A quick question: when people go to Canada, do you have to
speak some French? I studied a little in high school, but
I'm afraid I can't remember too much.
Another thing - it's not, like, cold in the summer is it?
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Steph bring your parka coat if you're coming here this
summer - temperatures are extra low this year, and they are
predicting that the ground may not thaw at all.
And absolutely bring a french language phrase book - you can
get by with English in certain places like Quebec city, but
for the rest you will find occasional pockets of English,
and likely the locals will only grudgingly speak it with
you. Enjoy your trip, and remember all the stereo-types are
true.
Depends where you are going. The more western you go the more english it is.
The above post is incorrect. It should read the more west
you go, the more Spanish you hear. Canada was settled by
the Frendch and Spaniards, and today French and Spanish are
the two official languages, with English being spoken by a
minority mostly in the Northern jungle areas.
Just North of Ottawa on Monday it was +25C = 77F
In june it will go to +30C = 86F. Warm enough ?
Go to Toronto first where you will hear no French. Then take the Moose Bus to Ottawa where you will hear plenty of French but everyone speaks English. Go to Carman Trails, where the Moose Bus turns around and there you may speak English or French as you choose. Then go on to Montreal by Moose Bus where you will hear mainly French but most people speak English and finally take the Moose Bus on to Quebec City where again, most people speak French and most people speak some English. You will be made welcome everywhere. Contact
www.magma.ca/~carman for details
Naw up here in the great white norht it freezing all year
round otherwise all our igloos might melt. You know that the
the Sky Dome in Toronto where the Blue Jays won the world
series twice is actually just the worlds largest igloo. And
I herd a romour last week that some crazy millionair in
western Canada is actually planning Canada's first flush
toilet. And I don't know what everyone else is talking about
but we all speak in Inuit dialects up here with only very
few who speak Russian and Pig Latin. I think I may actually
be one of only 25 Canadians that can speack english and
wheres anything but bear and moose fur togas........Eh
My, my, my...aren't we all a little sensitive? Maybe poor
Steph is planning to go to the parts of Canada where
Canadians DO speak french and is wondering if her pitiful
high school knowledge is enough to get her by. And maybe
she doesn't know what summer temperatures are expected to
be in Canada. Be a little kind to those that want to visit
your fair country and get rid of the chip, ok? Not all of
us are having a dig. Some of us want to know as much about
Canada as we can before we arrive, so as not to offend you
all further by our ignorance.
Went there last year, and was bored to tears. Ottawa's
even worse. Stick to BC, it's happening.
Sorry for all the bullshit my fellow countrypeople are
spewing. It seems like they are a weee bit touchy these
days. And now for some answers to your questions.
The summer in Canada is beautiful! The temperatures in
places like Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto will all hover around
25 Celsius for the months of June, July, & August. The West
is slightly cooler, but still very nice and comfortable.
In terms of language, you won't need French in most of
Canada. Every province, except for Quebec, is English
speaking. In Quebec, the majority speak French, however in
Montreal many people are bilingual and there should be no
problem getting around in English. In Quebec City, you may
encounter more difficulties as everything is French, but
again most people are friendly and will try their darndest
to help you out.
Hope this helps. Have a great time in Canada.
C'mon this person's questions are a tad stupid to put it
politley. Why not take the piss with her a bit? Is there
no one on this TT who has a sense of humour
actually in the prairies during july-august the
temperature is around 30C and it doesnt usually go lower
than 20C
Hi there!
As some of the above posts mentioned it really depends on
where in Canada you go as to how much French you may or may
not need. Quebec is the biggie but there are other
Francaphone commmunities scattered about.. some in New
Brunswick and usually a few small towns in each province. As
to the weather.
Most of Canada *is* cool in the winter. However summer
temperatures are quite nice. (usually btwn 22-35 ║C).
However if you are coming to BC be warned that it has been
unseasonably cool this spring and we are at around 13 -
16/17 ║C at present on the W.coast.. This cool weather is
affecting most of the NW from N. Orgeon to BC... but it is
forcasted to finally start warming up next week. Ig you come
to the West don;t forgte your umbrella and windbreaker,
*just in case*. Here is a url to the Canadian Weather
Network: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/
canada (the southern part anyway) stays around the high 70's
during the summer. British Columbia tends to rain a lot.
For good nightlife go to Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver,
but ask the locals what to do or you'll be totally lost.
You can get away without speaking french in Quebec and the
rest of the country doesn't give a shit about speaking
french.
I must say, after reading those posts, I can see why we
have produced so many famous comedians over the years. In
true Canadian fashion, the sarcasm came out in full force.
I especially like the one about Spanish/French rule. Even
the apologizing from others was atipycal.
In my experience the only Canadians with a chip on their
shoulder are those in Quebec- this coming from a biligual
Canadian who has been there 3 times.
Have a great trip Steph, and try to pick up a little
sarcasm while you're here.
BC
...here's some 60's humour...oops..humor
"We've got many of fine attractions in the countryside so
pretty where the tourists can go and rubber neck
You can see live Torontonians commuting to the city
Or watch French Canadian separtists conspiring in Quebec
So, Come up to Canada, come up to Canada
your next door neighbour that is here to welcome you
You can drink our strong Canadian booze
See us in our igloos
We'll put the act on especially for you
We'll ask about your Uncle Sam and How ya' doin' in Vietnam
We're always glad to take you by the hand
Now 1967 should put Canada in orbit that's the year of our
centenial you know
And there'll be a flood of tourist, but we think we can
absorb it
And in 1968 we'll sit and count up all the dough
So, come up to Canada, come up to Canada
The young dominion where the snow's up to your knees
We've got tons and tons of Arctic air and scores of
Mounties everywhere
We'll be just as Canadian as you please
And we'll make darn sure your money doesn't freeze!!!!"
Says it all....