7 Weirdest and Wildest Things In Canada

Liz April 24, 2023 | 11:45

From secret underground labs to UFO landing pads, Canada can be a weird, wild and wonderful place. Check out 7 things that Canadians do that might seem strange to their neighbors to the south.

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Regulatory momentum builds in Canada. Photo: iGaming Busines

Contents
1. They Still Have Toys "R" Us 2. Servers Carry Their Own Payment Machines 3. Have a Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve 4. The Penny No Longer Exists In Canada 5. A More Stress-Free Work Environment 6. Buy Milk in Bags 7. Build a UFO Landing Pad in St. Paul, Alta When Toronto held a baby-making competition

Wherever you go in the world, you will notice differences in the culture and people. Consider the differences between the United States and its northern neighbor, Canada. People and culture change dramatically once you cross the imaginary line that separates Canada and the United States, despite the fact that they share the same landmass.

Many of the practices practiced in Canada may surprise many people in the United States, as many Americans believe that their way is the only way the world works.

Here are 7 odd facts about Canada that would astound the rest of the world!

1. They Still Have Toys "R" Us

The closure of numerous Toys R Us locations across the United States was one of the saddest news stories of 2018, despite the year's many highlights. Fear not, though; there are still a number of Toys R Us stores open in Canada. Even though newer, more convenient businesses like Amazon are gradually displacing Toys R Us, business is still booming in Canada.

If you visit Canada, you can experience the nostalgia of entering a Toys R Us once more if you want to live like a child once more.

2. Servers Carry Their Own Payment Machines

If you've ever eaten out with a big group of friends, you've probably dreaded the part where the bill comes and you have to figure out whose receipt is whose. With servers and waiters carrying around debit/credit machines that will automatically complete the payment and tip, things are much simpler in Canada.

A system like this would make splitting the bill much simpler and less stressful, so it is surprising that it hasn't been implemented in the United States yet.

3. Have a Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve

Quebec produces 75% of the world's maple syrup; while Americans may view maple syrup as just a tasty topping for waffles, in Canada it is a significant industry. To control the maple market, the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers maintains strategic reserves of syrup in various locations throughout Quebec. This sticky, sweet reserve is compared by The Atlantic to the nation's oil reserves.

The maple reserve was the target of a significant heist in 2012 when syrup valued at over $30,000,000 USD was stolen from one of the reserve's storage facilities. Yes, as reported by Bustle, 30 MILLION DOLLARS. How many waffles were served?

4. The Penny No Longer Exists In Canada

Photo: Bustle

Canada made the risky decision to halt coin production. Many nations have thought about doing this, but few have actually switched to being penniless. The Canadian government was unwilling to spend the money necessary to produce the penny because it was more expensive. Every manufactured penny in Canada was estimated to cost 1.6 cents to produce.

The taxpayers are expected to save up to $11 million a year thanks to this switch. Israel, Spain, Britain, France, and other nations have also done away with the penny. It's time for the United States to take their lead.

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5. A More Stress-Free Work Environment

The working environment appears to be very different between Canada and the United States. In contrast to Canadian workers, who typically work 36 to 40 hours per week, Americans can easily work up to 50 hours per week in overtime.

The brake system also functions reasonably well in Canada, where employees are guaranteed at least one day off per week and can take a 30-minute break every five hours. While it is not mandated anywhere in the United States, the majority of Canadian businesses provide their staff with two weeks of paid vacation time each year.

6. Buy Milk in Bags

Bagged milk is available in Canada, as was already mentioned. People all over the world, not just those in America, are unfamiliar with this idea. The process of removing milk from a bag might seem complicated, but as the man in the picture above demonstrated, it is actually quite easy.

Don't be shocked if you visit Ontario, Quebec, or other provinces of Canada and see a lot of milk in bags in the grocery stores. Perhaps you should even buy a bag to surprise your friends back home when you return.

Photo: The Travel

7. Build a UFO Landing Pad in St. Paul, Alta

One of Canada’s most unique Centennial projects in 1967 was the building of the world’s first UFO Landing Pad in St. Paul, Alberta.

The town provided the land, and local businesses provided building supplies and labor for the raised cement pad. Making things even stranger? Paul Hellyer, then Minister of National Defense, flew in (by helicopter, not spaceship) to officially open it.

When Toronto held a baby-making competition

Between 1926 and 1936, Toronto women competed to have the most children in a competition known as the "Great Stork Derby." Let's stop there and give that some thought. Yes, a competition focused on reproduction. A Toronto lawyer named Charles Vance Millar came up with the idea for the competition. He wanted to leave a portion of his sizeable estate to the Toronto woman who could have the most children in ten years after his passing. He was a practical joker literally to the point of death.

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