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Newcomer guide to Canadian cell phones

Newcomer guide to Canadian cell phones

Unique Canadian hotels you need to experience

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Did you know? In July, parts of Northern Canada, such as Yellowknife, can experience up to 20 hours of daylight. This extended sunlight provides ample opportunity for endless summer adventures, making it a unique and exciting time to explore the Great White North.

LIVING
Newcomer Guide to Getting a Canadian Cell Phone

Canada’s cellphone market features several major service providers each having unique strengths, such as better coverage in certain areas or more affordable plans. Research these companies to find the best fit for your needs.

☎️ Choosing a Service Provider
When selecting a provider, consider coverage, price, and customer service:

Coverage: Ensure your area receives coverage from your chosen provider.
Price and Features: Look for plans that offer the right balance of data, talk, and text at an affordable price.
Customer Service: Read reviews and ask for recommendations to find a provider with good customer service.

📳 Selecting a Phone Plan
Choose between prepaid and postpaid plans:

Prepaid Plans: Pay upfront and control your spending.
Postpaid Plans: Get billed monthly and enjoy more features.
Plan Terms: Understand contract lengths, cancellation fees, and any restrictions.
Data and International Options: Choose plans based on your data needs and international calling habits.

💲 Purchasing a Phone
Decide whether to bring your own device or buy a new one:

Bring Your Own Device: Purchase a SIM card from a Canadian provider for compatibility with GSM networks.
Buy a New Phone: Providers often offer phones at a lower upfront cost bundled with plans.

📲 Activating Your Phone Plan
Activate your plan by signing up with a provider, choosing a phone number, and understanding the billing cycle and payment options.

📶 Managing Your Cell Phone Plan
Monitor your data usage, understand your plan’s terms, and explore options for upgrading or changing plans as needed. Ensure timely bill payments to avoid interruptions.

Getting a cellphone in Canada is essential for staying connected and seamlessly integrating into Canadian life.

CANADA EH?
Things to do around you

Join the 2024 CCYAA Celeb Classic on July 13th at Mattamy Athletic Centre, Toronto, featuring Simu Liu, Jeremy Lin, and top content creators in an epic basketball showdown!

Celebrate 40 years of the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival with musicians, jugglers, acrobats, and unicyclists! July 5-14, Sir Winston Churchill Square.

Experience ‘The Bear’ Dinner on July 11th and Cooking Class on July 20th at Vancouver’s Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Enjoy dining and hands-on cooking inspired by the series!

Just For Laughs Montreal is back! From July 18 to 28 at Place des Arts enjoy free and paid shows, including Kickback's Happy Hour every night from 7-8 p.m. on the Loto-Québec stage!

Don't miss Ottawa Bluesfest 30 at Lebreton Flats, Ottawa, from July 4 to 14! Catch Neil Young, 50 Cent, Nickelback, Maroon 5, and more at the city's premier summer music festival.

Catch the Boxcar Country Music Festival from July 25-27 on the Saint John, New Brunswick waterfront! Enjoy top Canadian acts and free, family-friendly activities all weekend.

FEATURE SPONSOR

Welcome to Canada! The next several months will be full of excitement and new beginnings; Scotiabank can help navigate your journey by providing resources, banking solutions and tailored advice that help newcomers succeed financially. Newcomers can earn up to $1,800* in value with StartRight^{TM 1}and can get a credit limit up to $15,000* with StartRight^TM.²

¹Potential value in 1^st year. Conditions & assumptions apply.
²Subject to credit approval. Conditions apply.

TRAVEL
14 Unique Canadian Hotels You Need to Experience

Canadian Geographic

Accommodation becomes instantly memorable when we experiment with something a little different. It’s more than a bed and a bathroom; it’s an experience! Here’s a roundup of some of the most unique hotels in Canada.

Lighthouse Hotels

West Point Lighthouse, Prince Edward Island: The Tower Room and Keeper’s Quarters in this 1875 lighthouse offer sweeping views of red sandy beaches and the Northumberland Strait.

Quirpon Lighthouse Inn, Newfoundland: Located in Iceberg Alley, guests enjoy iceberg viewing, whale watching, traditional meals, and boat transfers to and from the island.

Sleep in a Sphere

Free Spirit Spheres, British Columbia: Located in Qualicum Beach, these futuristic, spherical treehouses offer a unique, eco-friendly experience with all the comforts of home.

Ridgeback Lodge, New Brunswick: The Skyview and Dream Domes offer plenty of natural light, all-season comfort, and a romantic, orb-shaped experience with kitchenettes and cozy interiors.

Survive a Stay in an Ice Hotel

Hôtel de Glace, Quebec: This ice hotel in Quebec City is carved anew each year with 500 tons of ice and 40,000 tons of snow.

Polar Bear Bonanza

Tundra Buggy Lodge, Manitoba: Located on remote permafrost, this lodge offers a surreal experience among polar bears.

Channel Your Inner Frodo

Entre Cîmes et Racines, Quebec: Located an hour outside of Montreal, this property features g three Tolkien-inspired cabins: Le Hobbit, The Lord of the Woods, and The Firestone.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The Best Seasonal Produce for Summer

Going to the farmer’s market and filling your bag or basket with seasonal produce is one of the great joys of life.

Fresh produce availability varies in Canada throughout the year, as dictated by each of the four seasons. This can result in a more nutritious, affordable, and rewarding farmer’s market grocery haul.

Summer Produce: Tomatoes, Beans, Juicy Fruits, Gourds
If you enjoy fresh fruit and veggies, summer is the best time of year to be a Canadian. You can find perfectly ripe tomatoes, a wide range of berries, cantaloupe, and all sorts of savory veg.

Vegetables like asparagus, kale, lettuce, rhubarb, and broad beans are at their prime during summertime. Light, bright green produce like chard and even rhubarb also grow well at this time of year.

You can also find lots of juicy peaches, nectarines, celery, corn, bell peppers, courgettes, and shallots at this time of year.

Why Buy Seasonal?
Occasionally, you might find some imported products at a farmer’s market. People like exotic goods, and this can be a lucrative offering for local farmers. Here are some reasons why buying seasonal is always better:

🧑‍🌾 Supports Local Farmers: When you buy seasonal produce, you help keep local farmers in business and support them throughout the year.

❣️ Healthier for Your Body: Seasonal fruits and vegetables often contain the vitamins and nutrients we need at certain points of the year.

🥭 Diverse Year-Round Groceries: Buying seasonally means enjoying a fresh rotation of produce as the year unfolds. Meals will never get dull or repetitive when you buy seasonal produce.

ART & ENTERTAINMENT
Toronto Traffic Forces Niall Horan to Walk to His Show

Pop sensation and former "One Direction" star Niall Horan made headlines by ditching Toronto traffic and walking the final stretch to his own show. Niall admitted it was his first time walking to one of his own performances. This spontaneous decision delighted fans and added an extra layer of excitement to the event. The viral video showcases his down-to-earth nature and willingness to embrace unexpected situations, making it a memorable moment for both the artist and his audience.

Watch here