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WestJet cancelling flights from Ottawa to Winnipeg, Fort Myers this winter

WestJet cancelling flights from Ottawa to Winnipeg, Fort Myers this winter

CTV News2 days ago
Travellers wait in line at the Ottawa International Airport in Ottawa on Thursday, July 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
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B.C.'s Eleven Revelstoke Lodge is a boutique hotel for adventure seekers in all seasons
B.C.'s Eleven Revelstoke Lodge is a boutique hotel for adventure seekers in all seasons

Globe and Mail

time37 minutes ago

  • Globe and Mail

B.C.'s Eleven Revelstoke Lodge is a boutique hotel for adventure seekers in all seasons

Revelstoke is one of my favourite B.C. ski towns. In 2021, I spent a week floating through deep powder and steep treed runs of Revelstoke mountain, an otherwise terrible year marred by pandemic shutdowns. So when I returned to Revy on a sunny June day, I was already half in love with this gritty little town of 8,000, a mecca for skiers and boarders. The other half was slightly bewildered by the mountain bikes, hiking shoes, climbing gear and canoes on display. A summer Revelstoke? This would require some adjustment. The elegant and decidedly upscale Eleven Revelstoke Lodge helped make that painless. Why you should visit Unlike the other heli-skiing adventure lodges owned by Colorado-based tour company Eleven, which are scattered in remote parts of Iceland, Patagonia and New Zealand, the Revelstoke property is on a main street in the middle of a former mining and logging town in the interior of B.C. The 1911 heritage red brick building has been a tobacco shop, a billiard hall, a bowling alley and a dentist's office, among other things, before the latest renovations by design firm Twelve Interiors (yes, you read that right). With 12 bedrooms and space for 24 people, Eleven is a boutique hotel, grand but unassuming from the outside. The magic starts when you enter. The hotel is a feast for the eyes, with vibrant colours, refurbished furniture, varying textures and elegant finishings with a mid-century-modern-meets-boho appeal. Marlin Fontaine, a 53-year-old hotel guest from Regina, was on a road trip with a friend when they stumbled across the lodge. 'I saw the beautiful front doors and the wooden bar and thought that someone had put a lot of thought into this place,' Fontaine said. The rooftop terrace has a fire pit, hot tub, red cedar sauna, steam room and ice plunge. The outdoor seating is casual, with plenty of cushions amid potted plants and stunning views of the surrounding mountains that, yes, did make me momentarily ache for my skis. The cozy third-floor indoor space is where I spent most of my time. A wooden bar stretches across one end, with a Nespresso coffee maker for us early risers, a plush couch and cozy armchairs facing a wood-burning fireplace. There's a record player and a collection of vinyl tucked in the corner. An L-shaped couch facing a large television anchors the adjoining room, with wrap-around window views of the snow-capped Monashee Mountains. The entire space has plush carpets and an array of books on topics from nature to architecture, biographies to fiction and, yes, skiing. My two-storey suite had a main-floor mini-bar fridge stocked with water (in a reusable metal container), a portable radio, a couch, chairs and more books. Upstairs, I was delighted by the reading light and cellphone charging pad by my king-sized bed, which brought new meaning to the word comfortable. Many guests come to Eleven looking for adventure – and the staff takes that seriously. They've partnered with local vendors to book any outdoor activity your heart desires and your legs can handle for an extra fee. I spent an afternoon white-water rafting with Apex Rafting. After a short bus ride and good deal of instruction, our group geared up and set out for a half-day of adrenalin-pumping action. Our guide calmly propelled us 26 kilometres down a glacier-fed river, through churning water, rocks and rapids, and, at moments, gentle waters, all of it framed by jaw-dropping natural beauty. That's the thing about summer Revy: It kept surprising and delighting me. Long seen as a pit stop for travellers winding their way from Vancouver to Jasper, Alta., Revelstoke is quietly emerging as a warm-weather destination, says Nina Frohlicher, general manager of Eleven Canada, a Swiss native who settled in Revy seven years ago. 'This town is up and coming for summer. We're a destination on our own – there's so much to do here and we want people to stay longer,' she said. Breakfast for lodge guests is included in the adjacent restaurant, the Quartermaster Eatery. The shrimp toast with avocado was delicious but the potato rosti that accompanied the eggs was my morning highlight. There's a tiny cocktail bar for guests tucked away in the basement of the lodge, which opens sporadically, as well as a gym and wellness area, where you can book a massage. Room for improvement If you're someone who likes to unpack their clothes, you'll find the layout of the three Eleven suites frustrating – there's a narrow space to hang some clothing on each side of the bed. To reach the one chest of drawers, you'll have to go up and down the stairs. Given that Eleven Revelstoke is surrounded by buildings, there are limited views from the bedrooms. My suite faced a parking lot so I kept the day shades lowered. Similarly, the rooftop lounge overlooks electrical wires, and you can hear and see the train from the hot tub space. I found it charming, but not everyone will. Since you're in the neighbourhood From December to March, only heli-skiers who book with Kingfisher Heli-Skiing can stay at Eleven Revelstoke Lodge. But in the summer months, it's open to all guests. And if extreme outdoor adventure is not your jam, there are scenic walks and light hikes you can undertake in or near the bustling town, home to shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as a growing music and arts scene. The take-away Revelstoke Lodge isn't geared for small children or large families. The rooms are set up for two people, and the vibe in the shared spaces is decidedly adult. Older kids could comfortably stay, since three of the bedrooms offer split king beds. But it's an ideal place for couples with communal or opposing passions; say, one goes hiking while the other fly fishes, then they meet up for dinner and a rooftop soak. Me? I'd happily travel there with my skis or my hikers. The writer was a guest of Eleven Revelstoke Lodge. It did not review or approve the story before publication.

Fundy National Park celebrates 75 years
Fundy National Park celebrates 75 years

CBC

time38 minutes ago

  • CBC

Fundy National Park celebrates 75 years

Social Sharing New Brunswick was one of the first provinces to ask for a national park, and 75 years ago, the province got its wish. Fundy National Park officially opened to the public on July 29, 1950. In what was described by the Saint John Times-Globe as "perfect weather," thousands of people gathered just inside the park on a Saturday to watch the opening ceremony, attend brass band concerts and watch a softball game and a women''s golf tournament. The park was announced in 1948 but had been in the works in one way or another since the 1920s. Becky Graham, the park manager at Fundy National Park says, in a bit of an understatement, that a lot has changed in 75 years. Originally, the park only had one campground, no trails and no interpretation programs. "The real focus of the park was to bring people to the area for tourism and for recreation," Graham said. "Those things are still important to us, but we have also evolved a mandate to really protect and present special places like Fundy National Park." While Parks Canada eventually went with the area of Albert County we now know as Fundy National Park as the location for the park, it was not anyone's first choice. The provincial government always advocated Mount Carlton, in the north, which Parks Canada really disliked for a site. Among the other areas considered were Point Lepreau, also on the Bay of Fundy and now home to a nuclear power plant, and Mount Champlain, in south-central New Brunswick. WATCH | The history of New Brunswick's first national park: Fundy National Park turns 75 1 hour ago In fact, Fundy was chosen in part because of the unofficial and negative description of New Brunswick as the "drive-through province." "What really swung it towards Albert County, frankly, was the fact that you have to drive all the way through New Brunswick to get there," said Alan MacEachern, a Western University historian who wrote a book about the building of Atlantic Canada's first four national parks. "They thought this is a way to bring tourists, central Canadian tourists, but especially American tourists, and force them … to drive all the way across New Brunswick to get to Albert County." Relatively smooth sailing As with many national parks, the founding of Fundy meant moving out residents and shuttering communities. The community of Point Wolfe was wiped off the map, farms and homes were expropriated and churches closed. This had also happened in Cape Breton and P.E.I. when national parks were built there, causing outrage in both provinces. But opposition in New Brunswick was muted. "There were definitely people who were going to be expropriated who were not happy about it, but I think that there was a lot less displeasure in New Brunswick than there had been in P.E.I. and Cape Breton," MacEachern said. What did upset some residents was the feeling that any evidence of their existence in the park was removed, which was in keeping with Parks Canada's philosophy at the time. "The belief [was] national parks should have basically no evidence of prior human existence," MacEachern said. "They wanted to get rid of any kind of evidence that the people of southern Albert County … had ever lived there." Constructing nature For a park whose goal was to present the absence of civilization, a lot of construction went into it The farms and homesteads and churches that were torn down were replaced by welcome centres, golf courses and hotels. "They developed the heck out of it and in, as you say, a very suburban sort of fashion," MacEachern said. In his book, he goes into more detail about the fate of some of the area's original elements: "The new Fundy National Park, populated for almost 150 years, was too wild to be currently acceptable. Roads needed to be straightened, hillocks flattened, ugly and misshapen trees cut down, stones removed, grass planted." MacEachern said Parks Canada immediately had regrets about how Fundy was constructed and viewed it as an example of what not to do at a national park. But he takes an optimistic view of the park. "You could argue that Fundy National Park has had 75 years of getting back to nature, of being about the things it wasn't quite about at its founding," MacEachern said. Seventy-five years later the park has grown to 207 square kilometres, with 20 kilometres along the Bay of Fundy coast. It went from one campground to five and offers back-country camping and several kinds of roofed accommodations such as yurts and rustic cabins. The park has also developed an expansive trail system, more than 100 kilometres in total. Present and future In terms of visitors, Fundy continues to be popular among tourists. Graham said early this season was a little slow because of rain, but June saw an eight per cent increase in visitors over the previous year. This could be attributed to a few factors. More Canadians discovered national parks after the COVID pandemic made outdoor spaces a more popular option, and political turmoil in the United States means more Canadians are looking to vacation closer to home. Finally, entrance fees for all national parks have been waived for the summer. While more people are going to national parks, the parks have to contend with their dual purpose of access and conservation, something that isn't easy. "Parks Canada's mandate is to both protect and present," Graham said.

Down 59%, Is Carnival Stock a Once-in-a-Generation Investment Opportunity?
Down 59%, Is Carnival Stock a Once-in-a-Generation Investment Opportunity?

Globe and Mail

time2 hours ago

  • Globe and Mail

Down 59%, Is Carnival Stock a Once-in-a-Generation Investment Opportunity?

Key Points Carnival is experiencing robust demand that's driving continued revenue growth. Soaring profits are helping the business improve its debt profile, reducing financial risk for investors. Even after the stock's strong performance, the valuation is below the market average. 10 stocks we like better than Carnival Corp. › Carnival (NYSE: CCL)(NYSE: CUK) was decimated when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, as operations were halted to help stop the spread of the virus. Revenue tanked, and the business had to take on more debt to survive with the fate of the economy being a big unknown. However, Carnival is firing on all cylinders these days. This travel stock has soared 202% in the past three years (as of July 22). But shares still trade a gut-wrenching 59% off their peak. At the current price, is Carnival a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity? Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Smooth sailing As the economy opened back up and consumer behavior normalized following the early days of the health crisis, there was robust demand for travel. The cruise industry has benefited tremendously, with Carnival posting strong financial performance. After sales hit a low of $1.9 billion in fiscal 2021, they came roaring back. Fiscal 2024's revenue of $25 billion was 13 times higher than that total three years prior. And in the most recent quarter (Q2 2025 ended May 31), Carnival registered an 8.6% top-line gain. In fact, the sales figure was a Q2 record. "Our guests continue to look to us as their preferred vacation choice given the amazing experiences our cruise lines provide," CEO Josh Weinstein said in a press release. However, the current economic climate, one where uncertainty is the key word, isn't making things easy. Throw in President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies and ongoing geopolitical turmoil, and it makes sense people are pulling back spending. The cruise industry, however, is positioned to continue its success. One reason why is that it's doing a great job attracting younger travelers -- who could become lifelong customers -- as well as first-time cruise goers. And compared to land-based travel alternatives, cruises are generally viewed as providing more bang for your buck. Then there's the fact that spending on cruises makes up less than 3% of the entire global travel industry, leaving upside for further growth. Carnival's improving financial situation With revenue continuing to climb at a healthy clip, Carnival is also posting consistent and rising profitability. Operating income totaled $934 million in the second quarter, another record. It's wild to think that four years ago, during Q2 2021, the company registered an operating loss of $1.5 billion. Things have certainly turned around for the better, which explains why the stock has performed so well. Wall Street expects the good times to keep rolling. The consensus analyst forecast is for Carnival's earnings per share to increase at a compound annual rate of 22.2% between fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2027. Despite huge gains in recent years, this outlook is very encouraging for investors who undoubtedly want to see continued expansion as we look ahead. Improving profitability is helping Carnival fix its financial situation. This means it's been able to slowly reduce its massive debt burden, which now stands at $27.3 billion. The company has refinanced $7 billion worth of debt so far this year. Two major credit ratings agencies have also upgraded Carnival's debt, which is a clear indication of reduced financial risk. Not a once-in-a-generation play Carnival's business continues to perform well, and the future looks bright. The current valuation is also reasonable, with the market asking investors to pay a price-to-earnings ratio of 16 to buy the stock. This represents a substantial discount to the S&P 500 index. However, the stock isn't a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity right now. While Carnival's shares have a good shot at outperforming the market over the next five years, I don't believe it's going to produce life-changing results over the next few decades. That being said, investors could still consider buying Carnival stock. Should you invest $1,000 in Carnival Corp. right now? Before you buy stock in Carnival Corp., consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Carnival Corp. wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,774!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,064,942!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,040% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025

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