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If there’s only one thing we could recommend doing in the winter, it would be attending one of the many winter festivals that take place across Canada. We’ve mentioned the Quebec Winter Carnival in other newsletters because it is the largest and the oldest, but there are many events that take place coast to coast to coast. These events can be a great way to get a taste of the local culture, try some winter activities, enjoy the snow, witness incredible ice sculptures, and so much more.

Watch

If you haven’t seen them yet, we have a couple of videos about winter festivals in Canada. One of them features Quebec’s Winter Carnival and the other covers Ottawa’s Winterlude.

Beaver Bites

• The Canadian $5-dollar bill is getting a new face. Terry Fox, the iconic Canadian athlete and activist, will replace former prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who will be moved to the 50. We all love Terry Fox but not everyone is thrilled that he is replacing one of Canada’s great politicians.
  
  

• Did you know the federal government had a stake in Air Canada? The key word here is “had” since the government just sold its stake.
  
  

• Selling their stake was probably a good idea considering all the questioning over Air Canada’s choice to start charging for carry-on bags. The airline’s CEO recently addressed a federal committee about these fees, as the industry comes under more scrutiny in Canada and the U.S. over rising air travel fees.
  
  

• Meanwhile, the fees are unlikely to stop people from travelling. In fact, despite a plane shortage, global airlines combined are expected to bring in a total revenue of more than US$1 trillion and fly a record number of passengers.
  
  

• While it doesn’t affect travel within Canada much, the weak Canadian dollar can make some destinations more expensive.
  
  

• As ski resorts around the world grapple with the effects of climate change, dry slope skiing may be the green answer to the sport's future.

Just for Fun

• If you love photography, you’ll want to see the top 100 photos of 2024 from The Associated Press. In nearly 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states, visual journalists with The Associated Press are eyewitnesses to the world’s news and have won 36 of AP’s 59 Pulitzer Prizes since the award was established in 1917.
  
  

• As much as we love the winter, it can affect people in different ways, especially those living in “gloomy” areas. Here are 10 tips for fighting the winter blues.
  
  

• Having a hard time convincing your partner to spend money on travel? Perhaps being good for heart health will change their mind.