Canada
Capital:
Ottawa
Official Language: English and
French
Religions:
46% Roman Catholic, 30% Protestant and 24%
Other
Currency:
Canadian Dollar = 100 cents
Placements:
Lodge in the Rocky
Mountains
Map
Background
Those expecting Canada to be a blander version of the USA should check their
assumptions at the door. Canada's wild northern frontier, which has etched
itself into the national psyche, and its distinct patchwork of peoples have
created a country that is decidedly different from its brash neighbour.
It's the edginess between Canada's indigenous, French and British traditions
that gives the nation its complex three-dimensional character. Add to this a
constant infusion of US culture and a plethora of traditions brought by
migrants, and you have a thriving multicultural society.
Special Events
The Quebec City Winter Carnival, which takes place during the last two weeks
of February, features parades, ice sculptures, a snow slide, dances and music.
Ottawa's three-week Winterlude fetes all things snowy in February. The Montreal
Jazz Festival at the end of June and the Ottawa International Jazz Festival in
July both attract international and local players. Two major events in Toronto
are Caribana, held in August, which is a cultural exchange offering ethnic
music, dance and food, and the Gay Pride Day Parade through the downtown area,
which takes place in June. In September, there's the Toronto International Film
Festival. Calgary hosts the popular Calgary Stampede in July, the highlight of
which is the chuck wagon race and rodeo. In the west, Victoria celebrates the
First Peoples' Festival in August with traditional craftwork, dancing and
war-canoe rides.
Some public holidays are only celebrated regionally. They are: 3rd Monday in
February - Family Day (Alberta); Monday nearest March 17 - St Patrick's Day
(Newfoundland); Monday nearest April 23 - St George's Day (Newfoundland); June
24 - National Day (or St-Jean-Baptiste Day, Québec); Monday nearest June 24 -
Discovery Day (Newfoundland); Monday nearest July 12 - Orangemen's Day
(Newfoundland), and 3rd Monday in August - Discovery Day (Yukon).
Climate
Canada has four distinct seasons, although their arrival times vary across
the country. The single most significant factor in climate is latitude. As a
rule of thumb, it gets colder the further north you go, so it's no accident that
the warmest areas in the south are also the most populated. The western and
eastern coasts are both very wet, though much of the rain falls during winter.
In Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastern Alberta the prairies are fairly dry all
year. Canadian winters are long and hard: in more than two-thirds of the
country, the average January temperature is a shivering -18°C (-0.4°F). July and
August are the warmest months, when temperatures in the south are usually in the
upper 20°Cs (low 80°Fs).
Travel Info
Tickets for flights departing Canada should include departure taxes. Some
airports also charge departing passengers an 'airport improvement tax', usually
10.00 or15.00.
Visitors entering the country from major continental US cities can choose to
arrive by plane, train, bus or car. There are four main rail routes from the
USA: New York-Montreal, New York-Toronto, Buffalo-Depew and Seattle-Vancouver.
The USA's Greyhound network connects with most major destinations in Canada.
There are numerous road border crossings. Note that popular crossing points
(such as Niagara Falls) can have lengthy queues on weekends.
Queues will be the least of your problems if you enter by road from Alaska
along the Top-of-the-World Highway into the Yukon. Several ferries run from the
USA to Canada on the east coast, and from Washington State to Vancouver
Island.
Visas
Most Western visitors don't need a visa to visit Canada for up to 180 days.
Travellers from South Africa, China, North Korea, Taiwan, Eastern European and
developing countries do require them. Entry stamps for visits of up to six
months are free.
Safety
Terrorism
The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global
risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian
targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Local Travel
You should use common sense and take basic precautions. Bear in mind the
following:
- Do not drink and drive;
- If staying in a hotel, do not leave your door open at any time;
- Do not leave your handbag or luggage unattended in reception or dining
areas as thieves often target tourist hotels;
- Keep passports, tickets and large sums of cash in a safety deposit box or
hotel safe;
- Avoid leaving luggage on display in cars.
Road Safety
All forms of public transport are generally excellent. Be aware that each
province and territory has the authority to establish its own traffic and safety
laws.
Canadians drive on the right side of the road. Seat belts are compulsory
and right turns on red lights are permitted except in some parts of
Quebec.
Visitors should take out full insurance cover when renting a vehicle.
Apply for an International Driving Permit from either the AA, the RAC, RSAC
or Green Flag Motoring Assistance Recovery Club. This will allow you to drive in
Canada and hire a car. Carry both this Permit and your UK driving licence with
you whilst driving as being stopped without these documents may result in a
fine. Distances and speed limits are posted in metric (usually 100 km/h or 60
mph on highways and 50 km/h or 30 mph in towns and cities).
Obey speed limits and take extra care when travelling on country roads and
be aware of possible encounters with wild animals such as deer, elk, and
moose.
Winter travel can be dangerous due to heavy snowfalls and ice that make
road conditions hazardous. Check the weather forecast before travelling, and pay
special attention to the wind-chill factor as this can create dangerously cold
outdoor conditions.
Some roads, especially rural routes which generally remain open in winter,
may be closed for short periods following extreme weather conditions, such as
heavy snowfall. The use of snow chains or snow tyres may also be
required. Many motorists consider snow tyres a sensible and necessary
precaution at this time of the year.
For detailed information on road conditions throughout Canada, please see
the Transport Canada web site at
http://www.tc.gc.ca or The Canadian Automobile
Association site at
http://www.caa.ca, both of
which of which provide tips for travelling safely on Canadian roads.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Do not make off-the-cuff or flippant remarks about bombs or terrorism,
especially when passing through Canadian airports. A number of increased
security measures remain in place at airports. You should not carry any sharp
implement etc in your hand luggage. The restrictions are much the same as in the
UK.
You should not attempt to carry meat, animal or dairy products into Canada
at any time without declaring these products to Canada Customs. Banned food
products will be confiscated and you could be subjected to severe penalties.
Further information can be obtained from:
Canadian
Food Inspection Agency
Canada Customs require you to declare whether you intend to visit a farm
within 14 days.
The plant Qhat (Khat), although legal in the UK, is illegal in Canada. You
should not attempt to bring this plant into Canada as this could result in
imprisonment.
Health
While Canadian hospitals and medical services are generally very good,
there are no special arrangements for British visitors. We strongly recommend
that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, as
medical treatment can be very expensive. The British High Commission and
Consulates-General cannot assist with medical expenses. You should check any
exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to
undertake.
General Health Advice
Winter weather conditions in Canada can become severe or dangerous very
quickly, sometimes with little or no warning. Temperatures can often fall well
below freezing to minus 20C for long periods. High wind chill (around minus
30C), heavy snowfall, freezing rain and blizzards, all pose a hazard to those
venturing outside or travelling. If you intend to travel within Canada,
especially to the northern or mountainous regions, you are strongly advised to
obtain local information for the area you will be visiting. Also, to regularly
check local weather forecasts while on the road.
If the weather is extremely cold, avoid strenuous activity, cover your
mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air and be alert for signs of
frostbite. Sunglasses help cut glare from the sun, particularly where there is
extensive snow cover, and reduce the effects of ultraviolet rays.
Additional advice can be found on the information for travellers' page on
Health Canada's website at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca.
Rabies is a problem in most of Canada and can be spread by small animals
such as racoons and bats. Do seek urgent medical advice if bitten by a wild
animal.
Injections required
Consider Rabies
