Canada - it's big. Very big. Second biggest country in the world after Russia. We're much bigger than our strange neighbours to the south. Contrary to popular belief we're not buried in snow for nine months of the year either. Nor do all of us end every sentence in 'eh?', although some of us do. We gave the world the skidoo, five pin bowling, basketball, insulin, Pamela Anderson and The Blackberry. We're very sorry for the last two. Honest, we really are.
Anyway, you're reading this because you want to know a bit more about your visit to Canada (ie, "America, done properly"). This is only a brief bit of info, ie travel essentials. Want to know more - read Canadian History for Dummies. Yes, there is really a book - and its big and very intersting. No, honestly.
Will my curling iron work?
Canada and the US run at 100 volts, so you will need plug converters for any electrical items you may need to bring. Please note, if you purchase any electrical items in Canada, you need to make sure they are dual voltage (i.e. 110 / 220 volts) or they will not work in the UK. You could very like blow them up if they are only 110 when plugged in to a UK socket.
Money, Dosh, Wong, Bucks, Cash
The currency in Canada is the dollar. Coins are in 1,5,25 cents and 1 and 2 dollars. The dollar coins are often called ‘loonies’ as there is a picture of a loon on one side. Two dollar coins are often called two-nies. Notes are in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
The currency in Canada is the dollar. Coins are in 1,5,25 cents and 1 and 2 dollars. The dollar coins are often called ‘loonies’ as there is a picture of a loon on one side. Two dollar coins are often called two-nies. Notes are in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100.
All the major credit cards are accepted, and your debit cards should work there are well – in most cases you’ll have to enter your PIN number like you do in the UK. Foreign cheques are not accepted. "Travellers Cheques" usually are with ID (like a passport).
For easy figuring, the exchange usually hovers around two dollars for one pound – so you’ll find you really will be ‘quids in’! Also, you'll be able to spend TWICE as much on the grooms!
Eating in Restaurants
Please use the correct cutlery. Using the wrong fork could land you a hefty fine and disapproving looks from your fellow diners.
Unlike the UK, service charges in restaurants are not included in the bill. The usual rate is 10-15 percent tip. Again, unlike the UK, you should always tip the barman or you may find you’ll be waiting a long time for your next drink.
Government Theft, aka Taxes
Sales tax is added at the time of purchase. It consists of Federal sales tax, aka, the GST (Goods and Services Tax, like VAT) and PST (Provincial Sales Tax). PST rates varies from province to province. BC tax is currently at 7%. GST is 6%, so for those that are good at math, that’s a 13% tax levied on goods at the till. UPDATE: EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO CANCEL THE GST REFUND PROGRAMME MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. BASTARDS! ;-)
Sales tax is added at the time of purchase. It consists of Federal sales tax, aka, the GST (Goods and Services Tax, like VAT) and PST (Provincial Sales Tax). PST rates varies from province to province. BC tax is currently at 7%. GST is 6%, so for those that are good at math, that’s a 13% tax levied on goods at the till. UPDATE: EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO CANCEL THE GST REFUND PROGRAMME MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. BASTARDS! ;-)
Since the tax leads to odd amounts in the final total, almost every shop has a little pot of pennies at their tills. “Take a penny / leave a penny” means you can take the pennies to round up to the nearest five cents. You are also encouraged to leave your pennies in any change you may receive.
You can learn more about where PST is applied here: http://www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ctb/publications/brochures/bcsales.htm
You can download a GST refund form here:http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst176/README.html
Note: The current government has plans to CANCEL the GST refund program for visitors. I cannot say if it will still be in effect during your visit. However the major shops will know.
Telephones
Local calls from your hotel are normally free of charge. Calls from payphones are 35 cents for local calls. There is no time limit on local calls, in other words, you do not need to keep feeing it with coins.
We do have cell phones in Canada and yours should work provided you have the appropriate roaming settings enabled.
The emergency number is 911 and is a FREE call from all payphones. Contacting the 'Operator' from a payphone just dial zero '0'.
