Emergencies
Call 911 for police, fire department, and ambulance.
Banking Hours
Banks traditionally are open Monday through Thursday 9$1 am to 4$2 pm and Friday 9$1 am to 6$2 pm. Most banks have extended hours and are also open on Saturday 9$1 am to 4$2 pm, particularly those outside downtown.
Currency
American money is accepted in much of Canada (especially in communities near the border). However, visitors are encouraged to change at least some of their money into Canadian funds at a bank or other financial institution in order to get the most favorable exchange rate. Traveler's checks (some are available in Canadian dollars) and major U.S. credit cards are accepted in most areas.
The units of currency in Canada are the Canadian dollar (C$) and the cent, in almost the same denominations as U.S. currency ($5, $10, $20, 1c , 5c, 10c, 25c, etc.). The $1 and $2 bill are no longer used; they have been replaced by $1 and $2 coins (known respectively as a "loonie," because of the loon that appears on the coin, and a "twonie").
Passports and Visas
US Citizens
Beginning January 23 , 2007 the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travellers, including U.S. citizens, traveling to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda travelling by air only to have a passport to enter or re-enter the United States. US citizens will need a valid passport to re-enter the United States if they are travelling by air.
After January 1, 2008, these requirements will extend to all land border crossings as well. For more information on the proposed changes, go to US Department of State's travel website. For information on obtaining a passport, visit the U.S. National Passport Information Center, or call them at 1-877-4USA-PPT.
UK Citizens
Citizens of the United Kingdom need only a valid passport to enter Canada for stays of up to six months. Children under 16 may travel on an accompanying parent's passport.
Statutory Holidays
There are 9 statutory holidays celebrated annually in British Columbia. Generally, banks and some businesses remain closed. Theatres, restaurants, and corner grocery stores remain open for business as usual. In some centres many of the shops remain open.
| | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Years Day | Jan 1 | Jan 1 | Jan 1 | Jan 1 | Jan 1 |
| Good Friday | Apr 6 | Mar 21 | Apr 10 | Apr 2 | Apr 22 |
| Victoria Day | May 21 | May 19 | May 18 | May 24 | May 23 |
| Canada Day | Jul 2 | Jul 1 | Jul 1 | Jul 1 | Jul 1 |
| B.C. Day | Aug 6 | Aug 4 | Aug 3 | Aug 2 | Aug 1 |
| Labour Day | Sept 3 | Sept 1 | Sept 7 | Sept 6 | Sept 5 |
| Thanksgiving | Oct 8 | Oct 13 | Oct 12 | Oct 11 | Oct 10 |
| Remembrance Day | Nov 11 | Nov 11 | Nov 11 | Nov 11 | Nov 11 |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Dec 25 | Dec 25 | Dec 25 | Dec 25 |
Customs & Duty
Importing Items
The following is a list of items you are allowed to bring into Canada tax-free if you are over 19.
200gm tobacco, OR 200 cigarettes, OR 20 cigars, OR 200 tobacco sticks per person; 1.5 litres of wine OR 1.14 litres of liquor per person, gifts for relatives and friends, tax-free as long as each gift is valued at CAD $ 60.00 or less.
Canadian custom brokers or a Canadian Customs office can provide information on transportation companies that offer efficient, cross-border delivery of materials for time-sensitive meetings or exhibits.
Returning Home
The following is a guideline for visitors returning home from Canada and may change at any time. Contact your local embassy or consulate, before returning home, if you are unsure of an item you are bringing back home.
US Residents
Every 30 days, returning U.S. Citizens are allowed to bring back duty free $400 worth of retail merchandise, provided they have been outside the U.S. for 48 hours. If the length of stay is less than 48 hours, $200 worth of merchandise may be taken back to the USA.
UK Residents
Citizens of the U.K. returning from a non-EU country have a customs allowance of 200 cigarettes, OR 50 cigars, OR 250g of smoking tobacco; 2 liters of still table wine; 1 liter of spirits or strong liqueur (over 22% volume); 2 liters of fortified wine, sparkling wine, OR other liqueurs; 60cc (ml) perfume; 250cc (ml) of cologne; AND �145 worth of all other goods, including gifts and souvenirs. People under 17 cannot have the tobacco or alcohol allowance.
EU Residents
Each passenger over 17 years of age from a non-EU country is entitled to import the following articles duty-free; in 200 cigarettes, OR 50 cigars, OR 250g of tobacco (or a mixture of all three if their combined weight doesn't exceed 250g); 2l of wine, and 1 l of spirits with an alcoholic content exceeding 22% vol, OR 2 l of spirits/aperitifs with an alcoholic content less than 22% vol, OR 2 l champagne/sparkling wine/liqueur wine; 50 g of perfume; 0.25 l cologne; gifts of a value not exceeding approximately ECU 175. Limits cannot be added for passengers travelling together.
Australian Residents
The duty-free allowance in Australia is A$400 OR, for those under 18, A$200. Personal property mailed back from abroad should be marked Australian goods returned to avoid payment of duty. Upon returning to Australia, citizens can bring in 250 cigarettes OR 250g of loose tobacco; and 1.125ml of alcohol. If you're returning with previously owned valuable goods, such as foreign-made cameras, file form B263.
New Zealand Residents
The duty-free allowance for New Zealand is NZ$700. Citizens over 17 can bring in 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, OR 250g of tobacco (OR a mixture of all three if their combined weight doesn't exceed 250g); plus 4.5 liters of wine and beer, OR 1.125 liters of liquor. New Zealand currency does not carry import or export restrictions. Fill out a certificate of export, listing the valuables you are taking out of the country; that way, you can bring them back without paying duty.
Visitors to Canada from countries not listed here should check before they leave what their limits are for duty-free.
Taxes
The Canadian Goods and Services tax (GST) is a 5% tax charged on most goods and services sold in Canada, except for basic groceries.
The Provincial Goods and Services tax (PST) is an additional tax that goes to the province. The PST rate varies from province to province, so ask what it is when you arrive to your Canadian destination. PST is 7% in British Columbia and it applies to most goods and services except for food, ferries, or accommodations. However, a 10% tax is levied on accommodations and alcoholic beverages sold in bars and restaurants.
Most shops and restaurants do not include either GST or PST in the listed price, so that is why an item will cost more when you bring it to the till.
