Ottawa
 

Is a very nice city. 8 locks on the Rideau Canal lower boats into the Ottawa river beside the Parliament building. Kayak slalom course just upstream of downtown. Great colonial architecture.

I'll agree with you on that!
Visited there with my family about 20 years ago. Went to see the "changing of the guard" which is supposed to be exactly like the one at Buckingham palace. Standing next to us, also watching, was a former member of that particular unit. He gave a running commentary, very good. Hot summer day, 2 of the guards fell out. One's knees buckled and he slumped down to a pile---our commentator said that guy was in for some additional duty. Another one went over--ramrod straight--our commentator said that that one would not have to do extra duty because he went over straight.

You guys have obviously never been there in January! Many years ago I was in town for a week of business dealings. The locals wanted to go skating on the canal as a team building event. I grew up in Michigan, I can skate. However, it was too cold - we had a to wait a few days until the temperature warmed up to -20F.