Facts in five - Canada

Entry into Canada
Citizens or permanent residents of the United States (U.S.) do not require visas or passports to visit Canada. Passports are recommended as they verify citizenship. Where a current passport is not available, U.S. citizens should carry identification papers (originals or certified true copies only) showing their citizenship, such as, birth, baptismal, naturalization or voter's certificates, plus one identification card containing a photo. Permanent residents of the U.S. are advised to carry their Resident Alien Card (US. Form 1-151 or Form 1-551).

Citizens of all other countries are required to have valid passports in their possession at the time of entry into Canada. Further, the citizens of some countries require visas to enter. Further information can be obtained from the Canadian Embassy and Consulates located in your country.

Immigration officers have considerable latitude in interpreting the Immigation Act, the legistation that governs the admissablity of all foreign nationals. Vistors are reminded that the onus of proof of citizenship, and admissiblity into Canada, is theirs alone; and that they have no appeal process open to them. If an Immigration official has the least doubt about your claim to either citizenship or admissablity then you can expect to be detained. Further, if you are unable to satisfy the immigaration officers then you may be denied entry. If denied entry then you will then be returned to the place from which you departed for Canada.

Currency
Canadian currency is denominated in dollars and cents, as in the U.S. Because exchange rates fluctuate, there may be a difference in value between the two currencies. Although American money is usually accepted in Canada with an adjustment for the current exchange rate, visitors should exchange their funds (or traveller's cheques) for Canadian dollars at any Canadian financial institution. By following this procedure they will receive the prevailing rate of exchange. Less favourable rates of exchange are usually given by commercial establishments accepting American money. Other currencies are almost never accepted for exchange other than at a financial institution.

Canadian banknotes are issued in denominations of $1000.00,$100.00, $50.00, $20.00, $10.00 and $5.00. Specie is minted in denominations of $2.00, $1.00, $0.25, $0.10, $0.05 and $0.01. The $2.00 bill may still be found in circulation but this banknote was withdrawn effective January 1, 1996.  The $1.00 bill is rarely encountered, having been withdrawn from circulation more than a decade ago. Canadian banknotes have distinguishing colours for each denomination. The Canadian $2.00 coin has a nickel-silver surround,a brass centre, and a milled edge. The $1.00 coin is brass coloured with a clipped edge. The remaining coins are all nickel-silver in colour with milled edges. A nickel-silver dollar coin (referred to as a silver dollar) and a fifty cent piece are still minted but are primarily collector items and are rarely found in circulation.

American quarters will operate in most mechanical coin operated devices but may fail in more modern electronic machines.

Credit cards
Most American credit cards are honoured in Canada. Most U.S. ATM cards can be used in Canada. Money will be disbursed in Canadian funds, and converted to U.S. dollars on your bank statement at your bank's rate of exchange.

Telephone
Most U.S. calling cards are compatible with Canada's phone systems.

Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to a restaurant bill in Canada. In general, a tip of up to 15% of the total amount of the bill is given. This applies to waiters, waitresses, barbers and hairdressers, taxi drivers, etc. Bellhops, doormen, redcaps (porters) etc., at hotels, airports, and railway stations are generally paid $1 per item of luggage.

Health insurance
Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent. It is recommended that visitors to Canada obtain traveller's health insurance before leaving their country because health insurance plans often do not extend coverage for services received outside the country of residence. Visitors may find they have either no health insurance or inadequate coverage when in Canada. Visitors taking medicine prescribed by a doctor should bring a copy of the prescription in case it needs to be renewed by a doctor in Canada.

Emergency
In all major metropolitan centres and most cities, 911 emergency service exists. In smaller centres, towns and villages dial 0 for the operator and state your location and the nature of the emergency.

Cellular phones
Most cellular companies will permit roamers to use their network. Call 611 to register your phone. Be advised, any discount program you may have with your primary carrier will not be in effect while roaming. Further, you may be billed at a higher rate than for normal non-discounted calls in your own provider's area of operation. All major centres in Canada have cellular phone service and the corridor from Quebec City through to Windsor is completely serviced throughout its length.

Metric conversion
Canada uses the metric system. Visitors will find weather temperature reports given in degrees Celsius, gasoline sold by the litre (milk and wine by millilitres and litres), grocery items in grams and kilograms, clothing sizes in centimetres, fabric lengths in metres and road speeds posted in kilometres per hour. Some approximate conversion values are provided below.

Climate
Local weather conditions vary considerably due to Canada's large size. However, daily and extended weather forecasts are readily available from radio and television stations and newspapers. In summer, hotels, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and stores are air-conditioned. In winter, all private and public buildings, railway stations and bus terminals are heated, and all main highways are cleared of snow. Although days in summer are warm, evenings may be cool, and visitors planning fishing, camping or canoeing trips should bring medium-and heavier-weight apparel in addition to summer clothing. The temperature is reported in degrees Celsius.

Time
Standard time zones are observed from November to March. Canada spans six time zones. Add or subtract the stated adjustment to local time to arrive at the time in the referenced time zone. For example, if you are in St. John's, Newfoundland and local time is 08:00 am, then Eastern Time Zone is 06:30 am (-1.5) and Greenwich Mean Time is 11:30 am.(+3.5):
Newfoundland Standard Time: ETZ +1.5 hours GMT -3.5 Island of Newfoundland only
Atlantic Standard Time: ETZ +1 hour GMT +4 includes Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick
Eastern Standard Time GMT -5 hours includes Quebec and Central, Eastern and Southern Ontario
Central Standard Time: ETZ -1 hour GMT -6 North Western Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
Mountain Standard Time: ETZ -2 hours GMT -7 Alberta
Pacific Standard Time: ETZ -3 hours GMT -8 British Columbia, Yukon Territory

Daylight Saving Time
Each year, on the first Sunday in April, Daylight Saving Time comes into effect in most of Canada and clocks are advanced by one hour. On the last Sunday in October, Canada reverts to Standard Time.

Drivers' licenses
American state driver's licenses are valid in Canada for varying periods of time as legislated by individual provinces and territories. The 1949 International Driving Permit is also valid but it must be accompanied at all times by the visitor's state or national driver's license.

Radar detection devices
The possession and use of radar detection devices is illegal in most provinces. It is suggested that units be rendered inoperable and placed inside a piece of luggage when travelling in Canada. In any case, most police departments have switched to laser speed detectors which reduces the usefulness of these devices.

Seatbelts
The use of seatbelts is mandatory in most Canadian Provinces and Territories. Stiff fines and possible suspension of driving privileges are the consequences of failing to wear your seatbelt. Buckle up.

Drinking and driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious criminal offence in Canada. A prior conviction for this offence in any other jurisdiction, no matter how long ago, is sufficient reason to be denied entry into Canada. If you require an exemption to enter Canada, contact the nearest Canadian Consulate.

If you are caught driving in Canada while having a blood alcohol content greater than the maximum permitted, the best you may hope for is a very heavy fine and the loss of your licence, not to mention expulsion from Canada. A prison term is a strong possibility. Don't do it.

Customs
Import allowances: 
200 cigarettes and 50 cigars, and 11cg. (2.2 lb.) tobacco;
1 bottle 1.14 litre (40 imp. oz) of liquor or 24 x 355 ml (12 oz) bottles or tins (8.5 litres) of beer or ale per person (18 yr.s of age entering Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec), (19 yr.s of age in all other provinces and territories);
small amount of perfume for personal use;
gifts free of duties to the value of $60.00 (Canadian) per gift.

Firearms
All firearms must be declared to Canada Customs at the first point of entry. Otherwise, Customs will seize undeclared firearms and criminal charges may be laid. Restricted firearms are not normally admitted into Canada except for bona fide sporting events, and then only when the necessary permits have been obtain prior to arrival. Restricted weapons include, but are not limited to, any firearm with a barrel length of less than 19 inches, or which has been modified to incoropate any form of silencing device, or which is capable of any form of automatic fire.

CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
The furs, skins, feathers and other parts of most large predators and many other animals are prohibited entry into Canada. Clothing and articles of apparel or jewellery which are made from these items are liable to be denied entry into Canada.

Business trips, conventions and meetings
Canada Customs has a special program called "The Foreign Organisations Remission Order" to meet the needs of U.S. organisations holding meetings in Canada. To obtain a copy of the "Welcome to Canada: A Guide to Canada Customs for Meetings, Conventions, Trade Shows & Exhibitions" contact the Canadian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

Shipping to and from Canada
Harte & Lyne Limited can provide information on transportation companies that offer efficient service for "time-sensitive" meeting materials or exhibit goods. It is to borne in mind at all times that the passage of goods across an international border will entail some delay and that this delay can be anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on its cause. Goods should be consigned to Canada with sufficient time to allow for at least a twenty-four hours delay in customs.

Goods and services tax (GST) and visitor rebates
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a seven per cent tax charged on most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. As a visitor to Canada, you will pay the tax on most of your purchases. Under the Visitor Rebate Program, you may get a refund of the tax you paid on goods you take home and on short-term accommodation in Canada

Additional information and a refund application form may be found in the "Tax Refund Application for Visitors" pamphlet available at Canada Customs offices, Canadian embassies and consulates, most tourism information centres, participating Canadian Duty Free Shops and some hotels and retail stores.

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