Happy Birthday Celsius Canada Celebrates 50 Years of Measurement
Canada marks 50 years since adopting Celsius, reflecting on the metric conversion journey and its impact on daily life.
Celsius, Canada, Metric Conversion, Edmonton, Weather, Pierre Trudeau
EDMONTON: Can you believe it’s been 50 years since Canada switched to Celsius? It all started back in 1975, and it was quite the ride. Environment Canada decided to make the change, and it really shook things up.
People were used to Fahrenheit, and suddenly they were hit with temperatures like -2°C in Toronto and a frigid -27°C in Edmonton. Talk about a shock! Some folks were so confused that they turned to American weather reports just to get a grip on what was happening.
It wasn’t just about the weather, though. The whole country was in the middle of a metric conversion. Canadians were buying gas by the litre, measuring their height in centimeters, and even drinking beer from millilitre cans. It was a big adjustment!
David Phillips from Environment and Climate Change Canada remembers the chaos. They tried to spread the word, but not everyone got the memo. Some people thought it was an April Fools’ joke when they saw those chilly forecasts.
And let’s not forget the political side of things. The switch to metric wasn’t smooth sailing. There were petitions and protests, with some people even opening gas stations that sold fuel by the gallon. It got pretty heated!
Fast forward to today, and while many Canadians have embraced the metric system, some still cling to Imperial measurements. It’s a mixed bag out there. For instance, quilters and woodworkers often find themselves using Imperial because that’s what’s available.
So, what’s the takeaway? The metric conversion has shaped how Canadians measure things, but it’s clear that the old ways still linger. It’s a fascinating blend of the new and the familiar, and it’s hard to say if we’ll ever fully let go of the past.