When I connect to a VPN my Ubuntu laptop calls to an ip address BEFORE CONNECTING and the whois is:

inetnum:        185.125.188.0 - 185.125.191.255
netname:        UK-CANONICAL-20151111
country:        GB
...
organisation:   ORG-CGL14-RIPE
org-name:       Canonical Group Limited
country:        GB
org-type:       LIR
address:        5 New Street Square
address:        EC4A 3TW
address:        London
address:        UNITED KINGDOM

What is this and why?? Why does Ubuntu check in to Canonical HQ when I connect to internet??