Best Experience Gifts for Guelph families

If you live in Guelph, here is a great list of activities for families with kids...


Sometimes you look around and realize that there is just too much stuff.  Toys here, crafts there.  You need some more ideas for gifts?  Here is a brief list of "Experience Gifts" for Guelph, or areas near Guelph.

• In Guelph
• Riverside Carousel pass
• Children's Art Factory - 10 pack of passes
• Guelph Museum - membership for the year
• Woodlawn bowling gift card

• In Kitchener
• Kitchener Museum - family admission
• In Toronto
• Metro Toronto Zoo passes
• Ontario wide
• Cineplex Odeon movie passes

When are the Outdoor Pools and Splash Pads Open? 2017 Version

this is going to be a great go to guide for when these places are open and where they are located

SPLASH PADS - open June 26 to September 4

• Norm Jary Park
• 22 Shelldale Crescent
• Hours: 10am to 7pm
• West End Community Centre
• 21 Imperial Road South
• Hours: 10am to 7pm
• Hanlon Creek
• 505 Kortright Road W
• Hours: 10am to 7pm

OUTDOOR POOL - open June 24 to September 4

• Lyon Park
• 299 York Road
• Hours: 10am - noon, 1pm - 4pm, 5pm - 8pm

WADING POOLS -open June 30 to September 4

• Sunny Acres Park
• 45 Edinburgh Road N
• Hours 10am - 1pm, 3pm - 7pm
• Mico Valeriote Park
• 235 Elizabeth St
• Hours 11am - 3pm
• Exhibition Park
• 81 London Road
• Hours: 10am - 1pm, 3pm - 7 pm

Fairy Door Spotting On Guelph Trails

Along the trail by the river, there are apparently little random doors that have been built into some trees along the trail.  Someone has taken the time to create a little alternate world, where fairies have homes with little doors that lead to them.

It's kind of a neat idea.

• You'll find the doors on random trees
• some places to find them include behind Lyon Park
• they supposedly start at the end of Audrey Avenue (take York Road)

more information to come as we gather it.

People have vandalized the doors in the past, but some good Samaritans in Guelph have gone out of their way to replace the broken doors, as well as add some new ones.

Springridge Farms in Milton for Easter

There is lots of fun to be had around Easter time.  One great venue is Springridge Farm in Milton.

Their Easter Festival Egg Hunt happens over 3 days: April 14, 15, and 16 from 10am - 4pm.  If you went on Friday, you might have noticed that it was really busy.  They open at 9, and the Easter Egg Hunt starts at 10 but they hit capacity by then.  Around 11,  the wait to get in was about 1.5hr.

For the egg hunt, the eggs are empty and then submitted at the end to get the candy (a widely used strategy).

As per their website:

Admission to Easter Festival is $12 per person, ages 2-92, and includes:

*Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny
*Bunny Face Painting
*Easter Puppet Show
*Baby Animals
*Fun Farm Yard Activities
*AND MORE!

Dress appropriately for the weather conditions at the farm (boots are recommended for visiting the Fun Farm Yard in springtime).

So admission for a family of 4 with children over 2 years of age would come out to $48.  Not a cheap day out.  But still loads of fun.  Activities include slides, animals to pet, a large sandbox...

If your child is really young (say 12 months or under) they might not get as much out of it as they would in a year or so.

Amazing FREE Literacy Program for Kids 0+ Years

I only came across this program because I went to an Early Years Drop-In program where another grandparent told me about this great program called Action Read.  I was new in town, so I asked about what there was to do.  She told me about this great literacy program that would start up in September at the West End community centre.  There were other locations, but that was the closest one to the Early Years program we were at.

I went home to Google more information about the Action Read program.  I find their website incredibly hard to navigate.  I could NOT, for the life of me, find the locations where the various Action Read programs ran out of.  I still find it difficult to find the information.

For the sake of other new parents out there, or new parents to Guelph, here is a link to the Action Read site that I find most helpful.

http://www.actionread.com/get-involved/learn/family-literacy-program/

Here is the information for the remainder for this term:

*****from the website*****

January 23 – June 22, 2017

Join us for free literacy and numeracy programs! Enjoy story-time, number and language games, songs, rhymes, word play, puzzles, crafts and nutritious snacks. Gain ideas, tips and resources for early literacy activities at home. Caring and nurturing staff, qualified in Early Childhood Education.

Programs operate on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis in locations throughout Guelph. They are open to parents or caregivers with children ages preschoolers – newborn to 6 years. Register at the program site. For more information, or to check if a program is full, please call 519-836-2759.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
West End Community Centre Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood Group 21 Imperial Rd. 9:30-11:30 am	Brant Avenue Public School 64 Brant Ave. 9:00-11:00 am	Morning Westwood Public School West Willow Woods Neighbourhood Group 495 Willow Rd. 9:00-11:00 am	Kortright Hills Public School Kortright Hills Neighbourhood Group 23 Ptarmigan Dr. 9:00-11:00 am
		Afternoon “Kindergarten Readiness Program” *COMING SOON! NEW SITE* Immigrant Services 104 Dawson Road Start date to be determined shortly

Schedule last updated Jan 16, 2017.

*****end*****

If you want more information, please comment below and I'll do my best to answer any questions.  I am not affiliated with Action-Read, but I do love the program.

Gyms in Guelph

There are a few great places to get your exercise on in Guelph.

For some free fun, consider the trails to get your exercise by walking, running, or biking.

If you love the gym, here are a list of a few.

- StayFit (East End, known to be good value at about $10 / month)
- Goodlife Fitness (3 locations, if you have joined Goodlife before you know what you are in for)
- Movati (great classes, can be more expensive side)
- Fit4Less (located in mall)
- Orangetheory Fitness (South end)
- Studio57 (West End, boutique gym, expensive but offers services that other gyms do not) - closed as of April 2017
- Anytime Fitness
- YMCA (South-west end on Downey Road, can subsidize to those who qualify)

I have personally tried Movati, Goodlife, and Studio57.  All of them were great!

There are also some Yoga studios in Guelph, which I have not listed.

The West End Community Centre also has a small gym (free weights, and some machines) that you can use on a drop-in basis for a fee.

Also consider activities like swimming which you can do through the community centres on a drop in basis whenever their leisure swim times permit.

Moving To Guelph: Best Neighbourhoods for My Family!

This might be a controversial post, because really, what defines best?

Every family wants what is best for their family when they are looking for that new home to buy (or even rent).  For many, this list means
- great schools
- close to parks
- access to amenities

Lots of people will have their opinions about areas and neighbourhoods.  Opinions are opinions - good or bad.  Here are just a few opinions heard about various areas of Guelph.

EAST END
- biggest complaint by most is the lack of amenities
- not as close to grocery stores
- lots of families live in the area
- a bit cheaper than other areas
- lots of new builds, new homes
- has access to trails and good parks
- once amenities are built, the area would be really great for families

SOUTH END
- Popular school: Rickson Ridge Public School
- Harts Village: Builder Terra View has built houses there that are 5-15 years old ranging in 1500-2900 sq ft
- lots of families BUT lots of students too - ask around the neighbourhood to see who your neighbours are

- close to amenities: movie theatre, gym, great restaurants, grocery stores, parks,
- close to the 401 which is great for commuting to neighbouring Cambridge, or even to Milton, Mississauga, Toronto, etc
Cons:
- Apparently, there are more and more students living in the area.  While students aren't a bad thing, they give a different feel to the area.
- getting congested with all the new builds

DOWNTOWN / CENTRAL

Streets to consider:
- Westmount Road
- Exhibition Park (area)
- area known as "The Ward"
- London Road

- close knit community
- closer to downtown
- family friendly


WEST END

Schools in area
- Taylor Evans
- Mitchell Woods

Streets to consider
- Rochelle
- Elmira Road
- Stephanie Drive
- Imperial Road / Paisley Road, Elmira Road

- Lots of amenities
- Close to Zehrs and Costco!
- Close to the West End Community Centre, and Fire station
- close to new boutique gym, Studio57 (but expensive membership! at $60+ / month)
- relatively new area
- family friendly, diverse
- easy access to the Hanlon (highway that takes you to the 401)
- closer to Kitchener/Waterloo if you have to commute to there
Cons:
- area of the west end known to be "bad" is along Willow Road, between Dawson Road and the Hanlon (highway 6)
- generally a lower income area, but if you live here it's not that "bad" - but it is the reputation that the area has

NORTH END
- closer to Guelph Lake and trails

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
There are lots of new builds going up all over the city, but mostly along the perimeters.  Some builders include
- Fusion Homes, http://www.fusionhomes.com/
- Terraview, http://www.terra-view.com/
- Reid

The outer edges of the city are more suburban, so consider what your personality type is and waht it is that you are looking for.

There is one mall for the area: Stone Road Mall.  The rest are plaza type places, or big box type places.

Find a good realtor!  It is in their best interest to help you since it will reflect on their ability.  Tell them what you are looking for (downtown feel? suburbs? good school ranking? new house?) and they should be able to put it all together given your budget and get you what you are looking for.

However, this page is supposed to give you some insight, as that is exactly what I was looking for but could not find very easily!

If you have any more information to add to this post, please feel free to comment below!

Helium Balloons at Dollar Tree on Silvercreek

I'm getting ready for a birthday, so I'm on the hunt for party supplies.

I checked out the Dollar Tree store, which is right beside the No Frills on Silvercreek.

They have foil helium balloons for $1.40 !!  That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.  They have some character balloons at the moment.  Their stock varies.  Some shapes and characters include:
- pink heart
- stars (blue, white, other colours)
- happy birthday
- Elsa and Anna
- Paw Patrol
- Minnie Mouse
- Disney Princesses

These are just a few.

The other thing I asked about, which I found interesting was that they do not fill up latex balloons!  Good to know!

And what if you bring your own foil balloon?  The fill cost is the same as buying a new balloon...so you would probably just want to buy the new balloon.

Have you found any great finds for party supplies?

Driving To Downtown Toronto From Guelph, Your Options

There was a time when I drove in Downtown Toronto a lot.  I had my parking spots scouted out, I knew my one way streets.  I knew where I was going, and the best streets to take to get there to avoid excessive traffic or obstacles.

That being said, driving in Downtown Toronto can be quite STRESSFUL to even a seasoned driver.  So if you are planning a trip from Guelph to Toronto to go to the ROM, or Ripley's Aquarium, or the CN Tower, you might just want to take a moment to think about how exactly you should get there.  What mode of transportation is right for you?!

Are you taking the kids?  How old are they?  Are you bringing strollers?  How long will you be staying?  These are all questions you should consider when assessing the best transport mode for you.

DRIVING

The big advantage of driving right into the city is that you will have your vehicle there at the end of the day.  Your kids can nap all the way home comfortably.  You can leave things in the car and come back to get them if you need to (e.g. extra clothing, cooler with food, etc.)  You can turn the air conditioning on, and you will be guaranteed a seat!  If  you are travelling during rush hour, the TTC can be packed with people.  When you are travelling with kids and strollers, this can be less than ideal.

Finding a parking lot can be difficult, and parking is rarely cheap.  What you might save on is convenience and time...well, you might only consider it convenient if you don't mind driving in downtown city situations.

DRIVING + GO TRAIN + TTC

Drive to Oakville and take the GO Train.  The ride is about 45 minutes to downtown, and it goes directly downtown to Union Station.  Tickets aren't cheap though.  About $17 for an adult, $7 for a child.  The trains are relatively frequent.  The advantage is that you will probably avoid the bulk of the traffic along Highway 401, and most definitely avoid traffic downtown.

DRIVING + TTC

You can park at a few TTC stations (such as Yorkdale, Downsview, Wilson) and take the subway the rest of the way into downtown.  Parking at some of these stations does cost you, but it is likely cheaper than paying for parking at a lot downtown.  You lose some of the convenience factor of having your car nearby in a parking lot downtown.  But you at least have it for the drive home, and for when the kids might zonk out more comfortably.

So you just moved to Guelph with a baby...

Hello!  Welcome to Guelph!

So you just got to Guelph.  You want to go out with your baby, but where do you go?

Let's start with the Early Years Centre.

You can easily fill in lots of time just by attending free programs offered by the Early Years Centre.  Here is a link to their program page: http://www.guelphchc.ca/developmental-health/program-guide

There are registered programs and drop in programs.

• Infant Afternoons - drop-in program.  
• If your baby is less than 8 months old, try Infant Afternoons.  At the time of writing, Infant afternoons is offered at the Stone Road Mall location on Tuesdays at 2 - 4pm
• Get there early as the program does fill up.  Once it fills up, moms get turned away despite the fact that some moms might leave part way through the program
• What to expect - there are a few mats laid out with baby toys on them.  The moms and babies gather around these mats and let their babies play while having some friendly conversation and adult interaction

And how about the Guelph Public Library

The Guelph Public Library offers programs designed for children ages 0-2, as well as other age groups.  One particular program that is popular for young babies is Bouncing Babies

• Bouncing Babies - drop-in program
• Complete with bubbles, stories, songs, and a parachute, your baby is sure to love all that is going around him
• in the events calendar section, select the filters for your child's age to see what programs are offered.  Make sure to change the dates so that you can see more than what is offered for the one day https://www.guelphpl.ca/foundation/pages/calendar/

Breastfeeding Cafe
Have some tea or coffee, and meet other moms who are breastfeeding.  Even if you are an expecting first time mom, feel free to drop in.  They don't discriminate - as stated in their "Who We Serve" statement:

WHO WE SERVE

WE Breastfeed is a free program open to all new and expecting parents in Guelph, and anyone interested in breastfeeding, regardless of gender identity, age, race, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic situation.

You can also connect with them on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/WEBreastfeed/

Review: 2016 Beyond The Bump Guelph Show

At first glance, this show seemed pretty well planned.  I saw advertising for the event through various mediums such as print and online  (shared in Facebook groups).  However, the show did not seem incredibly well attended.  I can not comment on actual numbers, but as an attendee who went at around 11 to 12PM there weren't a lot of people there.

Highlights:
- PRINCESS TEA PARTY!  There was a princess tea party complete with a visit from Princess Ariel in a mermaid outfit, and cupcakes!

Thoughts:
- there was a bouncy castle set up, but the fee was $2

Swag bag contents:
- metal baby spoon with silicone coated tip from eggs.ca/baby
- 2 newborn diapers
- sample of Sudocream diaper cream (10g)
- 2 individually wrapped Nursing Pads from Lansinoh
- May 2016 edition of Today's Parent magazine
- Today's Parent Pregnancy guide
- coupons

Vendors:
I didn't get a chance to connect with all the vendor tables there since I had a limited amount of time.  There are some interesting vendors that are local to Guelph!
- Cedar Lily - makers of nursing bras and other apparel with magnetic clasps (Babe Magnet)
- Anointment - natural skin care products
- Wellington Works - antique shelves, decor, and other wood products (Sean and Jill Reid - workwithwellington@gmail.com)
- House of Jude - www.houseofjude.ca, hello.houseofjude@gmail.com - bamboo turkish towels

The Best Fun, Free Activities for Baby in Guelph!

So you've finally got your mom groove on and you're looking to get out and about!  But what to do with your little baby in tow?

Okay, so I encountered this dilemma as well and here is my short list of fun free things to do. There is plenty more I could add to the list, but since these activities are free and pretty entertaining for my baby, I prefer these as my go-to activities with babe.

1. Ontario Early Years Centre
• This is definitely my favourite resource for activities for my children (even at the toddler, and preschool stage).  They have drop in programs running almost every day.  This link is one that is bookmarked on my computer:
• http://www.guelphchc.ca/developmental-health/program-guide
• It lists different locations, and times / days of different programs
• It's also a fabulous way to meet other moms
• My favourite location? - Stone Road Mall.  It is nice and spacious, with lots of activities and toys, and even a mini ball pit!
2. Guelph Public Library
• The library also runs programs now and then that are suitable for babies
• Apply the filter on the calendar for 0 - 2 years if you are looking for baby activities
• https://www.guelphpl.ca/foundation/pages/calendar/
• Bouncing Babies, and Itty Bitty Story Time are two faves

I can easily fill a week with lots of things to do for baby and me with just these two suggestions.  I know, I was surprised myself.  But there are registered programs offered through the Early Years Centre which fill the gap of drop ins - such as Baby Basics (for 0 - 3 months) and Infant Massage.

And in the summer time, there are a bunch of nice parks that you could go to.

What are some of your favourite activities in town?

Prenatal Birthing Classes in Guelph

First time mom?  Or you want a refresher?  Here are two options when you are looking for a prenatal class in Guelph:

1: Tummies to Toes - http://tummiestotoes.ca/guelph

2: Wellington-Dufferin Public Health - https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/?q=prenatalclasses

Besides getting a primer on pregnancy and birth, you get to meet a bunch of other parents with babies due approximately when your little one is due.  It's a great way to form new friendships with other new parents.

Sometimes spaces fill quickly, so give them a call when you are thinking about it to see how full they are.

Guelph Bike Reuse Program!

I have not personally had the opportunity to use this program myself, but I think that the Guelph Bike Reuse Program is an awesome idea!  Not only does it divert waste, it saves you money.

Bicycles are available to residents all year round, free of charge.

You can get up to 2 bicycles a year.

Here is the link:

http://guelph.ca/living/garbage-and-recycling/waste-reduction/bike-reuse-program/

Hours of operation:

Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday and holidays

Waste Resource Innovation Centre
110 Dunlop Drive, Gate 2
T 519-767-0598.

If anyone has any feedback about this program, I would love to hear it.  I'll be sure to check it out when it comes time for me to look into a bicycle (might be a while though).

Where can you get passport photos for babies in Guelph?

You're excited about a big trip you're going to take with your new little one!  Oh wait...she needs a passport!  It's one thing to find a place that does passport photos, but it's another to find a place that does passport photos for infants!

Passport photos get rejected when they don't follow the required criteria (such as looking straight at the camera, no teeth showing, no shadows, etc).

LOCATIONS THAT DO INFANT PASSPORT PHOTOS (as of fall 2015)
- Zehrs (Imperial and Paisley location)
- Walmart (on Woodlawn)
- Ponds (located downtown)
* Costco and Shoppers Drug Mart have sent some parents away when their babies were really young (some 3 months and younger).  Others have said that they were able to get photos done at these two places
* try calling any of these places before you go to save yourselves from having to find another store to take your photos

NOTES:
You need the long form birth certificate when you go to apply for the passport.
You can print an application online, or get one from the post office to fill out.
$55 an application
You can pay extra to get them faster but can generally get your passports in 2 weeks.
The closest passport office to drop off your application is in Kitchener.
The post office in Downtown Guelph (on Wyndham) also processes passport applications for an additional fee ($20 - $30) which might be worthwhile so you don't have to spend the time and gas going to the Kitchener office.

Quest for FREE Parking at Guelph General Hospital

Okay, who doesn't hate paying loads of money for parking at the hospital.  It always seems to cost so much, and really when you are sick do you really want to park far far away?

So I looked around for free, or cheaper alternatives to parking in the hospital parking lot (by the way, I am not opposed to paying for parking at the hospital since it is one stream of income...it's just difficult to always have to fork out for hospital parking especially if you have to come back many times)

The cheap and / or free alternatives I found (as of Fall 2015) were:

1) FREE option - park down the street and walk.  If you turn onto Delhi Street from Speedvale, there is free parking along the street.  Then you will see the parking meters pop up.  I parked the closest you could possibly get to the hospital before having to pay for parking.  This resulted in an 8 minute walk to the hospital (pregnant woman waddle pace).  Now, this may not be a practical option if you can't walk that far or that long.
PRO: Free, get in some exercise
CON: walk is 8 minutes at the very least

2) Another FREE option - parking along Havelock Street.  The disadvantage is that you cannot park there Monday to Friday, 8AM - 6PM
PRO: Free, close to hospital emergency entrance
CON: only free at certain times / days (like free on weekends, and not allowed to park most of the weekdays during day)

3) Free option after 9PM - right across from emergency entrance on Delhi Street, subject to overnight parking bylaws
PRO: Free, close to entrance
CON: time is restricted to 9pm - 8am

Note that parking on the street means that you are subject to Guelph parking bylaws (time duration, etc)

PAY options:

1) right across the street from the emergency room entrance, there is metered street parking.  There is 2 hour maximum and the cost is $2 / hour, I believe.

2) Hospital parking: price ranges from $2.50 per half hour, to $12 for a full day ($14 for full day with multiple entry / exit).  More information is found on the Guelph General Hospital website (http://www.gghorg.ca/index.php/patient-visitor, parking section)

Guelph General Hospital's packing list!

And low and behold...after compiling my list, I have stumbled upon Guelph General Hospital's list of what to pack for labour and deliver.  The quantity of some items seems excessive (8-10 blankets? 4 hats?) ...but perhaps it's if you lose some or get them dirty?

http://www.gghorg.ca/images/GGH_PDFs/What%20to%20bring%20to%20the%20hospital%202012.pdf

What to bring when having your baby at Guelph General Hospital

For mom:
• Ontario Health Card and other insurance information
• Medications you take regularly in labeled pharmacy containers
• Large sanitary pads; enough for three days and nights
• Clothing for self (i.e. slippers, socks, nightgowns, pyjamas, underwear and bra)
• Nursing pads for breastfeeding mom (optional)
• Personal care items (i.e. toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lip balm etc.)
• Pens to fill out forms
• If you bring food to place in the pantry located across the nursing station, please label with your name
• Anyone who has already delivered at the Guelph General Hospital will tell you about the wonderful pair of underwear we give to you after you have your baby; unfortunately we are able to only give you one pair

For baby:
• Newborn size diapers (approx. 25)
• Wipes
• Vaseline
• 8-12 receiving blankets
• Several pairs of sleepers
• 2-4 hats
• Safety approved infant car seat (please familiarize yourself with the car seat prior to discharge; your nurse is unable to help because every car seat is so different)

Other:
• Extra pillows (there is never enough!)
• Pyjamas, extra blanket and/or sleeping bag for partner
• Breastfeeding pillow (optional)
• Pen for keeping track of when baby feeds
• Kleenex
• Camera, personal mp3/iPod
• Snacks for partner
• Please DO NOT bring perfumes, latex and lilies as some people have severe sensitivities or allergies

What to pack in your hospital bag

So I had better start gathering stuff for my hospital bag.  Here are some things on my to pack list:

• chapstick
• nipple cream (like Lansinoh)
• pads / Depends or Always underwear
• Clothes for mom:
• socks
• underwear
• clothes to wear home
• birthing clothes
• toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand lotion, vaseline, shampoo, soap, etc)
• flip flops / crocs
• hair ties
• Clothes for newborn baby:
• sleeper / onesie
• socks
• hat
• mittens
• receiving blanket
• a few diapers and wipes
• snacks
• water bottle / liquids
• cell phone / cell phone charger
• camera
• light entertainment (e.g. book, magazines, iphone)

I have heard that Guelph General Hospital sometimes provides the following, but to be on the safe side I might bring a few of my own:

• diapers
• wash clothes instead of wipes
• receiving blanket
• pads / mesh underwear
• formula if you are not breastfeeding (I won't be bringing any formula with me, in case I don't need it)

Items I would strongly consider but might not pack if there is no room

• robe
• nursing pillow
• own pillow
• toilet paper (stuff that is softer than the kind at the hospital!)

One recommendation is to also pack it all in a rolling suitcase so that you can roll it out as opposed to having to carry the bag when you leave the hospital.

Also make sure to have that car seat installed!

Free Fun in Guelph - August 22, 2015

I think my little one is still a bit young to watch movies...but this is an awesome opportunity to do something fun and free with the family!  Someone please check it out and tell me how good (and hopefully not bad) it is.

It says you need to go to the box office for tickets, which I presume means you cannot order them online ahead of time.  If someone goes, please feel free to tell me how exactly it works!

The movie that has a free screening is "Maya the Bee Movie"
Details:

Galaxy Cinemas Guelph

485 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON, N1K 1E9

Saturday August 22, 2015

11AM

(519) 763-3935

http://www.cineplex.com/Showtimes/any-movie/galaxy-cinemas-guelph?Date=8/22/2015
http://www.cineplex.com/Movie/maya-the-bee-movie-a-family-favourites-presentation

What are some stores I can purchase an infant car seat from in Canada?

If you buy a car seat to be used in Canada, it must be approved for Canadian Safety Standards.  The easiest way to achieve this is to buy from a vendor that sells car seats specifically for the Canadian market.  These include:

BRICKS AND MORTAR STORES - for those that like to go into a store and talk to someone and see a product

Ontario Wide (stores and online):
- Toys R Us
- Walmart (walmart.ca)
- Sears
- Canadian Tire

Guelph (physical store)
- Diaper Dayz

Toronto (physical stores and online)
- Dear Born Baby
- Canabee Baby

ONLINE:
Amazon.ca
Shop.ca
Costco.ca
Bestbuy.ca