Cars 4 Rental - Cheap Car Rentals Online Bookings

General Money Health Climate Passport

(back to contents)

Cars 4 Rental Information on Canada

General

Area: 9,984,670 sq km (3,855,101 sq miles).

Population: 31,629,700 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density: 3.5 per sq km.

Capital: Ottawa. Population: 1,063,664 (2001, including Hull).

GEOGRAPHY: Canada is bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast by Greenland, and to the south by the ‘Lower 48’ of the USA. The polar ice cap lies to the north. The landscape is diverse, ranging from the Arctic tundra of the north to the great prairies of the central area. Westward are the Rocky Mountains, and in the southeast are the Great Lakes, the St Lawrence River and Niagara Falls. The country is divided into 10 provinces and 3 territories. A more detailed description of each province can be found under the separate provincial entries.

Government: Constitutional Monarchy. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Adrienne Bing Chee Clarkson since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Paul Martin since 2003.

Language: Bilingual: English and French. The use of the two languages reflects the mixed colonial history – Canada has been under both British and French rule.

Religion: 75 per cent of the population belong to the Christian faith: Anglican, Roman Catholic and United Church of Canada. There are numerous other active denominations and religions.

Time: Canada spans six time zones. Information on which time zone applies where may be found in the regional entries following this general introduction. The time zones are:
Pacific Standard Time: GMT - 8.
Mountain Standard Time: GMT - 7.
Central Standard Time: GMT - 6.
Eastern Standard Time: GMT - 5.
Atlantic Standard Time: GMT - 4.
Newfoundland Standard Time: GMT - 3.5.

Note: From the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, one hour is added for Daylight Saving Time (except in Saskatchewan).

Electricity: 110-120 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style (flat) two-pin plugs are standard.

Communications:

Telephone

Most public telephones operate using 25-cent coins. There is a reduced rate Mon-Fri 1800-0900, Sat 1200 to Mon 0900. For long-distance calls, telephone cards are available. Credit card telephones are to be found in larger centres. Full IDD is available. Country code: 1. Outgoing international code: 011.

Mobile telephone

Digital PCS (1900MHz) services area available in and around major centres, while older analogue and digital cellular networks are available in less populated areas. A ‘dual mode’ handset is required outside the digital service areas. Network operators include Bell Mobility (website: www.bellmobility.ca), Telus Mobility (website: www.telusmobility.com) and Rogers AT&T (website: www.rogers.com). GSM network operators include Microcell, operating under the Fido brand name (website: www.canadagsm.com) and Rogers AT&T. Handsets can be hired from Roadpost (tel: (905) 272 5665 or (888) 290 1616 (toll-free within North America); website: www.roadpost.com), although it may be cheaper to buy a pay-as-you-go phone.

Fax

Services are available in commercial bureaux and most hotels all day at locally agreed rates.

Internet

ISPs include Inter.net (website: www.ca.inter.net) and Sympatico (website: www.sympatico.ca). There are Internet cafes all over the country. Internet terminals are usually available at airports and in photocopy shops.

Telegram

These are handled by Telegrams Canada. Messages may be telephoned toll-free to 1-866-TEL-GRAM (1-866-835-4726; toll-free within Canada and the USA) for delivery anywhere in Canada or the USA. Billing arrangements may be made at the time the message is phoned in. Pricing and other information is available from Telegrams Canada (website: www.telegrams.ca)

Post

All mail from Canada to outside North America is by air. Stamps are available in hotels, some pharmacies and local stores, or in vending machines outside post offices and shopping centres. Poste Restante facilities are available. Intelpost is offered at main postal offices for satellite transmission of documents and photographs. Post office hours: generally Mon-Fri 0930-1700, Sat 0900-1200, but times vary according to province and location; city offices will have longer hours.

Press

There is one national daily newspaper, The National Post, and Toronto’s The Globe & Mail also has national distribution. Daily newspapers published in the larger population centres have a wide local and regional circulation. French-language dailies are published in seven cities, including Montral, Ottawa and Qubec. In Alberta, the main English-language newspapers are the Calgary Herald, The Calgary Sun, The Edmonton Journal and The Edmonton Sun; in British Columbia, the Vancouver Sun; in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Free Press and The Winnipeg Sun; in New Brunswick, the Daily Gleaner and The Times Transcript; in Newfoundland & Labrador, the Telegram and The Western Star; in Nova Scotia, The Chronicle-Herald and The Daily News; in Ontario, The Globe & Mail, The National Post (the main national newspaper), The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun, The Toronto Star and the The Toronto Sun; in Prince Edward Island, the Guardian and the Journal Pioneer; in Qubec, The Gazette (daily); in Saskatchewan, the Daily Herald, Leader Post, Star-Phoenix and the Times-Herald ; and in Yukon, The Whitehorse Star.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

Back to Top

Money

Currency: Canadian Dollar (C$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of C$1000, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of C$2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Credit & debit cards: Most international credit and debit cards are accepted.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Canadian Dollars; these are widely negotiable.

Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency. The export of silver coins over C$5 is prohibited.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Canadian Dollar against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04 Aug ’04
£1.00 = 2.19 2.42 2.47 2.41
$1.00 = 1.31 1.33 1.38 1.31

Banking hours: Mon-Wed and Fri 1000-1500, Thurs 0800-2100 (most banks). Business accounts can only be set up on presentation of a letter of credit from a home bank. Some banks in major centres have extended hours; visitors should check locally.

Back to Top

Health

Note: There were two identified cases of a strain of avian influenza (bird flu) in British Colombia in April 2004. Both cases involved persons who worked with poultry. There have been no further cases, however, and the global epidemic has since waned. This should therefore not affect visitors to Canada but nationals may wish to keep updated of the worldwide situation.

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

Other risks: In the summer months, extremely high temperatures can be reached, so visitors at this time may wish to guard against the problems of heat and sunstroke.
Rabies is present in animals. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care: There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK, but doctors will continue medication for prescriptions issued in Europe. Private health insurance of up to C$50,000 is absolutely essential as hospital charges are very high (from US$1000-2000 a day, often with 30 per cent surcharge for non-residents imposed in some provinces). Health facilities are excellent (similar to the USA). Personal first-aid kits should be carried by travellers to more remote northern areas. Dial 911 for emergencies.

Note: Visitors intending to stay in Canada for more than 6 months - either as tourists, students or employees - may be required to take a medical examination. Visitors working in an occupation in which protection of public health is essential may be required to undergo a medical examination even if employment is only temporary. Check with the Canadian Consulate or High Commission for further information.

Back to Top

Climate

Note: Summer thunderstorms are common throughout Canada. Occasionally, these may become 'severe'. Tornados also occur throughout Canada, with May to September being prime months. The peak season is June and early July in southern Ontario, Alberta, southeastern Qubec, and a band stretching from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, through to Thunder Bay. The interior of British Columbia and western New Brunswick are also tornado zones. Earth tremors occur in the western mountains. Forest fires can occur at any time, regardless of the season, particularly in the grasslands and forests of western Canada.

Climate graphs for the various provinces and territories may be found in the relevant entries below.

Required clothing: March: Moderate temperatures. Winter clothing with some mediumweight clothing.
April: Milder days but the evenings are cool. Mediumweight clothing including a topcoat is recommended.
May: Warm days but cool at night. Mediumweight and summer clothing recommended.
June: Warm, summer clothing with some mediumweight clothing for cool evenings. The weather in June is ideal for travel and all outdoor activities.
July/August: These are the warmest months of the year. Lightweight summer clothing is recommended.
September: Warm days and cool evenings. Light- to mediumweight clothing recommended.
October: Cool, with the first frost in the air.
November: Cool to frosty. Medium- to heavyweight clothing is recommended. First signs of snow. Motorists should have cars prepared for winter and snow tyres are recommended. December/January/February: Winter temperatures. Winter clothing is necessary (eg overcoat, hat, boots and gloves). Heavy snowfall in most provinces.

Back to Top

Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No/4 Yes
Australian Yes No Yes
Canadian 1 N/A N/A
USA 2 No No
OtherEU 3 5 Yes
Japanese Yes No Yes

Restricted entry and transit: The Government of Canada refuses admission to holders of passports, identity or travel documents issued by Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, Transkei, Venda or the All Palestine government.

Note: Visitors to Canada must satisfy an examining officer at the Port of Entry that they are genuine visitors, in good health, with no criminal convictions, and have sufficient funds to maintain themselves during their stay in Canada and to return to their country of origin, as well as evidence of confirmed onward reservations out of Canada. Persons under 18 years of age who are unaccompanied by an adult should bring with them a letter from a parent or guardian giving them permission to travel to Canada.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 1 day beyond the intended departure date from Canada required by all except the following:
(a) 1. Canadian citizens holding a Canadian Certificate of Identity, Canadian birth certificate or a certificate of Canadian citizenship;
(b) permanent residents of Canada with proof of status, ie Permanent Resident Card, Record of Landing, Returning Resident Permit or a Refugee Travel Document issued by the Government of Canada to refugees who have been resettled in Canada;
(c) 2. citizens of the USA holding proof of citizenship (eg US birth certificate or US naturalisation papers);
(d) persons entering from St Pierre & Miquelon or the USA who are legal permanent residents of the USA and hold a US alien registration card (Green Card);
(e) 3. citizens of France who are residents of and entering from St Pierre & Miquelon;
(f) nationals who are residents of and entering from Greenland.

Note: Identity/travel documents issued to non-national residents of the country of issue, refugees or stateless persons are recognised for travel to Canada.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 6 months:
(a) nationals of countries indicated in the chart above, including 4. citizens of British dependent territories (except holders of passports endorsed ‘British Subjects’ and ‘British Protected Persons’, who do require a visa);
(b) 5. nationals of EU countries (except Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa);
(c) nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brunei, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel (National Passport holders), Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Switzerland and Vatican City;
(d) those visiting Canada who, during that visit, also visit the USA or St Pierre & Miquelon (a French Overseas Territory) and return directly to Canada as visitors within the period authorised on their initial entry (or any extension thereto).

Types of visa and cost: Visitor: C$75 (single-entry); C$150 (multiple-entry). Family: C$400 (for families of six or more persons). Transit: gratis. Transit visas are necessary for all nationals who require a visitor visa. Although transit visas are not required by British citizens, they may be required by foreign nationals with British passports; check with the Embassy or High Commission for details. Employment: C$150 (individual); C$450 (group). Student: C$125. For further information, contact the High Commission. Prices are subject to frequent change.

Validity: Up to 6 months depending on circumstances of individual applicant. The determination regarding length of stay in Canada can only be decided by the examining officer at the port of entry. If no actual departure date is indicated within the visitor’s passport, then the visitor will be required to depart within 3 months from the date of entry. Visitors must effect their departure from Canada on or before the date authorised by the examining officer on arrival. If an extension of stay is desired, an application must be made in writing to the nearest Canada Immigration Centre well before the expiry of the visitor visa. Multiple-entry visas cannot be valid longer than passport. Transit visas are only allocated if a national's flight/onward journey is continuing within 24 hours. Single-entry visas can be used multiple times by nationals of St Pierre & Miquelon and the USA.

Note: A single-entry visa is still valid if used to visit the USA.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy or High Commission); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Proof of immigration status in country of residence. (c) Application form. (d) Two recent passport-size photos. (e) Proof of sufficient funds for length of stay (this may entail providing a letter from one’s employer, mortgage statements or bank statements or letter of invitation from a Canadian resident). (f) Evidence of employment (in some cases). (g) Details of travel plans. (h) Visa processing fee payable in bankers draft only. (i) For those applying by post, an 8" x 6", registered, self-addressed envelope with £1 (C$2) stamp. Transit: (a)-(i) and, (j) Onward/return tickets.

Note: Children under 16 years must have information with them on the people responsible for their welfare, if travelling alone; this includes a letter of permission to travel from guardian(s), and also a letter from the custodian in Canada.

Temporary residence: A work permit is required for temporary residence in Canada. Persons who wish to proceed to Canada for the purposes of study or temporary employment should contact the nearest Canadian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate, as authorisation is normally required prior to arrival. Those taking up temporary employment will require an Employment Authorization, for which a fee is charged. Persons going for study purposes must obtain a Student Authorization; a charge is made for this service.

Working days required: Applications should be made at least 1 month prior to the intended date of departure; 8 weeks if applying by post. Certain nationals are subject to longer processing times.

Back to Top

Cars4Rental - Worldwide Car Hire

Cars 4 Rental Information on Canada

Car Hire Canada