Canada Travel Tips – Medical

Before you leave, please check whether your insurance already covers overseas travel. If not, be sure to purchase travel medical insurance before leaving for Canada. When traveling, please carry your insurance policy number and emergency contact number with you.

1. Canadian Hospitals and Medical Services

Canadian hospitals and medical services provide you with quality services. Most hospitals in Canada are managed by the government, and service fees are set by provinces or hospital management agencies. Medical services for non-Canadian citizens are charged at a daily price or based on the medical condition and the length of treatment. Medical costs vary from place to place, but on average are between $1,000 and $2,000 per day.

Hospital emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day. Most cities have community clinics where non-emergency patients can go for medical treatment or consultation without an appointment. The cost of each clinic varies. Please check the “Medical, Clinics” column in the Yellow Pages for the telephone number of each clinic.

2. Prescriptions and Pharmacies

Please carry with you all the prescription drugs you will need during your trip, as well as copies of your prescriptions in case you need them. Pharmacies can be found everywhere in Canada. Most large cities have at least one 24-hour pharmacy, and many grocery stores also have drug counters in the store. All prescription drugs should be kept in their original packaging, with the type of drug and the prescription being used labeled on it. If you do not have the original packaging, please bring a copy of the prescription or a certificate from your doctor. You may also want to bring spare glasses or contact lenses, or a prescription from your eye doctor, in case you need new glasses or contact lenses.

3. Emergency Services

Most cities in Canada offer 911 emergency services. In an emergency, you can dial 911 from any phone to call the police, fire, or ambulance. If you are temporarily unable to reach 911 service, dial “0” and ask the operator to call the police, fire, or ambulance. You can make emergency calls for free from any pay phone.

Canada Travel Tips – Communication information

Canada’s telephone system is very similar to that of the United States. Canadian telephone numbers are 10 digits. The first 3 digits are the area code, and the next 7 digits are the local number (for example, 555-555-5555). If you make a long-distance call outside the local area, dial “1”, then the 3-digit area code, and then the 7-digit local number.

To make an international call from Canada (except the United States), dial “011”, then the area code and local number. For long-distance directory assistance, dial 1 + area code + 555-1212. Directory assistance is free from pay phones. Guides to local and long-distance calls can be found on pay phones and in the first few pages of the phone book.

Dial 411 for directory assistance, Chinese directory assistance 6047388888

1. Using a Cell Phone in Canada

Cell phone coverage in Canada varies depending on the type of phone you use, your local cell phone service provider and plan, and your phone carrier system. Contact your cell phone service provider for information about international roaming services and to find out if your phone is compatible with Canada’s network and frequencies.

2. Postal Services

There are post offices in communities across Canada. Many pharmacies, convenience stores, and shopping malls also have mailing offices. The price of mailing a standard postcard or letter within Canada is 0.54 Canadian dollars. Mailing to the United States is 0.98 Canadian dollars, and to other countries is 1.65 Canadian dollars. Letters and parcels are charged by size and weight.

3. Internet and Email

When traveling in Canada, you can still communicate through email or the Internet. Most Canadian cities have Internet cafes and coffee shops that provide wireless Internet access. Hotels generally provide wired and wireless Internet access to guests, and libraries can provide free Internet access for a limited time.

4. Voltage and Electricity

Canada, like the United States, uses 110 volts (60 Hz). You need a universal adapter to use electrical equipment from other countries. 110-volt wall sockets (or power sockets) and plugs are both two-pin designs. If the socket is different from the one you use in your home country, you will need a socket converter.

Canada Travel Tips – Canadian Currency Information

Canada uses dollars ($) and cents (¢) similar to the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to 0.01 cents, 0.05 cents and 0.25 cents, Canada currently has 1 dollar and 2 dollar coins, commonly called “loonie” and “toonie”. Banknotes come in different colors and patterns, the most common being the 5 dollar bill (blue), 10 dollar (purple), 20 dollar (green), 50 dollar (red) and 100 dollar (brown).

Most hotels, shopping malls and restaurants accept US dollars, but sometimes the exchange rate is lower than that of banks and airports. The exchange rate of large hotels is usually close to that of banks. It is recommended that you exchange Canadian dollars before departure.

1. Currency Exchange in Canada

You can exchange currency at any regular financial institution, bank, trust company or currency exchange office in Canada. Many large shopping malls, hotels and restaurants can also exchange currency, but the exchange rate is usually lower than that of financial institutions. It is best to exchange currency in advance before departure.

2. Provincial Sales Tax and Federal Tax

Most goods and services in Canada are subject to a 5% federal tax (GST) or “Goods and Services Tax”. Except Alberta, all other provinces will add a 5% to 10% provincial sales tax (PST) on purchased goods and financial transactions. The region does not charge provincial sales tax. Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick replace PST and GST with a 13% HST (combined sales tax). Some hotels and shopping malls combine GST or HST in the price; other places charge the price of goods and taxes separately.

3. Credit Cards and Bank ATMs

Major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, Visa, etc. can be used in Canada. The amount on your monthly credit card bill when you get home has already been converted to an exchange rate. Remember to contact your credit card company to let them know that you will be using your credit card abroad.

Using an ABM (bank automated teller machine), also known as an ATM (automatic teller machine), is a convenient way to get cash when traveling abroad. Most international bank card systems, such as Interac, Plus, Cirrus and Maestro, are installed on most ABMs in Canada. ABMs are easily found in many places, such as banks, stores, airports, etc. You can also use your credit card to advance cash at ABMs. It is best to contact your bank in your home country before you leave to let them know that you will be using your credit card in Canada, as you may be subject to certain specific terms or withdrawal limits.

4. Bank Opening Hours

Normal bank opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Many banks are open until 6:00 pm on Friday. Some banks and branches may also be open in the evenings during the week, and even on Saturdays. Trust companies are usually open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings.

5. Tipping

Canada has a habit of tipping. Canadian restaurant bills usually do not include tips or service charges, but tips account for a significant proportion of the waiter’s income. Some restaurants will charge a service charge for large purchases. Generally speaking, tips are 15% to 20% of the total amount of consumption.

Tips for barbers, hairstylists and taxi drivers are usually 15%. Tips for hotel, airport and train station waiters, doormen, porters, etc. are 1 to 2 Canadian dollars per piece of luggage. Canadian bar and nightclub guests usually tip the bar and table waiters separately.

Canada Travel Tips – Customs Information

1. Gifts

When bringing gifts with a unit price of less than 60 Canadian dollars into Canada, tourists can be exempted from customs duties and taxes. Gifts over 60 Canadian dollars are subject to customs duties on the excess amount. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and promotional materials are not included in the category of gifts.

2. Alcohol and tobacco products

You can bring limited quantities of alcoholic beverages into Canada, subject to the age requirements of each province or territory (see below). You must arrive with the alcoholic beverages you bring. The age of entry into Canada for alcoholic beverages is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec, and 19 in Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador. You can only bring one of the following alcoholic products duty-free: 53 ounces of wine, 40 ounces of hard liquor, 40 ounces of wine and hard liquor combined, or 24 x 12 ounce cans or bottles of beer or ale. You can bring the following items duty-free into Canada: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos, 7 ounces of manufactured tobacco, or 200 tobacco rods.

3. Items prohibited and restricted by Canadian Customs

Many agricultural products are restricted or prohibited from entering Canada. Canadian law requires that all agricultural products brought by travelers, whether by land, water or air, must be declared to customs officers upon arrival. Except for indoor potted plants from the United States, all other plants must be allowed to enter Canada with prior permission. Weapons such as pistols, maces and pepper spray are prohibited from entering Canada. In addition, certain fruits, vegetables, honey, eggs, meat, dairy products and plants from other countries are also prohibited from entering Canada.

4. Customs contact information

You can log on to the Canada Border Services Agency website to find the customs address closest to you, or call the Border Information Service (BIS).

Toll-free number in Canada:

  • English 1-800-461-9999 or
  • French: 1-800-959-2036.

Outside Canada, please call

  • 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 for English service;
  • 204-983-3700 or 506-636-5067 for French (long distance charges apply).