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Floods – Welcome To The Magical Friendship Squad! http://michaelmurray.ca Michael Murray Writes Things Fri, 14 Nov 2014 20:17:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 Travel http://michaelmurray.ca/travel http://michaelmurray.ca/travel#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:39:32 +0000 http://michaelmurray.ca/?p=4749 I wrote a piece about the top eight cities to visit in Canada for Wat Phnom Airlines Inflight travel magazine. (The article was translated from English to Cambodian and then through Google Translate, back to English.)

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Canada is a beautiful country full of picturesque natural settings, which include the sea, magnificent mountains, charming lakes, wheat fields and gorgeous tar sands. Along with the loveliness of nature, Canada also boasts many modern cities with bustling cultures all their own:

1. Toronto, Ontario

One of the most eclectic cities in all of Canada, Toronto has people of all colours. The city is home to many beautiful valleys and a lively waterfront with a view of the quaint archipelagos dotting the lake. However, there are often outbreaks of infectious diseases in Toronto, so many inhabitants wear surgical masks.

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2. Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Nova Scotia is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada. Halifax is not only known for its truly impressive number of bars, pubs, and drinking, but also for it’s perfect gardens and beaches. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was shot in Halifax up until host Regis Philbin was killed in the Great Flood of 2002 and shooting was moved to the US. Anne of Green Gables also died in Halifax.

3. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

This beautiful area, full of leafy trees amid an otherwise treeless prairie landscape, appears on much of Canada’s currency. People of all colours and religions are now welcome.

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4. Athabasca Tar Sands, Alberta

A stunning natural landscape and testimony to modern Canadian industry, the Athabasca Tar Sands are a must see for any visitor. Not only does the area teem with wildlife, but the city buildings are of such a scale that they generate their own, unique weather systems. Truly, one of the modern wonders of the world!

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5. Victoria, BC

The retirement capital of Canada has a mild climate and is a must-see destination for any tourist who enjoys gardens and parks. Kim Kardashian and Kane met while visiting Victoria. In Retirement City, love is always in the air!

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6. Montreal, Quebec

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Famous for it’s topless beaches and smoked meat, Montreal is home to many festivals, shops, gardens, parks and a subway known as Le Grand Rocket. It’s a taste of Europe on North American shores!

7. Kelowna, BC

For those looking for a Canadian version of California, Kelowna is the spot. Known for its beaches, parks, gardens and Roller Skating, the city also has ski slopes not far away as well as helicopter trips for hunting Sasquatch from the air. Essentially, everything that one would want to do is within a stone’s throw making it perfect for any tourist.

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  1. Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is known as MONUMENT CITY, as it houses numerous national monuments. The beautiful cobblestoned streets–often full of civil servants waiting for municipal transportation– are perfect for strolling!

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Great Mayors Rise To Great Challenges http://michaelmurray.ca/great-mayors-rise-to-great-challenges http://michaelmurray.ca/great-mayors-rise-to-great-challenges#comments Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:12:16 +0000 http://michaelmurray.ca/?p=3525 A friend of mine was recently in Calgary, right in the midst of the horrendous floods that stormed the city like an apocalypse. He was stranded there for a few days, and the surreal experience left him mildly inconvenienced, a little shaken and in a state of awe. Calgary mayor, Naheed Nenshi, is an ascendant political superstar, and my friend was left dazzled by the competence, sincerity and confidence in which he led and handled a massive, municipal crisis. He was the light to which Calgarians, and much of the rest of the country, turned. He gave us all comfort and assurance that there was somebody in charge, somebody who cared and knew what to do.

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Similarly, Rudolph Giuliana, led New York, America and pretty much the rest of the world, in the midst of the September 11th attacks on New York City. Ever-present, he was tireless, an informed, robust, sincere and deeply invested presence that was able to offer us, if not absolute comfort, at least a sense of stability and continuance. Great mayors rise to great challenges.

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On May 13th of 2013, the much loved and beleaguered Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Boston Bruins in game 7 of the first round of the Stanley Cup finals. Normally, this would be considered a victory for the chronically underachieving Leafs, but in this case they suffered a historic collapse, relinquishing a 4-1 lead with less than 15 minutes left to play. The city of Toronto was utterly devastated. It was at this time that Rob Ford stepped up to the plate and revealed that he was a great leader.

The Press Conference:

Q: How are you feeling mayor?

A: Frig. I’m not sure I have the words. It’s just, you know, not right. You’re at home eating your hot dogs expecting victory, and then this. It’s just, just, geez, you know?

Q: Are you proud of the team for the way the team battled against the heavily favoured Bruins?

A: It’s just an emotional time for me. I can’t speak right now. You know, there are Bros crying in Maple Leaf Square tonight. They’re painted blue. Some of them have shaved their chest so that they look like maple leafs. It’s just tragic.

Q: Do you have any words of support for Torontonians right now?

A: Reimer was real weak on that last goal. Boy. It’s hard to believe he has a hot wife. Little skinny, but still. Also, the referees were crappy. We’re going to look into protesting the outcome, maybe hold it up in court.

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Q: What do you think of Toronto’s chances next year?

A: Are you serious!? What do you expect me to say!!?? This is a tragedy! Now’s not the time for such questions, holy hell! You guys in the media never cease to amaze me! You have no class! Zero! Bunch of crappy referees is what you are, why don’t you try getting a real job, eh? I’m done with this, I’m going to get something to eat—outta my way!

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