Canada

When to go

Weather

March-April cool, May-September warm, October-November cool, December-February cold with heavy snow.

Festivals

Toronto takes on Hollywood every September with screenings of hundreds of films from around the world at the Toronto International Film Festival. If you arrive in October, you’ll be in time for the largest Bavarian festival in North America, the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, which includes a Thanksgiving day parade but is otherwise all beer, music and dancing.

Highlights

“Such a land is good for an energetic man. It is also not bad for a loafer.” Rudyard Kipling, 1908

Vancouver

Fun and active city on the west coast. Highlights include joining local joggers, rollerbladers and cyclists in the delightful Stanley Park, in which stands a fine collection of totem poles. The park also has a fascinating aquarium, with beluga whales, killer whales and other aquatic life. In the downtown area, historic Gastown and the thriving Chinatown are other notable city sights. Vancouver has some fun festivals and also offers skiing on Grouse Mountain.

Prince Edward Island

The home of Anne of Green Gables and the birthplace of Canadian Confederation. A very beautiful island, with tranquil farmlands and the lovely Cavendish beach, a long stretch of white sand washed by the warm Gulf Stream and visited by seals and porpoises.

Nunuvut

Vast region in Canada’s far north and home to the Inuit people, together with seals, whales and wandering polar bears. Isolated and wild, it includes the Auyuittuq National Park. The pristine wilderness offers great hiking, while climbers enjoy Mount Thor, the world’s tallest uninterrupted cliff face.

Niagara Falls

Not far from Toronto, this mighty waterfall is shared by neighbouring USA. However, the best view is on the Canadian side in a small boat.

Rocky Mountains

Sprawling mountain range, barely contained by the gigantic Banff and Jasper national parks. The Rockies offer walking, climbing, camping and much more. From the base of the range stretch the prairies.

Being there

Etiquette

Normal social courtesies apply: handshakes at first meetings, small gifts when visiting homes and dress is often informal and practical for the climate.

Food and Drink

As varied as the country. Excellent seafood along the coast, good beef from the central plains. Colonial influence still discernable in cuisine, European menus in all major cities and good French food in Québec.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Woodcarvings, pottery and native artefacts.

Additional Info

People and Places

Capital: Ottawa.
Language: French and English.
Population: 3.5.
Size: 9,984,670. 31,629,700. (area km²)

Transport

(With distances from the city) Calgary (YYC) 8 km, Edmonton (YEG) 28 km, Gander (YQX) 3 km, Halifax (YHZ) 42 km, Hamilton (YHM) 10 km, Montréal (Dorval) (YUL) 25 km, Montréal (Mirabel) (YMX) 53 km, Ottawa (YOW) 15 km, St John’s (YYT) 8 km, Saskatoon (YXE) 7 km, Toronto (YYZ) 27 km, Vancouver (YVR) 15 km, Winnipeg (YWG) 10 km.
Numerous regional airlines, an extensive rail and road network. Car hire is easy to arrange for full licence holders aged over 21.

Red Tape

International Driving Permit recommended, although not legally required. National driving licences will generally suffice for up to 3 months (shorter in some provinces).
UK: Immigration: 38 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4AA, tel (020) 7258 6600, fax (020) 7258 6533. Cultural: Canada House, 5 Pall Mall East, Trafalgar Square, London, tel (020) 7258 6366, fax (020) 7258 6434, email ldn-ld@international.gc.ca. US: 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, tel (212) 596 1628, fax (212) 596 1793, email cngny-td@international.gc.ca.
UK: 80 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5K7, tel (613) 237 1530, fax (613) 237 7980, email generalenquiries@britainincanada.org. US: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8, tel (613) 238 5335, fax (613) 688 3080, email ottawareference@state.gov.

State of the Nation

Life expectancy: M 76.73, F 83.63.

Finance: Most major credit cards and traveller’s cheques in Canadian dollars widely accepted.
Business hours: 0900-1700 Mon-Friday.
GMT: From - 3.5 to - 8.
Voltage guide: 110 AC, 60 Hz.
Country dialling code: 1.