Happy Canada Day!

Proud of this place and the way we look out for each other.
An all-Canadian issue celebrating what makes it feel like home.
Here’s to a day with good friends, family, neighbours!

Canada’s Most Scenic Summer Road Trips

There’s something distinctly Canadian about the road trip. Distances stretch wide, landscapes change without warning, and even a “quick drive” can feel like moving through several different worlds in a single afternoon. It’s about giving yourself permission to detour, to stop for a view you didn’t plan for, and to realize the journey is the whole point.

One of the most iconic routes is British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Highway, where the drive from Vancouver to Whistler delivers ocean views, waterfalls, and mountain peaks that appear almost too close to be real. It’s less about the destination than the steady unfolding of scenery along the way.

Further east, Alberta’s Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper is a study in scale—glaciers, turquoise lakes, and long stretches of highway where wildlife sightings are as common as roadside viewpoints. It’s the kind of drive that naturally slows you down.

On the East Coast, Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail loops through Cape Breton with cliffs dropping into the Atlantic, fishing villages tucked into coves, and winding roads that demand unhurried attention.

Even closer to urban centres, there are quieter gems: the Thousand Islands Parkway in Ontario or scenic routes along the St. Lawrence River in Québec, where water, heritage towns, and farmland trade places as you drive.

The Canadian Summer Bucket List

Summer in Canada doesn’t really arrive with a checklist—it just sort of happens, and then we all end up doing the same things every year without questioning it. The cottage weekend that turns into a full relocation. You leave Friday with a small bag. By Sunday, you’re debating whether you actually need to go back yet.

The first lake swim of the season. There’s always a moment at the edge of the dock where everyone pauses, pretends it’s fine, and then commits all at once. Patio selection becomes a group decision. It’s not just about food—it’s sun exposure, shade timing, wind, and whether anyone is willing to move once seated.

A road trip with a loosely defined destination. You know the direction. The exact stops will be decided somewhere between snacks and “are we there yet?”

Ice cream lines that are always longer than expected. Still worth it. Every time. No one learns.

Fireworks watched in hoodies you definitely brought “just in case.” It looks warm out. It’s not.

Mosquito season commentary. Everyone becomes an amateur entomologist overnight. Nothing changes.

An All-Canadian BBQ (Without the Clichés)

A truly Canadian BBQ doesn’t come from themed décor or novelty flags—it comes from small, intentional choices about what’s on the table.

Think regionally, not generically. Build your menu around where food actually comes from: BC salmon, Alberta beef, Saskatchewan Saskatoon berries, Ontario sweet corn and Niagara peaches, Québec cheeses, and Atlantic seafood. Canada shows up naturally when ingredients are local.

Let July produce lead the menu. This is peak growing season across the country—Okanagan berries, Ontario corn, Yukon Gold potatoes, and fresh herbs are at their best right now. The less you do to them, the better they tend to taste.

Rethink what’s in your fridge, not just your grill. Small swaps matter: Canadian mustard like French’s Canada, locally made relishes and hot sauces, and Canada Dry or other Canadian-made drinks instead of default global brands. It’s subtle, but it adds up.

Acknowledge food traditions that run deeper than the BBQ. Ingredients like bannock, wild berries such as saskatoons, and smoked fish traditions across coastal regions are part of Canada’s broader food story. Keep it simple, and let the ingredients speak for themselves.

Buy from people, not just places. Farmers’ markets, local butchers, bakeries, and small producers bring the most meaning to the table. A great BBQ isn’t just what you cook—it’s who you support along the way.

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July Sudoku

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8	5
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