In February I’m giving two talks in Canada for the Centre for Inquiry: one in Halifax and the other in Ottawa. They’ve both been announced online, but I’ll add the dates and times here.
They’ll be book talks about Faith versus Fact, but with plenty of Q&A. As far as I know, the book will be on sale at the venues, and I’ll be glad to autograph it (with a cat if you use the secret word: the Latin binomial for the Canadian lynx—look it up!).
The talks are both open to the public; there is an admission charge for the Ottawa talk, but I assure you that I get none of it as I’m speaking without a fee. The Halifax talk, though, is FREE—no admission charge! Gratis!
Halifax (Tuesday Feb 23rd, announcement here): Tuesday, February 23, 7 p.m., Halifax Central Library, Paul O’Regan Hall, Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS B3J 1E9, Halifax, NS, Halifax. Although it’s free, they ask for an RSVP on the site.
Ottawa (Friday Feb. 26, announcement here). 7:30 pm Centrepointe Chamber 101 Centrepointe Dr Ottawa
I’ll then head for Montreal for 2.5 days of fun time; any recommendations for things to see (and, of course, smoked meat restaurants) are welcome.
We have tickets to Ottawa. Looking forward to it.
Visit the Moosehead brewery in Dartmouth on your Halifax leg.
That sucks that you are in cold places in February but the east coast is always a nice place to be! If you have time, you should go to Hull, Quebec across the river in Ottawa to the Museum of History. I love that place!
You probably already plan to visit Schwarz’s in Montreal. I like walking in Old Montreal by the St Lawrence.
Yes, Schwarz’s is a must – but get there early, there’s always a line.
Beautys Luncheonette (beautys.ca) is also a great place for lunch/brunch.
I’m not sure if you’d have enough time to visit the Biodôme de Montréal. As well, I’m not sure how you feel about zoos. But the Biodôme has these:
http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome-fauna/canada-lynx
I visited the Biodôme a while back, and I did see the lynxes, but the experience was a bit like a live version of your “Spot the ___” posts.
Halifax in late February can be quite pleasant, can also be quite cold with snow, but in either case the Nova Scotia welcome will be very warm.
I am very much looking forward to your talk.
A few tips on Montreal, from a Montreal hyperfan:
– Montreal can kill in February, -20C/-4F in clear days is warm. Snows Jonas-style.
– Best way to know it all, quick, is with a bus city tour. Shows everything, and they tell stories and history even locals ignore.
– Restaurants are unreal.
– Subway underground city is fun.
– Quick trip to Quebec City is a must, with no snow.
– Important tip for an imperalist gringo, that wants to keep the US of A devastating the Middle East: start your conversations in French, no matter how poor it is. Then transition to English. Buys you truckloads of good will.
In Montreal, Schwartz is the go-to for smoked meat. I would then waltz over to St-Viateur (bagels)as it is in the same neighborhood.
My favourite place was a pub called Dieu Du Ciel. If you can forgive the name, it has phenomenal beer.
I second Biodôme.
While Schwartz’s is quite good I hope PCC has had time to sample the smoked meat from Fumare’s in the Chicago French Market. I think it’s superior to the original – its been endorsed by Bill Shatner, who ought to know!
I’ve heard that Schwartz’s is overcrowded compared to other places that are as good or even better. I’ll probably go elsewhere.
Just moved from Montreal!
I’d go to Lester’s for smoked meat. As good or better than Schwartz’s and I’ve never had to wait for a table. It’s more mom and pop. It’s also a short walk from there to St Viateur’s where they make great bagels 24 – 7. My favourite restaurant is also in that area. It’s ‘les deux singes de montarvie’. You’ll need a reservation likely. I don’t know how to describe the food except that it’s creative. I’d also recommend Dieu du Ciel for a wide selection of local beers, including their own brews. Quebec has a great micro-brew scene.
Anyone that knows Montreal can probably tell you where I lived now!
Just go early. You’re good at getting up early.
Don’t discount the atmosphere and the 100-year-old waiters at Schwarz’s. And ask for lean.
And don’t forget Fairmount Bagels for those wonderful Montreal-style treats. Sorry, it means another line-up though.
Gladly pay to hear you speak. Did so when you came to Toronto in June (?) last year! Worth every penny!!
For those in Ottawa or near by and going, see you soon!
For those who are not going, CFI would love to see you even if just for this event, so please reconsider. 🙂
Peggy’s Cove is a must. Not too far south of Halifax!
WOW!! I am so tickled that you are coming to Halifax! I have bought, read, and appreciated FvF as an ebook.
Halifax in February is a bit dismal, but the shorelines around here are beautiful at any time of year.
See you at the library (it is a really cool building, btw). 🙂
Is there still smoked meat in Montreal since Ben’s closed?
“Montreal style” smoked meat is available many, many places (or at least when I last checked a few years back).
I’m in for the Ottawa date and I’ll bring my brother Paul!
Wasn’t there a piece on the site a year or so ago about a Montreal bar with a Darwin and/ or evolution theme?
“…if you use the secret word: the Latin binomial for the Canadian lynx—look it up!”
And if you forget to look it up, just take a stab at it. You might get lucky. 😀
Hi Jerry,
Do you know if there are recordings of your Canada talks (or similar talks) available? I wasn’t able to be there, and I would like to hear what you said.
Thanks,
Mark