2009 Vancouver Official Travel Planner Guide - (Page 6) General Information Canada Customs and Entry Regulations Citizens or permanent residents of the Untied States are required to verify citizenship when entering Canada. Acceptable documents proving citizenship include U.S. passports and certified copies of U.S. birth certificates. Alien permanent residents of the United States must present their Alien Registration Card (“Green Card”). A driver’s licence, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is not valid proof of citizenship. U.S. visitors will also be required to verify their identity. Acceptable documents proving identity include a valid driver’s licence or U.S. passport. All Canadian and U.S. citizens travelling by air between the United States and Canada must have a valid passport or NEXUS card to enter (or reenter) the United States. For more information, visit the Canada Border Services Agency website at cbsaasfc.gc.ca. Visitors from other countries to Canada, including U.S. citizens entering Canada from another country, must have a valid passport and, depending on the country, a visitor’s visa (check with your local Canadian consulate or embassy). Population City of Vancouver: 611,000 Metro Vancouver: more than 2.2 million Languages Spoken English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English is the predominant language spoken in British Columbia. 42° F 44° F 50° F 58° F 65° F 69° F 74° F 74° F 65° F 58° F 48° F 43° F Weather – Average Daily Highs January February March April May June July August September October November December 5° C 7° C 10° C 14° C 18° C 21° C 23° C 23° C 18° C 14° C 9° C 6° C Fishing Regulations Fishing is governed by federal and provincial law in British Columbia. Anglers must possess nonresident licences. A special fishing permit is required to fish in all national parks. These permits can be obtained at any national park site for a nominal fee and are valid in all national parks across Canada. Separate licenses are required for saltwater and freshwater fishing, and they are available at most sporting goods stores, fish and tackle shops, marinas, government agent offices and online at fishing.gov.bc.ca. Licence information (Recreational Licence Unit): 604.666.5835. General information: Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 604. 666.2828, Fax: 604.666.1847. The BC Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Guide is also available at pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Time Zone Vancouver is in the Pacific Time Zone. Daylight Savings Time is in effect from 2am on the second Sunday in March until 2am on the first Sunday in November. Tipping Tips or service charges are not usually added to a restaurant bill in Canada. Tipping your server at a restaurant, bar, nightclub or pub is standard practice, and in general, a tip of 15–20 per cent of the total amount is suggested. Porters at airports, railway stations and hotels generally expect $1–2 (CDN) per item of luggage. British Columbia Holidays New Year’s Day Good Friday Easter Monday Victoria Day Canada Day B.C. Day Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day Christmas Day Boxing Day 2009 Jan. 1 April 10 April 13 May 18 July 1 Aug. 3 Sept. 7 Oct. 12 Nov. 11 Dec. 25 Dec. 26 2010 Jan. 1 April 2 April 5 May 24 July 1 Aug. 2 Sept. 6 Oct. 11 Nov. 11 Dec. 25 Dec. 26 About the WHTI The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. law that requires all travellers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, to present a valid passport or another approved secure document when travelling to, through or from the United States from within the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. WHTI is being implemented in stages by mode of transportation. Presently U.S. citizens and citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda travelling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport to enter or reenter the United States. Final document requirements for those U.S. and Canadian citizens who seek to enter the United States at land or sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will take effect June 1, 2009. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at travel.state.gov. Taxes Most purchases in British Columbia are subject to a sales tax totalling 12 per cent of the purchase price. The provincial sales tax (PST) of 7 per cent applies to all retail purchases with the exception of liquor, which is taxed at 10 per cent. The goods and services tax (GST) is a valueadded tax of 5 per cent applicable to most purchased goods and services regardless of whether the buyer is a resident of Canada or a visitor to Canada. Metric Equivalents – Units Canada uses the international metric system. Capacity 1 litre = 1.06 U.S. quarts 1 U.S. quart = 0.95 litre Hotel and Room Tax Except for campgrounds and houseboats, tourist accommodation rates quoted are subject to a 10 per cent provincial hotel and motel room tax. Where approved, an additional 2 per cent tourism tax is levied by the local municipal government. GST (5 per cent) is also applied. Weight 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds Electrical Current The electrical current is the same in Canada as in the United States: 110 volts AC at 60Hz. Adapters are required for appliances from other countries. Destination Marketing Fee Effective June 1, 2008, Vancouver hoteliers under the umbrella of the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association (VHDA) introduced a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) to increase funding for the marketing of Vancouver as a destination. The DMF is collected and administered by the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and applies to guest room rental for stays less than 30 days. The funds raised through this fee will strictly go to the enhancement of Vancouver’s destination awareness and to initiate new marketing strategies, providing greater national and international exposure for Vancouver; monies raised through the DMF are not used to market hotels. For further information please contact info@vanhda.ca or visit vanhda.ca. GST Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive The Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program provides relief for GST with respect to the short-term accommodation portion of tour packages for nonresident individuals and tour operators. For more information on this program, please visit the Canadian Revenue Agency website at cra-arc.gc.ca/ tax/nonresidents/visitors/. Alcohol and Smoking Minors are not admitted into nightclubs serving alcohol. In British Columbia, minors are defined as anyone under 19 years of age. Within the city of Vancouver, smoking is not permitted by law in all indoor public spaces. Smoking is not permitted within six metres of an entryway, openable window or air intake of a building. Signage will be posted to indicate the applicable smoking restrictions. Each municipality in Metro Vancouver has different rules for smoking in public places such as public buildings, restaurants and pubs. Please smoke in designated areas only. 6 t o u r i s m va n c o u ve r. c o m / t ra d e http://fishing.gov.bc.ca http://pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca http://cbsaasfc.gc.ca http://cbsaasfc.gc.ca http://travel.state.gov http://cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/ http://cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors/ http://vanhda.ca http://tourismvancouver.com/trade
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