Abbotsford - Interesting Facts and Figures

Geographical Size: 359.36kmsq Elevation: 57m above sea level Population: 131,827

Local Special Events: Agrifair, Abbotsford International Airshow, Art Walk, Berry Festival, Bradner May Day, Bradner Flower Show, World Wheels Car Show & Auction, BC Boat & Sportsmen’s Show, Fringe Fest, Garlic Festival, Gem & Mineral Show, Medieval Feast / Fest.

History: The first stage in Abbotsford's colonial development occurred when the Royal Engineers surveyed the area in response to the Gold Rush along the Fraser River in 1858. Settlement grew and the production of butter, milk and tobacco began by the late 1860s. In 1889 Royal Engineer John Maclure applied for a crown grant to obtain the 160 acres (0.65 km2) that would become Abbotsford. The land was named Abbotsford after Maclure family friend Harry Abbott. The most notable natural disaster to hit Abbotsford was a major flood in 1948. The Abbotsford flag and coat of arms feature straight, diagonal crosses representing Abbotsford as a "crossroads". At the centre is a strawberry blossom to symbolize the local berry industry.

Sports Teams: Abbotsford Heat (AHL), Abbortsford Pilots (PIJHL), Valley Royals Track & Field Club, Abbotsford Air Force (CJFL), Abbotsford Mariners (USLPDL)

Calgary - Interesting Facts and Figures

Calgary 's Geographical size: 5,100kmsq, 1,048m above sea level. Calgary’s Population: 1,079,310

Calgary Local Events: Calgary Stampede, (The Calgary Stampede started in 1912 and continues today. ) Spruce Meadows Equestrian Events, hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary International Film Festival, International Film Festival, FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival, International Festival of Animated Objects, Summerstock.

Calgary Special Features / Brief History: Calgary has the worlds most extensive skyway network, connecting several buildings and shopping centres in the downtown Calgary area. The Canadian Pacific Railway reached the Calgary area in 1883. The headquarters of the CPR are located in Calgary today. Calgary was officially incorporated as a town in 1884 and was incorporated as The City of Calgary in 1894.

The Calgary Flames are the cities national hockey team. The Flames mark their 29th NHL season, 30th year in Calgary and 25th year in the Pengrowth Saddledome during the 2009-10 season. Since their arrival in 1980, the team has captivated hockey fans with their on-ice success, including a Stanley Cup victory in 1989.

Edmonton - Interesting Facts and Figures

Edmonton's Geographical size: 9,417.88kmsq, 668m above sea level. Edmonton’s Population: 1,034,945

Edmonton Local Events: Edmonton Fringe Festival (the largest fringe theatre festival in North America, 2nd only to Edinburgh worldwide.) Ice on Whyte ice carving festival, Silver Skate Festival, Winefest Edmonton, Edmonton Kiwanis Music Festival, Dreamspeakers Film Festival, Feats Festival of Dance, Freewill Shakespeare Festival, Blueberry Bluegrass & Country Music Festival, Edmonton Heritage Festival.

Edmonton Special Features / Brief History: Edmonton was established in 1795 as Fort Edmonton, a major trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company. Edmonton is commonly known as the “Gateway to the North” as most supplies came through Edmonton heading to the Northern Territories. The first licensed airfield in Canada, Blatchford Field, is now Edmonton City Centre Airport established in 1929.

The Oilers are Edmonton’s national hockey team. Its first season was in ‘72 as one of 12 founding teams of the World Hockey Association. They joined the NHL in ’79 as one of 4 teams introduced through a merger with the WHA and are the sole former WHA team still playing in their original city. The Oilers quickly went on to win the Stanley Cup on 5 occasions: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990. As one of the dominant NHL teams of the ‘80s, the Edmonton team of this era has been honored with "dynasty" status by the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Kelowna - Interesting Facts and Figures

Geographical Size: 211.69kmsq Elevation: 344m above sea level Population: 162,276

Local Special Events: Kelowna Hydrofest, Winery Tours, Sporting events at the Apple Bowl and Prospera Place Arena, Kelowna Fringe Festival, Kelowna Music Fest, Summer Fest, Parks Alive, Okanagan Wine Fest, Mardi Gras Street Festival, Fat Cats Children's Festival.

History: The Oblate Missionaries Father Pandosy, Father Richard and Brother Surel, arrived in the Okanagan in October 1859. It was not until 1892 that the town site of Kelowna was laid out. On completion of the drafted plans of the town site the all important matter of a name had to be considered. The Indian name “Kim-ach-Touch, for brown bear, struck the town planners as a possible name, but a bit of a mouthful for the average white tongue to contend with. After some discussion it was thought that "Kelowna" the Indian name for Grizzly Bear would suit. Kelowna officially incorporated in 1905. The famed Ogopogo is said to live in Lake Okanagan. Kelowna is home to one of western Canada's noteable ski hills, Big White. Kelowna has an International Airport. The Grapes of Wrath once called Kelowna home.

Sports Teams: Kelowna Rockets (WHL), Okanagan Sun (CJFL), Okanagan Challenge (Soccer), Kelowna Falcons (Baseball WCL), Okanagan Crusaders (BCIHL)

Nanaimo - Interesting Facts and Figures

Geographical Size: 89.3kmsq Elevation: 20m above sea level Population: 92,361

Local Special Events: Empire Days, Cadillac Van Isle 360 Yacht Race, Dragon Boat Festival, Silly Boat Regallia, Nanaimo Marine Festival, The Great Bathtub Race, Festival of Banners, Pumpkin Festival, Nanaimo Short Fiction Contest, Vancouver Island Short Film Festival.

History: Nanaimo's modern history was built upon rich deposits of coal and abundant fishing resources and began as a trading post in the early 1800s. Nanaimo’s roots as an ancient Coast Salish gathering place is evidenced by rock carvings in Petroglyph Park left by earlier inhabitants. Nanaimo started as a trading post in the early 1800's. A fort, built in 1853, called Nanaimo Bastion is still preserved. The Nanaimo Mine Explosion of 1887 was the largest man made explosion until the Halifax Harbour Explostion. 1940 saw the beginning of the lumber industry in the area.

Sports Teams: Nanaimo Pirates (baseball), Nanaimo United (soccer), Nanaimo BMX Association, Nanaimo Hornets RFC

Sechelt - Interesting Facts and Figures

Geographical Size: 39.71kmsq Elevation: 57m above sea level Population: 8,455

Local Special Events: Sunshine Coast Festival of the Performing Arts, Festival of the Written Arts, April Fool’s Run, Attack of Danger Bay Longboard Race, Gibsons Landing Jazz Festival, Howe Sound Outrigger Races, Sea Cavalcade, Mandala Painting, Arts Festival, Festival of the Rolling Arts, Hackett Park Fair, Davis Bay Sandcastle Competition, Roberts Creek Daze, Light Up the Harbour, Fairies and Fools Parade.

History: Sechelt takes its name from the Coast Salish Shishalh people, and means "land between two waters". The Shishalh settled the area many thousands of years ago. Europeans moved into Sechelt in the 1860s. By the 1880s, Sechelt had become an active centre for logging and fishing. The natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast soon attracted tourists, who arrived at the Trail Bay wharves via steamship. The construction of Highway 101, now known as Sunshine Coast Highway and the beginning of ferry service to Horseshoe Bay (near Vancouver) and Powell River (hence to Vancouver Island) in 1952, accelerated tourism and the residential growth which continues today.

Sports Teams: Sechelt Hitmen, Sunshine Coast Panthers, Sunshine Coast Ducks, Xenichen Ya Yas, Gibsons Pigs, Sunshine Coast United, Sunshine Coast Legacy, CPU, Sechelt Hurricanes, Suncoast Breakers, Sunshine Coast Skating Club, Gibsons Curling Club

Toronto

Our Toronto office at present is only open for cross Canada, long distance moving. Should you require any size move or shipment between Toronto and Western Canada we can quote excellent rates and guarantee quality service.

We are also partnered with Toronto movers of top standards and have a relationship of over 10 years standing. If you require a local move in Toronto we will be happy give a referral to these same partners.

Vancouver - Interesting Facts and Figures

Vancouver is named for British Captain George Vancouver, who explored the area in the 1790s. The name Vancouver itself originates from the Dutch "van Coevorden," denoting somebody from Coevorden, a city in the Netherlands.

At 5,335 people per square km in 2006, Vancouver has a high population density relative to most other North American cities and is characterized by high-rise residential and mixed-use development in urban centres, as an alternative to sprawl. This has contributed to the city's high rankings in livability.

Winters in Greater Vancouver are the fourth mildest of Canadian cities after nearby Victoria, Nanaimo and Duncan, all on Vancouver Island. On average, 4.5 days a year have temperatures staying below freezing. On average, snow falls on eleven days per year.

The city is located in the traditional territories of Skwxwú7mesh, Xwméthkwyiem, and Tseil-waututh peoples of the Coast Salish group.

Victoria - Interesting Facts and Figures

Geographical Size: 540.4kmsq Elevation: 23m above sea level Population: 330,000

Local Special Events: Symphony Splash (for BC Day), Electronic Music Festival, Luminera Community Lantern Festival, Emily Carr House, Sooke River Music Festival, Ska Fest, Dragon Boat Festival, Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival, High Tea daily at the Empress Hotel.

History: In 1865 Esquimalt was made the North Pacific home of the Royal Navy and remains Canada's west coast naval base. Butchart Gardens opened in 1904, and remains open today. Victoria is the home of the British Columbia Legislative Buildings. Victoria has many national and regional parks including Beacon Hill Park, many are visited by eco tourists yearly. Nelly Furtado, David Foster, Bryce Soderberg, Swollen Members, Hot Hot Heat, Steven Nash and Emily Carr all hail from Victoria.

Sports Teams: The Victoria Salmon Kings were a dormant ECHL team from Baton Rouge, Louisiana purchased by RG Properties in 2003. They took to the ice in October 2004. At present, the Salmon Kings are the only Canadian based team in the ECHL. The Victoria Cougars are perhaps the most famous sports franchise the city has known, winning the Stanley Cup as members of the PCHA in 1925. Today a Junior 'B' team of that name plays in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League.