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- Summary: Contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and their
- answers) about Canadian culture and related matters. It is
- intended for people with questions about Canadian matters
- as well as for people with an interest in Canada.
- X-Last-Updated: 1993/12/22
- Originator: faqserv@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
- Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu soc.culture.canada:22876 soc.answers:1007 news.answers:16887
-
-
- Archive-name: canada-faq/part2
- Last-modified: 1993/12/11
-
- ********************************
- * soc.culture.canada *
- * Frequently Asked Questions *
- ********************************
-
- Please forward your comments, suggestions and contributions to
- Martin Savard at 'ag656@freenet.carleton.ca'
-
- A special thank you to Glenn Chin and Stewart Clamen who compiled
- a large number of contributions, to Mark Brader for the proof-reading
- of the FAQ, and to all the contributors listed throughout the document.
-
- This document may be freely redistributed in its ENTIRETY provided
- that this notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or
- incorporated in commercial documents without a written permission.
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ***** TABLE OF CONTENT *****
-
- [Part 1/2, other document]
-
- (questions and answers about:)
-
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- ABOUT SOC.CULTURE.CANADA
- HISTORY
- POLITICS
- SOCIETY AND CULTURE
- EDUCATION
-
- [Part 2/2, this document]
-
- INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS
-
- 6.1 How can I get travel information from government services?
- 6.2 What is to be visited in...
- 6.2.1 ... Alberta?
- # 6.2.2 ... British Colombia?
- 6.2.8 ... Ontario?
- # 6.2.12 ... Yukon?
- 6.3 What are the requirements to enter Canada as a tourist?
- 6.4 Do tourists in Canada get free health care?
- 6.5 How can tourists get reimbursed for taxes paid while in Canada?
- # 6.6 U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (on Canada)
- 6.7 Canada-USA financial matters
- 6.7.1 Where is the best place to exchange US currency
- in Canada and vice versa?
- 6.7.2 What credit cards are accepted in Canada?
- 6.7.3 Will I be able to pay my expenses in US dollars?
- 6.7.4 May I cash or deposit US cheques (or checks :-) in Canada
- and vice versa?
- 6.7.5 If I have an ATM card for my bank at home, can I make
- a withdrawal in Canada?
- 6.8 What is the weather like in Canada?
- 6.9 How can I use European electrical equipment in Canada?
-
- IMMIGRATION, EMIGRATION, AND EMPLOYMENT
- 7.1 Who needs a Canadian passport and how do I go about getting one?
- 7.2 What are the addresses of some Canadian embassies and consulates?
- 7.3 Does the free trade agreement mean that an American can
- work in Canada and vice versa?
- 7.3.1 OK, my profession is on the list. What do I (as a Canadian)
- need to do to work in the US?
- 7.3.2 What do I need to do (as an American) to be able to
- work in Canada?
- 7.4 How do I become a Canadian citizen?
- 7.5 Once I'm a landed immigrant, can I travel in and out of Canada
- whenever I want?
- 7.6 Can I be a dual Canadian-American citizen?
- 7.7 How will my credit rating in my country affect me in Canada?
- 7.8 Immigrating to Canada
- 7.8.1 How can I immigrate to Canada as an independent class
- immigrant?
- 7.8.2 According to the point system, what occupations are
- most needed in Canada?
- 7.8.3 May I immigrate to Canada as a sponsored immigrant?
- 7.9 How do I import an automobile into Canada from the US?
- 7.10 Does a Canadian citizen need a visa to visit country X?
-
- TAXATION
- 8.1 What kind of income taxes does one have to pay in Canada?
- 8.2 How can I contact Revenue Canada? The Canadian Tax Foundation?
- 8.3 How can tourists get reimbursed for taxes paid while in Canada?
- 8.4 Do I have to pay Canadian taxes if I work or live abroad?
- 8.5 What are the customs clearing fees of some couriers?
-
- ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS
- 9.1 Where can I get information on Canadian industry and trade?
- 9.2 How can I start a business in Canada?
- 9.3 How can I contact economic development offices?
- 9.4 What are sources of venture capital?
- 9.5 What is Canada's foreign trade position?
- 9.6 What are the characteristics of the Canadian economy?
-
- MEDIA
- 10.1 What Canadian television shows can I see from abroad?
- 10.2 What are some 50,000-watt AM radio stations originating from
- Canada?
- 10.3 How can I subscribe to some Canadian newspapers?
- 10.4 How can I subscribe to some Canadian magazines?
- 10.5 Comment puis-je m'abonner a certaines revues canadiennes?
- 10.6 How can I listen to Canadian radio while abroad?
- What is the Radio Canada International schedule?
-
- STATISTICAL INFORMATION
- 11.1 What is the population of Canada?
- 11.2 What is the census breakdown by language spoken?
- # 11.3 How large are Canada's major and mid-sized cities?
- 11.4 How can I access data provided by Statistics Canada on the Internet?
-
- ELECTRONIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION
- 12.1 How can I get Internet access in Canada?
- 12.2 What Canadian-interest newsgroups exist?
- 12.3 Is there anything about Canada in the World Wide Web?
- 12.4 What Internet-accessible libraries of Canadian interest exist?
- 12.5 How can I access documents by the Canadian government's
- Department of Industry and Science?
- # 12.6 Where can I find e-mail addresses of government bodies?
-
- GENERAL INFORMATION
- 13.1 What are the time zones in Canada?
- 13.2 How can I, a Canadian resident, check my own credit record?
- 13.3 As a Canadian living abroad, how can I vote?
- 13.4 Where can I list my non-profit organization?
- 13.5 What is the geography of Canada like?
- 13.6 How does the postal system work in Canada?
- 13.7 How does the phone system work in Canada?
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS
-
- Also have a look at the files on ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in the directory
- /pub/rec-travel/north_america/canada. In case ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca is
- not in your nameserver files, try ccu.umanitoba.ca or the number
- 130.179.16.8
-
- Additions or corrections should be sent to Brian Lucas
- <lucas@ccu.UManitoba.CA>.
-
- To become on-line users of the Business Opportunities Sourcing System
- (BOSS)-Tourism database, contact:
-
- BOSS-Tourism
- 235 Queen Street, First Floor East
- Ottawa, Ontario
- K1A 0H6
- Fax 613-954-1894
-
- -----
-
- 6.1 How can I get travel information from government services?
-
- Tourism is a provincial juridiction in Canada. Therefore, you must
- ask provincial governments for that kind of information. When writing
- for information, make sure you specify what kind of activities
- (sightseeing, hunting, skiing, events...) and accommodations (hotel,
- motel, camping, bed & breakfast, Youth Hostel, ...) you plan to select.
- Many provinces also have brochures for many of their cities. Make sure
- you specify everything that you want. When calling, you'll generally
- be asked about your plans. The brochures, guides, and other travel
- publications are free (mailing included).
-
- ALBERTA BRITISH COLUMBIA
-
- Alberta Tourism Tourism British Columbia
- Vacation Counselling Parliament Buildings
- 3rd floor, City Centre Bldg Victoria, British Columbia
- 10155 102 Street Canada V8V 1X4
- Edmonton, Alberta (604) 685-0032
- Canada T5J 4L6 Canada + USA: 1-800-663-6000
- (403) 427-4321
- Canada + USA: 1-800-661-8888
-
- MANITOBA NEW BRUNSWICK
-
- Travel Manitoba Tourism New Brunswick
- Department 20, 7th floor P.O. BOX 12345
- 155 Carlton Street Fredericton, New Brunswick
- Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada E3B 5C3
- Canada R3C 3H8 (506) 453-2444
- (204) 945-3777 New Brunswick: 1-800-442-4442
- Canada + USA: 1-800-665-0040 Canada + USA: 1-800-561-0123
-
- NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
-
- Department of Tourism and Northwest Territories Tourism
- Culture P.O. BOX 1320
- P.O. BOX 8730 Yellowknife, N.W.T.
- St. John's, Newfoundland Canada X1A 2L9
- Canada A1B 4K2 (403) 873-7200
- (709) 729-2830 Canada + USA: 1-800-661-0788
- Canada + USA: 1-800-563-6353
-
- NOVA SCOTIA (read note #1) ONTARIO (read note #2)
-
- Department of Tourism and Ontario Travel
- Culture Queen's Park
- P.O. BOX 456 Toronto, Ontario
- Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada M7A 2R9
- Canada B3J 2R5 (416) 314-0944
- (902) 424-5000 TDD: (416) 314-6557
- Canada: 1-800-565-0000 Canada + USA: 1-800-ONTARIO
- USA: 1-800-341-6096
-
- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND QUEBEC (read note #3)
-
- Department of Tourism, Tourisme Quebec
- Parks and Recreation C.P. 20,000
- Visitors Services Division Quebec, Quebec
- P.O. BOX 940 Canada G1K 7X2
- Charlottetown, P.E.I (514) 873-2015
- Canada C1A 7M5 Canada + USA: 1-800-363-7777
- (902) 368-4444
- Canada + USA: 1-800-565-0267
-
- SASKATCHEWAN YUKON
-
- Tourism Saskatchewan Tourism Yukon
- 1919 Saskatchewan Dr. P.O. BOX 2703
- Regina, Saskatchewan Whitehorse, Yukon
- Canada S4P 3V7 Canada Y1A 2C6
- (306) 787-2300 (403) 667-5340
- Canada + USA: 1-800-667-7191
-
-
- Notes:
- #1: Department of Tourism & Culture, Nova Scotia can also take
- your reservations for accomodation.
- #2: Ontario Travel can also take reservations for 170 different
- hotels, resorts and motels.
- #3: Receptionists at Tourisme Quebec speak both French & English.
- Tourism publications are also available in English.
-
- -----
-
- 6.2 What is to be visited in...
-
- [This section is not complete. I encourage people to send their
- contributions. I apologize for the 'advertising tone' of some of the
- tourism information as it was taken from marketing brochures
- published by the provincial governments]
-
- 6.2.1 ... Alberta?
-
- Compilation includes: Banff
-
- ** BANFF **
-
- Located in the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park is very popular
- for its ski slopes and hiking trails. Banff is really the place for
- nature lovers. It has an international reputation. As well as the
- attractions mentioned in this part, you'll find lots of beautiful
- scenery. Be sure to call Alberta Tourism for more information.
-
- Some companies offer complete tour packages for skiing in Banff.
- These include air travel (from Canadian and US cities), hotel, and
- access to ski facilities. Companies include: Canadian Holidays
- (1-800-561-8881), Air Canada Vacations (905-615-8000).
-
- SULPHUR MOUNTAIN GONDOLA (South end of Mountain Ave. 2 miles from Banff
- town)
- Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain in a glass-enclosed, four-
- passenger gondola and enjoy a 360-degree view of Banff and
- area. Canada's highest restaurant is situated at the summit
- and offers self-serve meals. Short hiking trails explore the
- summit. Admission: $7.94 (Adults), $3.50 (<12) and free (<5).
- (403) 762-5438 (24 hours); fax (403) 762-8101.
-
- BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL (Spray Ave.)
- Constructed in 1888. Visitors are welcome to view the grounds.
- If you can't stay there during your trip, be sure you see it.
-
- BANFF PARK MUSEUM (92 Banff Ave.)
- Presents wildlife displays of the birds and mammals found in
- Banff Natural Park. Thu to Sun from 10am to 6pm except for
- Christmas and Boxing Day. Free. (403) 762-1558;
- fax (403) 762-3380.
-
- CAVE AND BASIN CENTENNIAL CENTRE (311 Cave Ave.)
- Visitors can walk into the cave, view the intact basin, and
- learn about the discovery of the hot springs. Historical
- exhibits and videos tell the ark's history. Warm outdoor pool
- in the summer. (403) 762-1557; fax (403) 762-3380.
-
- LUXTON MUSEUM (1 Birch Ave.)
- Displays about the natives: costumes, hunting equipment, dances,
- songs, and legends. Daily. Admission between $2 and $3.50;
- maximum $8/family.
-
- NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND GIFT SHOP (112 Banff Ave.)
- Displays show the cave system of the area. 4 dinosaur skulls
- are included among the numerous fossil specimens. Slide shows
- illustrate the formation of the Rockies. The shop sells fossils
- and books on geology. Admission $1 to $2. Open daily.
- (403) 762-4747.
-
- -
-
- 6.2.2 ... British Columbia?
-
- The following items reflect a strong Victoria bias because the
- pamphlets were obtained from Victoria Tourism. I have tried to
- balance these with information that I can recall from memory.
-
- There is an excellent BC Government Gopher, cln.etc.bc.ca. It
- is one of the best gophers that I have ever seen. You can obtain
- road information (construction, winter conditions, sheep on road,
- etc.), BC Ferries schedules, phone numbers of MLA's and an
- experimental accommodation section.
-
- XV COMMONWEALTH GAMES
- August 12-28, 1994
- Victoria, British Columbia
-
- Events: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics,
- Lawn Bowls, Weightlifting, Shooting, Wrestling
- Demonstration: Field Lacrosse (including aboriginal teams)
- Disabled Sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Lawn Bowls
-
- Ticket Ordering:
-
- All orders forms received up to November 1, 1993 will be
- processed by a random selection lottery. Orders are now being
- filled on a first-come first-served basis. Actual times for events
- will be announced in January 1994. For more information:
- Victoria Commonwealth Games Society
- P.O. Box 1994
- Victoria, British Columbia
- V8W 3M8
- (604) 995-1994
- 1-800-663-3883
-
- Special travel and accommodation packages available through
- Canadian Holidays (as of November 30, 1993). Write:
- Canadian Holidays
- 7th Floor,
- 191 The West Mall
- Etobicoke, Ontario
- M9C 5K9
-
- [BC INFO:]
-
- Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, BC
- July 1-Sept 6 - 9:30am-7:00pm
- Sept 7-June 30 - 10:00am-5:30pm
- Excellent museum, one of the best in BC with full-scale displays and
- large native collection.
- 675 Belleville St, Victoria, BC, V8V 1X4 (on the Inner Harbour)
-
- Bungy Zone, Nanaimo
- Jump off 42 meter high bridge, into the Nanaimo River gorge. 13 km south
- of Nanaimo. Heaviest jumper: 172 kg. Oldest: 85.5 years. 65 years and
- over jump free. Annual Naked Bungy Day (mid-February) where naked
- jumpers jump free. Chickens (paid, weighed, tied, and hooked): 1%.
- P.O. Box 399, Station "A", Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5L3. (604) 753-JUMP
- 1-800-668-7771 (for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana) Price not
- listed, but I would guess about 75 bucks.
-
- M.V. Lady Rose (& MV Francis Barkley)
- Set sail for spectacular West Coast Scenery aboard the MV Lady Rose.
- The Lady leaves at 8am from the Argyle Street Dock in Port Alberni, then
- steams down the Alberni Inlet and into Barkley sound to Bamfield or
- through the Broken Group Islands to Ucluelet, then returns to Port Alberni
- in the late afternoon. Services the Broken Islands and West Coast Trail
- (both part of Pacific Rim National Park). Fares range from $10 (one
- way) to $36 (return) depending on destination.
- Alberni Marine Transportation, P.O. Box 188, Port Alberni, BC, V6Y 7M7
- Phone: (604) 723-8313 Fax: (604) 723-8314
-
- Western Wildcat Tours
- Backpack or kayak over scenic Vancouver Island. Explore the half
- million acres of Strathcona Provincial Park's mountain wilderness,
- experience the spirit of Vancouver Island's green cathedrals and
- visit some of the continent's last remaining old growth forest.
- Choose from a smorgasbord of paddling possibilities. Lounge in rock
- pools by the sea at Hotsprings Cove.
- P.O. Box 1162, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 6E7 Tel/Fax: (604) 753 3234
-
- Seacoast Expeditions (Marine Wildlife Tours)
- Join us for an exhilarating and adventurous experience of coastal waters
- and marine wildlife. Watch for: KILLER WHALES, Mink Whales, Dall's
- Porpoises, Harbour Porpoises, Harbour Seals, California and Stellar Sea
- Lions; Elephant Seals, Bald Eagles and many species of marine birds.
- 2 & 3 hour trips in high speed 23' zodiacs. $50/$70 adult, $25/45 youth.
- 1655 Ash Road, Victoria, BC, V8N 2T2 (604) 477-1818
-
- TimberTours - Fletcher Challenge Canada
- Informative tours, free of charge. Courtenay, Campbell River, Lake
- Cowichan, Port McNeill, Moresby Island, Crofton. Tours range from
- 1 1/2 hours to 6 1/2 hours and activities vary from tours of pulp mills,
- active logging sites, tree planting, eagle nesting sites, nature walks.
- Call (604) 654-4000 for more information.
-
- Victoria Express Passenger Ferry
- Fast, convenient express service between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria.
- Fares: $20 US Return. 4 sailings in winter, 8 sailings in summer.
- Info: 206-452-8088 (WA), 604-361-9144 (BC)
-
- Victoria Clipper
- Passenger ferry between Victoria & Seattle
- Fares: Range from $46-49 1-way and $74-85 round trip depending on
- season. Advance round trips (14 days, restrictions) $59-69. Prices in
- US Dollars.
- Clipper Navigation, 1000A Wharf St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1T4, 604-382-8100
- In SABRE, N*/VICTORIA CLIPPER Also 1-800-888-2535 outside Seattle & BC
-
- As far as I know, there is no car ferry between Victoria and Seattle
- despite political pressure by Victoria's merchants. Also, the Royal
- Sealink Express between downtown Victoria and downtown Vancouver has
- gone bankrupt.
-
- The BC Government announced November 23, 1993, that it would provide BC
- Ferries with $1M to operate a Seattle-Victoria car ferry for the 1994
- season only. This is mostly due to the XV Commonwealth Games being
- hosted in Victoria.
-
- Capilano Suspension Bridge and Park, North Vancouver
- 450 foot suspension bridge, 230 feet above Capilano River. Original
- bridge constructed in 1889. Totem poles, small museum. Entrance fee
- of approx. 8 bucks. 3735 Capilano Rd, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 4J1
- (604) 985-7474
-
- Grouse Mountain Skyride
- Ski area in winter, hiking area in summer, plus logger sports, chair
- rides, wood carving, Theatre in the Sky, helicopter tours. $14.50 for
- adults, $9.25 Youth, $5.95 Child, Free under 5, Family $54.95
- 6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver, BC, V7R 4K9
-
- Other attractions in Vancouver are Science World, Vancouver Aquarium,
- CN IMAX Theatre, Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver 86ers, Vancouver VooDoo,
- BC Lions, Cypress Bowl, Seymour Mountain (provincial park), Rief Bird
- Sanctuary, Lynn Canyon Interpretive Centre, Stanley Park, Fantasy
- Gardens, Playland, PNE, the Cecil.
-
- The West Coast Trail has become so popular that reservations are
- required to hike the Trail. It is a 80 kilometre hike between Bamfield
- and Port Renfrew (?). Only 50 hikers each day are permitted to begin
- at each end of the trail. Reservations are free and may be obtained
- from Parks Canada.
-
- The Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit is another area where popularity has
- forced a reservation system. The Bowron Lakes are a chain of 5 lakes,
- 120km long, including some portages and line canoes. Reservations may
- be made from Parks Canada and the rate is $20/canoe. The Bowron Lakes
- are approximately 2 hours northeast of Quesnel.
-
- Barkerville is a historic gold rush town that at one time was the
- largest town north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. The town
- is fascinating and contains over 100 (?) restored buildings. The
- charm is that it is a realistic portrayal of the town with the bakery
- selling fresh bread and the general store selling supplies. You can
- also hear mock trials with the famed hanging judge, Sir Matthew Begbie.
- Pioneer cemetery, a Chinatown, gold panning, dance halls with real
- dancers and plays, restaurants. Approx. $6 admission. 1 1/2 hour drive
- east of Quesnel.
- <Bob Gray>
-
- -
-
- 6.2.3 ... Manitoba?
- 6.2.4 ... New Brunswick?
- 6.2.5 ... Newfoundland and Labrador?
- 6.2.6 ... the Northwest Territories?
- 6.2.7 ... Nova Scotia?
-
- -
-
- 6.2.8 ... Ontario?
-
- Compilation includes: Niagara Falls
- Ottawa
- Toronto
-
- ** NIAGARA FALLS **
-
- Much nicer on the Canadian side! Of course, the Falls are THE attraction
- to visit in Niagara Falls. They draw tourists from all over the world.
- They also draw honeymooners in the thousands. The falls are equally
- spectacular all year round. A system of illumination also makes them
- a great attraction at night.
-
- GREAT GORGE ADVENTURE (4330 River Rd.)
- An elevator takes you down to the Niagara gorge below the
- falls, to a walkway that follows the edge of the river.
- May to October, daily.
-
- MAID OF THE MIST (at 5920 River Rd.)
- A tough little boat that takes tourists in front of the American
- Falls, and upriver right into the horseshoe of the main falls
- where the noise is deafening and the spray hits like tropical
- rain. Raincoats supplied. Daily, from mid-May to mid-October.
-
- MARINELAND (7657 Portage Rd. South)
- A marine park with impressive dolphin, sea lion, and whale
- shows. Admission price also admits you to the adjacent game
- farm, plus unlimited use of rides. March to December, daily.
- Rides don't operate in winter.
-
- MINOLTA TOWER CENTRE (6732 Oakes Dr.)
- Restaurant overlooking the falls. On-site attractions during
- the summer. Open daily.
-
- NIAGARA FALLS IMAX THEATER (6170 Bachanan Ave)
- A film on the falls (45 minutes) on a giant 6-storey-high
- screen. The lobby houses the Niagara Daredevil Adventures -
- artifacts and displays on the various stuntmen and daredevils
- who have challenged the falls over the years.
-
- NIAGARA FALLS MUSEUM (5651 River Rd.)
- North America's oldest, with over 700,000 exhibits, including 7
- authentic Egyptian mummies and the Daredevil Hall of Fame.
- Daily.
-
- NIAGARA HELICOPTERS LTD. (3731 Victoria Ave., near Whirlpool Rapids)
- Flights over the falls. All year, daily (weather permitting).
-
- NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
- Originally named Newark. Population 13,000. One of the best-
- preserved (and prettiest) 19th-century towns in North America.
- Fort George National Historic Park (tells about Canada-USA
- battles). Many old buildings. Wineries.
-
- NIAGARA SPANISH AERO CAR (Niagara Parkway, at Rapids)
- A cable car that makes the dizzling, 550 m (1,800ft) trip high
- above the Whirlpool Rapids.
-
- SKYLON TOWER (5200 Robinson St.)
- Revolving restaurant overlooking the falls. 236 meters above
- them.
-
- TIVOLI MINIATURE WORLD (5930 Victoria Ave.)
- A world tour in miniature, where visitors can see landmarks
- and lesser known village squares, complete in every detail
- but built on a scale of 1/30 actual size. Buildings include
- St. Peter's Basilica, Eiffel Tower, the Tower of Pisa, and the
- Kremlin. Daily, from Easter to Christmas.
-
- WHITEWATER WATERPARK (7430 Lundy's Lane)
- Five giant waterslides, super-surf wave pool, play pools, video
- arcade and snack and picnic facilities. Daily (weather permitting)
- from June to Labour Day (first Monday in September).
-
-
- ** OTTAWA **
-
- A 2-hour drive from Montreal and 5 hours from Toronto. International
- airport, train station, and frequent bus service.
-
-
- Info: Canada's Capital Information Center
- 14 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa
- Open daily from 9am to 5pm, 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
- (613) 239-5000.
-
- Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority Visitor Information Center
- 65 Elgin Street, National Arts Center
- Open daily from 9am to 5pm, 10am to 4pm on Sundays
-
- BANK OF CANADA/CURRENCY MUSEUM (234 Wellington)
- The museum is housed on the first floor and is open Tuesday to
- Saturday, 10.30am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.
- (613) 782-8914.
-
- BANK STREET PROMENADE (on Bank St., from Gladstone Avenue to Wellington)
- The fine stores and services of the promenade make it a
- favourite spot for the serious shopper and casual browser
- alike.
-
- BYTOWN MUSEUM (steps aside the Chateau Laurier)
- In the Commissariat, the oldest stone building in Ottawa. The
- exhibits in the museum explore Ottawa's history and pay tribute
- to the builders of the Rideau Canal.
- Open 10am to 4pm, Sundays 2pm to 5pm, closed Tuesdays.
- (613) 234-4570.
-
- BYWARD MARKET (east of Sussex Drive and north of Rideau Street)
- First opened in 1840. Farmers from the Ottawa Valley offer
- vegetables, fruits, flowers, and maple syrup from street-side
- booths and stalls. Specialty shops, restaurants, pubs.
-
- CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CARICATURE (136 St. Patrick Street, corner Sussex)
- 20,000 caricature works from the 18th, 19th, and 20th
- centuries. Wed to Fri.
-
- CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION (Laurier St. in Hull, just across the river)
- A wide variety of exhibits. The Museum is also home of the
- world's 1st combination of IMAX and OMNIMAX.
- Tue to Sun 9am to 5pm, Thu until 8pm.
- (819) 776-7000. (From Ottawa just dial 776-7000.)
-
- CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY (1 Rideau Canal)
- Founded by and affiliated with the National Gallery of Canada.
- 150,000 images.
- Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun from 11am to 5pm;
- Wed from 4pm to 8pm; Thu 11am to 8pm.
- (613) 990-8257.
-
- CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE (corner of Metcalfe and McLeod St.)
- Explore the world of insects, dinosaurs, gems, animals, and the
- changing face of the Earth. Open daily from 10am to 5pm;
- to 8pm on Thu. (613) 996-3102 (24-hour service).
-
- CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL
- The Dutch Royal Family spent their enforced exile in Ottawa
- during WWII. As a token of appreciation the Dutch people sent
- tulip bulbs (over 4 million of them). Now, each and every
- spring, the gift is given anew and the city celebrates with a
- Spring Festival (concerts, firework displays, decorated boats
- on the Canal...). Mid-May all over the city (tulips especially
- along the canal and at Dows Lake).
-
- CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM (330 Sussex Drive)
- Open Tue to Sun from 9.30am to 5pm; to 8pm on Thu.
- (613) 992-2774.
-
- CENTRAL EXPERIMENTAL FARM / AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM (Prince of Wales Drive)
- 500-hectare experimental farm. The land was designated
- for agricultural research. You'll find ornemental flower
- gardens, rippling fields of grain, rare trees from around the
- world, livestock barns, dairy barn. Museum closed until May
- 1994 for renovations. (613) 993-4802.
-
- CHATEAU LAURIER (Just east of Parliament Hill)
- Built in 1912, in the style of a stately French chateau, it is
- the luxury hotel in the perfect foil to the neo-Gothic design
- of the Parliament buildings.
-
- DOWS LAKE AND PAVILION (Take Queen Elizabeth Dr. south)
- Recreation area. The Pavilion is home to 3 restaurants and a
- raised summer terrace that allows diners a splendid view of the
- lake. The surrounding parklands, including some of the capital's
- most spectacular flower beds, are a great place for a summer picnic.
- You can rent paddle boats and canoes for a ride on the lake.
-
- GATINEAU PARK (on the Quebec side, just 20 minutes from Ottawa. Follow
- Tache Blvd. west out of Hull, then turn north along the scenic
- Gatineau parkway). A 35,000-hectare park where deer and other
- wildlife still abound. Hundreds of kilometres of trails for
- walkers, hikers, cyclists, and cross country skiing enthusiats.
- (819) 827-2020.
-
- JACQUES CARTIER PARK (in Hull, on the Ottawa river between the Alexandra
- and MacDonald-Cartier bridges). Offers fine views of the Rideau
- Falls and the Ottawa skyline.
-
- MAJOR'S HILLS PARK (Behind the Chateau Laurier, east of Parliament Hill)
- Ottawa's oldest park (1874). Several statues, exquisite views
- of the Ottawa River, Hull, the Parliament buildings and the
- Rideau Canal.
-
- NATIONAL ARTS CENTER (53 Elgin St.)
- Hosts hundreds of Canadian and international musical, theatrical,
- dance and variety performances. Public tours available.
- (613) 996-5051.
-
- NATIONAL AVIATION MUSEUM (From Sussex Dr. take the Rockliffe Parkway until
- you see the exit to the new National Aviation Museum). One of
- the most impressive collections of vintage aircraft in the world
- -- 43 airplanes and numerous artifacts.
- Tue to Sun from 9pm to 5pm; to 9pm on Thu.
- (613) 993-2010.
-
- NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA (corner of Sussex Dr. and St. Patrick St.)
- Has the capacity to exhibit more than 1900 works of art.
- Daily from 10am to 6pm; to 8pm on Thu.
- (613) 990-1985.
-
- NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (1867 St. Laurent blvd, corner
- of Lancaster). Explore how man has transformed the natural
- elements into a new world of mechanics, transportation, and
- technological advances.
- Tue to Sun from 9am to 5pm; to 9pm on Thu.
- (613) 991-3044.
-
- NATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MONUMENT (corner of Sussex and St. Patrick)
- The world's only monument to honour peacekeepers. A "sacred
- grove" of 12 oak trees is intented to remind visitors of the
- peacekeepers from 10 provinces and 2 territories who served
- during the past 40 years.
-
- PARLIAMENT HILL (On Wellington St.)
- Pretty Parliament Buildings. Change of the Guard by guards in
- scarlet tunics and bearskin busbies is a must-see (every summer
- day from 10am to 10.30am).
-
- RIDEAU CANAL (runs for some 8 kms for Ottawa Downtown to Carleton University)
- In May, the parkways beside the canal bloom with tulips; in
- summer, they are thronged with cyclists, joggers, and
- picnikers; in winter, the canal turns into the "World's Longest
- Ice Skating Rink".
-
- RIDEAU HALL (at 1 Sussex Dr. in front of Prime Minister's residence)
- This estate is the official residence of Canada's Governor
- General (see 2.3, 3.1). Tours of the grounds (until Mid-Oct.)
- are free and leave on the hour from the main gate on Sussex Dr.
- Wed to Sun from 10am to 3pm.
- (613) 998-7113, (613) 998-7114 or (800) 465-6890.
-
- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT (320 Sussex Dr.)
- Manufactures Canadian coins. Tours are not available in fall
- and winter months. (613) 993-5700.
-
- SHOPPING CENTRES
- Rideau Center (230 stores), attached to the Westin Hotel and
- Convention Centre; a 10-minute walk from Parliament Hill
- Bank Street Promenade (many stores, boutiques; some antique stores)
- Somerset Village
- St. Laurent Shopping Centre (over 200 stores), corner of St. Laurent
- and Queensway.
- Bayshore Shopping Centre (165 stores), in the west end, corner of
- Richmond Road and Queensway. Open until 10pm every weekday.
- Stittsville Flea Market, on Hazeldean Road. Open Sundays from 9am to
- 5 pm in the summer. Huge. (613) 836-5617.
-
- SOMERSET VILLAGE (On Somerset St. between Bank St. and O'Connor St.)
- Lined with restored Victorian homes that now host 50 small
- businesses, restaurants, boutiques, and outdoor cafe. Hosts many
- outdoor special events (danses, concerts, and exhibitions).
- (613) 233-7762.
-
- SPARKS STREET MALL (one block south of Parliament Hill)
- Pedestrian mall. Also houses some market stalls in the summer.
-
- SUPREME COURT OF CANADA (just a 5-minutes walk east of Parliament Hill)
- The lobby and courtroom are open to public on weekdays from 9am
- to 5pm. (613) 995-5361.
-
- WINTERLUDE
- 10-day winter carnival with sporting activities, entertainment,
- fireworks, ice sculptures, and more, centred around the ice-bound
- Rideau Canal.
-
-
- ** TORONTO **
-
- 5 hours of driving from Ottawa, about 6 hours from Montreal.
- International airport, train and bus stations.
-
- ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (Dundas St. West, 2 blocks west of University Ave.)
- 50 galleries showing a permanent collection of 600 years of
- creative endeavour. The Gallery also has an active program of
- special exhibitions. Wed to Sun and holiday Mondays.
-
- BLACK CREEK PIONEER VILLAGE (corner Jane St. and Steeles Avenue)
- A living Ontario village, which recreates with surprising
- realism the sights, sounds, and smells of a rural pioneer
- community of the pre-Confederation era. Flour is ground in
- the mill, horses are shod in the blacksmith's shop, the
- villagers wear period costumes and work at their pioneer
- crafts while you watch and wander.
-
- CANADA'S SPORTS HALL OF FAME (Exhibition Place, Lake Shore Blvd. West)
- A large well-established national sports museum displaying
- thousands of sports artifacts in its 3 galleries. Open daily.
-
- CANADA'S WONDERLAND (in Vaughan, north of Toronto)
- A 150-hectare theme park designed to entertain the whole family.
- Over 50 rides (8 roller coasters), live shows, and a new water
- theme called SplashWorks. Open daily from late May to Labour
- Day (1st Monday in Sept.); weekends in May and from Labour Day
- to Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October).
-
- CASA LOMA (1 Austin Terrace, near Davenport and Spadina)
- A fairy tale castle, creation of an industrialist and financier
- who spent $3 million in 1911 to build a rambling medieval-style
- castle to live in. Secret doorways, hidden rooms, etc. Open
- daily.
-
- CITY HALL (corner of Queen and Bay Sts.)
- A pair of curved towers. The huge forecourt, Nathan Phillips
- Square, is home of art shows, brass bands, people watchers,
- suntanners, and brown-baggers in summer. Skating is possible
- on the frozen pool in Winter. Check ahead for information on
- possibility of tours.
-
- CN TOWER (301 Front St. West)
- This is the world's tallest free-standing structure (553
- metres, 1815 feet). It's a tourist attraction as well as a
- communication tower. Indoor and outdoor observation decks and
- the world's largest revolving restaurant (no jeans, shorts,
- bermudas or running shoes in the restaurant) at 351 metres.
- From the highest observation deck (447 metres), you can see
- almost 160 km (100 miles) on a clear day. At night the city
- view is beautiful. Open daily; restaurant reservations are
- advisable if you're planning on dinner. As everyone knows,
- CN stands for Canadian National Railways.
-
- FORT YORK (Garrison Road, east of CNE grounds)
- Established in 1793, destroyed in 1813 (see 2.2) but rebuilt
- almost immediately. Now restored with 8 original log, stone,
- and brick buildings. The guard marches and demonstrates military
- skills to the strain of the fife and drum in the summer.
- Open daily.
-
- HARBOURFRONT
- A still developing urban playground combines recreation,
- shopping, and the arts. Permanent features include the Power
- Plant art gallery, craft studios, boutiques, restaurants, antique
- market, and a creative playground for children.
-
- THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME (Yonge and Front, old Bank of Montreal building)
- The name says it all. Open daily.
-
- METRO TORONTO ZOO (Northeast of city, 2 km north of Highway 401 on
- Meadowvale Rd.) 710 acres. Wear confortable shoes and take a
- whole day. Open all year, daily.
-
- ONTARIO PLACE (955 Lake Shore Blvd. West)
- Built over Lake Ontario on 3 artificial islands. You'll find an
- IMAX theatre ("Cinesphere"), exhibits, rides, playgrounds,
- restaurants, lawns for picnicking, a marina, and an outdoor
- amphitheatre. Open mid-May to beginning of Sept.; Cinesphere
- operates year round. [?]
-
- ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE (corner of Don Mills Rd. and Eglinton Ave. East)
- Intends to demonstrate that science and technology are a visible
- and engrossing part of our lives. Worth seeing. Open daily.
-
- PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT BUILDING (Queen's Park, north end of University Ave.)
- Was built in the late 1800s. Visitors can stroll the marble
- halls, take guided tours, or listen to the Members of Provincial
- Parliament in the Legislative Chamber.
- Tours: mid-May to Labour Day, daily; September to Mid-May, weekdays.
- House in session: Oct. to Dec. and Feb. to June.
-
- ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM (100 Queen's Park)
- Canada's largest public museum.
- Closed Mondays, except from Victoria Day (Monday preceding May 25)
- to Labour Day (1st Monday in September).
-
- SHOPPING
- Yonge Street (many stores)
- Eaton Centre (on Yonge St. from Queen to Dundas, 300 stores)
- Fairview Mall (Don Mills Rd. & Sheppard Ave.)
- The Promenade (Highway 7 & Bathurst St.)
- Scarborough Town Centre (Highway 401 and McCowan Rd.)
- Markville Shopping Centre (Highway 7 and MCCowan Rd.)
- Yorkdale (Dufferin St. and Highway 401)
- Dixie Value Mall (QEW and Dixie Rd., Mississauga)
-
- SKYDOME (corner of Front St. and John St.)
- Multi-purpose stadium with a fully retractable roof. Home of
- the Argos (football) and Blue Jays (baseball). It also hosts a
- variety of concerts. Tours are available if the facility is not
- in use.
-
- TORONTO ISLAND (a short ride on one of the Island ferries, no cars allowed)
- Playgrounds, rides, and a farm for kids, lots of space for
- picnickers, tennis courts (Hanlan's Point) and plenty more.
-
- TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE (The Exchange Tower, 2 First Canadian Place)
- Offers a Visitor Centre and presentations. Open weekdays.
- Presentations from Tue to Fri at 2pm.
-
- -
- 6.2.9 ... Prince Edward Island?
- 6.2.10 ... Quebec?
- 6.2.11 ... Saskatchewan?
-
- -
-
- 6.2.12 ... Yukon?
-
- The U.S. State Department Travel Advisory published some information on Yukon:
-
- The Yukon: The Yukon may be considered frontier territory in many
- areas. Facilities for car repair, while generally adequate, may
- sometimes be limited outside the larger communities. Because of the
- distances from major population centers, the cost of food, gasoline,
- and lodging often runs higher than in the continental United States.
-
- The Highway: The 1500 mile Alaska (formerly the Alcan) highway
- starts in Dawson Creek, British Colombia, and runs north and west
- through Fort St. John and Fort Nelson to the Yukon Territory towns
- of Watson Lake, the capital city of Whitehorse and onward into
- Fairbanks, Alaska. For most of its length, it is a two or four lane
- divided highway. Most of it is in good condition and previously
- rough sections have been repaired for the celebrations. The highway
- runs through some spectacularly beautiful areas, but much of the
- area is sparsely inhabited. Gas stations are spaced an average of
- 60 miles apart.
-
- Lodging: A full range of camping and motel lodging can be found in
- the Yukon. Further away from population centers, however, travelers
- can expect facilities to be basic. Several new motels and
- campgrounds are opening this year, but travelers are advised to have
- reservations -- particularly during the peak month of July. It
- might be wise to plan travel either a little earlier or a little
- later than peak season, e.g., late May or early September.
-
- Medical Care: The longest stretch between medical facilities is
- approximately 150 miles. As with car repair, medical facilities are
- limited outside of population centers. As in many foreign
- countries, most hospitals and clinics will insist on payment before
- discharge. While some (but not all) now accept Visa or Mastercard,
- most will not wait for payment from insurance companies.
- <Provided by Bob Gray>
-
- -----
-
- 6.3 What are the requirements to enter Canada as a tourist?
-
- You must have a valid reason to visit, be in good health, be law-abiding,
- have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants, and have a
- valid passport or travel documents. Return airline tickets are often
- required as well. Citizens or permanent residents of the USA, St. Pierre
- et Miquelon, and Greenland do not need a passport when entering directly
- from their country. However, proof of citizenship or permanent residence
- must be provided (birth certificate or resident alien card); also provide
- photo ID if the proof of citizenship has no photo.
-
- Visitors coming from certain countries will be required to present a
- visitor visa. It must be obtained at a visa office outside Canada.
- For these people, entry into Canada will not be granted without this
- document. People from countries requiring a visitor visa are
- encouraged to present a letter of invitation from friends or relatives
- in Canada. This letter should indicate the length of the stay and that
- the host confirms that he will provide any assistance required. To know
- if you require a visa to enter Canada, contact the nearest Canadian
- diplomatic mission.
-
- Visits in Canada should be of less than 180 days unless otherwise
- specified. The officers at the airport or at the border determine the
- length of visit. Visitors can not study or work in Canada during their
- stay -- to do so, you must apply for a student or employment authorization.
-
- -----
-
- 6.4 Do tourists in Canada get free health care?
-
- No. Only Canadian citizens and landed immigrants (i.e. permanent
- residents) can be covered by the governmental health insurance.
- Most provinces also have residency restrictions, even for Canadian
- citizens.
-
- If your country offers you free health insurance coverage, make sure
- to get some information on what it covers when you travel in Canada.
- You're always better to get private insurance. Insurance companies
- will often offer you cash advances to pay your doctor's bill. It could
- prevent you from spoiling your trip and having to wait months before
- your government insurance refunds you.
-
- -----
-
- 6.5 How can tourists get reimbursed for taxes paid while in Canada?
-
- Visitors may apply for Goods and Services Tax (GST) refunds for goods
- purchased for export from Canada and for lodging expenses. I've gotten
- pamphlets with the appropriate mail-in forms at Calgary International
- Airport. Duty-free stores at major border crossings have GST refund
- booths. Present your receipts to the person, who will record the
- amounts and GST numbers, stamp the receipts, and return them to you
- along with your refund in Canadian dollars. <Fred Grosby>
-
- Airport duty-free shops all originally signed up, then opted out of the
- program because the volume was too high. I can imagine that they got
- complaints from people who were in lineups and either missed their
- planes or had to leave and did not get their GST refund at the
- airport. The only airport duty-free that has remained in the program
- is the one in Quebec City, which does not have that much international
- traffic.
-
- If you apply for your refund by mail, Revenue Canada will send it in
- US$ if you are in the US, and C$ if you are anywhere else in the world.
- <David Sherman>
-
- Mail receipts to: Revenue Canada
- Customs, Excise and Taxation Visitor rebate program
- Ottawa, ON
- Canada
- K1A 1J5
-
- GST can be refunded on $100 or more of goods purchased for export plus
- lodging. You can also wait til you get home, and mail in your receipts
- with the form. How to get the form? I called revenue canada in Ottawa.
- Our motel owner also had them. <Louise Mallory>
-
- Taxes on restaurant bills can not be refunded because the expense was
- not done for lodging or for export.
-
- Provincial sales tax (PST) has its own rules which vary by province;
- some provinces do not allow any refunds for tourists.
-
- -----
-
- 6.6 U.S. State Department Travel Information on Canada
-
- May 27, 1993
-
- Country Description: Canada is a highly developed stable democracy
- with a modern economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. In
- northern and wilderness areas, tourist facilities are less developed
- and can be vast distances apart.
-
- Entry Requirements: Proof of U.S. citizenship and photo
- identification are required for travel to Canada. Visas are not
- required for tourists entering from the United States for stays up
- to 180 days. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country
- must have a valid passport or an official U.S. travel document. For
- further information, including information on student or business
- travel, travelers can contact the Embassy of Canada at 501
- Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, (202) 682-1740
- or the nearest Canadian consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo,
- Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New
- York, or Seattle.
-
- Medical Facilities: Good medical care is widely available. U.S.
- medical and auto insurance may not be valid in Canada. Travelers
- have found that in some cases, supplemental auto or medical
- insurance with specific Canadian coverage has proved to be useful.
- Further information on health matters can be obtained from the
- Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline on
- (404) 332-4559.
-
- Crime Information: Canada has a higher incidence of criminal
- activity in urban areas than in the countryside. Violent crimes
- such as murder, armed robbery, and rape occur infrequently. The
- loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported
- immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
- consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's
- pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more
- trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available from the
- Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
- Washington, D.C. 20402.
-
- Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to Canadian laws while
- they are in Canada. Penalties for possession, use, and dealing in
- illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail
- sentences and fines.
-
- Other Information: (a) Canadians consider driving under the
- influence of alcohol a serious offense. Penalties are heavy, and
- any prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the
- infraction) is grounds for exclusion from Canada. A waiver of
- exclusion may be obtained from Canadian Consulates in the United
- States, but requires several weeks. (b) Firearms are strictly
- controlled. In general, handguns are not permitted in Canada.
- Anyone wishing to take hunting rifles into Canada can contact in
- advance the nearest Canadian Consulate for detailed information and
- instructions. In all cases, travelers must declare to Canadian
- customs authorities any firearms in their possession when entering
- Canada. If a traveler is denied permission to take the firearm into
- Canada, there are in many cases facilities near the border crossing
- where firearms may be stored pending the traveler's return to the
- U.S. Canadian law requires that officials confiscate guns from
- those crossing the border who deny having guns in their possession.
- Confiscated guns are never returned. (c) It is illegal to take
- automobile radar detectors into the provinces of Quebec, Ontario,
- and Manitoba or into the Northwest territories. The police will
- confiscate radar detectors, whether in use or not, and impose fines
- up to one thousand dollars. (d) The prevailing language in Quebec
- province is French rather than English as in most of Canada.
- However, even in Quebec, English is spoken at most hotels and many
- tourist facilities.
-
- Registration: U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section
- at the U.S. Embassy or at a U.S. Consulate may obtain updated
- information on travel and security within Canada.
-
- Embassy and Consulate Locations: The U.S. Embassy in Canada is
- located at 100
- Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, telephone (613) 238-5335.
-
- There are also consulates in:
-
- Calgary, Alberta, at 615 Macleod Trail SE, (403) 266-8962;
-
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Suite 910, Cogswell Tower, Scotia Square,
- (902) 429-2480;
-
- Montreal, Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street, (514) 398-9695;
-
- Quebec City, Quebec, at 2 Place Terrasse Dufferin, (418) 692-2095;
-
- Toronto, Ontario, at 360 University Avenue, (416) 595-1700; and
-
- Vancouver, British Columbia, at 1095 West Pender Street, (604)
- 685-4311.
- <Provided by Bob Gray>
-
- -----
-
- 6.7 Canada-USA financial matters
-
- 6.7.1 Where is the best place to exchange US currency
- in Canada and vice versa?
-
- ( See the canada-faq file maintained by Brian Lucas for information
- concerning the exchange of US currency in Canada. )
-
- In the US, your best bet is hotels. Not only will they give a slightly
- better rate than the banks (consistently about 3-4 cents higher, in
- favour of Can$), but they are nicer and faster than US banks, and they
- do not require an account, as some banks have. <Stephanie Clarkson-Aines>
-
- The exchange rate at retail stores tends to get worse the farther you
- are from the Canada-US border. <Paul Ward>
-
- Pretty much every bank in the US that I have seen will exchange foreign
- currency. But they will charge outrageous spreads, that is, the
- difference between the buy rate and the sell rate. I have seen it as
- high as seven points. If the base exchange rate were $C1.20 to $US1,
- they would charge you $1.235 to buy a US dollar, and only give you
- $1.165 if you sold it at the end of your trip. In contrast, in Canada
- I have usually found that the spreads are at most 4.5 points. Canadian
- residents going to the US should exchange their money before leaving.
-
- People living in the Toronto area who want to exchange money to US or
- other major currencies should go to Friedberg Mercantile Exchange on
- Bay Street between Queen and King. They give the best rates; their
- spread is usually no more than 1.5 points (maybe 2). If you need to
- exchange, say, $5000, you will typically save about $75 over going to a
- bank. They will even give your money in US$ American Express travellers
- cheques at no additional charge. Their minimum transaction is $200.
- <Charles Kozierok>
-
- 6.7.2 What credit cards are accepted in Canada?
-
- Visa and MasterCard are generally accepted everywhere (restaurants,
- hotels, stores, ...). While American Express is widely accepted in
- hotels, large restaurants, and transportation companies, you might find
- that many restaurants, stores, boutiques, and cafes won't accept it.
-
- With Visa and MasterCard, you'll also be able to get cash advances at
- any bank machine in Canada. Every bank has an affiliation with either
- Visa or MasterCard (mostly Visa; the Bank of Montreal is the largest
- MasterCard bank).
-
- 6.7.3 Will I be able to pay my expenses in US dollars?
-
- Most hotels, stores, restaurants will accept US$, but they will give
- you a lower rate than banks or airports. For example, you might get
- C$1.10 when the rate is $1.20, or $1.20 when the rate is $1.32. Large
- hotels will usually give you a rate that approaches those at the bank.
-
- 6.7.4 May I cash or deposit US cheques (or checks :-) in Canada
- and vice versa?
-
- My sister has had terrible experiences with her Boston-area bank.
- They did not like to accept her Canadian cheques, even when they
- were cheques drawn on US dollar accounts. <Stewart Clamen>
-
- Once I deposited a cheque in Canadian funds at an American bank.
- The cheque took six months to clear and the bank took a US$40
- service charge. <Julie Heynssens>
-
- The problem is that the Canadian and US cheque-clearing systems are
- not integrated with each other. So if you present a cheque drawn on a
- Canadian bank -- even if the account at that bank is in US dollars --
- it is treated as a foreign item. I have had merchants tell me horror
- stories about such cheques -- they can take six weeks to clear, with
- the funds not being credited to the person's account till then, and
- service charges of $25 to $300 applying.
-
- The solution is to get a chequing account that clears through the US
- system. We have an account at Wood Gundy that does exactly that, and
- write cheques in the US all the time with no problems. <David Sherman>
-
- I have a friend who experienced similar problems when he tried to clear
- my cheque drawn on a US bank at his Canadian bank. While the cheque
- was cleared from my US account within days, the fund showed up at his
- Canadian bank some three weeks later. My friend had to use his
- certificate of deposit accounts as collateral to get the fund released.
- <Pi Hong>
-
- I have been quite successful getting cheques from US banks deposited in
- my CIBC (Cdn$) account without service charges. The tellers have
- always quoted a 3- or 4-week hold on the funds, but in actual fact the
- cheques have usually cleared in less than a week, and I have managed to
- get the customer service manager at my CIBC branch to authorize a
- reduction in the standard hold.
-
- It appears that CIBC uses my US bank, Wells Fargo, as a "correspondent"
- bank for handling US items. This probably explains why my deposited
- cheques written on my Wells Fargo account clear so quickly.
-
- According to the people at Wells Fargo Bank, a cheque I write on my
- account is considered to have been irrevocably paid as of the end of
- the next business day after their automated "Express Access" system
- says it had "posted" to my account. The extra day apparently gives the
- customer one last chance to stop payment.
-
- Things do not seem to be as tidy going the other way. The folks at
- Wells Fargo have told me that if I were to try to deposit a Canadian
- cheque in my Wells Fargo account, they would treat it as a collection
- item, that is, long delays and ridiculous fees. My solution so far has
- been to buy a US$ draft at CIBC and deposit that. <Rich Wales>
-
- Canadian bank account holders don't need to have a US dollar account to
- write cheques denominated in US dollars -- you just write on the cheque
- what currency payment is to be in, and the bank will charge a fee
- (about $5, I think). This works at the Royal Bank, and I assume the
- others are the same. Such cheques are not easily cleared in the US.
- <Mark Brader>
-
-
- 6.7.5 If I have an ATM card for my bank at home, can I make
- a withdrawal in Canada?
-
- Most of the major Canadian banks and trust companies are on the Plus
- network, and those that aren't on Plus are on Cirrus. (See 6.7.2;
- Cirrus is affiliated with MasterCard.) You get Canadian dollars,
- of course, and generally the exchange rate is good. Your bank will
- probably make a service charge of $2 or so for each withdrawal.
-
- Those whose banks are only on other networks are out of luck.
- <Mark Brader>
-
-
- 6.8 What is the weather like in Canada?
-
- Canada is the second-largest country in the world, in area, and the
- climate varies accordingly! However, to generalize...
-
- Maritimes: Winters are cold and very snow-filled with an average high
- around -5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit). Summers are generally mild,
- but rarely much above 25C (77F).
-
- Southern Ontario: September starts in the mid-20s C and by late
- October, it goes down to the low-10s. Winters are not overly cold and
- usually not a lot of snow with an average high about -5C or slightly
- warmer. Summers are usually hot.
-
- Prairies: One word should do it for summer and winter: extreme.
- Average January highs -10 to -15C (12-21F); average July highs 27-30C.
-
- Vancouver: Moderate in all seasons. I read somewhere that the record
- high temperature for Vancouver and the record low temp are only 40C
- apart. <Ken Breadner>
-
- (Average Lows and Highs in celsius for some Canadian cities)
-
- OTTAWA
-
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- H -5 -5 1 11 19 24 27 25 20 12 4 -3
- L -15 -15 -8 0 7 12 14 13 9 3 -2 -12
-
- QUEBEC CITY
-
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- H -7 -6 0 7 16 22 24 23 18 11 2 -5
- L -16 -15 -8 -1 5 11 14 12 8 3 -3 -12
-
- TORONTO
-
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- H 0 0 3 10 17 23 26 25 21 13 6 1
- L -8 -8 -4 1 7 12 15 14 11 4 0 -5
-
- VANCOUVER
-
- Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
-
- H 5 7 10 14 18 21 23 23 18 14 9 6
- L 0 1 3 4 8 11 12 12 9 7 4 2
-
- -----
-
- 6.9 How can I use European electrical equipment in Canada?
-
- Buy suitable adaptors before you come. Most stores in Canada only sell
- adaptors for our equipment to be used in other countries.
-
- The principal electricity standards here are the same as in the US.
- The nominal voltage is 120 V (often misquoted as 110, but variations of
- that size are not important anyway), the frequency is 60 Hz, and
- ungrounded plugs have two parallel flat pins.
-
- This assumes that you are only interested in using simple things like
- razors. If you are moving here and want to bring computers, sound
- systems, and the like, an adaptor may not suffice. TV broadcast
- standards are also quite different. <Mark Brader>
-
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- IMMIGRATION, EMIGRATION, AND EMPLOYMENT
-
- For more information, or confirmation of the following answers, contact
- a Canadian diplomatic mission or write to:
-
- Enquiries Centre
- Employment and Immigration Canada
- Ottawa, ON
- K1A 0J9
- Tel: (819) 994-6313
-
- 7.1 Who needs a Canadian passport and how do I go about getting one?
-
- Canadian passports are issued to Canadian citizens and are needed for
- travel to most other countries, except to the US. They last for five
- years, but the country you visit may require your passport to still
- be valid for a certain period after you arrive.
-
- To get one in Canada, first get the application form from any post
- office or passport office. The form has the full details, but in
- brief, you need:
- - your photo taken by a professional photographer
- - to supply proof of citizenship and the like ("supporting documents")
- - to have your answers guaranteed by another person who knows you and
- whose occupation is on a list provided (there is also a procedure
- to follow if you do not know such a person); and
- - to pay the fee.
- If you deliver the form to a passport office, you will wait in line and
- then they will go over it with you and return your supporting documents,
- and the passport is ready in less than a week.
-
- Alternatively, you can trust your documents to Canada Post.
-
- If you are outside Canada, contact a Canadian consulate or embassy.
- <Mark Brader>
-
- -----
-
- 7.2 What are the addresses of some Canadian embassies and consulates?
-
- USA
-
- Embassy of Canada
- 501 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
- Washington, DC 20001
- Ph: 202-682-1740 [<--need verification]
- 202-682-1760 for visa immigration inquiries
-
- Canadian Consulate General Canadian Consulate General
- 400 South Tower Three Copley Place
- 1 CNN Tower Suite 400
- Atlanta, GA 30303-2705 Boston, MA 02116
-
- Canadian Consulate Canadian Consulate General
- 1 Marine Midland Center 2 Prudential Plaza
- Suite 3550 180 North Stetson Avenue
- Buffalo, NY 14203-2884 Suite 2400
- Chicago, IL 60601
-
- Canadian Consulate Canadian Consulate General
- 55 Public Square St. Paul Place, Suite 1700
- Suite 1008 750 North St. Paul Street
- Cleveland, OH 44113 Dallas, TX 75201
- (214) 922-9806
- Fax: (214) 922-9815
-
- Canadian Consulate General Canadian Consulate General
- 600 Renaissance Center 300 South Grand Avenue
- Suite 1100 10th Floor, California Plaza
- Detroit, MI 48243-1704 Los Angeles, CA 90071
- (213) 687-7432 [<--need verification]
-
- Canadian Consulate General Canadian Consulate General
- 701 Fourth Avenue South 1251 Avenue of the Americas
- Suite 900 Exxon Building, 16th Floor
- Minneapolis, MN 55415-1899 New York, NY 10020-1175
-
- Canadian Consulate General
- 412 Plaza 600
- Sixth and Stewart
- Seattle, WA 98101-1286
-
-
- Austria Canadian Embassy
- Dr. Karl Lueger Ring 10
- A-1010 Vienna
- Austria
- Tel. +43 1 533-3691
- Telex (Destination code 47) 11-5320 (DMCAN A)
- Fax +43 1 533-4473
-
- France Canadian Embassy
- 35, avenue Montaigne, 75008
- Paris, France
- Tel. +33 1 44 43 32 00
- Telex (Destination code 42) 651806 (CANADA 651806F)
- Fax +33 1 44 43 34 98
-
- Canadian Consulate
- Bonnel Part-Dieu Building
- 74, rue de Bonnel, 3rd Floor
- 69428 Lyon Cedex 03
- France
- Tel. +33 72 61 15 25
- Telex (Destination code 42) 380003 (CANADA)
- Fax +33 78 62 09 36
-
- Germany Canadian Embassy
- Friedrich-Wilhelm-Strasse 18
- D-5300 Bonn 1,
- Germany
- Tel. +49 228 23 10 61
- Telex (Destination code 41) 886421 (DOMCA D)
- Fax +49 228 23.61.70
-
- Canadian Consulate General
- Tal 29
- D-8000 Munich 2
- Germany
- Tel. +49 89 22 26 61
- Telex (Destination code 0411) 5214139 (CAND D)
- Fax +49 89 228 5987
-
- Great Britain Canadian High Commission
- Macdonald House
- One Grosvenor Square
- London, W1X 0AB
- England
- Tel. +44 71 258-6600
- Telex (Destination code 51) 261592 (CDALDING)
- Fax +44 71 258-6384
-
- -----
-
- 7.3 Does the free trade agreement mean that an American can
- work in Canada and vice versa?
-
- The US-Canada Free Trade Agreement (hereafter the FTA) has a provision
- whereby citizens of the US and Canada *in certain professions* may work
- in the other country without having to get a normal work authorization.
- In the US, it means you get a TC-1 visa instead of an H-1; in Canada
- it means you get an "FTA Professional Authorization" instead of a
- "Work Authorization".
-
- Here's the list of covered professions:
-
- accountant
- engineer
- scientist
- biologist
- biochemist
- physicist
- geneticist
- zoologist
- entomologist
- geophysicist
- epidemiologist
- pharmacologist
- animal scientist
- agriculturist (agronomist)
- dairy scientist
- poultry scientist
- soil scientist
- research assistant (working in a post-secondary educational institution)
- medical or allied professional
- physician (teaching and/or research only)
- dentist
- registered nurse
- veterinarian
- medical technologist
- clinical lab technologist
- architect
- lawyer
- teacher
- college
- university
- seminary
- economist
- social worker
- vocational counselor
- mathematician (baccalaureate)
- hotel manager (baccalaureate + 3 yrs experience)
- librarian (MLS)
- animal breeder
- plant breeder
- horticulturist
- sylviculturist (forestry specialist)
- range manager (range conservationist)
- forester
- journalist (baccalaureate + 3 yrs experience)
- nutritionist
- dietician
- technical publications writer
- computer systems analyst
- psychologist
- management consultant (baccalaureate + 3 yrs experience)
- disaster relief insurance claims adjuster
- scientific technician/technologist
- must:
- a) work in direct support of professionals in the following disciplines:
- chemistry, geology, geophysics, meteorology, physics, astronomy,
- agricultural sciences, biology or forestry;
- b) possess theoretical knowledge of the discipline;
- c) solve practical problems in the discipline; and
- d) apply principles of the discipline to basic or applied research.
- <Marcy Thompson>
-
-
- 7.3.1 OK, my profession is on the list. What do I (as a Canadian)
- need to do to work in the US?
-
- The "TC Temporary Professional" (TC stands for "trade Canada") visa
- has been available since January 1, 1989.
-
- For this TC visa, you must:
-
- - enter from Canada;
- - have proof of Canadian citizenship in the form of a birth certificate and
- photo-ID or a passport that is valid for at least six months after the
- end of the employment period (landed immigrant status is not acceptable);
- - provide sufficient documentation of your professional credentials in one of
- the qualifying professions;
- - have proof of employment plans, such as a written offer of employment,
- in your profession;
- - pay exactly US$50; and
- - be prepared to spend up to two hours at an airport or probably less
- at a Class 'A' (i.e. land, sea or air border) point-of-entry.
-
- Your credentials and position stated in your offer of employment must
- match a profession listed on the Immigration and Naturalization Service
- (INS) master list for TC's. For example, engineer is a listed
- profession, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in any discipline or
- state/provincial licencing. To get a full one year visa, your offer
- must show support by the employer for that period.
-
- The job offer must contain the following information:
-
- - A term of employment of duration not greater than one year.
- - Job title from one of the professions on the list. If you work for a
- company that uses fixed titles, such as Software Engineer III, and you
- are trying to get a visa as a computer systems analyst, the letter
- should say, "as a Software Engineer III, Company X's internal job
- classification for persons who perform the duties of a computer
- systems analyst".
- - Description of duties.
- - Salary(optional?). They may want to know that you can live on your salary.
-
- As a precautionary measure, be sure to have a second letter addressed
- to the INS. Phone the INS headquarters in Washington if you cannot
- find people to properly handle your application. Documents that state
- the laws governing the FTA can be obtained by calling the Buffalo
- District office at 716-846-4739. US Consulates in Canada also have an
- information card on this.
-
- You can only get the visa when you are ready to start your trip. In
- other words, you cannot get the visa one day and travel to your
- destination another day.
-
- The TC visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times. If after a
- year you still want to work in the US, exit the country to Canada and
- re-enter as before. Alternatively, with about three months left in
- your TC, get a local INS department to renew it at a cost of about
- US$35.
-
- The final choice is to apply for permanent residence under the third
- preference category of desirable professionals. Your employer must
- sign an affidavit of support, and you do not have to leave the US to
- apply. Applicants for permanent residence are placed on a waiting list
- for occupational green cards, but the TC visa must be kept current. An
- application would take about one year to complete. The US State
- Department can be contacted for general visa information at
- 202-663-1225. The number of its BBS is 202-647-9225.
-
- If you lose your job, you cannot do anything else until you get a
- modification of the TC-1 after receiving a new job offer in the same
- field.
-
- Few people in either the US or Canada know of the existence of the TC;
- you may have some trouble convincing them that you are legally entitled
- to work by virtue of your citizenship and your profession. Security
- clearances can also be a factor. Since the Reagan Administration,
- non-US citizens are not able to get jobs classified Top Secret or above
- -- not even Permanent Residents.
-
- If you do not fall under the provisions of the FTA, that is, cannot
- get a TC-1, you can try and get an H-1. H-1 visas are non-renewable(?)
- and last for up to five years. This is much harder and more time
- consuming, and involves a lot more than just showing up at the border
- with documentation.
-
-
- 7.3.2 What do I need to do (as an American) to be able to
- work in Canada?
-
- The US-Canada Free Trade Agreement also provides a streamlined way for
- skilled Americans to work in Canada on a temporary basis. However, if
- you are looking to move to Canada permanently, this will probably not
- help you unless you can find an employer that wants you badly enough to
- try and get special immigration clearance for you (see the question
- "How can I immigrate to Canada as a non-family-class immigrant?") and
- will hire you via the Free Trade setup until the special clearance
- comes through.
-
- Here is what is needed to get a work permit:
-
- a. Proof of US citizenship (birth certificate and passport);
- b. A written job offer from a Canadian employer;
- c. Professional credentials for the appropriate job category:
- a university degree and, if required, proof of experience; and
- d. C$100 cash.
-
- Salary will be subject to Canadian taxes. US citizens must file US
- income tax returns no matter where in the world they live, even if they
- have no US income. All world income of a US citizen is subject to US
- income tax. You get to deduct foreign tax paid on foreign income as a
- tax credit, and since most countries have a higher tax rate than the
- US, it is mostly a matter of filing.
-
- A permit can be made on the spot in about 15 minutes when you arrive at
- the border. Permits are good for a year at a time and can be renewed
- indefinitely; just cross into the US with your renewed job offer and
- all your paperwork, and do it again. Ask the immigration official to
- issue the permit on the spot since the fast mail-in method takes over a
- month. Possession of an FTA work authorization entitles you to
- provincial medical insurance and allows you to bring your school-age
- children into Canada with a student visa.
-
- -----
-
- 7.4 How do I become a Canadian citizen?
-
- It is possible to obtain landed immigrant status in Canada (see the
- question "How can I immigrate to Canada as a non-family-class
- immigrant?"). Anyone who wants to become a Canadian citizen must first
- become a landed immigrant and wait three years before applying for
- citizenship. It is also possible for someone to be a landed immigrant
- and never apply for Canadian citizenship at all.
-
- The main things a landed immigrant cannot do are vote, serve on a jury,
- and run for elective office. Also, without citizenship, there is the
- risk of being deported or refused reentry to Canada if you commit a
- serious crime, if you get horribly ill while outside the country, or if
- you leave Canada for an extended period of time (generally more than
- six months in any 12-month period). <Rich Wales>
-
- -----
-
- 7.5 Once I'm a landed immigrant, can I travel in and out of Canada
- whenever I want?
-
- If you are currently a landed immigrant of Canada but a citizen of
- another country and need to leave for more than six months, you can
- apply for a Returning Resident Permit. It costs about C$75, and can be
- obtained at any Canadian Immigration Office or Consulate. It is good
- for one year, but can be extended for up to two years. If it is to
- expire before your planned return, you can reapply, but you have to
- re-pay the fee. This allows you to hold your landed immigrant status
- "in limbo" while you are away. You have to exhibit a distinct interest
- in returning back to Canada in order to be eligible. <Joel DeYoung>
-
- To get a Returning Resident Permit, you will be required to provide
- proof that the departure is temporary and that you will not be abandoning
- Canada as your place of permanent residence. A copy of your passport,
- 3 passport size photos, a copy of your record of landing, and letters of
- a lawyer, school, doctor, or others justifying your absence from Canada
- will be required.
-
- -----
-
- 7.6 Can I be a dual Canadian-American citizen?
-
- Canada's citizenship laws freely permit dual citizenship with any other
- country or countries in the world. Hence, it is not necessary to give
- up one's previous citizenship in order to become a Canadian unless the
- other country requires this. In particular, it is not necessary for an
- American to give up American citizenship in order to become a Canadian
- citizen.
-
- US law used to mandate loss of citizenship for anyone who became a
- citizen of another country, with few if any exceptions. However,
- several things have happened since that time: two decisions of the
- Supreme Court in 1967 and 1980; changes to the Immigration and
- Nationality Act by Congress in 1986; and changes by the State
- Department to their administrative procedures for handling dual
- citizenship cases in 1990.
-
- The current situation is almost the opposite of what it used to be.
- The State Department will now assume that a US citizen who acquires or
- asserts citizenship in another country intended to keep his or her US
- citizenship as well. In order to lose one's US status in such a
- situation, one must now either explicitly petition for revocation of
- citizenship, or else do one of a very limited number of things which
- are generally considered to be wholly incompatible with a wish to
- retain US ties.
-
- A "Dual Citizenship FAQ" has been prepared for people interested in the
- current state and some of the history of US law as it relates to dual
- citizenship and loss of US citizenship. To get the "Dual Citizenship
- FAQ", send mail to richw@mks.com. For example:
-
- From: someone@somewhere.com
- To: richw@mks.com
- Subject: send dualcit
-
- Please be sure to spell the phrase "send dualcit" precisely as shown,
- and put it in the "Subject:" line of your message's header. Otherwise,
- the automatic handler for my incoming mail will not recognize your
- request.
-
- I am not a lawyer, and my "Dual Citizenship FAQ" should not be taken as
- official legal advice. If you are in a dual citizenship situation or
- are contemplating such a move, you may wish to discuss things with a
- lawyer who is knowledgeable about the latest developments in this
- aspect of US law, as well as the laws of the other country you are
- involved with. <Rich Wales>
-
- -----
-
- 7.7 How will my credit rating in my country affect me in Canada?
-
- CIBC (where we have a chequing account) initially refused to give me
- a VISA because I had only been in Canada for a few weeks and I had
- no Canadian credit history. They refused to consider my US credit
- history, period. I offered copies of my US credit reports for them
- to examine, but they were not interested because they said they
- could not verify their authenticity. I finally got a CIBC VISA
- with a C$500 credit limit through the personal intervention of my
- branch's manager.
-
- Scotiabank told me not even to bother applying for a VISA until I had
- been at my current job for at least three months.
-
- T-D initially refused to give me a VISA because I had not been at my
- current job for at least two years. After a long talk with one of
- their credit people, they agreed to reconsider my history with VISA
- cards in the US, and I eventually got a T-D VISA with a reasonable
- limit.
-
- Citibank Canada welcomed my VISA application with open arms because I
- already had a Citibank card from the US. They gave me a VISA with
- a high limit (but also a high interest rate) with no hassle.
-
- My impression is that Canadian lenders do have ways of accessing US
- credit info, but they have to go through some kind of broker and this
- costs them money. This may explain why, for example, Zellers and Sears
- readily grabbed my US credit history, but CIBC insisted they could not
- do this.
-
- It may also help to get one or more VISA cards in the US (as opposed to
- MasterCard) before moving to Canada, since most of the major Canadian
- banks offer VISA, and at least the T-D seems to have a way of accessing
- VISA info even if getting my entire credit history from the US was too
- much of a hassle. A US Citibank VISA might be a particularly good
- inroad to the Canadian credit market, since Citibank Canada has a
- special program in place for holders of Citibank cards from the US.
-
- If you get turned down, call the bank back and discuss the matter with
- their credit department. If the first person you get on the phone
- mumbles some boilerplate stuff about a "computerized profile", politely
- insist that you wish to know exactly why you were turned down. You may
- need to ask for a supervisor, since the first person may be a "droid"
- with no access to detailed information and no authority to do anything
- for you anyway. <Rich Wales>
-
- -----
-
- 7.8 Immigrating to Canada
-
- 7.8.1 How can I immigrate to Canada as an independent class
- immigrant?
-
- You can look for work in Canada with the understanding that (1) you
- cannot legally work in Canada until/unless you are accepted for
- immigration or get a temporary work permit, and (2) employers are
- unlikely to give you any serious consideration until after you have
- been accepted for immigration or get a work permit. There is a
- procedure whereby an employer can petition the Canadian government for
- clearance to hire a foreigner (actually, they ask the government to
- give the person in question extra preference for immigration selection)
- -- but in order to accomplish this, the government has to be convinced
- that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to fill the
- job and is even minimally able to meet the qualifications for the job.
- That is, even if you are the best candidate, the company still has to
- hire someone already in the country if such a person can be found who
- can do the job "well enough" and is willing to take it. Foreigners
- cannot live with friends in Canada until and unless they get permission
- from the Canadian government.
-
- For people who want to move to parts of Canada other than Quebec, the
- federal government's selection criteria give equal preference to
- facility in English or French, with extra points if you speak both.
- The immigration officials have a fair amount of discretionary authority
- in evaluating applications, and if, for example, you speak only French
- but propose to move to Toronto (where most people speak only English),
- you might lose points based on your likely inability to succeed in
- finding work and integrating yourself into the community. But the idea
- in such a situation is not to discriminate against French speakers as
- such in non-French-speaking parts of Canada, but simply to recognize
- that such an applicant is going to have a harder time immigrating to a
- place where he/she does not know the dominant language of the region.
-
- Prospective immigrants to Canada who wish to go to Quebec are handled
- by Quebec's own immigration office. General eligibility issues such as
- security (criminal record checks) and health are still handled by the
- Canadian federal government, but the selection criteria (education,
- work experience, etc.) are handled by Quebec. Quebec's immigrant
- selection criteria, from what I understand, give heavy preference to
- people who speak French and have some familiarity with Quebec through
- having spent time there on vacations or whatever. An applicant for
- Quebec can get a few points for speaking English, but not nearly so
- many as if he or she speaks French.
-
- As for promoting the immigration of "highly qualified" people, the
- Canadian system does base the selection of immigrants primarily on the
- basis of job skills rather than national or regional quotas or other
- such methods. The Canadian government uses a frequently updated list
- of high-demand occupational categories with varying "points" given to
- people qualified to do various kinds of work. If your occupation is
- not in the occupational demand list, this is an automatic bar to
- immigration unless you get an "approved" job offer. You can get an
- "approved" job offer if an employer wants to hire you and can convince
- the government that no available Canadian citizen or landed immigrant
- is even minimally qualified to do the job in question and is willing to
- take the job. You will get ten points for a job offer, and your
- immigration application will be considered even without points for
- occupational demand. For example, university professors are not on the
- occupational demand list, but Canadian universities still manage to
- import foreign faculty members via the approved job offer mechanism.
- In practice, it is very difficult to meet the criteria for an approved
- job offer, and the submission process is a major bureaucratic hassle
- for the employer. Hence, you are unlikely to get such an offer unless
- someone wants you very badly. Quebec's separate immigrant selection
- system works similarly, but they use their own occupational demand list
- which is keyed specifically for the job market in Quebec.
-
- People who want to move to Canada need to file a lengthy application in
- triplicate with a sizable stack of supporting documents. The whole
- process is likely to cost at least US$400, which is non-refundable even
- if you are turned down, and to take a year or more. If you want to pursue
- the possibility of immigrating to Canada, contact the nearest Canadian
- consulate and tell them you are interested in applying for immigration.
- They will send you free of charge a short questionnaire that you should
- fill out and mail back. If the people at the consulate decide you are
- a reasonable prospect, they will send you the "real" forms, which will
- cost plenty of money to file. In preparation for all of this, start
- now to gather things like:
-
- ==> birth and marriage certificates;
- ==> school diplomas and transcripts;
- ==> lists of everywhere you have ever lived, every job you have ever had,
- and every organization you have ever belonged to since you turned
- 18, including such things as school student body organizations
- where membership was automatic by virtue of attending the school in
- question;
- ==> your complete medical history, including any nontrivial illness or
- accident you have ever had and every time you have ever been a
- patient in a hospital; and
- ==> financial records to document your assets, debts, income, etc.
-
- You will need all the above, either together with your application or
- to show to the immigration officer when or if they call you in for an
- interview. <Rich Wales>
-
- Employment and Immigration Canada uses a selection system to recruit
- various types of independent applicants
-
- 1. Self-employed
- A person who will set up or buy a business that will help
- Canadian economy, culture or arts.
-
- 2. Entrepreneur
- A person who will set up, buy or invest in a business in which
- he/she will be involved at the management level.
-
- 3. Investors
- A person worth at least $500,000 with management experience.
- The applicant has to present an investment proposal that will
- help create jobs in Canada.
-
- 4. Assisted relatives
- A person whom is the parent, grandparent, niece, nephew,
- brother, sister, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, grandson, or
- granddaughter of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident will
- automatically get 5 supplemental points.
-
-
- All independent applicants must apply at a visa office outside Canada
- (Embassy, Consulate, High Commission)
-
- The point system is based the following factors:
-
- Maximum
- Points Factor
-
- 12 Education
- 8 Experience
- 18 Specific vocational preparation
- 10 Occupation
- 10 Arranged employment or designated occ.
- 8 Demographic factor
- 10 Age (10 points if 21-44; 2 points deducted for each
- year under 21 or over 44)
- 15 Knowledge of English and/or French
- 10 Personal suitability (e.g. do you plan on living in Toronto
- if you speak only French?)
- 5 Bonus for assisted relatives
- 30 Bonus for self-employed immigrants
-
- Minimum selection units required per category
-
- Entrepreneur 25
- Investor 25
- self-employed 70 (includes 30 bonus points)
- skilled worker 70
- assisted relative 70 (includes 5 bonus points for assisted relatives)
-
- Applicants must also meet medical and security requirements.
- Processing fees are $450 or more.
-
-
- 7.8.2 According to the point system, what occupations are
- most needed in Canada?
-
- Systems Analysts, computer programmers and related occupations
-
- Audiologists, speech pathologists, clinical occupational therapy
- specialists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, remedial
- gymnast [?]
-
- Radiotherapy technician, prosthetist-orthotist, respiratory
- technologist, electroencephalographic tech.
-
- Chef-cook general, head chef, banquet chef, cook-small establishment,
- chef, patissier, chef, saucier, chef, rotisseur, cook-domestic,
- chef-garde-manger, chef, entremetier, cateretr, cook-institution,
- working sous-chef, cook - kosher foods, cook - foreign foods, cook-first,
- cook - theraputic diet, cook-camp
-
- Bench moulder
-
- A whole list that I am too lazy to type out (42 items) under the
- category of industrial, farm, and construction machinery mechanics
- and repairers.
-
- The following designated occupations are in special demand in
- certain provinces:
-
- Newfoundland: Occupational therapist, physiotherapist
- PEI: (None)
- New Brunswick: (Consultations not complete)
- Quebec: (Exclusive provincial selection of independent immigrants)
- Ontario: Design and development engineer, electrical and electronic,
- occupational therapist, physiotherapist
- Manitoba: (None)
- Saskatchewan: Occupational therapist; physiotherapist
- Alberta: Speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist,
- dental hygienist
- Brit. Columbia: Speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist,
- dental hygienist, farmer, nursery
- NWT: No designations
- Yukon: No designations
-
- Notes: 10 assessment points for the occupation factor, 10 points
- for designated occupation under the arranged employment factor,
- processing priority for designated occupations as defined in
- the Regulations. <Alice Ramirez>
-
-
- 7.8.3 May I immigrate to Canada as a sponsored immigrant?
-
- I have also been told that if you show up at the Canada-US border
- married, the immigration officer can at his or her discretion issue you
- a visa on the spot. <Maurice Charland>
-
- Any Canadian citizen or permanent resident over 19 years old can sponsor
- members of his/her family. The categories of relatives that can be
- sponsored are the following:
-
- Spouse* or Fiance(e)**
- Dependent children***
- Parents and grandparents
- Brothers, sisters, nephews & nieces under 19 years old and unmarried
- A child under 19 that will be adopted
-
- *If newlyweds, the authorities will want to ensure that it isn't
- a marriage of convenience.
- **As above, and the wedding must be scheduled.
- ***A child is dependent if:
- 1. Under 19 and unmarried; or
- 2. Full-time student 19 or over and financially dependent; or
- 3. Disabled and financially dependent.
-
- Any family member who enters Canada via sponsorship will be dependent on
- the sponsor for financial security, and will not be eligible for welfare
- payments for [7?] years.
-
- The processing fee is $450 (not refundable). Once the sponsorship is
- approved, a letter will be sent indicating the processing time.
-
- Also read the previous question (7.8.1) for information on assisted
- relatives.
-
- -----
-
- 7.9 How do I import an automobile into Canada from the US?
-
- Cars built for the US market through and including the 1984 model year
- can be imported into Canada with no problems, as long as they were
- originally built to US specifications and have the standard notice,
- which is usually a metal plate riveted into the driver's side door jamb.
-
- However, many cars built for the US market starting with the 1985 model
- year do not meet Canadian safety requirements and are not eligible for
- importation to Canada. Contact Transport Canada in Ottawa at
- 613-998-2174 and ask specifically regarding the make, model, and year
- of your car. The list from Transport Canada is consulted by Canadian
- customs people in deciding whether to allow you to bring your car in.
-
- As of fall 1992, certain fairly minor issues can be taken care of by
- the vehicle owner after importation. The Canada Motor Vehicle Safety
- Standard (CMVSS) requires a car being imported from the US to include
- km/h markings on the speedometer -- but most cars already have such
- markings, and if not, you are permitted to buy a set of stickers and
- put them on the plastic cover of the instrument panel. The CMVSS does
- not require an odometer reading in miles to be replaced with one
- reading in kilometres. Daytime running lights (DRL's) are required for
- importation of a car of the 1990 model year or later -- but this
- requirement can be satisfied by adding a DRL kit (from Canadian Tire or
- similar stores, or from the car dealer in Canada if available) after
- bringing the car into Canada. Also, if a car has air bags, the CMVSS
- requires the maintenance label to be bilingual (English/French). But
- again, this can be done by having a dealer in Canada stick on a new
- label. The importer is required to sign something at Customs promising
- to follow through on the issue(s) involved.
-
- However, the more major problems cannot be fixed to the satisfaction of
- Transport Canada. The three crucial issues that determine whether a
- car is on the importable list or not are: bumper strength (8 km/h or
- 5 mph collision test in Canada); seat belt anchorage strength (many
- US-spec cars do not meet the Canadian requirements); and child seat
- tether anchorage strength (Canada requires tether straps on all
- front-facing "toddler" seats, and newer cars must have a place to
- attach the tether strap to). If a car does not meet all these
- requirements, you are out of luck. In particular, Canada does not
- presently allow "grey-market conversion" of a non-complying car to meet
- the CMVSS.
-
- Contact US Customs at the place where you plan to cross the border into
- Canada, at least three days prior to the intended emigration date, and
- give or mail them a notarized copy of the title certificate for your
- car. Then, before crossing the border, stop at the US Customs office
- and let them check the VIN of your car. The intent of this rule is
- apparently to curb the smuggling of stolen cars out of the US, by
- allowing Customs to run a records check on the VIN number of your car.
-
- However, this export rule seems to be little known, even by moving
- companies. When I moved to Canada in December 1992, I asked the movers
- about what I should do to help them meet the requirements of this
- export rule. It turned out that even people at the highest levels of
- the moving company in question had no idea what I was talking about.
- Inquiries to other companies revealed a similar ignorance regarding the
- situation.
-
- In the end, I managed to send a notarized copy of the title to the
- right customs office (the moving company could not tell me where the
- van would cross the border until the day after our pickup!) -- but the
- truck driver neglected to stop at US Customs before entering Canada,
- and when asked about this later on, he tried to tell me this was not
- necessary. Fortunately, the Canadian customs people did not seem to
- care or even ask. I eventually managed to get a letter from US Customs
- absolving me of any liability in this situation, and I definitely plan
- to carry a copy of said letter with me the next time I cross the
- border. <Rich Wales>
-
- You need to get forms from customs and pay C$100 to bring your car in.
- <Brian Fisher>
-
- -----
-
- 7.10 Does a Canadian citizen need a visa to visit country X?
-
- Contact a consulate or embassy of country X.
-
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- TAXATION
-
- 8.1 What kind of income taxes does one have to pay in Canada?
-
- The 1993 marginal income tax rates on salary are:
-
- British Columbia Ontario Quebec
-
- $ 6.8 - 29.6K 25.0 $ 6.8 - 29.6K 25.9% $ 6.8 - 7.7K 13.9%
- 29.6 - 33.4 39.0 29.6 - 33.4 40.4 7.7 - 14.0 31.8
- 33.4 - 38.7 39.6 33.4 - 38.7 41.0 14.0 - 23.0 33.8
- 38.7 - 54.5 40.4 38.7 - 52.2 41.9 23.0 - 29.6 35.8
- 54.5 - 59.2 43.2 52.2 - 59.2 44.4 29.6 - 32.5 43.6
- 59.2 - 63.3 48.1 59.2 - 63.3 49.6 32.5 - 33.4 44.7
- 63.3 - 79.3 49.6 63.3 - 67.8 51.0 33.4 - 38.7 45.6
- 79.3 and up 51.1 67.8 and up 52.4 38.7 - 50.0 46.6
- 50.0 - 54.2 47.7
- 54.2 - 59.2 48.9
- 59.2 - 63.3 51.5
- 63.3 and up 52.9
-
- Deductions or credits on income tax are available for contributions
- to pension plans and registered retirement savings plans, individuals
- supporting family members, tuition fees, investment expenses, etc.
-
- Marginal income tax rates for other provinces and other details can be
- found in the July 24, 1993, edition of The Financial Post.
-
- -----
-
- 8.2 How can I contact Revenue Canada? The Canadian Tax Foundation?
-
- Revenue Canada Canadian Tax Foundation
- Ottawa District Office Suite 1800
- 360 Lisgar Street 1 Queen Street East
- Ottawa, ON Toronto, ON
- K1A 1A2 M5C 2Y2
-
- -----
-
- 8.3 How can tourists get reimbursed for taxes paid while in Canada?
-
- See the same question under Information for Travellers.
-
- -----
-
- 8.4 Do I have to pay Canadian taxes if I work or live abroad?
-
- [ needs to be generalized ]
-
- One thing Canadians working temporarily in the US should look at is
- whether they can get out of paying into the Federal Insurance
- Contributions Act. The US/Canada tax treaty has wording that allows
- nationals of one country working temporarily in the other to continue
- paying into their home country's social security system and avoid
- paying in the country where they temporarily reside and work. The
- advantage of paying less than C$1000 for Canada Pension Plan instead of
- US$4000 (plus another US$4000 from an employer in matching funds)
- should not be underestimated. Ten years of payment into the CPP
- clinches a minimal pension.
-
- You must work out of Canada for two years to be tax free; otherwise you
- owe Ottawa and your province the difference between what you paid in US
- taxes and what you owe in Canadian taxes. This may apply to Canadians
- working with a TC-1, too. <Norbert Schlenker, Gary Dare>
-
- -----
-
- 8.5 What are the customs clearing fees of some couriers?
-
- United Parcel Service (UPS) charges:
-
- Brokerage $5.25 for goods valued less than $40
- $14.20 for goods valued between $40 and $100
- Surcharge min. $3 for collecting the GST
- COD charge $40 unless you give them a VISA number
-
- Plus the GST (Goods and Services Tax) or duty.
-
- All this for one- to two-week delivery.
-
- For a US$35 manual they charged me $24.91 of fees. I am appealing it
- to their refunds department because I was told when they phoned that it
- would be "about $5 plus GST". And I was not told that there would be a
- COD charge that could be avoided by giving them a VISA number.
-
- If you are dealing with a large shipper in the US they may have very
- low Federal Express rates, usually in the $12 to $15 range.
- <Stuart Lynne>
-
-
- The July 1993 issue of Toronto Computes! (a monthly tabloid) has a very
- useful article and table comparing the costs of various couriers.
-
- In brief, DHL and FedEx do not charge customs clearing fees, Purolator
- charges only for non-express goods over $20 in value, and UPS and
- Canada Post always charge at least $5.
-
- DHL, FedEx, and Purolator will even let you clear your own goods, if you
- feel for whatever reason that their staff may make an error in processing
- your shipment. Canada Post and UPS will not.
-
- DHL, FedEx, and Purolator allow the sender to prepay duty and taxes.
- Canada Post and UPS do not.
-
- On the other hand, UPS is the only company that will appeal an incorrect
- calculation to Canada Customs for you "for free", except that since
- they will not give you back the original fee, which can be more
- than the appeal fee for other couriers, this advantage is dubious.
- Canada Post will not submit appeals on your behalf. <John J. Chew III>
-
- I send stuff to the US via Priority Post. I pay a premium to do this
- but have never had a problem with them. They tell me it will be in
- Texas tomorrow afternoon and it is.
-
- Priority Post charges $25.00 per envelope and $50.00 per 10 pounds of
- stuff on average. Like I said, a premium for premium service.
- <Dennis Breckenridge>
-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS
-
- 9.1 Where can I get information on Canadian industry and trade?
-
- Industry, Science and Technology Canada (ISTC) and External Affairs and
- International Trade Canada (EAITC) provide services, information products,
- and programs in industry and trade matters.
-
- ISTC EAITC
- C.D. Howe Building InfoExport
- 1st Floor, East Tower Lester B. Pearson Building
- 235 Queen Street 125 Sussex Drive
- Ottawa, Ontario Ottawa, Ontario
- K1A 0H5 K1A 0G2
- Tel. 613-952-4782 [952-ISTC] Tel. 613-993-6435
- Fax 613-957-7942 800-267-8376
- Fax 613-996-9709
-
- Also see the question "How can I access documents by the Department of
- Industry and Science, Government of Canada?" under Electronic Sources
- of Information.
-
- -----
-
- 9.2 How can I start a business in Canada?
-
- Contact your nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate, or:
-
- Investment Canada
- P.O. Box 2800, Station "D"
- Ottawa, Ontario
- K1P 6A5
- Tel. 613-995-0465
- Fax 613-996-2515
-
- -----
-
- 9.3 How can I contact economic development offices?
-
- Addresses of city economic development offices can be found in the
- August 1993 issue of Canadian Business.
-
- -----
-
- 9.4 What are sources of venture capital?
-
- Federal Business Development Bank
- 800 Victoria Square
- Tour de la Place Victoria
- Montreal, Quebec
- H4Z 1L4
- Tel. 800-361-2126
- Fax 514-283-0617
-
- FBDB is a federal Crown corporation.
-
- The 1991 publication "Venture Capital in Canada: A Guide and Sources"
- is available from:
-
- Association of Canadian Venture Capital Companies
- Suite 1000, 120 Eglinton Avenue East
- Toronto, Ontario
- M4P 1E2
- Tel. 416-487-0519
- Fax 416-322-6371
-
- ------
-
- 9.5 What is Canada's foreign trade position?
-
- Exports:
- US$133.5 billion (1990)
- partners:
- US (68%), Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China
-
- commodities:
- newsprint, wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, machinery, natural
- gas, aluminum, motor vehicles and parts, telecommunications equipment
-
- Imports:
- US$124.7 billion
- partners:
- US (65%), Japan, UK, Germany, France, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea
- commodities:
- crude petroleum, chemicals, motor vehicles and parts, durable
- consumer goods, electronic computers, telecommunications equipment
- and parts
-
- Balance of trade is traditionally positive (US$ 9,823,000,000 in 1990),
- but the balance of payments is always near or below zero. That is due to
- the exchange of services, especially tourism. Many Canadians take their
- vacations in the USA.
-
- Canada has an agreement on car production with the USA that allows it to
- be one of the biggest exporting countries for cars, trucks, and parts
- (most are exported to the USA). Now there is the Free Trade Agreement
- (FTA) with the USA. This started in 1989 and its implementation is still
- in progress. Canada and US still have some disagreements because of
- Canada's government intervention (i.e. subsidies) in the Canadian economy.
-
- The USA and Canada are negotiating the expansion of the FTA into a North
- American FTA (NAFTA) that would include Mexico. The initiative in this
- was from the USA, Mexico is willing, and the Canadian government feels
- like it should participate.
-
- -----
-
- 9.6 What are the characteristics of the Canadian economy?
-
- From the CIA World Fact Book, 1992:
-
- "As an affluent, high-tech industrial society, Canada today
- closely resembles the US in per capita output, market-oriented
- economic system, and pattern of production. Since World War II
- the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service
- sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy
- into one primarily industrial and urban. In the 1980s, Canada
- registered one of the highest rates of real growth among the
- OECD nations, averaging about 3.2%. With its great natural
- resources, skilled labor force, and modern capital plant,
- Canada has excellent economic prospects. However, the
- continuing constitutional impasse between English- and
- French-speaking areas has observers discussing a possible split
- in the confederation; foreign investors are becoming edgy."
-
- The national debt has become a major problem. It is now over $450
- billion, and is increased every year by the snowball effect of the
- interest on the debt. Deficits are usually over $30 billion. Over
- 30% of all government expditure goes to paying the interest on the
- principal, and that proportion is going up.
-
- The labour force is divided: services 72.3%, manufacturing 20%,
- agriculture 4.5%, construction 3%, other 1.1% (1992)
-
- 30.6% of the labour force is unionized (39.6% of nonagricultural paid
- workers)
-
- The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in 1991, was $709 billion (US$588.5
- Billion), with real annual growth of -1.5%, and the GDP per capita was
- $26,850 (US$22,293). Agriculture accounts for 3% of the GDP.
-
- Unemployment is 12% (August 1993).
-
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
- MEDIA
-
- 10.1 What Canadian television shows can I see from abroad?
-
- Stewart Clamen (clamen@cs.cmu.edu) maintains a database of Canadian
- television exports, the most recent of which can be retrieved via
- anonymous ftp from byron.sp.cs.cmu.edu:canada/tv-exports.Z
-
- -----
-
- 10.2 What are some 50,000-watt AM radio stations originating from
- Canada?
-
- Here is the list of CBC (English) / SRC (French) AM radio stations that
- are powerful enough to reach many parts of the US up to a distance of
- about 750 miles / 1200 km from the border. The 50,000-watt class A
- clear-channel stations can easily be received up to 750 miles / 1200 km
- away from the transmitter with a good AM radio such as the GE Superadio
- III (approx. US $45-50 from K-Mart and other discount or electronics
- stores). The class A stations are authorized to reflect its signals
- off the ionosphere (skywave) to cover large areas. CBC/SRC also has
- some powerful class B stations with highly directional transmission
- patterns that are much more difficult, but not impossible, to receive
- in the US. I have included both CBC/SRC AM stations in Windsor, ON, in
- the list because these two stations are located just across the river
- from Detroit.
-
- AM Freq (kHz) Call City and Province class watts
- ------------- ---- ----------------- ----- -----
- CBC 540 CBK Regina, SK A 50000
- 640 CBN St. John's, NF A 10000
- 690 CBU Vancouver, BC B 50000
- 740 CBL Toronto, ON A 50000
- 740 CBX Edmonton, AB B 50000
- 940 CBM Montreal, PQ A 50000
- 990 CBW Winnipeg, MB A 46000
- 1010 CBR Calgary, AB A 50000
- 1070 CBA Moncton, NB A 50000
- 1550 CBE Windsor, ON A 10000
-
- SRC 540 CBEF Windsor, ON B 5000
- 690 CBF Montreal, PQ A 50000
- 860 CJBC Toronto, ON A 50000
- 980 CBV Quebec, PQ B 50000
- 1580 CBJ Chicoutimi, PQ A 50000
-
- I did not include any FM stations since the most powerful FM stations
- only have ranges of about 125 miles / 200 km. FM reception require
- direct line-of-sight to the transmitter. As a result, Canadian FM
- stations are available only within 125 miles / 200 km from the border
- unless one has a satellite dish. <Oliver Tse>
-
- 900 AM in Hamilton is another 50,000-watt channel.
-
- -----
-
- 10.3 How can I subscribe to some Canadian newspapers?
-
- Calgary Herald The Edmonton Journal
- The Southam Newspaper Group The Southam Newspaper Group
- 215 16 Street S.E. The Journal Building
- P.O. Box 2400 Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2S6
- Station M Tel. 403-498-5500
- Calgary, Alberta T2P 0W8
- Tel. 403-235-0121
-
- The Gazette The Globe and Mail
- The Southam Newspaper Group 444 Front Street West
- 250 St. Antoine West Toronto, Ontario M5V 2S9
- Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3R7 Tel. 800-668-1503
- Tel. 800-361-8478, Ext. 2400
-
- The Ottawa Citizen The Toronto Star
- The Southam Newspaper Group 1 Yonge Street
- 1101 Baxter Road Toronto, Ontario M5E 1E6
- Box 5020 Tel. 416-367-4500
- Ottawa, Ontario K2C 3M4
- Tel. 613-596-1950
-
- LA PRESSE est publi'ee par LA PRESSE, LT'EE, 7, rue Saint-Jacques,
- Montr'eal H2Y 1K9. Seule la Presse Canadienne est autoris'ee `a diffuser
- les informations de LA PRESSE et celles des services de la Presse
- Associ'ee et de Reuter. Tous droits de reproduction des informations
- particuli`eres `a LA PRESSE sont 'egalement r'eserv'es.
- RENSEIGNEMENTS (514) 285-7272
- REDACTION (514) 285-7070
-
- La Presse La Presse is published in French
- 7 St. Jacques Street
- Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1K9
- Tel. 514-285-7272
-
- The Vancouver Sun Winnipeg Free Press
- Pacific Press Ltd. Thomson Newspapers Company Limited
- 2250 Granville Street 1355 Mountain Avenue
- Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3G2 Winnipeg, Manitoba R2X 3B6
- Tel. 604-736-2281 Tel. 204-697-7001
-
- -----
-
- 10.4 How can I subscribe to some Canadian magazines?
-
- Current Affairs (Weekly):
-
- Maclean's Tel: (416) 596-5523 or 1-800-268-6811
- Box 4003, Station A Fax (416) 596-2510
- Toronto, Ontario
- M5W 2B8
-
- ISSN 0024-9262
-
- Subscription (September 1993)
- Canadian funds:
-
- Canada: $39.95 /year, $69.95 /2 years
- USA (surface): $55.00
- USA (first class): $125.00
- Other countries (air mail): $160.00
-
- Business (monthly):
-
- Canadian Business Tel: (416) 946-0406
- PO BOX 30000 Station B Fax (416) 364-2783
- Markham, Ontario
- M7Y 7A2
-
- ISSN 0008-3100
-
- Subscription (September 1993)
- Canadian funds:
-
- Canada: $24 /year, $60 /3 years
- Others: $40 /year, $100 /3 years
- Back copies: $3 plus postage
- (Last Corporate Top 500 was June 1993)
-
- -----
-
- 10.5 Comment puis-je m'abonner a certaines revues canadiennes?
-
- Actualite' (20 nume'ro/anne'e):
-
- L'Actualite' Tel: (514) 843-2552
- 1001 boul. Maisonneuve Ouest
- Montreal, Quebec
- H3A 3E1
-
- ISSN 03830-8714
-
- Abonnement (Octobre 1993)
-
- Canada: 25$ /anne'e + Taxes
- E'tats-Unis: 40$ /anne'e
- Autres: 54$ /anne'e
-
- Vulgarisation scientifique (10 nume'ro/anne'e):
-
- Que'bec Science Tel: (418) 657-4391
- C.P. 250
- Sillery, Que'bec
- G1T 2R1
-
- En France:
- Dawson France, B.P. 57, 91871, Palaiseau, Cedex, France
-
- Abonnement: Canada E'tranger
- (septembre 1993)
-
- 1 an 34.67$ 43$
- 2 ans 59.86$ 75$
- 3 ans 83.20$ 105$
-
- -----
-
- 10.6 How can I listen to Canadian radio while abroad?
- What is the Radio Canada International schedule?
-
- Radio Canada International
- P.O. Box / Case postale 6000
- Montreal, Quebec H3C 3A8
-
- RCI Program Schedule * September 26, 1993 - March 26, 1994
- English programming
- ________________________________________________________________________
-
-
- SERVICE DAY UTC FREQUENCIES
- ------- --- --- -----------
- E U R O P E A N S E R V I C E
-
- RCI MO-FR 0600-0630 6050U 6150 7155U 9760
- RCI 7D 1430-1500 9555U 11915S 11935U #15315
- 15325S
- RCI 7D 2130-2230 5995U 7260U 11945 13650
- 15325
- CBC MO-FR 2300-2330 5995U 7250U
- RCI SA-SU 2300-0000 5995U 7250U
- CBC MO-FR 2330-0100 5995U 7250U
- CBC SU-MO 0000-0100 5995U 7250U
-
-
- A F R I C A N S E R V I C E
-
- RCI MO-FR 0600-0630 6050U 6150 7155U 9740U
- 9760 11905U
- RCI 7D 1430-1500 9555U 11935U 15325S
- #17820
- RCI 7D 2130-2230 5995U 7260U 11945 13650
- 13670 15140 15325 17820
- CBC MO-FR 2300-2330 5995U 7250U
- RCI SA-SU 2300-0000 5995U 7250U
- CBC MO-FR 2330-0100 5995U 7250U
- CBC SU-MO 0000-0100 5995U 7250U
-
-
- M I D D L E E A S T S E R V I C E
-
- RCI 7D 0400-0430 6150S 9505M 9670U
- RCI MO-FR 0600-0630 6050U 11905U
- RCI 7D 1430-1500 9555U 11935U 15325S
- RCI 7D 2130-2230 5995U
-
-
- U N I T E D S T A T E S S E R V I C E
-
- RCI 7D 0200-0300 6120 9755 11845
- CBC 7D 0300-0400 6010 9755
- CBC MO-FR 1300-1400 11855 17820
- CBC SU 1400-1700 11955 17820
- CBC MO-FR 2300-2330 5960 9755 11845
- RCI SA-SU 2300-0000 5960 9755 11845
- CBC MO-FR 2330-0100 5960 9775
- CBC SU-MO 0000-0100 5960 9755
-
-
- A S I A N S E R V I C E
-
- RCI 7D 1230-1300 6150Y 11730Y
- RCI 7D 1330-1357 6150X 9535X
- RCI 7D 1630-1657 7150X 9550X
- CBC MO-FR 2200-2230 11705Y
- RCI SA-SU 2200-2230 11705Y
-
-
- L A T I N A M E R I C A N S E R V I C E
-
- RCI 7D 0200-0300 9535 11845 11940
- CBC 7D 0300-0400 6010 9725
- CBC MO-FR 2300-2300 9535 11845 11940
- RCI SA-SU 2300-0000 9535 11845 11940
-
-
- C A R I B B E A N S E R V I C E
-
- RCI 7D 0200-0300 9535 11845 11940
- CBC 7D 0300-0400 6010 9725
- CBC MO-FR 1300-1400 17820
- CBC SU 1400-1700 17280
- CBC MO-FR 2300-2330 9535 11845 11940
- RCI SA-SU 2300-0000 9535 11845 11940
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- This schedule is subject to change without notice. All times and days in
- UTC (Coordinated Universal Time).
-
- Service Column: RCI - broadcast containing Radio Canada International program
- CBC - broadcast containing Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- programs (of particular interest to Canadians abroad)
-
- Frequencies Column: M - Relay from Moosbrunn (Austria)
- S - Relay from Sines (Portugal)
- U - Relay from Skelton (England)
- X - Relay from Xian (China)
- Y - Relay from Yamata (Japan)
- # - Monday through Saturday service
- $ - First half hour only
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- P R O G R A M D E T A I L S
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Radio Canada International Programs
-
- UTC DAY PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
- --- --- --------------------
-
- 0200-0300 TU-SA SPECTRUM *[1]
- 0200-0300 SU INNOVATION CANADA *[5], EARTH WATCH [5]
- MO ARTS IN CANADA *[4], THE MAILBAG
- 0400-0430 TU-SA SPECTRUM *[1]
- 0400-0430 SU INNOVATION CANADA *[5]
- MO THE MAILBAG *
- 0600-0630 MO-FR REPORT TO PEACEKEEPERS *[6]
- 1230-1300 MO-FR SPECTRUM *[1]
- 1230-1300 SA INNOVATION CANADA *[5]
- SU THE MAILBAG *
- 1330-1400 MO-FR SPECTRUM *[1]
- 1330-1400 SA INNOVATION CANADA *[5]
- SU ARTS IN CANADA *[4]
- 1430-1500 MO-FR SPECTRUM *[1]
- 1430-1500 SA INNOVATION CANADA *[5]
- SU ARTS IN CANADA *[4]
- 1630-1700 MO-FR SPECTRUM *[1]
- 1630-1700 SA INNOVATION CANADA *[5]
- THE MAILBAG *
- 2130-2230 MO-FR SPECTRUM *[1]
- 2130-2200 SA INNOVATION CANADA *[5]
- SU ARTS IN CANADA *[4]
- 2200-2230 SA EARTH WATCH **[5]
- SU THE MAILBAG
- 2300-2300 SA INNOVATION CANADA **[5]
- SU ARTS IN CANADA **[4]
- 2330-0000 SA EARTH WATCH **[5]
- SU THE MAILBAG
-
-
- Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Programs
-
- 0000-0100 SU THE INSIDE TRACK **[3]
- MO OPEN HOUSE **[4]
- 0300-0400 TU-SA BEST OF MORNINGSIDE **[1]
- 0300-0400 SU THE INSIDE TRACK **[3]
- MO QUIRKS AND QUARKS **[5]
- 1300-1400 MO OPEN HOUSE *[4]
- TU-FR AS IT HAPPENS *[1]
- 1400-1700 SU SUNDAY MORNING **[1]
- 2200-2230 MO-FR WORLD AT SIX [2]
- 2300-2330 MO-FR WORLD AT SIX [2]
- 2330-0100 MO-FR AS IT HAPPENS [1]
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * indicates that the program is preceded by a RCI newscast
- ** indicates that the program is preceded by a CBC newscast
-
- [1] Current Affairs
- [2] News Magazine
- [3] Sports
- [4] Cultural
- [5] Science or Environment
- [6] Program for Canadian Peacekeepers
-
- RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL (RCI)
- PROGRAMME-HORAIRE DU 26 SEPTEMBRE AU 26 MARS
- 1993 - 1994
-
-
- EMISSIONS EN FRANCAIS
- ________________________________________________________________________
- ____
-
- SERVICE JOUR UTC FREQUENCES (kHz)
- ------- ---- --- ----------------
-
-
- A M E R I Q U E L A T I N E
-
- RCI 7J 0100-0200 $9535 $11845 $11940 13720
- SRC LU-VE 2230-2300 9755 11940
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 9755 11940
-
-
- A F R I Q U E
-
- RCI LU-VE 0630-0700 6050U 6150 7155U 9740U
- 9760 11905U
- SRC 7J 1500-1600 9555U 11935U 15325S
- #17820 21545
- RCI 7J 2030-2130 5995U 7260U 11945 13650
- 13670 15140 15325 17820
- SRC LU-VE 2230-2300 5995U 7230U 11945 13670
- 17820
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 5995U 7230U 11945 13670
- 17820
-
- A N T I L L E S
-
- RCI 7J 0100-0200 $9535 $11845 $11940 13720
- SRC LU-VE 1300-1400 15425
- SRC DI 1400-1700 11855
- SRC LU-VE 2230-2300 9755 11940
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 9755 11940
-
-
- E T A T S - U N I S
-
- RCI 7J 0100-0200 5960 9755 $11845
- SRC LU-VE 1300-1400 9560 15425
- SRC DI 1400-1700 11855
- SRC LU-VE 2230-2300 5960 9755
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 5960 9755
-
-
- A S I E
-
- SRC LU-VE 1200-1230 6150Y 11730Y
- RCI SA-SU 1200-1230 6150Y 11730Y
- SRC 7J 2230-2300 11705Y
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 11705Y
-
-
- E U R O P E
-
- RCI LU-VE 0630-0700 6050U 6150 7155U 9760
- SRC 7J 1500-1600 9555U 11935U $11915S
- #15315 $15325S 21545
- RCI 7J 2030-2130 5995U 7230U 11945 13650
- 15325
- SRC LU-VE 2230-2300 5995U 7230U 11945
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 5995U 7230U 11945
-
-
- M O Y E N - O R I E N T
-
- RCI 7J 0300-0330 6025U 9505M
- RCI LU-VE 0630-0700 6050U 11905U
- SRC 7J 1500-1600 9555U 11935U $15325S
- RCI 7J 2030-2130 5995U
- SRC LU-VE 2230-2300 5995U
- RCI SA-DI 2230-2300 5995U
-
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Cet horaire peut etre modifie sans preavis.
- Les periodes et les jours sont en UTC (Temps Universel)
-
- colone Service:
- RCI - diffusion contentant des emissions de Radio Canada International
- SRC - diffusion contentant des emissions de la Societe Radio-Canada
- (interet particulier pour les canadiens a l'etranger)
-
- colonne Jour:
- 7J: 7 jours par semaine
- LU: Lundi MA: Mardi ME: Mercredi JE: Jeudi
- VE: Vendredi SA: Samedi DI: Dimance
-
- colonne Frequences: M - Relais Moosbrunn (Autriche)
- S - Relais Sines (Portugal)
- U - Relais Skelton (Royaume-Uni)
- Y - Relais Yamata (Japon)
- # - frequence utilisee du lundi au samedi seulement
- $ - frequence utilisee la premiere demi-heure
- de la diffusion seulement
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- C O N T E N U D E S E M I S S I O N S
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Emissions de Radio Canada International
-
-
- UTC JOUR DESCRIPTION DES EMISSIONS
- --- ---- -------------------------
-
- 0100-0200 MA-SA LES ACTUALITES CANADIENNES *[1]
- 0100-0200 DI EUREKA *[6], PLANETE [5]
- LU VIE D'ARTISTE *[4], LE COURRIER DES AUDITEURS [4]
- 0300-0330 MA-SA LES ACTUALITES CANADIENNES *[1]
- 0300-0330 DI EUREKA *[6],
- LU LE COURRIER DES AUDITEURS *[4]
- 0630-0700 LU-VE LE MAGAZINE DES CASQUES BLUES *[7]
- 1200-1230 SA EUREKA **[6],
- DI LE COURRIER DES AUDITEURS **
- 2030-2130 LU-VE LES ACTUALITES CANADIENNES *[1]
- 2030-2130 SA EUREKA *[6], PLANETE [5]
- DI VIE D'ARTISTE *[4], LE COURRIER DES AUDITEURS [4]
- 2230-2300 SA VIE D'ARTISTE *[4]
- DI LE COURRIER DES AUDITEURS *[4]
-
-
- Emissions de la Societe Radio-Canada
-
-
- UTC JOUR DESCRIPTION DES EMISSIONS
- --- ---- -------------------------
-
- 1200-1230 LU-VE LE RADIO JOURNAL [2], LES ACTUALITES [1]
- 1300-1400 LU-VE LE RADIO JOURNAL [2], CBF-CBV-CBOF BONJOUR
- [1]
- 1400-1700 DI DIMANCHE MAGAZINE **[1],
- AUJOURD'HUI LA SCIENCE [5]
- 1500-1600 LU-VE EN DIRECT **[4]
- 1500-1600 SA VIE HEBDO RADIO *[1]
- DI C'EST LA FAUTE AUX MEDIAS **[1]
- 2230-2300 LU-VE LE RADIO JOURNAL [2]
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- * indique que l'emmision est precedee d'un bulletin de nouvelles de RCI
- ** indique que l'emmision est precedee d'un bulletin de nouvelles de SRC
-
- [1] Affaires publiques
- [2] Magazine d'informations
- [3] Sports
- [4] Culture
- [5] Science or Environnement
- [6] Innovation technologiques
- [7] Emissions pours les Casques Bleus canadiens
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Radio Canada International
- P.O. Box / Case postale 6000
- Montreal, Canada
- H3C 3A8
-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- STATISTICAL INFORMATION
-
- 11.1 What is the population of Canada?
-
- 1991 Census Change from 1986 census
- Population % of Canada population % change
-
- Ontario 10,084,885 36.9 +983,191 +10.8
- Quebec 6,895,963 25.3 +363,502 +5.6
- British Columbia 3,282,061 12.0 +398,694 +13.8
- Alberta 2,545,553 9.3 +179,728 +7.6
- Manitoba 1,091,942 4.0 +28,926 +2.7
- Saskatchewan 988,928 3.6 -20,685 -2.0
- Nova Scotia 899,942 3.3 +26,766 +3.1
- New Brunswick 723,900 2.7 +14,458 +2.0
- Newfoundland 568,474 2.1 125 +0.0
- Prince Edward Island 129,765 0.5 +3,119 +2.5
- Northwest Territories 57,649 0.2 +5,411 +10.4
- Yukon 27,797 0.1 +4,293 +18.3
-
- Canada 27,296,859 100.0 +1,987,528 +7.9
-
- The growth rate is around 1.3%.
- The population density is very low: 3 per square km (vs 27 for the USA,
- 103 for France, 223 for Germany, 5,600 for Hong Kong)
-
- 77% of the population is urbanized.
- 80% live within 100 miles (160 km) of the US border.
-
- -----
-
- 11.2 What is the census breakdown by language spoken?
-
- See the answer under Society and Culture.
-
- -----
- 11.3 How large are Canada's major and mid-sized cities?
-
- There are the cities with a census metropolitan area (CMA) population
- of 125,000 or more, by 1991 census figures as reported by the Canadian
- Global Almanac 1993.
- CMA city proper
- *Toronto, ON 3,893,000 635,400
- Montreal, QC 3,127,000 1,017,700
- Vancouver, BC 1,603,000 471,800
- **Ottawa, ON 921,000 314,000
- *Edmonton, AB 840,000 616,700
- Calgary, AB 754,000 710,700
- *Winnipeg, MB 652,000 616,800
- *Quebec, QC 646,000 167,500
- Hamilton, ON 600,000 318,500
- London, ON 382,000 382,000
- St. Catharines, ON 365,000 129,300
- Kitchener, ON 356,000 168,300
- *Halifax, NS 321,000 67,800
- *Victoria, BC 288,000 71,200
- Windsor, ON 262,000 191,400
- Oshawa, ON 240,000 129,300
- Saskatoon, SK 210,000 186,100
- *Regina, SK 192,000 179,200
- *St. John's, NF 172,000 95,700
- Chicoutimi, QC 161,000 62,700
- Sudbury, ON 158,000 92,900
- Sherbrooke, QC 139,000 76,400
- Trois-Rivieres, QC 136,000 49,400
- *St. John, NB 125,000 76,400
- Thunder Bay, ON 124,000 114,000
-
- These are other cities or (x) towns exceeding 125,000 that are within
- the above CMAs:
- North York, ON (Toronto) 562,600
- Scarborough, ON (Toronto) 524,600
- Mississauga, ON (Toronto) 463,400
- Laval, QC (Montreal) 314,400
- Etobicoke, ON (Toronto) 310,000
- Brampton, ON (Toronto) 234,400
- xMarkham, ON (Toronto) 153,800
- York, ON (Toronto) 140,500
- Longueuil, QC (Montreal) 129,900
- Burlington, ON (Hamilton) 129,600
-
- And these are the other provincial and territorial capitals:
- +Whitehorse, YT 17,900
- *Charlottetown, PE 15,400
- +Yellowknife, NT 15,200
-
- **National capital; *provincial capital; +territorial capital.
- <Mark Brader>
-
- --
-
- 11.4 How can I access data provided by Statistics Canada on the Internet?
-
- Statistics Canada daily news releases are available via the National
- Capital Freenet in Ottawa (see 13.1).
-
- From the main menu, select "News stand". Select "Stats Canada daily news
- releases". The freenet keeps copies of only the last 5 days' release,
- about 25-30 of them. You do not need to register with the freenet in
- order to access these statistics; login as "guest".
-
- You can also get a suscription from Statistics Canada. They will send you
- semi-annual updates on CD-ROM for a few hundred dollars per year. A 50%
- discount is offered to teaching institutions and students.
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ELECTRONIC SOURCES OF INFORMATION
-
- 12.1 How can I get Internet access in Canada?
-
- There is a gopher server at is.internet.nic that lists Internet
- providers (the Xmosaic URL is gopher://is.internic.net:70/11/infosource).
- Look under "Getting connected to the internet" and "North American
- Internet Provider's List".
-
- UniForum Atlantic is a users group that serves users of TCP/IP networks
- as part of its goal to promote Open Systems. Interested parties can
- contact me at G_White@BIOnet.BIO.DFO.ca, or send mail to
- uniforum-board@cs.dal.ca.
- <George White>
-
- EDMONTON
-
- Bulletin board systems with Usenet access:
-
- Edmonton Remote Systems at 403-454-6093, 403-452-3254, and
- 403-454-1808 is available free of charge.
-
- Freddy's Place at 403-457-0125 is available at ~$100.00 a year.
- The Outland at 403-475-0588 is also available at a cost.
- These two may be easier to use for novices (both run PCBoard).
-
- MONTREAL AREA
-
- The GameMaster at 514-385-6144. Log in as "new" and answer the
- questions. The system will automatically sign you up. Once
- signed up, hang up and call 514-858-7777. You should benefit
- from a 10-minute no-bumping period once per day as a guest member.
- You have unlimited time as long as one of the 15 lines is
- free. This is simply because there are a number of paying
- members. The various classes of membership are guest and free
- -- both of which are free -- basic, standard, extended, elite
- and finally ultra. Each successive class costs more and gives
- access to more as well as benefitting from additional time
- called "busy-minutes". Members of the ultra class are never
- bumped. All this is explained under option M (Membership).
-
-
- NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
-
- NLnet is a non-profit organization formed to provide Internet
- and IP connectivity to users in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- NLnet presently offers a "Personal Account Service" that
- provides dialup access to a UNIX account. Account holders have
- email, FTP, news, gopher, and other Internet services. This
- service is available to anyone for a set fee. Anyone interested
- in IP or Internet services provided by NLnet in Newfoundland
- and Labrador can contact me at mreid@random.ucs.mun.ca.
- <Mike Reid>
-
- OTTAWA
-
- NATIONAL CAPITAL FREE-NET - Ottawa, Canada
- David Sutherland
- Computing Services
- Carleton University
- Ottawa, Ontario
- K1S 5B6
-
- Modem: (613) 780-3733
- Telnet: freenet.carleton.ca (134.117.1.25)
- Modem configuration: 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity
- Log in as "guest" and follow instructions
-
- TORONTO AREA
-
- A BBS# directory listing for the Toronto (416) dialing area released by
- The International Programmers Guild can be obtained at:
-
- Data lines Guild BBS - (905) 824-4731 - HST 12/24/9600 Toronto/Mississauga
- (416) 693-7108 - HST 12/24/9600 Markham/Pickering
- (905) 825-9291 - HST 12/24/9600 Oakville/Burlington.
-
- Data line access outside of local calling from area code 416:
-
- - Dial "CENTRAL" or 236-8725
- - Wait for Dial Tone
- - Then Dial "4731"
-
- FidoNet Node 259/419
- FAX line - (905) 824-5139
- Voice - General Info - (905) 824-7947 - During business hours only
-
- Voice line access outside of local calling in area code 416:
-
- - Dial "CENTRAL" or 236-8725
- - Wait for Dial Tone
- - Then Dial "7947"
-
-
- Internex Online Inc. at 416-363-3783. Log in as NEW
-
- MAGIC at 416-288-1767. This is a Mac environment and uses
- FIRSTCLASS software which can be obtained when you first log on.
-
-
- VANCOUVER
-
- InterNet NM at 604-988-6345 (8/N/1)
-
- Mindlink at 604-576-1214. Log in as guest
-
- Versailles at 604-477-4688 contact at 1:340/43. Sysop is Duncan Brooks.
-
- VICTORIA FREE-NET - Victoria, British Columbia
- Victoria Free-Net Association
- C/O Vancouver Island Advanced Technology Centre (VIATC)
- Suite 203-1110 Government Street
- Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1Y2 CANADA
-
- Modem: (604) 595-2300
- Telnet: freenet.victoria.bc.ca (134.87.16.100)
-
-
- -----
-
- 12.2 What Canadian-interest newsgroups exist?
-
- Widely available newsgroups are:
-
- alt.music.canada
- misc.invest.canada
- rec.sport.football.canadian
- rec.sport.hockey
- soc.culture.canada (has widest distribution).
-
- There is also the can.* geographic hierarchy, featuring groups such as:
-
- can.general: General interest
- can.politics: Political topics
- can.francais: Focus on French Canadian topics
- can.jobs: Job listings
- can.legal: Legal discussions.
-
- The can.* hierarchy is available throughout Canada, and at a number of
- foreign sites.
-
- -----
-
- 12.3 Is there anything about Canada in the World Wide Web?
-
- Those of you who have an interest in Canada and the World Wide Web are
- invited to try out my WWW Canada page.
-
- For more information about the World Wide Web, please consult the
- www-FAQ, posted to comp.infosystems.www.
-
-
- Here are URL references to the
- <A
- HREF="http://www.cs.cmu.edu:8001/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/clamen/misc/Canadiana/READ
- M
- E.html">English-language</A>
-
- and
-
- <A
- HREF="http://www.cs.cmu.edu:8001/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/clamen/misc/Canadiana/LISEZ
- .html">French-language</A>
- versions of the page.
-
-
- <ADDRESS>
- <IMG SRC="http://www.cs.cmu.edu:8001/afs/cs/user/clamen/mosaic/small-face.gif">
- <A HREF="http://www.cs.cmu.edu:8001/afs/cs/user/clamen/mosaic/whois-stewy.html">
- clamen@cs.cmu.edu</A>
- </ADDRESS>
-
- <Stewart Clamen>
-
- -----
-
- 12.4 What Internet-accessible libraries of Canadian interest exist?
-
- [ more specific detail required ]
-
- Look in a Hytelnet server:
-
- telnet access.usask.ca or telnet 128.233.3.1
- telnet info.ccit.arizona.edu or 129.196.76.201
- telnet laguna.epcc.edu or 192.94.29.3 (Login: library)
- telnet info.anu.edu.au or 150.203.84.20(Login:library)
- telnet library.adelaide.edu.au (Login: access)
- telnet nctuccca.edu.tw or 140.111.3.21 (TAIWAN)
- telnet info.mcc.ac.uk or telnet 130.88.200.15
- telnet rsl.ox.ac.uk or telnet 129.67.16.31
- offers: univ. & library catalogues around the world. (Login: hytelnet)
-
- -----
-
- 12.5 How can I access documents by the Canadian government's
- Department of Industry and Science?
-
- This pilot project currently makes nine telecommunications-related
- documents available in both official languages, English and French.
-
- **** ftp access
-
- Documents are available in ASCII format, uncompressed, via anonymous ftp
- from:
-
- debra.dgbt.doc.ca pub/isc/
-
- For the most recent index of files, retrieve "00readme"
-
- *** Listserv access
-
- These files are also available via Listserv for people with e-mail
- access only. The address is:
-
- listserv@debra.dgbt.doc.ca
-
- To retrieve the most recent index of documents available, send the
- following command alone in the body of the message:
-
- get isc 00readme
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Industrie et Sciences Canada, du gouvernement du Canada, a le plaisir
- d'introduire une base de donnees des documents. Cette base du donnees
- du project pilote comprend presentement neuf documents relies aux
- telecommunications, dans les deux langues officielles du Canada,
- francais et anglais.
-
- *** Acces par ftp
-
- Tous les documents sont accessibles en format ASCII non comprime,
- par "anonymous ftp" a:
-
- debra.dgbt.doc.ca pub/isc/
-
- pour obtenir l'index le plus recent prendre le fichier "00lisez"
-
- *** Acces par Listserv
-
- Ces fichiers sont egalement accessibles par Listserv aux personnes
- munies de l'acces par courrier electronique seulement. L'adresse
- est la suivante:
-
- listserv@debra.dgbt.doc.ca
-
- Pour obtenir l'index le plus recent des documents disponibles,
- envoyez la commande suivante isolement dans le corps du message:
-
- get isc 00LISEZ
-
- ****
- <Tyson Macaulay>
-
- 12.6 Where can I find e-mail addresses of government bodies?
-
- E-mail addresses of the Government of Ontario have been compiled by
- Dr. Joe Baptista (baptista@planet.org). The lists are available by sending
- e-mail to listserv@planet.org and including in the body of your message one
- or more of the following commands:
-
- get /public/gov.ont/e-mail/govonca.txt
- get /public/gov.ont/e-mail/mcugovon.txt
-
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
-
- GENERAL INFORMATION
-
- 13.1 What are the time zones in Canada?
-
- There are six time zones in Canada, at the usual one-hour intervals except
- for Newfoundland Time which is only 30 minutes ahead of Atlantic Time.
- Newfoundland Time is not used in the whole province of Newfoundland,
- but only on the island of Newfoundland. Except for Saskatchewan, which
- is always on Standard Time, all areas of Canada observe Daylight Saving
- Time, moving clocks ahead by one hour for the summer. Currently the
- DST period is from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in
- October, the same as in the USA.
-
- Time Zone Abbrev. and offset vs. GMT Provinces and Terrs.
- Name Standard Daylight Saving Where Used
-
- Pacific PST -0800 PDT -0700 BC, YT
- Mountain MST -0700 MDT -0600 BC, AB, SK, NT
- Central CST -0600 CDT -0500 SK, MB, ON, NT
- Eastern EST -0500 EDT -0400 ON, QC, NT
- Atlantic AST -0400 ADT -0300 QC, NB, NS, PE, NF, NT
- Newfoundland NST -0330 NDT -0230 NF
-
- Historical notes:
- - There was once a Yukon Time zone (YST, -0900), but this was abolished
- in the early 1970s, and the Yukon Territory changed to Pacific Time.
- - The whole province of Newfoundland tried advancing two hours instead
- of one hour for the DST period circa 1990. This was only done once.
- <Mark Brader>
-
- -----
-
- 13.2 How can I, a Canadian resident, check my own credit record?
-
- Write a letter to Equifax and include your full name, home address,
- date of birth, social insurance number, phone number, and the name of
- your employer. Sign the letter and mail it to:
-
- Equifax
- 60 Bloor Street West, Suite 1200
- Toronto, Ontario
- M4W 3C1
-
- They will call you and you can review the information over the phone.
- <Rene Lampe>
-
- -----
-
- 13.3 As a Canadian living abroad, how can I vote?
-
- Recent changes to the Canada Elections Act now make it possible for
- Canadians residing outside Canada to vote in Federal Elections by
- Special Ballot. You are eligible to vote by special ballot from
- outside Canada if: you are a Canadian citizen who has reached the age
- of 18 by election day; and you have resided outside Canada for less
- than five years (or you are exempt due to employment in certain
- organizations); and you intend to resume your residence in Canada.
-
- For more information, and to obtain your Voter Registration Form and
- Guide, contact your nearest Canadian embassy, high commission, or
- consulate. Or call Elections Canada in Ottawa at 1-613-993-2975;
- 1-800-267-VOTE(8683) toll free from Canada and the United States; or
- 1-800-361-8935 TDD, toll free from Canada and the United States.
-
- You may also contact Elections Canada through Internet by addressing
- e-mail to martin.lax@synapse.org
-
- or by writing to: Elections Canada
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Canada K1A 0M6
-
- If you have any friends, relatives or employees who are residing
- outside Canada, tell them about this new opportunity or call Elections
- Canada with their names and addresses. Elections Canada will send them
- a voter's guide and a registration form. Upon returning this
- application they will be eligible to receive a Special Ballot the
- moment an election is called.
-
- Quebec also has a vote-by-mail program. To qualify, you need to have
- lived in Quebec (enumeration is probably sufficient) in the past two
- years, and have not set up permanent residency anywhere else. Write a
- letter to this address asking for a registration form:
-
- Service aux e'lecteurs hors du Que'bec
- 3460, rue de La Pe'rade
- Sainte-Foy, Que'bec
- G1X 3Y5
-
- -----
-
- 13.4 Where can I list my non-profit organization?
-
- Here is a list of directories in which Canadian associations, foundations,
- and other non-profit groups can be listed. There is no charge to be
- listed in any of them. Most public and school libraries have at least
- one of these directories. Just send a letter or fax to each directory
- to ask that your group be listed in the next edition of the directory.
-
- The addresses below are correct as of February 1993.
-
- Associations Canada
- Canadian Almanac & Directory Publishing Co.
- 134 Adelaide Street East, Suite 207
- Toronto, Ontario
- M5C 1K9
- telephone (416) 362-4088
- fax (416) 362-4181
-
- Corpus Almanac and Canadian Sourcebook
- Attn: Associations Editor
- 1450 Don Mills Road
- Don Mills, Ontario
- M3B 2X7
- telephone (416) 445-6641
- fax (416) 442-2200
-
- International Organizations
- Gale Research Inc.
- 835 Penobscot Building
- Detroit, MI 48226-4094
- U.S.A.
- telephone (313) 961-2242
- fax (313) 961-6815
-
- Directory of Associations in Canada
- Micromedia Limited
- 20 Victoria Street
- Toronto, Ontario
- M5C 2N8
- telephone (416) 362-5211, ext. 2254
- fax (416) 362-1699
-
- Some associations that deal with the media may also want to
- pay to be listed in Sources, a directory for journalists.
- For information about Sources and the cost of a listing, contact:
-
- Sources
- 4 Phipps Street, Suite 109
- Toronto, Ontario
- M4Y 1J5
- telephone (416) 964-7799
- fax (416) 964-8763
-
- <Nigel Allen>
-
- -----
-
- 13.5 What is the geography of Canada like?
-
- From the CIA World Fact Book:
-
- Total area:
- 9,976,140 km2
- Land area:
- 9,220,970 km2
- Comparative area:
- slightly larger than US
- Land boundaries:
- 8,893 km with US (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)
- Coastline:
- 243,791 km
- Maritime claims:
- Continental shelf:
- 200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitation
- Exclusive fishing zone:
- 200 nm
- Territorial sea:
- 12 nm
- Disputes:
- maritime boundary disputes with the US
- Climate:
- varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
- Terrain:
- mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast
- Natural resources:
- nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, silver, fish, timber,
- wildlife, coal, crude oil, natural gas
- Land use:
- arable land 5%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 3%; forest and
- woodland 35%; other 57%; includes NEGL% irrigated
- Environment:
- 80% of population concentrated within 160 km of US border; continuous
- permafrost in north a serious obstacle to development
- Note:
- second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between
- Russia and US via north polar route
-
- -----
-
- 13.6 How does the postal system work in Canada?
-
- The Canadian postal system is government operated. The Crown
- corporation in charge of it is "Canada Post Corporation" (CPC).
- Mail deliveries are daily from Monday to Friday, and a letter mailed to
- the same city will usually take 2-3 days. Deliveries to other cities
- within Canada will usually be made in no more than 4-5 days.
-
- The postal code has the form "A9A 9A9". In cities a postal code
- specifies the address down to one side of a city block, or even
- more precisely in the case of high-rise buildings or large-volume
- mail receivers. To avoid confusion with similar letters and digits,
- the letters D, F, I, O, Q, and V are never used.
-
- All letters must be capitalized, and a blank space (never a dash or
- period) must separate the first three characters from the last ones.
-
- The first letter of the postal code:
-
- Newfoundland (NF) = A
- Nova Scotia (NS) = B
- Prince Edward Island (PE) = C
- New Brunswick (NB) = E
- Quebec (PQ) = G (East), H (Metro Montreal), J (West)
- (The abbreviation QC is used very often for Quebec)
- Ontario (ON) = K (East), L (South Central), M (Metro
- Toronto), N (Southwest), P (North)
- Manitoba (MB) = R
- Saskatchewan (SK) = S
- Alberta (AB) = T
- British Columbia (BC) = V
- Yukon territory (YT) = X
- Northwest Territories (NT) = Y
-
- Sending a letter to Canada:
- Make sure you include the postal code. Also mention Canada on
- the bottom line to make sure the letter is directed to Canada.
- Official CPC symbols for province, street type and direction,...,
- are PREFERRED rather than the full name. The postal code should
- always be on the last line.
-
- Name of the Company
- 123 Laurier St.
- Ottawa, ON
- CANADA K1K 2R4
- <M.S.>
-
- You can order a National Postal Code Directory from Canada Post
- Corporation by calling 1-800-565-4362 from Canada or 1-800-565-1336
- from the United States. You can pay with Visa or MasterCard,
- I believe, and this would probably be the most convenient way for
- someone from outside Canada to pay.
-
- The price is $11 (Canadian) plus GST and provincial sales tax.
- There is no tax if the directory is shipped to an address outside Canada.
-
- Some postal stations sell the directories, but most do not.
-
- You can also order it by mail from:
-
- National Philatelic Centre
- Canada Post Corporation
- Antigonish, NS
- B2G 2R8
-
- Disclaimer: I don't work for Canada Post.
- <Nigel Allen>
-
- -----
-
- 13.7 How does the phone system work in Canada?
-
- Canada is integrated with the USA (and a number of Caribbean islands)
- for purposes of telephone numbering. Therefore we use 3-digit area
- codes and 7-digit phone numbers, and long-distance calls to other area
- codes are dialed the same way whether the destination number is in
- Canada or the USA. The actual dialing methods vary from place to place
- and according to how the call is to be billed.
-
- The phone system is operated by private monopolies licensed by a
- government body called the CRTC. The biggest phone company is Bell
- Canada, operating in Ontario and Quebec. Other private companies
- include British Colombia Telephone, Quebec Telephone (Eastern Quebec),
- New Brunswick Telephone, and more. Some provincial governments have
- invested in their own telephone companies: Saskatchewan Telecommunications
- and the Manitoba Telephone System.
-
- The long distance business was monopolistic too, before recent changes
- that now allow any other company to be a long distance carrier.
-
- The telephone companies charge a flat rate to all subscribers for
- unlimited calls in the local area. The size of the local calling area
- varies considerably; in Ontario, Scarborough to Oakville is a local
- call, but Guelph to Kitchener is not. The flat rate depends on the
- number of telephones in the local calling area; $15 a month would be
- typical. Long-distance calls are charged individually.
-
- Directory assistance can be reached dialing 411 for information
- in the local area code, or by dialing 1-area code-555-1212.
-
-
-
- --
- |
- Martin Savard | Character is simply habit long continued
- Ottawa, Canada |
- | - Plutarch
-