In this page:
Accommodation |
Eating Out |
Getting Around |
Time and Time Difference |
Climate |
Electrical Standards and Measurement Systems |
Paying |
Speaking |
Emergency Numbers |
Communications
Eating Out
- Rules For Eating Out
- The prices displayed never include tax or service. The taxes are added to the bill and the service is left to the customer's discretion which is generally about 15%. The taxes are: GST 5% or HST 13%, provincial taxes between 7 and 7.5% and taxes on alcohol, but only in certain provinces.
- Food Specialties
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Inspired by French, British, American or Native American cooking, typical Canadian cuisine adapts to the seasons. Each region has its unique recipes, made with local products: from the tourtière (meat pie) to the pain banique (Native American bread), from maple syrup to poutine (see below). Places like le Saguenay, and Lac St-Jean in Quebec are known for their tourtières called 'cipâte or cipaille', which is made with game or beef and pork and covered in pastry. One of the traditional dishes is the pâté chinois (sheppard's pie), which is made with cooked, seasoned ground beef, with sweet corn and mashed potatoes. 'Poutine', a dish of fried potatoes, gravy and cheese curds has been the Quebec dish par excellence for the past 30 years. In the Maritime Provinces, as well as in Quebec, fish and seafood are very popular. From May to July, people enjoy lobster from the Magdalen Islands and New Brunswick. Alberta and the Great Plains Provinces are well-known for the quality of their beef, served grilled or braised. The arrival of the many immigrants who brought their culinary traditions with them and learned to adapt them to the country's tastes, which provides even greater diversity to local cuisine in Canada.
- Drinks
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The production of local wine is growing: several types of wines, and local specialities such as ice wine and ice cider are produced in vineyards and orchards in Quebec, in the region of Niagara and in the Okanagan Valley.
- Dietary Restrictions
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There are no dietary restrictions in the country.
- Table Manners
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The Canadians are influenced by the United States, especially in English-speaking Canada, as regards table manners. In Quebec, where European influence is more marked, it is common to wish each other "bon appétit" before starting the meal. We also clink our glasses to wish each other "Santé" (Good health) or "Tchin Tchin" (Cheers) when we have an aperitif or at the beginning of a meal when wine is served.
Getting Around
Transportation From Airport to City Centre:
Time and Time Difference
- Current Local Time
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It is %T:%M %A In Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa
It is %T:%M %A In Edmonton, Calgary
It is %T:%M %A In Whitehorse, Vancouver
- Summer Time
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Summer time from March to November.
Map of the Time Zone
Climate
- Type of Climate
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The summer period begins with spring weather in April or May, when the snow melts. The hottest period is from the end of June to the beginning of September. As for the autumn, it is the most beautiful season in Quebec, when the regions natural beauty provides a magnificent environment for walking in the mountains.
The months of April and November are considered at least interesting months for visiting Canada. In April it is not quite spring, the snow has sometimes not completely melted, and road cleaning and repairs are often not finished. In November the trees have lost all their leaves, the weather is grey, and it often rains and sometimes it is already snowing.
- Hotel reservation websites
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Weather Canada
Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall
Electrical Standards and Measurement Systems
- System of Measurement Used
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Metric system and English system.
- Unit of Measurement of Temperature
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Degree Celsius (°C)
Use our service Measurement converter.
- Electricity
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110 volts
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60 Hz
- Type of Electric Socket
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Type A and B
- Type of Telephone Socket
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US RJ-11 phone plug
- DVD Zoning
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Zone 1
Paying
- Domestic Currency
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Canadian dollar
- ISO Code
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CAD
- To Obtain Domestic Currency
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There are exchange offices in all airports and in town centres. Credit card companies automatically take a percentage of exchange transactions. ATMs are being used more and more instead of travelers checks.
- Possible Means of Payment
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The following credit cards are commonly accepted: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Most stores will take American dollars, with a % fee or exchange rate which is higher or lower according to the value of the Canadian dollar.
Prices displayed do not include taxes, including in restaurants.
To Find a Cash Machine Where You Need, Use the ATM locator
Speaking
- Official Language
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English and French
- Other Languages Spoken
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Spanish is the third most widely spoken language in Canada. More than 100 different languages were declared when an inventory was made of mother tongues. The list includes Chinese, German, Italian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Polish and various Asian and Middle Eastern languages. Aboriginal languages are also widely spoken in many regions.
- Business Language
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English is the most commonly spoken language in Canada. All government departments must be bilingual in English and French.
Emergency Numbers
Police, fire deparment, ambulance |
911 |
North America Directory Assistance |
411 |
Relay services for hearing-impaired people |
711 |
Communications
- Telephone Codes
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To Make a Call From Canada, Dial 011
To Make a Call to in Canada, Dial 1
- Mobile Telephone Standards
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The IS41 standard of American origin (standard ANSI-41) and the GSM standard, defined in Europe by ETSI, are the most widespread.
- National Mobile Phone Operators
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Bell Mobilité, Rogers AT&T, Telus, Fido, Videotron.
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Latest Update: July 2024