canada posts

There are a lot of people out there who have an interest in facts, figures and trend information about poverty in Canada. Even taken in aggregate though, the topic is so political, say Statistics Canada researchers, that they don't define what it is to be poor, nor do they estimate the number of poor families or individuals in Canada.

Still, they do examine and use different measures to examine low income, low income determinants, and who is most at risk.

One of their latest reports suggests that those falling into the lower income categories can probably take heart: Although some groups are undoubtedly more at risk than others, for a lot of people (hang in there), the low income experience is transitory.

1. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto - With loads of programs, the AGO keeps kids entertained from March 12-16. Activities include a hands-on learning centre, a series of "Tin Tin" episodes to watch, a room where kids can build their own "sculpture garden" using soft plush pieces and family-friendly tours of the galleries.
2. Diefenbunker, Ottawa - If your kid has dreams of being James Bond - or Austin Powers - then the Diefenbunker Spy Camp is for him, or her. Kids will learn the art of espionage, which some parents may not be too keen about, but it's all in good fun. The Diefenbunker, so-named because it was a secret Cold War facility created during John Diefenbaker's administration, features lots of history as well as this unique experience. Kids will create a disguise for going undercover, make and break codes, and configure spy gadgets, among other things. The week-long camp ($225 per child) runs from March 12-16 and is for ages 7-12.
3. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax - Sculpture, mixed-media and traditional painting are among the skills kids can learn from professional artists at this gallery. Classes run from March 10-18 with full-day ($250) and half-day ($125) sessions available.
4. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal - This fantastic museum has a 2-for-1 admission special during March Break to the special exhibit called "Feininger the Great Carnival," in which the work of Lyonel Feininger is explored. But what makes the Montreal Musem of Fine Arts special is its devotion to Canadian art, as best illustrated in the newly opened Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion of Quebec and Canadian Art. For older kids, the museum offers a cultural insight into Canada that they may appreciate if they're keen on art or the nation's history.
5. TheMuseum, Kitchener, Ont. - Hockey, art and skill development are all rolled into one fun package in this museum an hour southwest of Toronto. "Arena" features art work that comments on the national pastime as well as celebrates it. There are fun interactive displays and excellent art, including hockey masks from Wanda Koop that resemble tribal paintings and Graeme Patterson's mesmerizing stop-animation film featuring Darryl Sittler's famed 10-Point Game. The Canada-Russia Summit Series documentary will transfix parents. It runs continuously on the museum's top floor. With this being the 40^th anniversary of the Summit Series, the memories are even more poignant for some. "Arena" runs until May 6 at TheMuseum.

Sales of homes in Canada continue to be strong, despite or perhaps because of, global economic turmoil. While the national average price rose only 5.5 per cent in October, the smallest increase since January, sales continued to be strong throughout Canada with just over half of local markets posting gains. Click through to see where home prices rose the most. Visit our other gallery to see where homes are most affordable - 'Canada's Least Expensive Cities to Buy a Home In.'

Canada Average House Prices
September '11: $352,581
Change from August '11: + 0.8%
Change from September '10: + 6.5%
Number of units sold: 37,760
Source: CREA