HOME >>>>Cheap flight to Canada

Highway code: The speed limit on highways is 100 Km/h, while in urban areas and villages it is 50 Km/h. Seatbelts are required for all vehicle passengers everywhere in Canada. A right turn is usually permitted at a red light, except in Montreal and where otherwise indicated; you must stop and check both ways for pedestrians and vehicles before turning. This does not apply everywhere in Quebec, particularly on the Island of Montreal and at certain intersections where indicated by a road sign. Canadians drive on the right side of the road. Highway 407 in Ontario is an all-electronic open access toll highway which extends 108 kilometres east-west, just north of Toronto.

Electricity: Electrical outlets in Canada provide the same current as elsewhere in North America - 110 volts 60 cycles AC. An adapter is necessary for European plugs.

Purchase of alcoholic beverages in Quebec : All persons aged 18 years and over may purchase alcoholic beverages in Quebec. Wine and spirits are sold at Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) outlets. Beer and local ciders are sold in grocery stores and convenience stores, where you will also find a limited selection of wine.

Purchase of alcoholic beverages in Ontario : All persons aged 18 years and over may purchase spirits as well as local and imported beer and wine in stores run by a government agency, the Liquor Control Beoard of Ontario . Beer and local ciders are sold in grocery stores and convenience stores, where you will also find a limited selection of wine.

Business Hours: Most stores are open (without interruption) from 9:30 am - 9:00 pm Monday to Friday, and from 9:00 - 5:00 on the weekend. However, some businesses may be closed on Sundays, or on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings.

Medical Services and Emergencies: We recommend that you check whether your health insurance covers medical and hospital charges incurred while travelling abroad. In case of emergency (medical, police, fire), dial 0 anywhere in Quebec except for the greater metropolitan areas of Montreal and Quebec, where you have to dial 911. In Ontario, dial 911 in most areas for fire, police or ambulance. For other emergencies, dial 0 .

National Holidays:

•  New Year's (January 1 and 2)

•  Good Friday

•  Easter Monday

•  Victoria Day / Fête de Dollard (avant-dernier lundi de mai)

•  Quebec National Holiday (June 24) - only in Quebec

•  Canada Day (July 1)

•  Labour Day (first Monday in September)

•  Thanksgiving (second Monday in October)

•  Christmas (December 25 and 26)

Currency: The local currency is the Canadian dollar ($), which is divided into 100 cents(¢). Canadian banknotes are currently issued in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations, and coins in 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, and $2 denominations. Most credit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Travellers' Cheques are accepted in large hotels, certain restaurants and major stores in big cities; otherwise they must be cashed in a Forign Exchange Office or a bank. Banks are generally open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. A wide network of instant tellers allow money to be withdrawn at any time of the day or night, 7 days a week.

Two forms of sales tax, a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 6%, are charged on most goods and services. Visitors from outside Canada may claim a refund of the six per cent federal GST (Goods and Services Tax) on accumulated purchases of a minimum of $200, provided that each receipt is at least $50 in goods before tax and that the goods are taken out of Canada within 60 days of purchase. GST charged on hotel and motel accommodation is also eligible for refund, provided that the stay in each hotel or motel does not exceed one month. Quebec's 7.5% Provincial Sales Tax can also be refunded, subject to the same conditions and amounts. For more information: 1-800-668-4748 (in Canada) or (902) 432-5608 (outside of Canada).

In Ontario, most purchases are subject to an 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST), as well as the federal Goods and Service Tax of 6% (GST). In addition to the GST refund (see above), the eight per cent Ontario Provincial Sales Tax is refunded on purchases with a retail value of at least $625 before taxes are applied. This means that the PST must be at least $50 dollars on each receipt. PST is not refunded on consumable goods, accommodation, transportation, services or rentals. Goods must be removed from the province within 30 days of purchase

Tipping is usually 10% to 15%, and is rarely included in the bill. Taxi drivers, hairdressers and porters are tipped at the client's discretion.