Here you will find some facts about Canada and links to useful sites about visiting Canada. The information posted below is up-to-date at time of posting. Please check appropriate government website for most accurate information. Welcome! Bienvenue!
Note*: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic Canada has restrictions and conditions in place Please click here for updated information.
VISITING CANADA
Here are a few things to know when planning a visit to our country. Please check what the entry requirements are for your country. Please note that entry from many countries now require an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) even though a visa is not required. You can find information on entry requirements here.
- CURRENCY
- Canadian Dollar
- Symbol: $
- Code: CAD
- Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
- Coins: ¢5, ¢10, ¢25, $1, $2
- Did you know?
- Canada no longer uses pennies (¢1 or $0.01)
- $1 coins are called “loonies”
- $2 coins are called “toonies”
- ELECTRICITY
- 120 V with 60 Hz
- Electric sockets are Type A and B (plugs being 2 or 3 pronged)
- You may need an adapter for your electric plugs
- If your electric items are not dual voltage or 120 V you will need a voltage converter
- DRIVING
- Driving is on the right-hand side of the road
- A valid driver’s license is required from your home country to drive a car
- Alternatively an International Driving Permit (IDP) issued from your home country is also valid
- Alcohol and drug-impaired driving in Canada carries stiff penalties including fines and jail time
- It is illegal to driver in Canada without car insurance. If you rent a car make sure you have appropriate insurance
- Canada is on the metric system so distance and speeds are in kilometres
- OTHER INFORMATION
- Legal drinking age is 19 years of age except in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec where it is 18 years of age
- Valid government-issued photo ID is required to enter bars or buy alcohol
- GST Tax (Goods & Services Tax)
- is added to most good and services at 5% AFTER the price listed
- some provinces have combined GST to their provincial sales tax and is referred to as HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)
- Other provinces charge GST and PST (Provincial Sales Tax) separately
- Gratuities/Tipping
- are rarely included in the price when in restaurants and bars
- 15% -20% on the pre-tax amount is customary
- some establishments may add an automatic gratuity on group bookings
- Tipping is not required though it is considered impolite to not tip
- Cannabis
- Legal age to carry, share, buy, and grow cannabis is 18 years of age (some provinces and territories my have further restrictions)
- Purchasing must be from licenced & legal distrubtors
- Limits as to the amount one can possess are in place
- Legal drinking age is 19 years of age except in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec where it is 18 years of age
- WEATHER
- It’s cold in the winter and lots of snow!
- It can get hot in the summer – humid in some areas and dry in others
- Except Vancouver and Vancouver Island where it rains in the spring, fall, winter, and summers are moderate
- Canada’s north is great for seeing the Northern Lights in the winter and experience Midnight Sun in the summer
CANADA FAST FACTS
- It’s BIG! It’s the world’s 2nd largest country by area
- But our population is small by comparison with 38 million inhabitants
- It has the world’s longest coastline
- Canada & the USA share the longest international land border
- Canada is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories
- We have a parliamentary government
- We are one of the 15 Commonwealth countries
- Canada has 6 times zone (we’re that big!)
- The national sports are Lacrosse (summer) and Ice Hockey (winter)
- Our national animal is the beaver
- Our flag is cool – it has a maple leaf
- Canada’s indigenous peoples are the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis
- French and English are the official languages
- Canada has a Multiculturalism Act to help preserve and celebrate cultural diversity
Information listed is for general informational purposes. Please refer to the links provided (current at time of posting) for up-to-date and valid information.
Wanders The World 