Western Canada refers to the vast geographic region of Canada, stretching from the eastern border of Manitoba, to the Pacific Ocean on Canada’s west coast, consisting of the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

The West, as it is commonly referred to, is home to about one-third of Canada’s population, and includes the modern major urban centres of Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Victoria. These centers have thriving LGBT communities, with year- round activities, annual festivals and events. There are also numerous other smaller urban centres, with active LGBT communities, hosting annual celebrations, and events of interest. This edition will focus on the spectacular province of British Columbia, with special features on Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast.

Vancouver

Vancouver, Canada’s hip, cosmopolitan metropolis on the Pacific, is setting the stage, checking last minute details, and getting ready to welcome the world, as the host city to the 2010 Olympic and Paralymic Winter Games.

Vancouver is also home to the largest LGBT community in Western Canada, and the most recognized focal point is the eclectic Davie Village, located in a wonderful area known locally as the west end. Rainbow banners line the street posts of the 24/7 Village, where the majority of Vancouver’s gay pubs, restaurants and dance bars are located. Naturally, most businesses in the village are also gay friendly, which makes for a comfortable, live and let live, west coast ambience. This is also a great starting point for LGBT visitors to Vancouver, and many of the city’s best hotels are located within easy walking access, or a short taxi, or transit ride.

Another  highly recommended part of the Vancouver experience, is a visit to Granville Island. Rainbow-coloured mini-Aquabuses can take you for a very short sail, to and from this delightful urban oasis.

Vancouver’s LGBT community is a very open, thriving part of the city’s cultural mosaic, with the annual Pride Parade and Festival attracting hundreds of thousands of people each August. 2009 marks 31 years of celebrating the rainbow in Vancouver, and the Vancouver Pride Society is anticipating close to half a million people to take part in the festivities. The popularity of this annual event, has made it the city’s largest annual parade, and led to the expansion of the parade route in 2008.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in British Columbia on July 8, 2003, and since that time, numerous couples from around the world have made Vancouver their destination of choice, when deciding on a location to take their vows. Many couples incorporate their ceremony into a vacation/honeymoon, making Vancouver the ideal destination.

Excitement is running high throughout the city, as communities come together, making plans to ensure that the world has a great experience when they visit the city in 2010. The LGBT community is no exception, and there is a buzz throughout Davie Village about things to come.