Seven Wonders of MY Canada

The CBC just recently launched a new show to try and come up with the Seven Wonders of Canada. While I still feel the number seven is pretty arbitrary — would they have not been better trying to come up with the Thirteen Wonders of Canada to reflect every province and territory? — I do think the exercise is a good one. Trying to find the most emblematic physical icons of the country is not an easy task, but it forces Canadians to look at the world around them with more interest.

The judges have narrowed the list to 52 nominees, and are now asking Canadians to vote on what they feel best represents the Seven Wonders of this country. I’ve already gone and voted, but before you do, here is the criteria that the CBC lays out:

1. Essential ‘Canadian-ness’ - historically significant, character filled, valued.
2. Originality/uniqueness of the pitch and place.
3. Spectacular physical site or amazing human creation.
4. Ability to inspire.
5. Range within the final seven - diversity of location, type of wonder.

It may be easy to simply vote for the places in your region or the most renown places, but it’s worth going through every pitch to really make up your mind before voting. Here’s a couple of notes I jotted down for myself on some of the nominees (and do note that these do not necessarily make up my final seven votes) while I was trying to decide what, if any of these, were the Seven Wonders of my Canada.

• Manitoulin Island: The fact that one of the largest islands in the whole world is actually in a freshwater lake in Ontario says a lot about how the amount of fresh water in Canada, and how the ‘culture of the lake’ has influenced of every Canadian, particularly the many cottagers in Ontario.
• Niagara Falls: Sure, it’s overdone and cliché, but there are few natural landmarks in the world that are as iconic as Niagara Falls. Plus, it’s only an hour or so away from home.
• Northern Lights: If you’ve actually had the opportunity to experience this natural phenomenon in person, there would be no question that it is one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders that anyone could ever experience. It doesn’t quite fit with criteria number three, but it is still truly amazing..
• Sleeping Giant: I spent a good chunk of my summer (for the Canadian Scout Jamboree) when I was fourteen across the lake from the Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay, and it’s impossible to shake the image of the massive but beautiful natural wonder from my head. Plus, they made a song about it that is still stuck in my head after all these years.
• The Canoe: My fondest memories in my life are the times I have spent on water: kayaking in the Pacific or canoeing and portaging in Ontario’s provincial parks. The canoe was instrumental in the founding of Canada, and continues to be one of the best ways to travel through the lakelands of this country. No one in any other country that I have spoken to has such fond memories of a piece of watercraft.
• Montreal Bagel: My preference for the New York bagel aside, I must admit that I quite enjoyed a nice smoked meat sandwich on a Montreal bagel. And while I would argue that a poutine is more indicative of Canadian food, the Montreal bagel is still unique.
• The Rockies: The best (yet expensive) way to escape the Toronto smog? Take a trip to the mountains. The Rockies are breathtaking and mind-blowing, and provide some of the best views of the whole country. With a wealth of great mountain towns and amazing sports opportunities, visiting The Rockies is like disappearing into a small, and normally cold, Garden of Eden within Canada.
• Trans-Canada Highway: When we first departed Victoria at Mile Zero on the Trans-Canada Highway with the goal of following the highway all the way to the other end, I didn’t realize just how expansive the trail would be. Stretching across all ten provinces, the Trans-Canada Highway represents not only an achievement in road-making, but also connects people of different cultures, languages, and lifestyles from across the country.
• CN Tower: You might not think much of Toronto’s clichéd phallic symbol, but it’s hard to argue that’s its not one of the premier images of Canada. It’s what tourists come to see when they come visit — hopefully sticking around to see all the other amazing things we have here too.
• The Stanley Cup: You want to know why this trophy is emblematic of this country? Because nobody outside Canada really cares about it. Sad, but true: Canada’s obsession with hockey is a bit excessive at times, but because of it, the Stanley Cup really “belongs” to us.
• Confederation Bridge: You know that game where you lift your feet off the floor of the car for as long as you’re driving on a bridge? Well, you can’t do that without destroying your leg muscles on the Confederation Bridge. Spanning over 13km, the bridge crosses the gorgeous waters between PEI and New Brunswick, and as you drive over it, you can’t help but marvel at the redness of PEI soil and the shimmering ocean surrounding both provinces.
• Haida Gwaii: Before I had seen the nominee list for this CBC endeavor, the first place the popped into my head was the Queen Charlotte Islands. I may be biased because I studied anthropology out on the west coast, but there really is no better visible reminder of this nation’s rich native history than Haida Gwaii. If you’re up for a visit, let me know: we’ll grab some kayaks in Victoria and paddle up that way.
• Nahanni National Park: The fact that Nahanni is a World Heritage Site should almost assure it as a shoe-in for one of the wonders of Canada. Sadly, not enough people make the trip north to the Northwest Territories to check out one of the most stunning places in the country: the Mackenzie Mountains are a sight to behold and provide ample opportunities to explore them by canoe and watercraft. Nahanni truly has everything: glaciers, forests, lakes, mountains, hot springs, waterfalls, and a remarkably diverse eco-system. If you’ve never been there, make sure you visit, but first be sure to vote for the national park as one of the Wonders of Canada. Trust me on this one.

Okay, I’ve said my piece. There’s so many more places I wanted to comment upon, and there’s even more places I haven’t yet had the chance to visit, but my fingers are getting tired from typing. Your turn to go vote. And if you do end up voting for the CN Tower, head over to blogTO and tell them why you did.