Travel Guides to Canada

stipulating permission for use in Canada. Canada's highway system includes the Trans-Canada Highway, which takes motorists across the country from St. John's, NL, to Victoria, BC. Canadian driving rules and regula- tions are similar to those in the United States. At intersections you may turn right on a red light if the way is clear and unless posted otherwise (except on the Island of Montréal). Speed limits, usually 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) on highways, 37 miles per hour (60 km/h) or less in urban areas, are fairly strictly enforced. Seat belts are compulsory and children weigh- ing less than 40 lbs (18 kg) must be in child restraint seats. Requirements about helmet usage for those on motorcycles and bicycles vary across the country. Laws forbidding the use of hand-held devices to talk, text or email, or the use of portable video games or DVD players while driv- ing, also vary across the country. Drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced; blood alcohol limits vary prov- incially. It is strongly recommended not to drink and drive. GettinG Around Cities and towns across Canada and the U.S. are linked by Air Canada and other carriers including WestJet and Air Transat. In some airports, a departure tax is levied on top of taxes included in ticket prices; some airports charge for luggage cart use. The national passenger rail system, VIA Rail, has services across Canada, with connections to certain U.S. cities. Inter-city buses are economical and very comfortable, with air-conditioning, toilets and plenty of storage space. Municipal bus services provide easy trans- portation in cities and towns, while Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Montréal also have excellent subway and local rail systems. Check the Transportation Companies listing for ferry services. The larger car ferries require advance reservations. HeAltH For Canadians travelling within Canada, most provincial health coverage benefits can be used across Canada. Except in Québec, all provinces and territories have a co-operative agreement where physi- cians submit their claims to their local medical plans for services provided to out-of-province residents, which are then charged to that resident's home plan. If a resident has to pay for health services received in another part of Canada, the resident submits receipts to their local ministry office to be considered for reim- bursement. However, there are a number of ser- vices that are not covered while travelling out of province. They include prescrip- tion drugs from pharmacies, home care services, ambulance services and long- term care services. Buying supplementary medical coverage can cover these costs. As well, travel insurance can cover a host of unexpected travel expenses including trip interruption and cancellation, and loss of baggage and personal effects. Canada's health and medical services are generally considered to be among the world's finest. The majority of hospitals are publicly managed, their fees set by provin- cial hospital authorities. Non-residents hospitalized in Canada are charged at a daily rate. These differ provincially, and average around $4,000 a day. It is import- ant, therefore, for visitors to purchase travel health insurance before leaving home. Prescription medications should be carried in the original containers, in case customs officials want to see them. HolidAys Many Canadian and American holidays are the same and celebrated at the same time (see Canada's Public Holidays for listings). However, Canadians celebrate Thanks- giving on the second Monday in October (October 8, 2012), not in November as Americans do. recreAtionAl VeHicles & cAmpGrounds Canada's loveliest campgrounds are in national, provincial and municipal parks, which usually feature level sites with elec- tricity, water and sewage hookups and barbecues. Commercial campgrounds are usually less aesthetic, but tend to have more amenities. There are companies that rent campers and motorhomes; some com- panies allow you to pick up a motorhome in one city and return it in another. security Even in Canada's largest cities it is gener- ally safe to walk the streets and ride on public transport at night. However, visi- tors are advised to take the same precau- tions against pickpockets as they would at home. Belongings should be stowed out of sight when left in parked cars, espe- cially in tourist areas. Purses and wallets are best kept beneath outer clothing and passports and other valuables in the hotel safe. (For identification purposes, carry copies of pertinent pages of the pass- port.) To avoid unnecessary grief in the event of theft, keep a list of credit card and other important numbers in a body purse or button-down pocket. The use of firearms is strictly con- trolled. Travellers should contact the Canada Firearms Centre (www.rcmp-grc. gc.ca/cfp-pcaf) for information before attempting to import a firearm of any kind. Buying or selling illicit drugs is severely dealt with by the police and courts. sHoppinG Typically, Canadian stores open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; times vary on Sunday. Shopping centres are usually open until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Most neighbourhoods have con- venience stores, which are open up to 24 hours a day. Canada's liquor laws vary between provinces and territories. Alcoholic bev- erages are generally available in bars and restaurants. Liquor is not sold in super- markets. Spirits, wines and beer are sold in provincially owned or supervised stores. Private stores in Alberta are allowed to sell alcohol and in Québec low alcohol-content beverages and wine can be bought in grocery stores. In Canada, sales taxes are added to the ticket price of most goods and services, including meals and accommodation. There is a federal 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), as well as a provincial sales tax and in some provinces they are combined into one Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Except in Alberta and the territories, where there are no provincial/territorial taxes, expect to pay between 12% and 15% on top of most advertised purchase prices. tippinG For good service, gratuities of 15 to 20% are customary in restaurants, for taxi driv- ers and similar services. Porters and bell- men expect one to two dollars per bag handled; a room maid, two or three dollars per day. Service charges are seldom added to bills, except in resorts. 2012 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA 25

• Cover