O Canada, you've given the world so much: Keanu Reeves, Celine Dion, Pamela Anderson Lee Ritchie Salomon, poutine. Now, the world -- or at least Nissan -- is giving you something in return: your very first 2011 Nissan Leaf.

The vehicle was purchased by Ottawa resident Ricardo Borba and delivered by none other than Allen Childs, the President of Nissan Canada. Like many other Leaf owners, Borba's decision to purchase Nissan's fully electric car was driven by a range of factors, including the cost of maintenance and its environmental impact: "My family and I were starting to look for a new car last year when the Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred and prompted us to think about alternatives to gas-powered vehicles.... We considered several options and the Nissan Leaf was the one that best fits our needs."

Other Leaf buyers in Canada will receive their 2011 vehicles in the coming weeks. At the end of October, Nissan Canada will begin taking reservations for the 2012 Nissan Leaf; to purchase one, residents of the Great White North will need to (a) register on Canada's Nissan Leaf website and (b) live near one of the country's 27 authorized Leaf dealers. By the end of the 2012 model year, Nissan hopes to see at least 600 Leafs on Canadian Roads.

Coincidentally, the delivery of Borba's 2011 Leaf dovetailed with the Ottawa stop of Nissan’s Drive Electric Tour (DET), which is billed as "a one-of-a-kind consumer driving experience". Indeed, it may be that, but it's also a good opportunity for curious Canadians to get an up-close look at the Leaf. Stops along the Drive Electric Tour are hosted at each of Canada's 27 Leaf dealers; for details, visit www.nissan.ca/driveelectrictour.