvation.

When pressured by members of the British government to send grain to India, Churchill infamously penned in his journal that Indians were responsible for the famine because they breed like rabbits.

Mahatma Gandhi

Even though Gandhi is internationally revered as a civil rights leader and advocate of peaceful disobedience, his personal practices were quite scandalous. Towards the end of his life, Gandhi made his teenage grandnieces sleep naked in his bed each night as a self-experiment to prove his spirituality and celibacy.

Additionally, when Gandhi was a young lawyer in South Africa, he commonly described black Africans using racist slurs in both his personal letters and published documents.

Mother Teresa

Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for charitable work in Calcutta, Mother Teresa presented herself to the world as a font of indiscriminate mercy. Internally, however, the hospitals and hospices she ran embraced an unsettling theological belief that physical suffering was a beautiful means of uniting oneself with Christ’s passion.

Medical professionals who inspected her establishments found that terminally ill patients were denied even mild painkillers, made to lie in their own filth, and quietly baptized against their will at the point of death, regardless of their religion.

Christopher Columbus

For centuries, Christopher Columbus has been depicted as a brave adventurer bridging Europe and the Americas. Over the past few decades, historians have given more scrutiny to Columbus’ treatment of Indigenous people.

Primary sources recorded brutal punishments, enslavement, and exploitation of the natives. Although his expeditions did shape world history for the ages, many believe Columbus was a man who caused great harm to others.

John Lennon

World-renowned as a pacifist singing advocate of peace, love, and hippie brotherhood, Lennon penned songs that spoke to millions who yearned for an end to war. Privately, he led a life filled with volcanic temper tantrums, emotional abuse, and physical abuse of his partners.

His eldest son, Julian, would eventually write that his father was emotionally distant, generally absent, cold, and capable of horrific fits of anger. Lennon openly admitted in interviews that he was a physically abusive partner in his younger years.

Charles Dickens

The great Victorian novelist fought for the rights of the poor and orphans and wrote A Christmas Carol to promote family values and giving to charity. In his personal life, Dickens became outrageously bitter with his wife, Catherine, after she had produced ten children for him.

He kicked her out of their family home, attempted to legally split their house in half so he never had to see her again, and cruelly had her committed to an insane asylum so he could carry on with an eighteen-year-old actress.

Steve Jobs

Jobs cofounded Apple and brought great innovation to the technology we use today. He inspired people to publicly “think different” and chase perfection. Privately, Jobs could be extremely cruel and lacked empathy.

He screamed at employees, embarrassed engineers in public, and fired workers with no warning or severance. Jobs notoriously denied for several years that he was the father of his first daughter, Lisa. He even claimed in a court document that he was sterile, forcing his daughter’s mother to go on welfare.

Alfred Hitchcock

Creator of some of the best-known thrillers in movie history and called the “Master of Suspense,” Hitchcock terrorized his actresses behind the scenes. One of the most infamous was actress Tippi Hedren while filming The Birds.

Hitchcock controlled every aspect of Hedren’s life; he had her followed everywhere, put live birds in her dressing room, and purposely made her spend hours filming with frightened live birds taped to her body. Hedren suffered deep cuts across her face and had a nervous breakdown as a result.

Coco Chanel

The French fashion designer transformed women’s attire and is remembered for her classic style of elegance, modernism and liberation.

During World War II and the Nazi occupation of Paris, Chanel exploited the political climate to further her own agenda by registering as an agent for the Nazi military intelligence service, the Abwehr.

Chanel leveraged elite Nazi contacts and an ongoing affair with a German officer to live lavishly at the Ritz Hotel while scheming to remove Jewish business partners from her perfume company.

Pablo Picasso

No artist has had more influence on twentieth-century art than Picasso, who literally reinvented what art looked like with Cubism. Picasso was also an unabashed misogynist.

He cynically manipulated the women in his life as muses. Picasso viewed all women as either goddesses or doormats. He mentally, physically, and emotionally abused his wives and mistresses, including two who committed suicide as a result of his treatment of them.

Roald Dahl

The author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda delighted children all over the world with his zany, fantastical writing. Off the page, Roald Dahl was known to be difficult, abrasive, and, quite frankly, horrible to his publishers, friends, and family.

He was also an unabashed, outspoken anti-Semite who proudly defended himself in interviews and wrote hateful essays proclaiming Jewish people were to blame for their persecution.

Lord Byron

Byron was revered throughout Europe as the archetypal Romantic poet. His fame was based on his melancholy demeanor, his lovely poetry and his vocal support for political liberation.

He pursued countless women with a predatory abandon, seducing even his half-sister in an incestuous affair. His treatment of his wife was so cold and psychologically abusive that she ended the marriage because she feared for her life.

Frank Sinatra

Sinatra was known as the charming frontman of the Rat Pack and set the standard for American cool for years with his unrivaled singing voice and philanthropy. Offstage, he was infamous for drunken rages and unpredictable fits of intimidation that frightened his associates.

He destroyed hotel rooms, beat up critics, stayed close with high-level mobsters throughout his career, and made use of his tremendous influence in the entertainment industry to blacklist others.

Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton revolutionized how people viewed science and the world. To the people who interacted with him, he could be aloof, private, and aggressively competitive. Newton engaged in decades-long scientific feuds and was capable of incredible pettiness towards his peers.

After he accrued power in scientific societies, he would wield it over people he felt had wronged him. Newton was a genius, but he could also hold a grudge for decades.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

Economic stability

When we surveyed Canadians on what they feel contributes most to their quality of life, many talked about Canada’s economic stability.

Although some may struggle with housing prices and affordability, they felt that Canada has good job opportunities, reliable banks, and enough economic stability to allow its citizens to feel comfortable about their future.

Some observed how Canada’s economy is diversified among many sectors like natural resources, manufacturing, technology, and financial services.

Reliable public institutions

Many respondents talked about their trust in public institutions. Elections are mostly peaceful, schools operate consistently, and public services usually work as expected.

Courts, banks, and government agencies are far from flawless, but most people trust them. This consistent nature allows them to feel secure and know what to expect, so they can go about building their lives instead of worrying about instability.

Manageable commutes

Many said that one of the greatest quality of life benefits is having time. Although traffic can be frustrating at times (especially in bigger cities), commuters said their travel times pale in comparison to those in many major cities around the world.

A handful of Canadians said that by spending less time in traffic, they have more time to spend with family and friends and engage in hobbies.

Everyday trust

Many Canadians talked about the amount of trust they experience in their day-to-day lives. Many find that their neighbors look out for each other, strangers are willing to lend a helping hand, and they can count on honesty in daily interactions.

Parents trust their children to roam the neighborhood at a young age. Of course, there are communities with lower levels of trust, but many believe that trust makes life that much safer.

Active living

Access to physical activities was frequently mentioned by Canadians as a key advantage of living in Canada. They listed community recreation leagues, biking trails, hiking trails, skating rinks, ski hills and recreation centers. Those with children mentioned how thankful they are that children can be involved in so many sports and activities year-round.

Public libraries

In addition to lending books, libraries offer free access to the internet, language classes, career development workshops and provide space to study. They also host free events, concerts, movie nights and educational activities for people of all ages.

Newcomers go to libraries to improve their language skills and learn about life here. Libraries connect communities and make knowledge, resources and opportunities available to everyone regardless of income.

Freshwater access

Canada has about 20% of the world’s surface freshwater reserves. Many Canadians feel lucky that they experience this abundance every day.

Lakes and rivers are accessible to many, even those who live in cities. People of all ages take weekend trips to go swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or relaxing at parks along the water.

There are even towns across the country built around lakes and rivers, which allow people to engage with waterways year-round.

Less status pressure

Most said they experience less pressure than those in some other countries to continuously demonstrate their achievements. Some said that Canadians are generally less likely to judge others based on income, job title or material possessions and more likely to judge them on their character.

A number of respondents felt that Canadian culture is relatively humble and that they enjoy not having to one-up everyone socially.

Consumer confidence

Most people we talked to said they worry about the safety of their food or if products meet basic consumer standards. Many noted that while they don’t often think about provincial or federal regulation, they feel grateful for the general feeling of security that comes from living in a country with strong consumer rights.

Some were of the view that this as one of those privileges you don’t realize you have until you travel or live abroad.

Life beyond work

When talking about quality of life, many mentioned hobbies or interests outside of work. They mentioned family time, outdoor activities, volunteering, travelling, and hobbies.

Some noted that they like living in a culture where people usually respect personal time and do not measure someone’s entire life by their career success.

Montreal smoked meat

Montreal smoked meat brisket is unlike its sweeter American equivalent, pastrami. Instead of a liquid marinade, it’s dry-rubbed with a hearty blend of cracked peppercorns, coriander, mustard seed and garlic.

After curing, the meat is smoked, then steamed until it’s tender enough to fall apart. It tastes best when piled high on rye bread with a hefty smear of yellow mustard.

Tourtière

A hearty, warmly spiced meat pie with origins dating back to the 1600s, this classic French-Canadian dish is truly soul-soothing.

Traditionally, it’s enveloped in a tender, buttery pastry crust and filled with a mixture of very finely ground pork, beef or veal seasoned liberally with cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg.

Bannock

Bannock is an important, historical quick bread stewed deep in Indigenous food culture. This flatbread can be baked over an open flame, in an oven, or fried lightly in a pan.

Plain bannock will create a crispy, gorgeous outside and a heavy, fluffy inside. It’s perfect to use as a blank canvas to enjoy with wild berry jam or big game stew.

Nanaimo bars

Made famous by home cooks across Canada, this no-bake square comes from Nanaimo, British Columbia.

It’s a three-layer treat, beginning with a crunchy, chocolaty graham cracker and coconut base, topped by a thick layer of creamy vanilla custard buttercream and crowned with a smooth layer of shiny chocolate ganache.

Peameal bacon

Peameal bacon is Toronto’s unique contribution to breakfast cuisine. It is not smoked side bacon or your typical back bacon.

Rather, it is an ultra-lean pork loin wet-cured with mild salt-and-sugar brine. It’s rolled in cornmeal to form a pretty crust. This cut is exceptionally juicy and best enjoyed grilled and on a soft bun with some mustard.

Saskatoon berry pie

Canada’s Prairies are home to one true delicacy: the Saskatoon berry. Like blueberries, these indigenous wild berries pack much more flavour. Their sweet taste has intense nutty, even almond-like notes. Baked inside a butter crust, the berry sings with sweetness and tartness.

Halifax donair

A delectable late-night East Coast icon, this dish serves up a Northeastern take on the gyro or kebab.

Very seasoned ground beef is spit-roasted and shaved into thin slices that are served atop tomatoes and onions on a fresh, hot pita. A sweet donair sauce made with condensed milk, vinegar, and garlic completes the sandwich.

Maple taffy

Nothing says springtime like this treat at the old-fashioned Québec sugar shacks.

Hot, pure, concentrated maple syrup is drizzled onto fresh, clean snow. When the liquid hardens into a chewy, gooey string, it is then rolled onto a stick, creating all-natural, sticky candy that’s rich, sweet goodness.

Montreal-style bagels

Smaller, thinner, and denser than New York-style bagels, Montreal-style bagels are an entirely different animal.

Sweetened by boiling in honey-water, Montreal bakers then plunge them into a fiercely hot, wood-fired oven. The result is a chewy, smoky-smelling bread topped liberally with sesame or poppy seeds and boasting an enormous hole.

Split pea soup

A true winter staple with French-Canadian origins, this meal was historically cooked with ingredients that would fill you up and keep you going.

Yellow split peas are simmered for hours with a cured ham hock, onions, and wild herbs until the liquid is ultra-thick and creamy. Salt-forward and smoky, it’s the perfect cure for a chilly day.