Hello there.

>         I live in Canada and I'm looking for some information on how
> I can detect DTMF tones on my telephone line using a PIC. Also, I would
> like to know how I can detect the telephone ringing on the tel. line.

I've just completed a similar project. I used an 8870 from Mitel to decode
the incoming DTMF tones (they have the datasheet online at, I believe,
www.mitel.com). It sends out a 4 digit hex code plus strobe to indicate
the last tone detected.
To detect the ring, I simply used an optocoupler (SFH620 or similar)
placed after a 470 nF 250V capacitor, a 10 KOhm resistor and two
back-to-back 24V zener diodes to block everything but the ring.
By the way, if somebody has better ideas, please tell me.

bye,
   Flavio