Canadians love and know the Caribbean, but do citizens from the Caribbean know Canada?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

I am on a seemingly arduous campaign to get Canada and the Caribbean together economically, culturally and socially, including travel. Canadians love and know the Caribbean, but do citizens from the Caribbean know Canada?

Our economy is opening up, and various markets closed previously are resurging from hopelessness to guarded vitality. Our neighbours, family and friends are itching to travel away from their home, searching for a safe but exciting place to be.

May I suggest a place within our own province? Let’s start with Thunder Bay, a way up north waiting to receive you into its welcoming embrace.

Approximately 1,375 kilometres from Toronto, you could travel there directly by plane or automobile and partly by train to Cochrane and then drive the rest of the way. If you drive you will experience the magical beauty of Lake Superior, and the many friendly smaller communities that dot the trail northward. A short flight will get you to this city allowing you to enjoy all that Thunder Bay has to offer you.

Thunder Bay is a centuries-old vital link within Ontario’s Northland. Many leading corporations have head offices here, managing their: modern automotive, mining, forestry and manufacturing facilities. Thunder Bay is a financial centre with an ever-growing middle class. A growing population that requires all the modern services we should expect multiple restaurants and hotels, tour operators, nature preserves and a lot to do.

The variety of restaurants reflects the city’s ethnic population: Iranian, Italian, Aboriginal, African and Asian cuisine is available for all. Wild meat made to order, vegetarian tables offered, their own coffee shops, community markets to be experienced. Thunder Bay is a foodie’s dream vacation.

You can sit along the city’s shoreline with a glass of brew in hand and gaze upon “The Sleeping Giant.” Boat out to this marvel of nature in the summer or winter too. Nature abounds around and within this city, which has many local parks to enjoy. This city has a festival or two every month, with free community music offered. Several music Festivals happen throughout the year attracting thousands to the city’s shores.

There are several renowned national parks to visit. Water falls to the north, shopping in town or directly to the south. Enjoy the many communities within this city. Thunder Bay has the largest Finnish Population outside of Finland, and their restaurants are wonderful and welcoming. Many local artisans will introduce you to northland creativity. The Aboriginal community has influenced this city in so many wonderful ways. Go to Mount Mackay and enjoy the natural wonder and views that will etch themselves into your memories. Go to a Pow Wow and experience an Aboriginal spiritual gathering. Tour with a native guide and learn what it is like to walk in their shoes, experiencing the Aboriginals’ connection with Mother Nature.

You can go hiking, sailing, fishing, bird watching, hunting, or shopping in summer. There is: ice climbing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice surfing, ice fishing, outdoors partying in winter, so much to do.

The people of Thunder Bay are warm welcoming folk, with friendly eyes and open ears, to listen to their visitors’ many.