15 Mar 2017
March 15th, 2017
A Round up of News from Canada
British Visitors to Canada arriving by air must have an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
As British visitors to Canada arriving by air, must, as of November 2016, have an Electronic Travel Authority to travel to Canada. Those planning trips for 2017 are advised to apply in advance of booking flights. The ETA costs $7.00 and is valid for five year. Purchase is done online through www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp.
Please note : Any site charging more than $7.00 is not the official government site.
The Royal Alberta Museum will reopen its doors in Autumn 2017
Once it opens its doors, the new Royal Alberta Museum will be the largest museum in Western Canada, and an integral part of Edmonton's Art District. The Museum will embody the story of Alberta, preserving experiences for its people and places and inspiring visitors to explore and understand the world around them. The beautiful new museum will be completed at a significant price tag of $375.5 million and will feature natural and human history to share Alberta's incredible archeological and cultural stories, from changing landscapes, to First People to where the province is at today and the challenges it faces as a vibrant, growing . multicultural community.
The Royal Alberta Museum is in the process of relocating to its new home and will open its doors in late 2017
For more information : www.royalalbertamuseum.ca
Inuit Gallery in Winnipeg targets 2017 for Opening
Year 2017 - Canada's 150th birthday - has been set as the target date for the opening of a new Inuit Art Centre now in the works at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG). The goal is to move the 13,000 pieces of Inuit art currently in the WAG valuts and into a newly dedicated exhibitoin space for the collection.
The Inuit Art Centre will be the largest space dedicated to an indigenous group in North America, and the Inuit collection of Artefacts and art pieces at the WAG is the biggest of its kind in the world. The centre will be built adjacent to the existing art gallery, and will allow the WAG to expand its educational services with room for a new studio.
The WAG's collection of Inuit Art dates back to the early 1950's, when the Hudson Bay Company brought the first pieces south to Winnipeg from Arctic trading posts. Since then the development of art in the collection has evolved to include not only structures, but also prints, tapestries and visual media. The works have also been the focus of academic scholarship and have contributed towards the understanding of Inuit culture.
For more information and updates go to : www.wag.ca
Vancouver Hotel Openings September 30th, 2017
Park yourself a bit closer to home with a stay at Parq Vancouver, a hip hub of restaurants and gaming set to open in the midst of Vancouver's entertainment district. On September 30th, two new hotels are expected to launch in this vast development; the 329 room JW Marriott parq Vancouver (from $399) and the 188 room DOUGLAS, an Autograph Collection Hotel (from $409). Both hotels are connected via an elevated 2,787 square metre park, a casino, meeting and event spaec and a variety of restaurants and lounges led by James Beard Award Nominated restauranteur Elizabeth Blau and her husband, Chef Kim Canteenwalla. Additionally, the JW Marriott park Vancouver features a spa and fitness centre whilst the Douglas offers Fire pits and handcrafted cocktails in the park.
Opening 2018 : FLoating Ocean House to offer Luxury Insight into Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
A new luxury floating lodge on the remote west coast of Haida Gwaii, promises to give visitors fresh insights into a seldom seen side of this 'Galapagos of the North'. Surrounded by calm waters on the quiet shoreline of Haida Gwaii's Peel Inlet, Ocean House at Stads K'uns GawGa will offer a launching point to explore the natural beauty and culture of the First Nation in this destination. Visits will be packaged in 3 or 4 nights ,and both offer the opporutnity to discover the mystical beauty of towering cedars in old growth forests, ancient village sites , dramatic coastlines, broad beaches and the living culture of the Haida.
Opening 2018: Solstice Lodge, Northwest Territories
Canada's NOrthwest Territories will soon be home to Canada's first and only five star Aurora experience. Nestled in the boreal forest at the edge of Yellowknife's wilderness , this boutique lodge and spa will welcome you for authentic cultural and nature based adventures, romantic getaways, executive business , weddings, events and retreats. Amenities will include a striking main lodge, multiple guest lounges, private dining and bar, fireplaces in every room, a wine cellar, a stunning spa and infinity pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and sauna's . After an exhilirating day on the land, you'll come home to Solstice and your very own Aurora. Skylights will bring the heavens into the privacy of your fireside soaker tub and the warmth of your bed. The hill top skywatch lookouts , hot tubs and fire circles will entice you into the crisp air to see the moon rise and the stars fall - a glass of wine in hand of course.
Le Boat comes to Ontario, in 2018
Le Boat proposes a $16M investment on the Rideau Canal in the province of Ontario, with new state of the art canal boats designed to meet Ontario Maritime and Le Boat Customer Requirements. The fleet will be imported over a five year period from 2018 to 2022 with investment in Le Boat Infrastructure. Holiday makers will be able to pick up a vessel on the Rideau Canal (A UNESCO world Heritage Site) and make a journey to explore this region of Ontario in depth.
Coming to a TV Screen in 2017 - Filmed in Canada
Sky Atlantic last year confirmed that Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks were heading up the cast of Tin Star. Written by acclaimed screen writer, Rowan Joffe, and produced by Kudos (The Tunnel, Broadchurch, Humans), Tin Star will be an epic 10 x 60 tale of corruption of innocence, of murder, grief, all consuming revenge set against the backdrop of a remote and beautiful mountain town.
Tin Star tells the story of Jim Worth, an ex Metropolitan police detective who has moved with his family to the Rocky Mountains to start a new life as a local police chief in an idyllic rural community. When his small town is overrun by migrant workers from a massive new oil refinery - the wave of drugs, prostitution and organized crime that follows them threatens to sweep away everything in its wake.
The series has been filmed in the province of Alberta, setting for many Hollywood films such as Brokeback Mountain, Unforgiven, Bourne Legacy, Legend of the Fall.
New Road 'ITH' to open in 2018
After four years or work, the final 3.5 km of the Inuvik to Tuktoyatuk Highway (ITH) , along with two bridges, eight culverst , final grading and traffic sign installation is due to be completed by the Autumn of 2017. In addition to moving goods and people this new road from Inuvik to Tuktoyatuk (TUK) will serve as a key link in connecting Northern Communities. IN total the project cost the territorial government $99M whilst the Canadian goverment is contributing $200M. Thats $299M for a 137km gravel road. Once completed it will provide year around overland access to Tuk and the Beaufort Sea.
Several research and development activities have already been initiated to monitor road performance over sensitive terrain , test construction innovation and contribute to baseline research and monitoring activities. A permafrost monitoring network has been established consisting of over 70 ground temperature monitoring locations, including pilings at 8 bridge structures.
Two celebrations will be held in November 2017; one in Inuvik and one in Tuktoyaktuk. This is a momentus time for the Beaufort Delta after decades of effort to bring a highway to the Arctic Ocean. An official opening of the all season highway is planned for November 15, 2017. The grand opening however will take place in Summer 2018.
For more media information about Canada please contact :
Nim Singh, PR and Media Manager, Destination Canada on 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication)
