Spotlight on Canoo Members, sponsored by Canadian Western Bank    

After getting his citizenship in 2019, Canoo member Smeet Pandya has embraced all that Canada has to offer, especially all the different types of weather. When we asked what he loved most of all about his chosen country, he said there was no contest. Having four seasons is the best.  

About Smeet

Arriving from India and settling in Toronto, Ontario, Smeet and his wife have had a great time exploring Canada with the Canoo app. Smeet originally picked Canada for personal growth and to get to be a part of one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Getting to create memories in cultural places has been a big part of him feeling like he is a part of the mosaic that is Canada.  

“Access to cultural places plays a vital role in building a strong community that feels inclusive and like home,” he said.   

Smeet and his wife used their Canoo benefits to travel across the country and enjoy some of Canada’s most stunning natural sites with VIA Rail.  

“Last year my wife and I decided to utilize our Christmas holidays by visiting the Canadian Rockies, so we explored the Canoo app and found out that free entry to National Parks is included,” Smeet told us. “We decided to use our discount at VIA Rial. We departed from Toronto Union Station in a VIA Rail Premium coach and the experience was breathtaking. This was the best trip we ever had.”  

Smeet and his wife traveled on VIA Rail’s Great Western Way line, which runs from Toronto, Ontario to Vancouver, British Columbia. The trip offers unique views from beautiful northern Ontario to the awe-inspiring area of the Prairies, all the way to the stunning majesty of the Rockies. The Pandyas loved every minute of it.  

“The train experience was so amazing, and we got to see the mountains as the train cruised through the dense forest and snowy hills. We visited Banff and Jasper National Park, and celebrated Christmas in the town with the locals. Skating on Lake Louise was an experience on its own. Our trip of 10 days went so fast, and we would love to do it again.”  

“We got to see the natural wonders of the True Canadian North, which we would have never planned if it wasn’t for Canoo. Thanks a ton!”  

We’re so glad that the Pandya family was able to see so much of this incredible country, and we’re wishing them a long, happy, and peaceful life in Canada, with many years of exploring the mountains ahead. Thanks to Canadian Western Bank for supporting Canoo so that Smeet and thousands of newcomers like him get to build incredible memories in Canada’s one of a kind cultural sites.    

Are you interested?

If you’re interested in discovering some of the same incredible natural sites that Smeet enjoyed, check out Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in the Canoo app. The summer season is just getting started, and the parks are ready and waiting for you to build lifelong memories in them. Happy exploring!  

Looking for other Canadian spots to explore over the summer, from coast to coast? Check out our guest post with Windmill Microlending, where we’ve spotlighted some of our member’s favourite places in Canada. 

Want to discover Canada through the windows of a train? VIA Rail generously provides a one-time 50% discount on train travel to all Canoo members! To unlock this offer, open the Canoo app, select “More” on the bottom right of your screen, and then click Via Rail Offer and follow the onscreen instructions.  

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Canoo gives new Canadian citizens and their families access to more than 1400 arts and culture spaces and parks across Canada. While Canoo is free to use, it’s not free to operate. As a charity, we rely on donations to help keep Canoo available and free for new citizens. With your generous support, we can help thousands of new Canadians and their families feel like they belong. Give the gift of Canoo! Become a monthly donor today.