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CANADIAN
TOURISM
COMMISSION/MISSION
HILL
FAMILY
ESTATE
> Canadian Government: accesstotravel.gc.ca
Get information on accessible transportation and travel
across Canada.
> Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
800.855.0511,
> TDD 604.736.2527 or 604.736.7391, widhh.ca
Interpreter services 24-hour message-relay centre.
> BC Mobility Opportunities Society: 604.688.6464,
disabilityfoundation.org Find disabled sailing and other
recreational opportunities.
> Canadian National Institute for the Blind:
604.431.2121, cnib.ca
Also, see accessibility rating information throughout the
business listings beginning on page 59.
CUSTOMS & BORDER CROSSING INFO
> Canada Customs Entry Regulations
Citizens or permanent residents of the United States
require a U.S. passport to enter Canada. Proof of
residence, such as a driver's licence, should also be carried.
However, this is not accepted as proof of citizenship. Visit
getyouhome.gov for details. All international visitors must
be in possession of a valid national passport and, in some
cases, a visa (check with your local Canadian consulate
or embassy).
> Returning or Travelling to the United States
U.S. and Canadian citizens are required to have a passport
at all entry points if entering the U.S. Find up-to-date
information at getyouhome.gov and travel.state.gov. Each
visitor over the age of 19 may import to Canada, duty-free:
1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liquor or wine or 8.5 litres (288 oz. or
24 bottles) of beer and 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 200
grams (7 oz.) of manufactured tobacco. Revolvers, pistols
and fully automatic firearms are prohibited in Canada.
For more information, contact:
> Canadian Border Service Agency: 800.461.9999
(Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Outside Canada:
204.983.3500 cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
> Immigration Canada: 888.242.2100
(Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), cic.gc.ca
> Make Sure You're Fully Insured
Individual travellers are advised to obtain their own
personal health, luggage or other travel insurance, which
can be bought through local automobile associations,
travel agencies and insurance companies.
TRAVELLING WITH PETS
All pets coming to Canada must be accompanied by their
owners. Each pet must have a certificate from a licensed
American or Canadian veterinarian clearly stating that it
has been vaccinated against rabies in the previous 36
months; otherwise the pet will not be let into Canada.
inspection.gc.ca
TRAVELLING BY CAR
> Driving in B.C.
Tourists with a valid licence can drive in B.C. for up to
6 months from another province, state or country, or up to
12 months if they also hold an International Driver's Permit
issued outside of Canada.
> Driver Services Centre Royal Centre Suite 221–
1055 W. Georgia, Vancouver, B.C. 800.950.1498,
icbc.com
> B.C. Buckles Up
The use of safety belts, child safety seats, bicycle helmets
and motorcycle helmets is mandatory in British Columbia.
> Bank Machines/Credit Cards
Most bank machines in Metro Vancouver offer service on the
Plus, Cirrus and Interac networks. They also generally accept
credit card withdrawals. If you use your credit card to get cash
from an ATM , the currency exchange is automatically done
for you at the rate your credit card company offers. Vancouver
welcomes all major credit cards.
> Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to a restaurant bill
in Canada. Tipping your server at a bar, restaurant, nightclub
or pub is standard practice, and in general, a tip of 15 to 20
per cent of the pre-tax amount is suggested. Porters at airports,
railway stations and hotels are generally given $1 to $2 per bag.
> Taxes
A federal goods and services tax (GST) of five per cent
applies to most purchased goods and services. In addition,
a provincial sales tax (PST) of seven per cent is applicable
to most retail purchases except liquor, which is taxed at
10 per cent.
FREQUENTLY USED NUMBERS
• Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre Message Centre:
leave a message at 604.683.2000 or email
visitvancouver@tourismvancouver.com
• Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911
• City of Vancouver Inquiries: 311
• Non-Emergency Police: 604.717.3321 (24 hrs.)
• Public Transit: 604.953.3333
(Mon. to Sat., 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.), translink.ca
• BC Ferries: 250.386.3431 (recorded information),
888.223.3779 (in B.C.), bcferries.com
• BC Parks: 604.924.2200,
www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
• Weather Report: 604.664.9010
• Road Report: 800.550.4997, drivebc.ca
• Canada Customs: 800.461.9999 (in Canada),
204.983.3500 (outside Canada), cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
• Environment and Climate Change Canada:
604.582.5200, ec.gc.ca
• Fisheries & Oceans Canada: 604.666.2828, dfo-mpo.gc.ca
• Discover Camping: 604.689.9025
(within Lower Mainland), 800.689.9025
(outside Lower Mainland), discovercamping.ca
• Ski Information: cypressmountain.com,
grousemountain.com, whistlerblackcomb.com
