Truemors
Opinion
Barry Artiste. Now Public Contributor
Montreal and Vancouver cannot be blamed for being jealous of 400 year old Quebec City. Quebec City has all the "Bragging Rights" as Tourism Central during the 400th Anniversary as the Gateway to Canada. Quebec city, is a 400 year old Sea port, high atop a mountain overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway, a military vantage point, thus the construction of a City today, complete with a 400 year old stone fortress, cannons and troops who still inhabit the Citadelle today, who also fire the 300 year old Noon Cannon, Quebec City, the old section is completely surrounded by 400 year old (20 foot thick and 20 feet high in most areas comprised of) magnificent Stone Walls with Castle like Turrets and Ramparts dotted along the walls. Quebec City has a Magnificent Chateau Frontenac, and more Turrets and cannons from the 16th century, not to mention all of their original town and buildings in which are not used as museums but are inhabited by restaurants, offices, shops, and private homes all along a cobble stone street in which a horse drawn carriage will take you through the streets year round, topping off with a carriage ride through historic Plains of Abraham, where the French and Americans fought the British to reclaim Quebec city over 200 years ago. So you can certainly see why , when Quebecer's say, why fly to Europe, when Europe is at your North American doorstep, with some of the best food, sights, and Quebecois people imaginable. Quebec City has very little crime.
Montreal is 350 years old, hosted the Worlds Fair in the 1967, and Olympics, thus is more cosmopolitan in nature and modern as compared to the heritage of Quebec City. Though Montreal is a sea port and has various 350 year old buildings throughout the city. Montreal is a more, lively place if you are looking for great food and nightlife. Along with French Charm. Their Pizza, Chinese and Deli is to die for. I have dreams at night about it. Montreal has moderate crime.
Vancouver is 180 years old, relatively young compared to Montreal and Quebec city, on the other hand Vancouver is neither as Old or Historic when compared to the two cities above, still is an awesome city.
What Vancouver has going for it, is that is a seaport as well, with views of snow capped mountains, beautiful oceans and beaches that will blow you away, and scenery Quebec wish they had. Winters are temperate and rainy, 2010 Olympics will be in Vancouver.
Vancouver has a pretty active nightlife, foods from every corner of the Globe, great seafood, original Chinese food, Russian Food, Indian food that will "scorch the arse hairs off a Scotsman", but oh so damn good, East Indians should all move to Quebec to complete the great food circle Montreal is famous for. Deli, at least real great deli is sorely lacking in this town.
Vancouver has moderate crime, and a whack load of homeless in the East side of the city.
Vancouver is noted for being Seattle's playground. If you are looking for nightlife, Montreal and Vancouver beat Quebec city hands down.
Quebec City is a more sedate setting for lovers, honeymooners and history buffs.
All three cities have tourist traps, but all in all eat where we eat, as you can get moderately priced meals and accommodation in all three cities. There is no reason why Vancouver and Montreal should be jealous of Quebec City, for being in my Opinion, one of the absolute wonders of the western world, hands down.
The only reason, I can see why Montreal and Vancouver are jealous of Quebec City, is not just the money given to Quebec city, but perhaps all the world attention it is currently receiving, but then Montreal had the Worlds Fair and Olympics, so they had their day in the sun, years ago. Vancouver will soon be boasting as the best place in the world to live as the 2010 Olympic games approach.
I have worked and lived in all three cities, and I see the beauty in all three of them. To have all three combined into one city, with Montreal's food and nightlife, and Quebec cities 400 year history and buildings and locate those two cities here to the West Coast, would be paradise.
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=fb865bb3-af26-4ca4-abbd-a1d2d97c2552
Quebec City's 400th birthday facelift creates some jealousy Marianne White, Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, July 12, 2008
QUEBEC -- Quebec is the most beautiful city in Canada, Stephen Harper said when he wished the town a happy 400th birthday on July 3. Whether you agree with the prime minister or not, the $500-million facelift the city has undergone for the yearlong celebrations is making some people jealous.
Surprisingly, the latest display of envy comes from Montreal, the archrival of Quebec City. The dispute between the province's two biggest cities has been going on for decades. Montreal residents often view the capital as a postcard-like, but boring, city with its thousands of civil servants.
It's an image that infuriates Quebec City residents.
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Comments (2)
at 15:54 on July 12th, 2008
My 2 cents: As a Montrealer, I'm happy for Quebec City. As a resident of the Province of Quebec and a direct decendant of Louis Hébert, fisrt civilian settler of Quebec, I am proud that we are celebrating Quebec.
I think the rivalries are more related to the fact that Montreal is the metropolis of Quebec, but not the decision center. In Quebec, they seem to have difficulty understanding the problems we face in a large culturally and economically diverse city. That they are getting more public attention is just fine with me. But from an international perspective, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver are the places that are 'known'.
at 16:42 on July 12th, 2008
Thanks for your comments maleger, what you say is true, Toronto has the same gripe about Ottawa, Vancouver has the same grip about Victoria as well. Government towns have never been known as Trendsetters or understanding the larger cities, as the capital cities are relatively small in comparison as the other larger cities.