Collection of Internet/Collection of Internet.iso/faq/soc/canada_f/part2

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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
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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 '[e-mail]'

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
<[e-mail]>.

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 [phone]

-----

    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               [phone]
Canada T5J 4L6                  Canada + USA: 1-800-663-6000
[phone]
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                 [phone]
[phone]                  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                 [phone]
[phone]                  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                 [phone]
[phone]                  TDD: [phone]
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            [phone]
Canada  C1A 7M5                 Canada + USA: 1-800-363-7777
[phone]
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
[phone]                  [phone]
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).
    [phone] (24 hours); fax [phone].

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.  [phone];
    fax [phone].

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.  [phone]; fax [phone].

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.
    [phone].

-

        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
                               [phone]
                               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: [phone]  Fax: [phone]

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: [phone]

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   [phone]

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 [phone] 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
[phone]

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.
    [phone].

    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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone].  (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.
    [phone].

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.  [phone] (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.
    [phone].

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.  [phone].

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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone].

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.
    [phone], [phone] or [phone].

ROYAL CANADIAN MINT (320 Sussex Dr.)
    Manufactures Canadian coins.  Tours are not available in fall
    and winter months.  [phone].

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.  [phone].

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).
    [phone].

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.  [phone].

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, [phone]
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
[phone].

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 [phone].

There are also consulates in:

Calgary, Alberta, at 615 Macleod Trail SE, [phone];

Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Suite 910, Cogswell Tower, Scotia Square,
[phone];

Montreal, Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street, [phone];

Quebec City, Quebec, at 2 Place Terrasse Dufferin, [phone];

Toronto, Ontario, at 360 University Avenue, [phone]; 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: [phone]

     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
                                     [phone]
                                     Fax: [phone]

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
                                     [phone]   [<--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. [phone]
                Telex (Destination code 47) 11-5320 (DMCAN A)
                Fax  [phone]

France          Canadian Embassy
                35, avenue Montaigne, 75008
                Paris, France
                Tel. [phone]
                Telex (Destination code 42) 651806 (CANADA 651806F)
                Fax  [phone]

                Canadian Consulate
                Bonnel Part-Dieu Building
                74, rue de Bonnel, 3rd Floor
                69428 Lyon Cedex 03
                France
                Tel. [phone]
                Telex (Destination code 42) 380003 (CANADA)
                Fax  [phone]

Germany         Canadian Embassy
                Friedrich-Wilhelm-Strasse 18
        D-5300 Bonn 1,
                Germany
                Tel. [phone]
                Telex (Destination code 41) 886421 (DOMCA D)
                Fax  [phone]

                Canadian Consulate General
                Tal 29
                D-8000 Munich 2
                Germany
                Tel. [phone]
                Telex (Destination code 0411) 5214139 (CAND D)
                Fax  [phone]

Great Britain   Canadian High Commission
                Macdonald House
                One Grosvenor Square
                London, W1X 0AB
        England
                Tel. [phone]
                Telex (Destination code 51) 261592 (CDALDING)
                Fax  [phone]

-----

     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 [e-mail].  For example:

        From: [e-mail]
        To: [e-mail]
        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. [phone] [952-ISTC]            Tel. [phone]
Fax  [phone]                            800-267-8376
                                        Fax  [phone]

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. [phone]
    Fax  [phone]

-----

     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. [phone]
Fax  [phone]

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. [phone]
    Fax  [phone]

------

     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 ([e-mail]) 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. [phone]
Calgary, Alberta  T2P 0W8
Tel. [phone]

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. [phone]
Tel. [phone], 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. [phone]
Ottawa, Ontario  K2C 3M4
Tel. [phone]

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  [phone]
REDACTION       [phone]

La Presse                        La Presse is published in French
7 St. Jacques Street
Montreal, Quebec  H2Y 1K9
Tel. [phone]

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. [phone]                        Tel. [phone]

-----

     10.4 How can I subscribe to some Canadian magazines?

Current Affairs (Weekly):

        Maclean's                       Tel: [phone]  or 1-800-268-6811
        Box 4003, Station A             Fax  [phone]
        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: [phone]
        PO BOX 30000 Station B          Fax  [phone]
        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: [phone]
        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: [phone]
        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 [e-mail], or send mail to
[e-mail].
<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 [e-mail].
    <Mike Reid>

OTTAWA

        NATIONAL CAPITAL FREE-NET - Ottawa, Canada
          David Sutherland
          Computing Services
          Carleton University
          Ottawa, Ontario
      K1S 5B6

          Modem: [phone]
          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 - [phone] - HST 12/24/9600 Toronto/Mississauga
                       [phone] - HST 12/24/9600 Markham/Pickering
                       [phone] - 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             - [phone]
Voice - General Info - [phone] - 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: [phone]
          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">
[e-mail]</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:

[e-mail]

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:

[e-mail]

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 ([e-mail]). The lists are available by sending
e-mail to [e-mail] 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 [e-mail]

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 [phone]
 fax [phone]

 Corpus Almanac and Canadian Sourcebook
 Attn: Associations Editor
 1450 Don Mills Road
 Don Mills, Ontario
 M3B 2X7
 telephone [phone]
 fax [phone]

 International Organizations
 Gale Research Inc.
 835 Penobscot Building
 Detroit, MI 48226-4094
 U.S.A.
 telephone [phone]
 fax [phone]

 Directory of Associations in Canada
 Micromedia Limited
 20 Victoria Street
 Toronto, Ontario
 M5C 2N8
 telephone [phone], ext. 2254
 fax [phone]

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 [phone]
 fax [phone]

<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