Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada and the country’s fourth largest city, as well as the second largest city in the province of Ontario after the provincial capital of Toronto. It is located in the Ottawa Valley on the eastern edge of the province of Ontario. Ottawa lies on the banks of the Ottawa River, a major waterway that forms the border between Ontario and Quebec. In 2005 the population of Ottawa was estimated at 859,704, while the population of the larger Census Metropolitan Area was estimated at 1,148,785.

As the country’s capital city, Ottawa is best known as being home to the seat of federal government. But behind that façade lies an architecturally stunning city with a unique combination of urban and rural experiences. From cultural performances at the National Arts Centre to street performers in the Market, the ambiance in Ottawa is ever changing. Festivals, sporting events and exhibits at over 29 local museums present visitors and residents alike with a wonderful menu of things to see and do. The changing seasons offer highlights as well – spring, with over 3 million tulips in bloom, summer, with an action-packed festival and event schedule; fall, with the beautiful changing colours, and in winter, the world’s largest skating rink.
Looking at Ottawa’s history, its very origins lie in meeting and trading. This holds true today as Ottawa has become one of Canada’s top destinations to hold a meeting, convention or incentive gathering. Not only is Ottawa a major national centre for high technology, biotechnology and medical research, it is also home to over 1,000 associations. Other essential ingredients for success include Ottawa’s location in one of the most beautiful settings in the country with easy accessibility, a variety of meeting facilities, excellent tourism infrastructure, and proximity to the federal government.

Toronto

Toronto, the financial capital of Canada and the fifth largest city in North America, has attracted more nationally and internationally top-ranked companies than any other Canadian city. This cosmopolitan city has more residents than Canada's four maritime provinces combined. Toronto is home to the world’s tallest building (CN Tower at 553.33 m) and the world's longest street (Yonge Street, which is 1,896 km).
Toronto is a global city, exerting significant regional, national, and international influence, and is one of the world's most multicultural and ethnically diverse cities: 41% of the population was born outside of Canada. Toronto is Canada's financial centre and economic engine, as well as one of the country's most important cultural, art, and health sciences centres. Over 100 different languages are spoken within the city. In January 2005, it was designated by the federal government as one of Canada's cultural capitals. It is one of the safest cities for living in North America: its violent crime rate is lower than that of any major U.S. metropolitan area and is one of the lowest in Canada.
In 1998, the current City of Toronto was amalgamated from its six prior municipalities and regional government. The current mayor of Toronto is David Miller.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a green, clean, safe and cosmopolitan city that attracts people from all over the world. With a population of two million, it is Canada's third largest and most beautiful city, frequently honoured as one of the best places in the world to live. With its spectacular ocean and mountain views and year-round temperate climate, it is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Vancouver is a multi-cultural city of neighbourhoods, each with its own distinctive character. Within the city area you can enjoy hiking, skiing, sailing, cycling, windsurfing, or just relaxing on the local beaches. There are affordable restaurants from every nation in the world and lively coffee shops and bars. Every year the city hosts international film, jazz, comedy and writing festivals. The world-class ski resort of Whistler is a scenic 90-minute drive away and the U.S. border, with easy access to other Pacific Northwest destinations, is a short distance south of the city.

The city is home to a thriving business community and numerous leading edge companies. As North America's gateway to the Pacific Rim, Vancouver has strong links to burgeoning international markets. Vancouver International Airport, with flights to all the major cities in the world, is just 30 minutes from downtown.

Quebec City

Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec. Quebec City lies on the Saint Lawrence River, roughly three hours east of Montreal. Quebec's Old Town (Vieux-Québec), the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Quebec City is the second oldest existing European settlement in Canada (after St. John's). It was founded by Samuel de Champlain on 3 July 1608 at the site of a First Nations settlement called Stadacona.

Many of the city's attractions are east of the fortification walls in Vieux-Québec. This area has a distinct European feel unique in North America with its stone buildings and winding streets lined with shops and restaurants. Porte St-Louis and Porte St-Jean are the main gates through the walls from the modern section of downtown. West of the walls are the Colline-Parlementaire (Parliament Hill) district and the Plains of Abraham.

Quebec City's skyline is dominated by the massive Château Frontenac Hotel, perched on top of Cap-Diamant. The hotel is beside the Terrasse Dufferin, a walkway along the edge of the cliff, offering beautiful views of the Saint Lawrence River.

Calgary

Calgary is a vibrant city that offers the best of all worlds - a cosmopolitan city of over one million with outstanding adventure and pristine wilderness only an hour away in the Canadian Rockies.
Prosperity in Calgary relates to more than simple economics; quality of life has always been a major consideration. A city cannot thrive without art, culture, entertainment and recreation.
Artistic expression can be found everywhere in Calgary; and for almost any kind of taste - from the eclectic to the classic. From street side performers to major theatrical productions and small thought provoking playhouses, art galleries, concerts, clubs and dance, the arts are an integral part of our social fabric. They are the glue that binds communities together by creating the sense of belonging and co-operation that we need to help build a healthy society.
As Canada's third most culturally diverse city, Calgary's variety will inspire and delight you. From restaurants to festivals, from groceries to art you can travel to other worlds without leaving the city. Healthy also means safe and functional. Calgary's crime rate is among the lowest of any major city in Canada.
Calgary is situated in the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountain foothills at the confluence of the Bow River (a world famous fly fishing destination) and the clear, mountain-fed Elbow River. At an elevation of 1,139 metres (3,740 feet) above sea level, Calgary enjoys wonderfully fresh, clean air. Combine this with more days of sunshine than any other major Canadian city and it is easy to see why Calgarians are so happy and friendly. Calgary acts as a gateway to the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, offering the convenience of a major urban centre within 90 minutes of these spectacular settings.
Over 8,000 hectares (19,753 acres) of park land and open space can be found within the city limits, along with 300 kilometres (187 miles) of paved paths for biking, roller blading or quiet walking. You'll find urban hikes that are challenging or just easy and relaxing. Banff, the Rocky Mountains and Kananaskis are a short 90 minute drive, providing the ultimate outdoor experience for everyone.
With the combination of a modern city skyline and incredible natural scenery, Calgary and the surrounding region have become prime locations for film and television productions in Alberta. Calgary is home to one of the three major art centres in Canada. Showcasing national, international, and local artists, the Performing Arts Centre has lead the development of a vital and growing arts district in Calgary's downtown.

Montreal

Montreal is a thriving cosmopolitan city full of Latin ambiance and "joie de vivre." The city’s distinctive character owes much to its multicultural heritage, which has contributed to creating one of the most dynamic and interesting cities in all of North America. Although Montreal is the world’s second largest French speaking city, English is also widely spoken. Montreal is renowned for its numerous universities, its academic excellence in the pure and applied as well as social sciences. The city is well renowned for its cultural and artistic life, excellent restaurants and hotel network. With more than 4,000 restaurants serving the national cuisine of some 80 countries, no wonder this city is considered one of the world’s leading culinary centres.

You may enjoy the artisan studios of the Old Port or the shops, theatres, and major department stores of the underground city. Montreal’s artistic scene includes one of the world’s leading orchestras, an internationally-renowned ballet company, English and French theatres, comedy clubs, and dozens of museums and galleries.

To discover Montreal is to open up to the world, to experience an exciting urban lifestyle in a city famous for its dynamic cultural life, its rich heritage and its magnificent environment.