HEINEKEN IN CANADA READY FO
One country,
many markets, but
"I'm from Canada", says the inhabitant of
Ontario. "I'm from Quebec and from
Canada", says the inhabitant of Quebec,
the French-speaking province. And that
immediately typifies the difference
between English-speaking and French-
speaking Canadians. As far as their
preference for Heineken Beer is concerned,
there is little difference, as it is enjoyed
across the country, but in other respects,
including domestic beer preferences, there
are many differences.
"You definitely mustn't compare the beer market in Quebec
■nth that in Ontario or Western Canada. There are really big
differences". As various people emphasised, Quebec is not
like the rest of the country. It is part of Canada, but then
again it's not. Quebecers feel they are different from their
fellow-countrymen in English Canada. Their language,
culture and lifestyle make them unique in many respects.
The inhabitants of the French-speaking province were
featured prominently in the world news last fall when the
discussion about secession from the rest of Canada was
raised again in the run-up to their provincial elections.
Though the subject of separatism has been put on ice again,
there is an expectation on all sides that - as the Quebec
economy is now steadily improving - the discussion will
flare up yet again in the future.
The difference in culture is clearly visible if you compa
re the Quebec city of Montreal with Toronto, the capital of
Ontario. Toronto has a very American feel to it: particularly
'downtown' Toronto where there are many skyscrapers. The
city's suburbs are very similar to those of an average
American city: many detached houses, broad highways and
the ubiquitous shopping malls, McDonalds and other fast
food chain outlets. In the heart of Toronto, tucked away
between the tall office blocks, there are still a few churches
and the occasional building dating from the beginning of
this century.
Montreal, by contrast, breathes a European atmosphere.
Characteristic of the city are the many two-storey houses
with an outside stairway providing access to the upper part
of the house. Though Montreal has moved with the times
over the past decades and now has a lot of modern buil
dings, the fact that many of the older buildings in the city
centre have been preserved gives the city a touch of magic.
Montreal breathes a European
atmosphere. Characteristic of the
city are the houses with an out
side stairway providing access to
the living quarters on the first
floor.
The CN Tower, at 447 metres the
world's tallest building, offers
magnificent views over Toronto.
