Canada

From MaxTravelz

Canada is the largest country in North America. It shares its major border to the south with the United States of America. After Russia, Canada is the second largest country in the world by area.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Understand 3.1 Time zones 3.2 Climate 4 Get in 4.1 By plane 4.2 By car 4.3 By train 4.4 By bus 4.5 By boat 5 Get around 5.1 By plane 5.2 By bus 5.3 By car 5.3.1 Traffic rules to be aware of 5.4 By train 5.5 By thumb 6 Talk 7 Buy 7.1 Currency Exchange 7.2 Credit Cards 7.3 Electronic Banking/Purchasing 7.4 Taxes 8 Eat 8.1 National Franchises 9 Drink 10 Sleep 11 Work 12 Stay safe 13 Stay healthy 14 Respect 15 Contact 15.1 By phone 15.1.1 Mobiles 15.2 By net 15.3 By mail

Regions

Visiting Canada all in one trip is an ambitious endeavour. When speaking of specific destinations within Canada, it is better to consider its distinct regions.

• British Columbia -- Buzzing, high-tech, woodsy, cosmopolitan, multicultural
• Prairies -- Wide-open spaces
• Ontario -- Canada's most populous and multicultural province-indeed, the most multicultural location in the world
• Quebec -- French-speaking province, festival culture
• Atlantic Provinces -- Modern lifestyle, good restaurants
• The North -- Subarctic wilderness of the Great White North

Geopolitically, Canada is divided into 10 provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador) and 3 territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).

Cities

There are many cities in Canada. These are some of the most prominent ones.

• Calgary
• Edmonton
• Fredericton
• Halifax
• Hamilton
• Kelowna
• London
• Moncton
• Montreal
• Ottawa
• Quebec City
• Regina
• Saint John
• St. John's
• Saskatoon
• Sudbury
• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Victoria
• Whistler
• Whitehorse
• Windsor
• Winnipeg
• Yellowknife

Understand

Canada is a land of vast distances and rich natural beauty. Economically and technologically, it resembles its neighbor to the South, the United States, and shares with it the longest undefended border in the world. Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 by an act of British parliament, and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Though a medium sized country by its population, Canada has earned respect on the international stage for its strong diplomatic skills. Internally, the country succeeds instead in negotiating compromises amongst a culturally and linguistically varied population. In Canada's different regions, you will find as many differences as similarities. Language, culture, cuisine and even history vary quite a bit over the country. Rather than the United States melting pot, Canada prefers to consider itself a mosaic of cultures and people. The information below will get you started, but be sure to check the specifics for given regions and cities.

Time zones

The Canadian Sir Sandford Fleming first proposed time zones for the entire world in 1876, and Canada is covered coast to coast with multiple zones.

• Yukon and most of British Columbia are within Pacific Standard Time
• Northwest Territories, Alberta, parts of eastern British Columbia and part of western Nunavut are within Mountain Standard Time
• Saskatchewan, unlike the rest of Canada, does not participate in Daylight Savings Time. This means that in the winter, it is in the same time zone as Manitoba, and in the summer it is in the same time zone as Alberta.
• Manitoba and Ontario west of Thunder Bay, as well as central Nunavut are within Central Standard Time
• Ontario from Thunder Bay east, most of Quebec and eastern Nunavut are within Eastern Standard Time
• Most of Labrador, north-eastern Quebec and all of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia are within Atlantic Standard Time
• The island of Newfoundland has its own time zone, Newfoundland Standard Time. The south-eastern corner of Labrador is also within this time zone, which is only a half-hour different than Atlantic Standard Time

See also Time zones

Climate

Trying to distill the climate of Canada into an easy to understand statement is impossible, given the vast area that this country occupies. The southernmost point of mainland southern Ontario, Point Pelee, and the nearby islands in Lake Erie at a very similar latitude to northern California, have a climate similar to the eastern US. Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, is just south of the Arctic Circle and remains very cold for most of the year.

However, as most of the Canadian population resides within a couple of hours drive of the southern border shared with the United States, a visitor to these areas will probably not have to endure the weather that accompanies a trip to the northern territories. In fact, summers can be hot in parts of Canada. Summer temperatures over 38°C (100°F) are not unusual in the southern Interior of British Columbia!

Many inland cities, especially those in the Prairies, experience extreme changes in weather. Winnipeg, Manitoba has hot summers, where it can go up to 35 degrees Celsius (95°F), yet experiences very cold winters where down to minus 40 degrees Celsius (-40°F) is not uncommon. Coastal cities in British Columbia and the Atlantic Provinces are generally milder year-round and do not usually get very much snow, although the Atlantic Provinces can get hit by serious blizzards in the winter. The coastal areas of British Columbia have the mildest climate anywhere in Canada. It is mild enough for even palms to grow in Vancouver and Victoria. Both of these West Coast cities get very little snow, and seldom experience temperatures below 0 or above 27 degrees Celsius (32-80°F).

The climate in Canada also depends in large part on how close to the coast you travel. More coastal areas have much higher rainfall, and are much more windy than the interior areas of Canada. Areas such as British Columbia get a large rainfall because it's close to the Coast, while Toronto has a much colder climate. Since a large part of Canada is forested, the wind isn't as big of a factor because there's not the wide open areas like in midwest states of the U.S. However, the average temperature is still typically much colder in Canada as a whole, so bring your jacket! (only if visiting between November and April, the rest of the year, in most of the country you are looking at weather above 15 degrees Celsius.

Get in

Although the citizens of many countries are exempt (most notably the United States and most European countries) you may need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter the country. If you plan to visit the United States and do not travel outside the borders of the US, you can use your single entry visa to re-enter as long as the visa has not passed its expiry date. Working while in the country is forbidden without a work permit, although Canada does have several temporary work permits for youth from specific countries. The Government of Canada maintains quite an informative website for non-Canadians wishing to travel to Canada: http://canadainternational.gc.ca/

By plane

You are likely to arrive in Canada by air, most likely into Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver (the 3 largest cities, from East to West.) But other airports in Canada also have international (mostly from the US) flights as well, particularly Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Victoria and Winnipeg.

By car

Although less likely, you might also enter the country by road from the United States through one of the (literally) hundreds of border crossing points. Obviously, the same rules will apply here, but if your case is not straightforward, expect to be delayed, as the officials here (especially in more rural areas) see fewer international travellers than at the airports. Also expect delays during holiday periods, as border crossings can become clogged with traffic.

By train

Via Rail is Canada's national passenger rail service. Amtrak provides connecting rail service to Toronto and Montreal, and thruway service between Seattle and Vancouver.

See also Rail travel in Canada Be wary though. Not many private citizens in Canada take the train as a regular means of transportation. Most citizens simply drive to where they want to go.

By bus

Greyhound Lines serves many destinations in Canada, with connecting service to regional lines and U.S. Greyhound coaches.

GO Transit has more frequent and convenient stops in the Greater Toronto area. Its main station of operations, Union Station, lies metres away from many of Toronto's main attractions (such as the Air Canada Centre, Hummingbird Centre, Royal York Inn) and provides bus and train access to many rural towns and larger suburbs surrounding Toronto and Hamilton.

By boat

In British Columbia, you can enter Canada by ferry from Alaska and Washington. Alaska Marine Highway serves Prince Rupert, whereas Washington State Ferries serves Sidney (near Victoria) through the San Juan islands. There is a car ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles run by Black Ball; there are also tourist-oriented passenger-only ferries running from Victoria to points in Washington.

There is a car ferry from Nova Scotia to Maine run by Bay Ferries (Yarmouth-Bar Harbor).

There is a passenger ferry running from Fortune in Newfoundland to Saint Pierre and Miquelon

The CAT car ferry between Rochester, NY and Toronto, Ontario was discontinued in January 2006.

Get around

Canada is large -- the second largest country in the world after Russia.

By plane

The best way to get around the country is by air. Air Canada is the main national carrier, but for travel between major centres, discount carriers like WestJet and CanJet might have better fares. In general, airports are poorly connected to public transportation and railway transportation; expect to leave airports by road on a rental car, taxi or a privately operated bus.

By bus

You can also travel between most cities in Canada, small and large, by bus. Greyhound Canada provides much of the service, with smaller operators covering local routes. For some popular tourist routes, guided bus tours are also available.

By car

Of course, many people choose to rent a car. Although somewhat expensive if you are travelling alone, this can be an economically reasonable alternative if you are sharing the costs with others. However, beware of the high surcharges associated with dropping off the car at a different location than where it was picked up.

Traffic rules to be aware of

• Canadians drive on the right side of the road.
• In many areas of Canada it is legal to turn right on a red light, so be careful when crossing the street on foot.
• Many intersections are four (or three) way stops: they have no traffic lights, you have to bring your car to a complete stop and let everyone that stopped before you go first.
• In Canada, you must always yield to a police car, fire truck, or ambulance. It is also illegal to park in front of a fire hydrant.
• In many cities across Canada, laws against jaywalking are often more strictly enforced by police and bylaw officers.

By train

Passenger rail service in Canada, although very safe and comfortable, is often an expensive and inconvenient alternative to other types of transport. The corridor between Windsor and Quebec City is a bit of an exception to this generalization. Also, if natural beauty is your thing, the approximately three-day train ride between Toronto and Vancouver passes through the splendour of the Canadian prairies and the Rocky Mountains, with domed observation cars to allow passengers to take in the magnificent views.

Travellers planning to travel by train may find making arrangements ahead of time is advisable in order to find lower fares. VIA Rail is the main Canadian passenger rail company.

By thumb

Hitchhiking in Canada is generally excellent, though somewhat tiring. Waits in Alberta and Maritimes are known to be slightly longer. Legal unless otherwise posted; usually tolerated anyway. It is often better to stand directly on the motorway. Crossing the whole country takes about one week on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Talk

English and French are the two official languages in Canada. Many Canadians are functionally monolingual, although some parts of the country have both English and French speakers; over a quarter of Canadians are bilingual or multilingual. English is the dominant language in every province except Quebec, where French is dominant and actively promoted as the main language. There are francophone communities around the country, though. A list of areas where you will probably encounter the French language: New Brunswick (an officially bilingual province; the city of Moncton is famous for its unusual dialect); the national capital region around Ottawa and other parts of eastern and northern Ontario; the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and areas to the south; and many parts of the Acadian region of Atlantic Canada (these areas are dotted across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the French Shores of Newfoundland). Likewise there are anglophone communities in Quebec, such as some of the western suburbs of Montreal.

In Quebec, one can usually get by with English in the major tourist destinations, but some knowledge of French is useful off the beaten path, and almost essential in many rural areas. It may also be useful to know at least a few basic French phrases in the larger cities, where some attempt by travellers to communicate in French is often appreciated. It is worth noting that the French widely spoken in Quebec and Acadian regions differs in accent from European French. There are also dozens of aboriginal languages spoken by many Canadians of aboriginal descent. In Nunavut more than half the population speaks Inuktitut, the traditional language of the Inuit.

See also: French phrasebook

Buy

The country's currency is called the Canadian dollar (symbol: $ or occasionally CDN$). Commonly referred to simply as a dollar. The one and two dollar coins are an exception, being called a loonie (after the loon, a waterfowl pictured on the dollar coin) and toonie respectively. To have a loonie is to have a single one-dollar coin. One dollar ($) consists of 100 cents (¢). In the 1970s, the Canadian dollar was worth more than 1 US dollar, but slipped to be worth approximately USD$0.66 by the mid-1990s. It is currently running at about USD$0.85-0.88 due to Canada's consistently strong economic performance since the mid 1990s.

Canadian coins are of 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), 50¢ (50-cent piece; rarely seen/never used), $1 (loonie) and $2 (toonie). Canadian notes come in $5 (blue), $10 (purple), $20 (green), $50 (red), and $100 (brown) denominations, although many establishments will refuse larger denomination notes due to counterfeiting concerns.

Currency Exchange

In all large cities, it is possible to convert between Canadian dollars and most major currencies at many banks. All Canadian banks provide currency exchange at the daily market value. Private businesses are under no obligation to exchange currency at international rates. In the most rural areas, converting between Canadian and American dollars should not pose a problem, although travellers expecting to convert other currencies at a Canadian bank may need to be patient. In fact, most tourist destinations will accept American dollars as such, and are most likely to give a very good exchange rate. This is particularly true of regions that rely on tourism as a cornerstone of their local economy.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa and MasterCard being accepted in most places, American Express somewhat less frequently and Diner's Club only in the more upscale restaurants and hotels. Generally, using a credit card also gets you a better exchange rate since your bank will convert the currency automatically and usually at a good rate; the merchant does not have to worry about it.

Electronic Banking/Purchasing

The banking system is well developed, safe and technologically advanced. ATM usage in Canada is very high. There is a safe and widespread network of bank machines (ATMs) where you may be able to use your bank card to withdraw money directly from your account at home, but the fees involved can be more than for credit cards. All Canadian banking institutions are members of the Interac international financial transaction network. Many retailers and restaurants/bars will often allow purchases by debit card through Interac.

Taxes

When purchasing goods in Canada do be aware that the prices displayed are usually without tax; taxes will be added on top of this displayed price. One exception is gasoline; the amount you pay is as it appears on the pump.

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7% is applied to most items with the exception of "groceries". You will be required to pay GST on food purchased in a restaurant. Most provinces charge an additional Provincial Sales Tax. The current rates are:

Ontario 8% is added to the total taxable purchases

British Columbia 7% added to the total taxable purchases

Saskatchewan 7% added to the total taxable purchases

Manitoba 7% added to the total taxable purchases

Quebec 7.5% is added to the total taxable purchases plus the GST total (tax on a tax)

Prince Edward Island 10% added to the total taxable purchases plus the GST total (tax on a tax)

Newfoundland and Labrador 15% added to the total taxable purchases and the combined GST and PST and called the Harmonised Sales Tax (HST)

Nova Scotia 15% added to the total taxable purchases and the combined GST and PST and called the Harmonised Sales Tax (HST)

New Brunswick 15% added to the total taxable purchases and the combined GST and PST and called the Harmonised Sales Tax (HST)

Alberta no PST

Northwest Territories no PST

Nunavut no PST

Yukon have no PST.

These tax rates apply to most goods, however alcohol, food and services have differing amounts, and taxes are generally included in the pump price on gasoline, diesel, and other fuels.

GST Rebates for Non-Canadian Visitors It should be noted that travellers from outside of Canada can qualify for a GST rebate for their accommodations and certain goods they buy in Canada. Receipts must be kept and you are required to obtain "Proof of Export" for qualifying goods. (See the Canada Revenue Agency webpage.)

Eat

Canadians themselves may be mystified if you ask where you can get Canadian food. Although you will find some regional specialties, especially at the Eastern and Western edges of the country, there isn't much food known as "Canadian" except for poutine, beaver tail pastries, fiddleheads, and a few other examples. They are an important, if somewhat humble, part of the Canadian culinary landscape.

One peculiar tradition that you may notice in nearly every small town is the Chinese-Canadian restaurant. These establishments sell the usual Chinese cuisine marketed towards North American Fast Food customers. If you are more adventurous, in the larger cities especially, you will find a great variety of ethnic tastes from all over Europe, Asia and elsewhere. You can find just about any taste and style of food in Canada, from a quick burger and fries, to a 20oz. T-Bone with all the trimmings. Consult local travel brochures upon arrival. They can be found at almost any hotel and are free at any provincial or municipal tourist information centre.

National Franchises

• You will find most of the American chains with a well established presence here.
• Tim Hortons. It will be hard for you to avoid the "Tim Hortons" franchises spread across the country, and their famous Timbits. An important, if somewhat humble, part of the Canadian culinary landscape. Why not? Especially since they will serve you a small and relatively healthy lunch for about $8. They are now American, and they are certainly a reasonable, healthier, alternative to most other fast food chains. Be aware though, most of their food is frozen.
• Boston Pizza. . Originally started in Edmonton, Alberta. Pizza and Pasta. Casual family dining. BP's lounges are usually a popular local watering hole.
• Earls. . A chain of casual full service restaurants found only in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (although there are also two locations in the western United States). Like Boston Pizza, it also opened its first restaurant in Edmonton.
• Harvey's. . Fast food chain that features made-to-order hamburgers and other sandwiches. Harvey's are common in Ontario and can be found in almost every province.
• East Side Marios American Italian restaurant with New York theme.
• Swiss Chalet. . Sit down restaurant operated by the same company that runs Harvey's. They specialize in rotisserie chicken and ribs.
• The Keg, . A steak house. The Keg usually have tables and booths for 4-6 people. Apart from the steaks they also have good salads and starters.
• Kelsey's.. Casual family dining. Very similar to Applebees or T.G.I. Friday's in the United States.
• Second cup. . Coffee and cakes.
• White Spot. . Only in British Columbia and some locations in Alberta. Burgers, pasta, and "west coast style" cuisine.
• Montana's. . A family first, outdoor wilderness themed restaurant. Montana's promises hearty portions of home-style cooking and friendly, efficient service in a lodge setting.
• Mary Brown's. . Primarily found in Newfoundland, these can be found in most major centres around the country. They can be found in Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Nunavut in addition to Newfoundland, where they can be found in nearly every community. Offering unique chicken and famous for its taters, it would be considered a fast-food restaurant.
• Humpty's. . Mostly in Alberta, but also some locations in the other 3 western provinces. Humpty's specializes in its all day breakfasts but also serves dishes for lunch and dinner as well. Is one of the few chain restaurants to feature perogies. Many locations are open until after midnight and some are even 24 hours.

Drink

The drinking age in Canada varies from province to province. In Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec the age is 18, while in the rest of the provinces and territories it is 19.

Canadian adults enjoy beer and other alcoholic beverages quite often. Watching sports, especially the unofficial national sport of hockey, is a popular time to consume these type of drinks. A favourite and uniquely Canadian cocktail is the Caesar (Vodka, Clamato juice, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce). Canadian beers can be stronger than those found in the US, so it pays to be careful. However, you can find most nonalcoholic beverages you would find in any other country. Carbonated beverages (pop) is very popular. Clean drinking water is available in all cities and towns across Canada.

Sleep

Accommodations in Canada vary substantially in price depending on time and place. In most cities and many tourist areas, expect to pay upwards of $100 or more for a good hotel room.

In rural areas, motels (for "motor hotel") are small, simple hotels where you might pay as little as $40 for a night's accommodation (especially in the off season.) In many areas, a B&B (bed and breakfast) is a nice option. These are normally people's homes with suites for guests. The price -- anywhere from $45 a night to $140 a night -- usually includes a breakfast of some kind in the morning.

Youth hostels are a good choice, offering lodging in shared dorms or private rooms for $15 - $40 per night. Some useful resources are Hostelling International Canada, Backpackers Hostels Canada, and Pacific Hostel Network (which also covers Alaska and the Northwestern United States). Most hostels in Canada meet very high standards.

Finally, there are a huge number of campgrounds in Canada. These range from privately owned R.V. parks to the publicly operated campgrounds in national and provincial parks -- almost always well-kept and generally very beautiful.

Work

Canada is generally a good place to work in. Although quite a bit of stores are owned by Americans, you can still find some good Canadian owned stores. There is no shortage of jobs in Canada. Generally the least you can get paid in most of Canada is $7 an hour.

There is currently a massive labour shortage in Alberta, mostly fueled by oilfield activity throughout the province. You'll find many people from economically depressed areas of the country working in Alberta temporarily, or moving permanently for work, especially in rural areas.

Stay safe

Safety in Canada is not usually a problem, and some basic common sense will go a long way. Even in the largest cities, violent crime is not a serious problem, and very few people are ever armed. Firearm-related violence is on the rise in southern Ontario, however, but this needn't worry the average traveler. Handguns are Restricted Weapons in Canada, and can only be carried by people properly licensed to do so. This includes Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Police, Wildlife Officers in most Provinces, and some private security guards. If you are permitted to carry a firearm in your country, you may not be automatically permitted to carry one in Canada. Check first. Unauthorized firearms can be seized at customs - and destroyed. Separate regulations apply to sportsmen and other hunters, and travellers should check with Customs before importing firearms of any type before arrival. If you are unfortunate enough to get your purse or wallet snatched, the local police will do whatever they can to help. Often, important identification is retrieved after thefts of this sort.

Although criminal activity in Canada is more common in urban areas, violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and rape can occur throughout the country. Visitors to large cities should be aware that parked cars are regularly targeted for opportunistic smash-and-grab thefts, and they are cautioned to avoid leaving any possessions unattended in a vehicle, even in the trunk. Due to the high incidence of such crimes, motorists in Montreal and some other jurisdictions can be fined for leaving their car doors unlocked or for leaving valuables in view. Auto theft in Montreal, including theft of motor homes and recreational vehicles, may occur in patrolled and overtly secure parking lots and decks. Major cities like Vancouver and Toronto do not have as many bicycles as the Netherlands, but still more than most North American cities. Bike theft is a common nuissance in metropolitan areas like Toronto although immediately outside the area the problem is virtually non-existent; for example, all bikes are chained and routinely stolen in Toronto and east Mississauga (a westwardly suburb), while they are left unchained outside shops in west Mississauga and further away from the city into Oakville as well as all other areas far from metropolitans.

Stay healthy

You are unlikely to face health problems here that you wouldn't face in any other western industrialized country. Furthermore, the health care system is very effective and widely accessible. In the past two summers, Canadians in some provinces (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) have faced a few cases of West Nile virus, an occasionally fatal infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Also, in spring 2003, an outbreak of SARS scared some visitors into changing their plans, but since only visitors to hospitals in Toronto were ever at serious risk, the fear was greatly overblown.

Respect

Canadians have a well-deserved reputation as being some of the most polite people on the planet. Even the most overbearing boor will usually be tolerated with unshakeable Canadian aplomb. Your experience in Canada will probably be better, however, if you don't overtax Canadians' admirable levels of tolerance. Exceptions can include discriminatory remarks, opposition to same-sex marriage, and support for the current US administration (this comment is of personal opinion). Negative opinions of you will generally be kept silent.

Remember that Canada is not the United States. Although the two countries share many common values and a similar way of life (most often called "North American culture" by Canadians), there are important differences. Canadians treasure these differences as an integral part of their identity, and it would be a mistake to brush them aside. Saying that Canada is "practically" part of the US will not win many Canadian friends.

At the same time, Canada is not Britain. Canada's relationship to the UK has been mostly positive, but it is not a colony, and has not been so since 1867. Like Australians, South Africans, and New Zealanders, Canadians have developed a separate culture based on their location and history - not merely an outpost of Empire.

Canada's status as a bilingual country is a source of pride and also a source of discomfort. Although it's not quite as hot a topic, it's probably similar to race in the United States as far as difficulty for discussions. Unless you're ready to start a heated argument, avoid discussions of Quebecois separatism or the respective rights of francophones and anglophones.

Contact

The communication infrastructure of Canada is what you would expect for an industrialized country.

By phone

The international country code for Canada is 1. Area codes and local phone numbers are basically the same as used in the United States. (Three-digit area code, seven-digit local phone number)

Mobiles

Cell phones are widely used, but due to Canada's large size and relatively sparse population, some rural areas have only analog service, or no service at all. Bell Mobility and Telus operate CDMA networks; Rogers Wireless operates the only GSM network (the second GSM network operator, Microcell, was acquired by Rogers in 2004). GSM in North America operates on the 850MHz/1900MHz frequency bands, in contrast to the rest of the GSM world which use 900MHz/1800MHz. Travellers planning to bring their GSM phones with them might do well to check that their handset supports the appropriate frequencies.

By net

In cities, there are many ways to access the internet, including a number of terminals at most public libraries.

By mail

Of course, there is always the postal system. Although it is very reliable, it is not always speedy. Also, international parcel postal services can be costly.