| An Invitation To Nature's Pristine Beauty. |
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| General Information About Canada |
| Weather :
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| The climate in Canada varies across the country, and according to the season. Canada has four distinct seasons, although their arrival times vary across the country. |
The single most significant factor in climate is latitude. As a rule of thumb, it gets colder the further north you go, so it's no accident that the warmest areas in the south are also the most populated.
The western and eastern coasts are both very wet, though much of the rain falls during winter. In Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastern Alberta the prairies are fairly dry all year.
Canadian winters are long and hard: in more than two-thirds of the country, the average January temperature is a shivering -18°C (-0.4°F). July and August are the warmest months, when temperatures in the south are usually in the upper 20°Cs (low 80°Fs).
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| Maritimes : |
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The Maritime provinces, Ontario and Québec are more humid than the western provinces. Temperatures in Halifax, Nova Scotia range from 0 °C in January to a very temperate 24 °C in July. Plan on wearing a sweater and light raincoat in the summer. Québec and Ontario are usually a little colder in the winter and slightly warmer in the summer. |
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| Rockies and other Mountain Areas : |
The greatest variation of temperatures is to be found in the mountains. Mountain temperatures average from -16°C in the winter to 24°C during the summer. However, when visiting the Rockies, be sure to have layers of comfortable clothing available in case of a sudden change in weather conditions (in the mountains, even summer evenings tend to be cool).
If you are planning on walks or hikes, bring sturdy shoes and a warm jacket. If you plan to visit the Rockies in the winter, come dressed for snow – make sure your outer clothing is warm and wind/water repellent.
Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island
Vancouver and Victoria rarely experience temperatures below freezing. These cities enjoy the mildest weather in Canada, averaging 5°C in the winter and 23°C during the summer. However, an umbrella and raincoat are recommended for Vancouver year-round – just in case it rains.
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| Weather - Western Canada |
| Cities |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
| H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
| Vancouver |
18 |
8 |
21 |
11 |
23 |
12 |
23 |
12 |
18 |
9 |
14 |
7 |
| Jasper |
16 |
1 |
21 |
6 |
24 |
7 |
23 |
6 |
16 |
2 |
10 |
-1 |
| Banff |
14 |
3 |
21 |
7 |
23 |
9 |
23 |
8 |
16 |
3 |
10 |
1 |
| Calgary |
18 |
3 |
21 |
7 |
23 |
9 |
22 |
8 |
17 |
3 |
11 |
-1 |
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| Weather - Eastern Canada |
| Cities |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
| H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
H |
L |
| Toronto |
16 |
6 |
24 |
11 |
27 |
14 |
16 |
13 |
21 |
9 |
14 |
4 |
| Montreal |
19 |
7 |
23 |
13 |
26 |
15 |
25 |
14 |
20 |
9 |
13 |
4 |
| Quebec City |
17 |
5 |
22 |
10 |
25 |
13 |
23 |
12 |
18 |
7 |
11 |
2 |
| Ottawa |
19 |
7 |
24 |
13 |
26 |
15 |
25 |
14 |
20 |
10 |
13 |
4 |
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| Safety Measures :
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| Canada is a relatively safe place to live and travel, with crime rates much lower than in the neighbouring US.
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Take the obvious, good-sense precautions to avoid being a victim of petty theft by keeping valuables concealed, both on your person and in your car, and avoiding walking alone through dubious areas.
However, in Canada you are more likely to get a bit of grief from Mother Nature, with blackflies and mosquitoes incessantly swarming you in the woods at certain times of the year.
Blackflies are at their worst from late May through the end of June, while mosquitoes can be a bother from early spring until early fall. Ticks are also an an issue, especially from March to June.
Wild animals may be one of Canada's greatest assets, but they can also present a serious danger if you invade their turf. Do your research before you hit the camp grounds, as bear encounters are common.
Mountain lions (also called 'cougars' or 'pumas') roam around British Colombia, but they are very solitary and rarely seen. Elk, deer and moose can present a problem when driving, especially at night in rural areas.
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| Electricity :
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Electricity is supplied at an alternating current of 110 volts. Plugs in Canada are either two flat, parallel prongs, or one cylindrical and two flat parallel prongs.
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| Mail :
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A regular-sized letter or postcard mailed within Canada costs $0.50, to the United States $0.85, and $1.45 to other international destinations (subject to change). International mail can take up to two weeks for delivery from Canada.
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| Visa :
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Most Western visitors don't need a visa to visit Canada for up to 180 days.
Travellers from about 150 nations, including South Africa, China, North Korea, Taiwan, Eastern European and developing countries, however, do need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) with the Canadian consulate in their home country.
TRVs good for a single entry cost 75.00 and are valid for up to six months.
Disabled Visitors :
Advance notice and details of any disability will ensure the best possible assistance from airlines, hotels or transport companies. Many cinemas and restaurants are happy to assist although not all can cater for several disabled people or wheelchairs.
Most new buildings provide wheelchair access. Many of the national and provincial parks have accessible interpretive centres and some of the shorter nature trails and/or boardwalks have been designed with wheelchairs or self-propelled mobility aids in mind.
Guides to facilities for the disabled are available from the Canadian Paraplegic Association. The National Office is located in Ottawa. For further information, please contact directly – phone: (613)723-1033 or 1-800-720-4933, fax: (613)723-1060.
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| Sales Tax :
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Goods and Services Tax - The Canadian Government applies a Goods & Services Tax (currently 7%) on the sale of all products and services in Canada; this tax is commonly referred to as "GST".
Provincial Sales Tax - In almost every Canadian province an additional Provincial Sales Tax (PST) is applicable. It is added to the advertised price of consumer goods, restaurant meals and drinks in bars. It appears as a separate item and is not a service charge or gratuity. Current applicable taxes are as of July 2004 are :
Provincial Sales Taxes
British Columbia 7.5%
Saskatchewan 6%
Manitoba 7%
Ontario 8%
Québec 7.5%
New Brunswick 15%
Nova Scotia 8%
Prince Edward Island 10%
Newfoundland 15%
Alberta, Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories do not currently have taxes of this kind.
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| Gratuities :
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Service charges usually are not included on bills in restaurants or bars in Canada. It is standard practice to tip service personnel 12% to 15% of the bill. Customary gratuity to tour guides and motorcoach drivers is $1.00 to $2.00 per person per day. This should be handled on a voluntary, individual basis.
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| US Passport Required for Travel :
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From January 2007, U.S. citizens will need a valid passport to travel to Canada, Mexico, and various parts of the Caribbean. The specific requirements are subject to change.
Airport Customs and Immigration :
All international visitors must clear Canadian Customs and Immigration at the arrival airport. Visitors will receive customs documents from in-flight personnel to complete before landing. Once on the ground, retrieve luggage and follow the directions to the Customs Hall. Visitors will be required to state what articles they are bringing into Canada, country of origin, their Canadian destination and their duration of visit in Canada.
When leaving Canada, the regulations of the destination country will apply. Check with the airline customer service desk if uncertain about any of these regulations. Pre-clearance facilities for United States-bound travellers are available at the Vancouver International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Montréal’s Dorval Airport and Halifax International Airport.
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Client Testimonials
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| If any one asks me about your company, I have nothing but great things to say. We have thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Rockies and Alaska. Thanks for recommending the VIA rail. It proved to be nice and comfortable. | Dr. Neeraj Dharia
Tardeo, Mumbai |
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