5 Canadian Places That Hold Guinness World Records

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Canada is known for its vast natural features—stunning landscapes, beautiful bodies of water and breathtaking mountain ranges—but that’s not all. The country is fortunate to be home to some man-made attractions so impressive they’ve made it into the Guinness Book of World Records!

From the world’s biggest spinning wheel to the largest international jazz festival, Canada keeps breaking records. Let’s dive into some of these records, where they are and what you can do in the area if you decide to check them out

Get ready to be blown away! 

1. Duncan, British Columbia 

It’s only fitting the country where modern ice hockey was invented is home to the world’s largest hockey stick. You’ll find this wonder in Duncan, British Columbia, at the Cowichan Community Centre. The stick and puck duo are 40 times larger than your standard size, with the stick measuring 62.5 metres long and weighing a whopping 28,123 kilograms! The hockey stick was commissioned by the federal government for the 1986 Expo in Vancouver. Following the fair, it was moved to Duncan and given the Guinness World Record in May 1988. 

Duncan, situated at the heart of southern Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, is known for breaking other records as well. Not only is it the smallest city in Canada by area, it’s also home to the world’s largest collection of outdoor totems. The city has more than 40 of these beautifully carved cedar poles that depict First Nations history and legends. You can do a virtual visit using this interactive map, or take a self-guided walking tour if you happen to be in the city. 

There’s plenty more to do in Duncan, the traditional home of the Cowichan (Coast Salish First Nations). The city offers a balance of historic charm and modern conveniences. You’ll see this blend throughout the downtown area, which features more than 300 contemporary shops, galleries, and restaurants alongside heritage buildings and green spaces. You can visit the Duncan Chamber of Commerce website for a full list of businesses, retailers, eateries, and accommodations. 

Did you know that #VancouverIsland has the world’s largest hockey stick in Duncan, and the world’s largest totem pole in Victoria? There are endless amounts of fun and exciting facts about Vancouver Island, did you know all of the ones listed here?https://t.co/vQCukYfxev pic.twitter.com/iyk9mfxtC3

— Nanaimo Airport YCD (@FlyYCD) July 31, 2020

2. Sainte-Germaine-Boulé, Quebec

Sainte-Germaine-Boulé, Quebec, located in the Abitibi-Ouest Regional County Municipality, is where you can find the world’s largest spinning wheel. The four metre-tall wheel was erected in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the town’s founding. The 400 kilogram wheel, which received its Guinness World Records designation in 2001, is powered fully by electricity. 

Sainte-Germaine-Boulé is one of Quebec’s most beautiful agricultural hubs. Its lush landscapes were recognized by the province’s Flowered Jewels (Fleurons) horticulture classification system. During the winter, the greenery gets transformed into powdery fields and trails. The Skinoramik Club is an outdoor recreation centre for winter sport enthusiasts to enjoy snowshoeing, hiking and cross-country skiing. If you’d rather just take in the scenery, the lookout offers panoramic views of the area. 

Another unique attraction worth checking out is the fossil beach that dates back 8,500 years. The geomorphological phenomenon, sometimes referred to as paleo-beach, is a bed of stones that form due to changes in water levels. The formation of Sainte-Germaine-Boulé’s fossil beach is believed to have occurred during the last ice age and spans several kilometres. 

3. Hartland, New Brunswick

Since 1901, Hartland Bridge in western New Brunswick has held the record for the world’s longest covered bridge. The 391-metre bridge spans across the Saint John River, connecting Hartland, New Brunswick to Sommerville, New Brunswick. It was constructed uncovered with seven Howe Truss (a design combining horizontal and vertical bracing) bridges joined on six concrete piers. The bridge, which was later covered to protect it from the harsh elements, was built to simplify crossing the river—which could previously only be done by ferry. 

Over the years, the Hartland Covered Bridge experienced some issues, including a partial collapse, vandalism, and car accidents, but repairs were able to help it bounce back stronger than ever. In 1980, it was declared a National Heritage Site, and in 1999 it became a Provincial Historic Site. The iconic structure was honoured in a Google Doodle during its 111th anniversary in 2012. 

A pedestrian walkway was added to the bridge in 1945, and today most of the traffic the bridge receives is from tourists and some locals. Legend has it that the bridge bears good luck, and the only way to benefit is to hold your breath while you drive the entire length of the bridge. 

Once you make it through, you can check out the rest of the quaint town. You’ll find a selection of stores, eateries, a gallery, historic landmarks, hiking, cycling and snowmobile trails, and a golf course. The river is great for kayaking, canoeing, fishing and more. For a food and drink break, stop by the Moonshine Creek Distillery or the Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company. 

4. Edmonton, Alberta

Thanks to the West Edmonton Mall and its awe-inspiring attractions, Alberta’s capital is no stranger to being part of the Guinness Book of Records. Although the mall lost its ‘largest in the world’ title in 2004, the 1,615 square-kilometre destination still holds the record for the largest indoor car park—it can hold 20,000 vehicles! Up until 2021, the mall also had the tallest indoor roller coaster in the world: the Mindbender. 

West Edmonton Mall would be impressive even if it didn’t break a bunch of records. Since opening its doors in 1981, it has grown to feature more than 900 stores and restaurants, a hotel, an amusement park, a skating rink, a beach, a waterpark, a casino, a comedy club, a movie theatre, a shooting range, and a man-made lake with dolphins and three submarines.

While you could plan to spend at least a full day at the mall, you’ll also want to make time to discover some of Edmonton’s other indoor destinations. The biodome at Muttart Conservatory, one of Canada’s largest botanical collections, is a great place to start. You can then learn about the city and province’s history at the Alberta Railway Museum, the Royal Alberta Museum and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

In the summer, you can attend the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, or maybe North America’s oldest and largest Fringe Festival since 1980 is more your jam. 

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5. Montreal, Quebec 

If Montreal, Quebec, was a person, it would be that kid in school that’s just effortlessly cool. The city currently holds not one, but two world records. 

The first is for being home to the tallest manmade leaning tower. The Olympic Stadium Tower is more than165 metres tall and curves at a 45-degree angle. The architectural wonder was finished in 1987, 10 years after the 1976 Olympic Games. The tower plays a crucial role: it supports 75% of the roof’s weight. Visitors can climb to the observatory to get a panoramic view of the city. Depending on the time of year, the stadium’s esplanade comes to life with sporting events, extreme sports competitions, outdoor markets, and more. 

The tower is located in the Olympic District, where you’ll also find the Biodome, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, the insectarium and the Montreal Botanical Garden. You can learn more about each or grab your ticket online through their shared website. 

It’s only fitting the birthplace of legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson would be home to the world’s largest jazz festival. The Montreal International Jazz Festival welcomes roughly two million people every year in June and July. It takes place over 10 days, and typically features thousands of performers across multiple outdoor stages and indoor venues. The event received its official Guinness Book of Records designation in 2004 during its 25th anniversary edition. 

Jazz’s prominence in Montreal dates all the way back to the 1920s and is closely tied to the history of its Black residents in Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri, the railway, and prohibition. In 1979, a bassist named Charlie Biddle organized Jazz Chez Nous, a three-day festival, and set the blueprint for today’s international festival. You can also get a taste of the city’s vivacious jazz scene at a number of bars across the city. House of Jazz in Laval, Modavie in Old Montreal, and Bootlegger L’Authentique on Saint-Laurent Boulevard are just a few spots to try. 

We’ve always known Canada is an awe-inspiring country, and being in the Guinness Book of World Records only reinforces this. There are many other instances where our country has broken records, but these were just a few places to start! 

Can you think of any other world records Canada holds?