 Sea to Sky Highway, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region
Customs
Entry into Canada: United States citizens must show photographic identification (such as a driver's licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or certificate of citizenship), or a passport. Visitors from other countries must be in possession of a valid national passport and may also require a visa. When travelling with children, carry each child's birth certificate. When only one parent is travelling with the child(ren), he or she should carry written permission from the other parent. Divorced parents who share custody should also carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from parents or guardians to supervise the children.
BC has several ports of entry. Major border crossings, including the Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing, are open 24 hours while others operate on a limited schedule.
> Canada Border Services Agency website.
Pleasure boats / private aircraft: Boaters must contact Canada Border Services Agency upon arrival at an approved reporting site. Private aircraft must contact Canada Border Services Agency between 2 and 48 hours prior to arrival and again upon arrival at an approved airport of entry.
Personal: All goods must be declared. Persons aged 19 and over are entitled to bring into Canada: up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 200 g (8 oz) of tobacco, and 1.14 l (40 oz) of spirits or wine, or 8.5 litres (288 oz) of beer or ale.
Pets: Dogs and cats from the US must be accompanied by a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian of Canada or the US certifying that the animal is currently vaccinated against rabies.
> Canadian Food Inspection Agency website or call 1-888-732-6222.
Fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, plant material: Restrictions apply to the importation of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products and plant material.
> Canadian Food Inspection Agency website or call 1-888-732-6222.
Weapons: All firearms must be declared. Revolvers, pistols, fully automatic firearms and other weapons and self-defense sprays (e.g. mace, pepper spray) are prohibited. For more information contact the Canadian Firearms Centre toll-free inquiry line at 1-800-731-4000.
For more information on customs offices and regulations when entering Canada, visit the website for the Canada Border Services Agency or, call 1-800-461-9999 (toll-free within Canada), or 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 from outside Canada (long-distance charges apply).
Returning to the US
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) that will require all travellers to the US to show passports (including returning US citizens) will come into effect on the following dates:
Travel by air: January 23, 2007
Travel by land or sea (including ferries): as early as summer, 2008
Click here for more information on this new travel policy, including how to apply for a passport, or visit the US Department of State website.
Accessibility
For persons with hearing or speech impairment, there are services available at the Western Institute for Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Call 604-736-7391 (voice) or 604-736-2527 (TTY). For the Telus 24-hour Message Relay Centre call 1-800-855-0511 (voice) or 711 (TTY). For persons using wheelchairs, the British Columbia Paraplegic Association provides helpful accessibility information by phone at 1-877-324-3611 or 604-324-3611.
Driving Laws
Seatbelts must be worn by drivers and passengers in BC. Children under five must use an approved safety seat. Motorcyclists and cyclists must wear helmets.
Drive on the right-hand side of the road and, if it's safe to do so, feel free to turn right at a red light after making a full stop, unless signs indicate otherwise. If you are involved in an accident, immediately contact the local police or RCMP, and then contact your insurance company. It is a criminal offense to operate or be in the care or control of a vehicle, whether in motion or not, with a blood alcohol content of more than 0.08 percent.
Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour.
Out of province drivers' licences and international drivers' licences are valid in BC for a maximum of six months. Drivers with a non-English language licence are advised to obtain an international licence. Visit the British Columbia Automobile Association for more information.
Alcohol Laws
BC's legal drinking age is 19. Photo identification is required to purchase alcoholic beverages or enter nightclubs serving alcohol. Alcohol can be purchased in government liquor stores and at privately owned cold beer & wine stores.
Emergency Information
In emergency situations, contact the local police, ambulance service, fire department and other emergency services by dialing 911, a free call from any telephone. The news media and many tourist facilities cooperate with the RCMP to communicate urgent messages to visitors. If you see or hear your name, please phone the number given.
If you are a visitor to Canada, you should clarify what coverage your personal insurance carrier provides before you leave your home country and, if necessary, obtain additional health insurance before coming to BC.
Taxes
Most purchases in British Columbia are subject to sales tax totalling 12% of the purchase price. The provincial sales tax (PST) of 7% applies to retail purchases and leases with the exception of liquor, which is taxed at 10%. Some items, including groceries, restaurant meals, children's clothing and books, are PST exempt. The federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% (as of January 1, 2008) is applicable to most purchased goods and services, but rebates on accommodations and purchases taken out of the country can be claimed by non-residents of Canada. Some restrictions apply. For more information call 1-800-66-VISIT from within Canada; outside Canada call 902-432-5608.
Tipping
It is customary to tip between 15% and 20% at bars and restaurants in BC. Tips are also given to tour guides, and for taxi service, spa treatments and haircuts. Porters at airports, railway stations and hotels generally expect $1-2 (CDN) per item of luggage.
Measurement
Canada uses the metric system. The following conversions may be useful:
1 Canadian gallon = 4.5 litres
1 American gallon = 3.8 litres
Miles x 1.6 = Kilometres
Kilometres x 0.6 = Miles
30°C = 86°F
20°C = 68°F
0°C = 32°F
-10°C = 14°F
Time Zones / Daylight Savings Time
Pacific Standard Time applies in most of BC. This is three hours behind Eastern Standard Time (Ontario/New York). BC is one hour behind Alberta, with the exception of some eastern areas which are on MST/Alberta time. Daylight Savings Time changes take place generally at the end of March (the clocks move forward one hour) and at the end of October (clocks move backward one hour).
Public Holidays (2008)
Banks, government offices and some stores will be closed on the following days:
New Year's Day - January 1
Good Friday - March 21
Easter Monday - March 24
Victoria Day - May 19
Canada Day - July 1
BC Day - August 4
Labour Day - September 1
Thanksgiving Day - October 13
Remembrance Day - November 11
Christmas Day - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26
Banking
Banking hours are generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some banks are open on Saturday. ATMs (automated teller machines) are found at banks and in retail areas.
Currency Exchange
The monetary system in Canada is based on dollars and cents. To avoid exchange problems, visitors are advised to exchange their funds to Canadian dollars at a bank or a foreign currency exchange outlet.
To find out what your local currency converts to in Canadian dollars, access a currency converter here.
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