Discover more of Canada, one great find at a time.

An old propane tank, a chocolate lobster and an Arctic getaway walk into your inbox. Somewhere along the way, we also found a Canadian option for the cleaning cupboard and a musician who might keep you listening longer than planned. Welcome to this week’s little tour of Canadian ingenuity. Let’s see what we’ve found. 🇨🇦

Which Canadian animal would make the worst neighbour?

Three Canadian claims. Two are true. One is completely made up.

A. An Alberta town built a landing pad for UFOs.

B. The loon was the original design chosen for Canada’s new 1987 dollar coin.

C. Nanaimo hosts a world championship for bathtub racing.

Make your pick. The answer is waiting near the bottom!

Products, businesses, people and places that deserve a little more attention.

That old propane tank still has a little life in it. Just wait until the lights come on.

In Falun, Alberta, metal artist David McAuley transforms retired propane tanks into handmade patio lanterns.

Sunflowers, hummingbirds and intricate branches emerge from the steel, while the familiar handles and weathered surfaces remain part of their charm.

The collection includes all sorts of designs, and David welcomes custom requests. Something for the cottage? A gift for the person who already has everything? There’s plenty to browse.

SEE THESE PROPANE TANKS IN A NEW LIGHT →

A Canadian discovery you might reach for every day.

From laundry detergent and dish soap to dishwasher tabs, hand soap and cleaners for kitchens and bathrooms, Eco-Max covers quite a few items on the household shopping list.

The brand comes from Canadian-owned Prism Care, which manufactures its liquid cleaners in Mississauga, Ontario. Manufacturing varies across the wider range, so check individual products for their Canadian-made details.

With scented and fragrance-free options, there’s plenty to explore. Shop directly online or look for selected products at retailers across the country.

FIND A CANADIAN OPTION FOR YOUR CLEANING CUPBOARD →

Some getaways deserve a little more space on your wish list.

Near Inuvik, Tundra North Tours invites guests to experience winter at Okpik Arctic Village.

This Inuit tourism company’s winter package combines opportunities to learn about northern life and local food production with accommodation options that include an igloo, tipi or cabin.

There’s also the possibility of northern lights overhead, although nature keeps its own schedule.

It’s a bigger adventure to plan, with seasonal conditions shaping the experience. But browsing the possibilities is a pretty lovely place to start.

EXPLORE AN ARCTIC VILLAGE GETAWAY →

These little lobsters belong on the dessert menu.

At Halifax’s Rousseau Chocolatier, milk chocolate lobsters get their bright red shells from a hand-painted coating of cocoa butter and food colouring.

Partners Julien Rousseau-Dumarcet and Nathalie Morin are behind the business, making confections by hand in Halifax using imported chocolate and, in many creations, ingredients from Nova Scotia.

The lobster lollies are a playful place to start exploring. They ship across Canada, with delivery charges calculated at checkout.

A little taste of the Maritimes, without having to crack a single claw.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THESE CHOCOLATE LOBSTERS →

This week, we’re adding a little music to your Canadian discoveries.

Meet Jack Gaughan, a singer, songwriter and guitarist from Huntsville, Ontario, who might keep you listening a little longer than planned.

Between his original songs and his takes on familiar favourites, there’s plenty to discover. His voice draws you in, his guitar playing gives you another reason to stay, and suddenly that quick listening break needs a few more minutes.

Turn the sound up and get to know a Canadian talent worth passing along.

WATCH JACK PLAY→

Who should we spotlight next? 🎨
Know a Canadian artist, photographer or musician more people should discover? Reply to this email with their name and a link to their work. Self-nominations welcome!

Is there a Canadian business, product, founder or place that more people should know about? Send us your recommendation and tell us what makes it worth discovering.

Your suggestion could be featured in an upcoming edition of More Canada Please.

🇨🇦 DID YOU SPOT THE CANADIAN LIE?

The Canadian lie was B! 🪙

The loon wasn’t the original plan. Canada’s new dollar coin was supposed to feature a canoe, but the master dies used to produce that design went missing in transit from Ottawa to Winnipeg. The loon became the replacement.

And yes, St. Paul, Alberta, really built a UFO landing pad, and Nanaimo really races bathtubs. Canada keeps making this game difficult.

That’s what I love about putting this newsletter together. You start with something as ordinary as a propane tank and end up wondering what else you’ve been walking past without noticing.

If one of this week’s finds made you think of someone, forward this their way. Finding something good is fun. Having someone to share it with makes it even better.

See you next week!
Dan

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