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Shopping
in Canada |
In the past few decades,
Canada has started to shed
its image as a frigid land of vast wilderness in favour of a sophisticated,
urban persona. Canada's major cities are now being seen for what they are—vibrant,
modern hubs of activity. The country's urban centres boast many attractions,
one of the most significant being their world-class shopping
facilities. Shopaholics can find virtually every type of store here—from
unique, family-run shops offering homemade products to trendy retail giants
selling mass-produced items.
Canada's shopping areas
are as diverse as can be; small, historic shopping districts are popular in
some cities, while the residents of other areas tend to flock to massive, modern
shopping malls. But whatever shopping venues are available, visitors can be
sure they will never leave empty-handed.
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Consumer Taxes
Most goods and
services purchased in Canada are subject to a 7% Goods and Services Tax
(GST). In addition, most provinces except Alberta and the Northern Territories
also charge a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on consumer goods. B.C., Saskatchewan,
and Manitoba charge 7% PST, Quebec charges 7.5%, Ontario 8% and PEI 10%.
In Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, a 15% Harmonized Sales
Tax (HST) is charged, which combines the PST and GST.
Visitors can receive
a rebate on this tax for certain goods and services. Contact Revenue Canada
for more information Revenue
Canada.
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
In most cities in B.C., the
temperatures are so mild that outdoor shopping can be done year-round without
frostbite or discomfort. This makes shopping on Victoria's Government
Street, located near the picturesque Inner
Harbour, an activity the can be enjoyed in both winter and summer. This
cobblestone street is lined with unique shops that specialize in items such
as homemade chocolate, Aboriginal art, souvenirs, fashion and more. Located
just off Government Street are three other smaller shopping areas, Trounce
Alley, Market
Square and Bastion
Square, each of which offer one of a kind shopping and dining within
an historical context. Bastion Square, for instance, was once the site of the
town brothel and Victoria's Court House, where many of the town's hangings took
place.
Victoria's Chinatown
is the oldest area of its kind in Canada. Founded in 1858 by Chinese immigrants
brought to the island as coal miners, Chinatown today offers a wide variety
of goods, including imported giftware and exotic food items. Shoppers will love
the eclectic (and narrow) Fan
Tan Alley, which is lined with offbeat shops and unique restaurants.
Chinatown is located on Fisgard Street and is accessible via Government Street.
Mayfair
Mall in Victoria first opened in 1963 and steadily grew over the years,
eventually becoming South Vancouver Island's most popular shopping mall. It
offers 120 shops and services, and was recently renovated to uphold its modern
image.
Both Vancouver and Vancouver
Island have a wealth of markets
that offer unique items like handmade crafts by accomplished artists, vintage
collectibles and imported food and household goods. Covering a broad range of
urbanity and sophistication, these markets range from grandiose, like the public
market on Granville
Island in Vancouver, to modest, like the Old
Country Market in Coombs,
a colourful shopping venue that is known for having a herd of goats living on
its roof.
Downtown Vancouver is known
for its vibrant Robson
Street. Offering only the trendiest of shops, Robson offers a selection
of designer stores that are only found in major metropolitan areas. Shops started
popping up on Robson as early as 1885, when train tracks along the popular street
lead to an insurgence of commercial dealings. Today, Robson is known worldwide
as being one of Canada's preferred shopping districts.
Burnaby,
one of Greater Vancouver's largest municipalities, also offers a premiere shopping
experience at the Metrotown
Centre. With over 450 shops and services, visitors will be hard pressed
to see everything in only one day. The centre is conveniently located within
a short walk from the Vancouver
Skytrain, and there is plenty of parking available for drivers.
Shopping in the Okanagan
region in south-central BC is also a popular activity. Known for its abundance
of wine and fruit, the region also offers a variety of non-edible goods that
are most commonly found in Kelowna,
the largest urban centre in the region. Orchard
Park Mall, conveniently located on Highway 97 (Harvey Avenue) offers
a selection of brand-name stores, while Tutt
Street Square in downtown Kelowna is known as a diamond mine for art
lovers and unique gift seekers.
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West Edmonton Mall1 |
ALBERTA
Canada's wealthiest province
is home to a number of supermalls, which typically have a selection of giant
chain stores and food vendors, but only a limited number of local merchants.
Big-box shopping is the trend in Alberta; in general, residents of this busy
province usually opt to drive to their nearest mega-sized department or grocery
store, where parking is plentiful, rather than explore unique shops on foot.
A prime example is the West
Edmonton Mall, which, as of 2005, holds the title for being the largest
shopping mall in North America. The mall covers around 48 city blocks of area
and offers over 800 shops and over 110 places to eat. But West Ed, as it is
often called by Albertans, offers more than just a shopping experience—there
is also a giant waterpark, bumper boats, a 7.6-m (25-ft) deep man-made lake
with exploratory submarines, sea lion and flamingo exhibits, a replica of Christopher
Columbus' Santa Maria ship, a skating rink, two mini-golf courses, 21 movie
theatres, a Vegas-style casino, a shooting range, a haunted castle, bungee jumping
and an amusement park with 25 rides and attractions including a huge, terrifying
roller coaster.
Calgary's answer to West
Edmonton Mall is Chinook
Centre. While Chinook doesn't offer nearly as many shops and attractions,
it does have a large food court, several restaurants, a huge movie theatre,
a carousel and over 200 retailers offering everything a shopaholic could hope
for.
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| Calgary's
17th Avenue 2 |
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But those who prefer to
do their shopping on a more intimate level need not fret—unique, locally-run
shops can also be found in Alberta. Located in the University district, Edmonton's
Whyte
Avenue has a number of distinctive, eclectic stores, as well as restaurants
and nightclubs, while Calgarians typically head to 17th
Avenue S.W., which offers everything from funky thrift stores to high-class
boutiques, as well as a number of popular pubs and bars. Both spots are best
explored by foot, so harsh winter weather conditions sometimes deter shoppers
to the indoor malls. In addition, finding parking in and around these areas
can be a challenge, and often people will have to pay a modest sum to leave
their car.
CENTRAL CANADA
Saskatchewan has the
unfounded reputation of being Canada's lackluster province, but a visit to the
capital city, Regina, will
prove otherwise. Downtown Regina is teeming with funky shops,
lively pubs
and exotic galleries.
One street in particular, 13th
Avenue, is known for its unique shopping opportunities; visitors to
this neighbourhood can find vintage clothing, trendy fashions, distinctive home
accessories, unique artwork and much more. A few blocks south is the Scarth
Street Pedestrian Mall, which, in addition to offering an interesting
atmosphere, has a number of popular restaurants and shops, including book stores,
clothing boutiques and specialty merchants.
A large mall, Regina's
Cornwall
Centre will lead eager shoppers to a number of popular chain shops that
are typically found in similar malls around Canada.
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Winnipeg's
Polo Park Mall 3 |
Winnipeg,
often regarded as the cultural capital of the Prairies, has a number of artsy,
eclectic neighbourhoods that offer a variety of distinctive shops and services.
One such area is Osborne
Village, a funky, diverse district located on the south side of the
Assiniboine River. Visitors come to Osbourne Village to find craft shops, book
stores, handmade chocolate connoisseurs and clothing boutiques with a modern,
bohemian flair. Osbourne Village also offers over 30 restaurants, which together
offer everthing under the sun.
Winnipeg's largest and oldest
shopping mall, Polo
Park, offers a good selection of mainstream shops and services, including
large department stores and popular clothing shops. Polo Park is conveniently
located close to the Winnipeg
International Airport.
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| Toronto's
Eaton Centre 4 |
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ONTARIO
Canada's largest city, Toronto,
has what many believe to be the best shopping in Canada. Toronto seems to have
it all—from giant megastores to unique boutiques, foreign import outlets
to homegrown outfitters, and ultrachic (and pricey) designer stores to bargain
basement discount warehouses. International and local retailers unite in an
amazing commercial feat at Toronto's
Eaton Centre, which offers close to 300 shops and services. The Eaton
Centre upholds Toronto's reputation of being a leader in the shopping industry
by offering a number of cutting edge stores and boutiques.
Toronto's Bloor
Street West/Yorkville is regarded by many as Canada's answer to Rodeo
Drive in Beverly
Hills, Bond
Street in London
and Fifth
Avenue in New York.
Top designers from around the world have set firm roots on this lavish street,
which is alternately known as the Mile of Mink. This stretch of road,
from Avenue Road to Yonge Street, has attracted a large portion of the world's
elite, who have been known to drop a small fortune in some of the ritzy boutiques.
But Bloor Street appeals to the common folk too. A number of the trendy stores,
while still considered upscale by most standards, offer a selection of reasonably
priced goods. One thing is certain—an outfit or piece of jewellery from
Bloor Street is sure to be in vogue.
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Ways to Pay for
Purchases
Canada is a
technogically modern country that offers numerous ways for consumers to
pay for their purchases. Canadian cash is the easiest method of payment,
but a wide range of shops will also accept American money and provide
the change in Canadian dollars. ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are easily
found throughout Canada in malls, convenience stores and other public
establishments. credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard and American
Express are widely accepted in retail outlets. Many places also take Interac
(debit) cards (this tends to be the preferred method of payment among
Canadians). Many establishments will also accept travellers cheques, but
it is best to check with the cashier before setting one's heart on something.
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A dozen or so blocks south
of Bloor Street is Queen
Street West (between University Avenue and Bathurst), known by Canada's
ultra hip as the place to go in Toronto for both fashion items and household
accessories. Local business owners think the street has become overwhelmed with
chain stores, and they may be right, but the shopaholics aren't complaining—they
have everything they need within a couple of blocks.
In Ottawa,
tourists tend to head to the Rideau
Centre, which is within a short walk from several attractions, including
the Parliament Buildings. Rideau centre offers over 180 shops and services,
including local and international shops. Rideau Centre is located across the
street from the Byward
Market, a unique outdoor shopping venue that offers a number of specialty
shops and boutiques. Find one-of-a-kind crafts, clothing, food items and more
at this year-round market. Hungry shoppers will also be pleased to know that
the Byward and Rideau shopping areas are surrounded by a number of restaurants
and food vendors.
QUÉBEC
Québec
embodies what most French cultures exemplify—a love of fashion and all
things chic. As such, the shopping opportunities in this unique region of Canada
are extraordinaire. Quebec
City, known for its abundant old-world charm, boasts North America's
oldest commercial district, the Quartier
Petit Champlain. Featuring a variety of galleries, fashion boutiques
and jewellers, as well as a number of cafés, bistros and other eating
and drinking establishments, the area is a must see in both summer, when colourful
flowers adorn the streets, and winter, when gently falling snow turns the neighbourhood
into a glistening utopia.
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| A
Montréal Storefront 5 |
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Montréal,
Canada's most recognized metropolis after Toronto, is a bustling urban wonderland
that overflows with culture and sophistication. Many of Montréal's legendary
shopping spots can be found along the Rue St. Catherine in downtown Montréal.
Le
Centre Eaton on Ste. Catherine's is a sprawling commercial maze containing
over 175 commercial and food vendors on five floors, plus a movie theatre. Nearby
Complexe
Desjardins offers a good selection of upscale cigar, gift, fashion,
jewellery and specialty stores. A little ways down the road, the Faubourg
Sainte-Catherine offers a number of specialty food shops, including
a boulangerie (bakery), several restaurants and a variety of unique shops that
carry items like imported giftware, home accessories and more.
Although Montréal
can get a bit chilly in the winter, shopping in the downtown core is still easily
accomplished with help from a 13 km (8 mi) network of tunnels that link several
shopping areas, including Complexe Desjardins and Le Centre Eaton. Visitors
can spend a small fortune in the shops, have a hearty lunch and catch a movie,
all without putting their coat on.
ATLANTIC CANADA
Atlantic Canada
is known for its charming fishing villages, but those who have been there know
it's simply teeming with urban sophistication as well. Halifax,
the largest city in Atlantic Canada, has a number of exciting malls, including
Park
Lane Mall in downtown Halifax, a stylish mall predominated by upscale
boutiques; the Halifax
Shopping Centre, which offers a number of trendy clothing stores; and
the Mic
Mac Mall in Dartmouth,
a busy shopping centre with over 170 shops and services that can suit any need.
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Halifax's
Historic Properties 6 |
However, to find something
uniquely Nova Scotian, visitors should head to the Halifax Waterfront, where
they will find the city's 10 oldest buildings, a group of warehouses now known
collectively as the Historic
Properties. These warehouses, which have been designated as National
Canadian Historic Sites, helped make Halifax prosperous in Canada's early days
by aiding trade and commerce, but they were also frequently used as vehicles
for smuggling and privateering. Today, the warehouses have been transformed
into chic boutiques, trendy shops and vibrant eating and drinking establishments.
Visitors to the area will find a wide selection of goods, including souvenirs,
handmade accessories and unique giftware. The Historic Properties are conveniently
located close to most central hotels and attractions, including the sprawling
Casino
Nova Scotia.
The place to shop in New
Brunswick is Champlain
Place near Moncton,
which is the biggest single-storey mall in Atlantic Canada and features over
150 shop and services, including several major department stores. In Newfoundland,
The Village
Shopping Centre on Topsail road in St.
John's offers a wide selection of shops and services. And finally, Gateway
Village on Prince Edward Island
has a number of crafts and collectibles that will forever remind visitors of
their trip to Canada's island gem. The shopping centre is located in Borden-Carleton
near the Confederation Bridge, which links PEI to New Brunswick, making it the
first and last place island travellers will visit.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Martha Edwards; c/o
WorldWeb.com; West Edmonton Mall; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Mike Berezowski; c/o
WorldWeb.com; Shops along Calgary's 17th Avenue; Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Melissa Zembik; Winnipeg's
Polo Park Mall; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Karine Kugler; c/o
WorldWeb.com; Faux Geese fly over the heads of shoppers at Toronto's Eaton
Centre; Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Norma Lang; c/o WorldWeb.com;
Montréal storefronts display cutting edge fashions; Montréal, Québec,
Canada
- Christian Ruel; c/o
Mirrorlock Photography; Halifax's Historic Properties at night; Halifax, Nova
Scotia, Canada
