Entry into Canada
Admission into Canada is only a right possessed by permanent residents
and citizens of Canada. All others are conditionally admitted at the
sole discretion of the Federal Authorities.
As of 2005, citizens or permanent residents of the United States (U.S.) do not as yet require visas or passports to visit Canada. Passports are nonetheless recommended as they verify citizenship and possess more more authority than any other form of identification. 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, naturalisation 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). Further information can be obtained from the Canadian Embassy and Consulates.
Citizens and residents of other nationalities planning to visit Canada should consult the nearest Canadian Consular office for requirements applying to their specific case before arranging transport.
Currency
Money in Canada is denominated in dollars and cents, as in the U.S.
Because of fluctuating exchange rates, there likely will be a
difference in value between the two currencies. Although American currency
is customarily accepted at retail establishments in Canada, visitors
should exchange their funds (or traveller's cheques) for Canadian dollars
at a financial institution, where they will receive the prevailing rate
of exchange. Less favourable rates of exchange are commonly encountered
at commercial establishments.
Canadian banknotes are provided in denominations of $100.00, $50.00, $20.00, $10.00 and $5.00. Coins are available in denominations of $2.00, $1.00, 0.25, 0.10, 0.05 and 0.01. The $2.00 bill may be found in circulation but was withdrawn from issue effective January 1, 1996. The $1,000.00 and $1.00 bills were withdrawn earlier and are seldom encountered. Due to counterfeiting and the growth in use of debit cards many establishments no longer accept $100.00 or $50.00 notes.
Canadian banknotes possess distinguishing colours for each denomination; blue for $5.00, purple for $10.00, green for $20.00, red for $50.00, and brown for $100.00 notes. The most recent series of notes were issued between 2001 and 2004, incorporate many anti-counterfeiting security features, and are markedly different in appearance from earlier notes.
The Canadian $2.00 coin is a bimetalic medalion with a nickle-silver surround and a polished brass centre. The $1.00 coin is entirely polished brass, while the remaining coins are entirely nickel-silver in colour. A nickel-silver dollar coin and a $0.50 piece are also minted but are rarely found in circulation. American quarters are nearly identical to Canadian 25 cent pieces in physical characteristics and will usually function in most mechanical coin operated devices. However, they may fail in more modern electronic machines.
Credit cards
Most American credit cards are honoured in Canada. Most U.S. debit
cards can be used in Canada. Except for ATMs identified as providing
United States currency, ATM withdrawals will be disbursed in Canadian
funds and converted to U.S. dollars on the account holder's bank statement.
Telephone
Most U.S. calling cards are compatible with Canada's phone systems. Cell
phones can usually have roaming priviledges established by calling 611.
Tipping
Tips or service charges are typically excluded from a service bill in
Canada. In general, a tip of up to 15% of the total amount 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 $1.00 or $2.00 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.
Very Important. If you are transporting medications across an international border then you MUST have IN YOUR POSSESSION an original prescription from the dispensing physician. Possession of controlled sustances without proof of authorization and medical need is a serious matter and may be cause to be declined admission into Canada or even lead to criminal charges.
Possession of a prescription may not be sufficent in itself to have it filled in Canada. Many jurisdictions require that pharmacists may only dispense prescriptions issued by a local physician. Bring enough medication to last your stay and provide a reserve for contingincies plus an emergency supply stored separately in case of theft or loss.
Emergency
In all major metropolitan centres and most cities, 911 emergency
telephone 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):
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, and possible expulsion from Canada. A prison term is a strong possibility. Don't do it.
Customs
WARNING: This is not an authoritative source for Customs information
with respect to visitors to Canada. Official publications on
Canada Customs regulations and restrictions on goods brought into
Canada for consumption by visitors are available through the nearest
Canadian Consular office or can be viewed on the offical websites
provided by the
Government of Canada.
The information below is
provided only as a general, and by no means exhaustive, indication
of the types of goods and limits that you may expect to be covered
by these regulations.
Scale of Import Allowances per visitor:
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.
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 Canada
Harte & Lyne Limited can provide
information on transportation companies that offer efficient service
for "time-sensitive" meeting materials or exhibit goods.
Bear 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.