This is your weekly update from the Canadian Culture page at BellaOnline. My name is Melanie Hachey and I am the new editor. You can learn a little bit more about me here.

This week's article is about Spring in Ottawa. Ottawa has many spring weather activities for you to enjoy. And spring in Ottawa also means it's Tulip Festival time!

Visit the Canadian Culture Forum to share your favourite springtime activities and any comments, questions, or thoughts about Canada, its people, and its culture.

This Week's Canadian Fun Fact

Did you know that the Rideau Canal, which connects Ottawa and Kingston, takes at least 6 days to navigate on a fast boat? The boat must make its way through 46 locks, most of which are operated by parks Canada and still cranked by hand. It is a journey through history, according to the National Capital Commission website, "the Canal appears much as it did over 150 years ago with limestone locks, hand-operated cranks, wooden lock master houses, and stone supply buildings." It only takes about an hour and a half to drive between Ottawa and Kingston.

What's Up Canuck? Your Weekly Canadian Trivia Question

Last Week's Question & Answer:

What was the highest price paid for a Canadian painting?

According to the Canadian Art Index, the highest price ever paid for a Canadian Painting was $5,062,500 for Scene in the Northwest by Paul Kane. This price is almost double the second highest earner, Pine Tree and Red House, Winter, City Painting II by Lawren Harris, which sold for $2,875,000.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia commons.

This Week's Question

Where is Canada's best beach?

Look for your answer next week.

Do you have feedback or questions for me? I'd love to hear from you. You can either start a topic in the forum or simply respond to this email.

I look forward to exploring Canadian Culture with you.