Organize your stay Canada

Covid-19 : current situation Canada

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Canada. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information

Money Money Canada

The currency is expressed in Canadian dollars (CAD, $ CA, CAN $ - not to be confused with the US dollar). Coins of CAN$1 and CAN$2, and 5, 10 and 25¢ (cents); bills of CAN$5, 10, 20, 50, 100 (the latter are sometimes refused in some stores). English Canadians call the $1 coin " loonie " and the $2 coin " toonie ". The 25¢ coin is called a " quarter ".

Exchange rates. According to the Royal Bank of Canada, the exchange rate in January 2023 was 1 CAN $ = 0.68 €; 1 € = 1.39 CAN $ (actual rates in branch).

Budget & Tips Budget & Tips Canada

To help you plan your daily budget while you are there, here are three examples that fit everyone's financial means.

Small budget: $80-100 CAD per day per person (camping/hostel accommodation, meals on the run or groceries, public transportation or carpooling, free activities or less than $10 CAD).

Medium budget: $200-250 CAD per day per person (B&B or hotel accommodation, good food, public transportation or car, paid or package activities).

Large budget: from $400 CAN per day per person (accommodation in a more luxurious hotel or condo/chalet, good food, transportation by car, package activities/expeditions).

It isalso important to remember that most consumer goods and services are subject to one or two sales taxes (5-15% depending on the province or territory), which are usually not included in the price. Also, the 15% tip must be added to the bill in restaurants and bars. Tipping cab drivers, hotel cleaners and hairdressers is also recommended (but may be less than 15%). No tips in cinemas and theaters.

As forhaggling , it is not a common practice in the country. Prices are fixed and generally non-negotiable. However, shopkeepers will sometimes be generous and offer you something if you buy items from them for a significant amount. In the same way, and although it is strictly forbidden, small shops sometimes accept not to charge you taxes if you pay your purchases in cash and without possibility of return...

Passport and visas Passport and visas Canada

Travelers from France, Belgium and Switzerland are accepted for six months and must have completed their Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) application. They must have a valid passport, a return ticket (ideally) and sufficient money to ensure their stay.

As of 2016, visitors who do not require a visa must complete an AVE (electronic travel authorization) prior to travel. The ETA costs $7 CAN per person, and is valid for five years or until the passport expires. This online application collects basic personal information, just as is currently done at customs upon arrival in Canada, and results in faster border clearance. Beware, there are many fraudulent sites on the web. Some companies, without any link with the government, offer to help you apply for an AVE. But this one is very simple to do (and accessible in French). For more information: canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/ave.html

For any other question concerning the formalities of entry in Canada and for the coordinates of the Canadian embassy in France: france.gc.ca

Covid-19. As of October1, 2022, all border restrictions have been removed. As they can be re-imposed at any time in case of an outbreak of the virus, we still advise you to visit the government website: travel.gc.ca/travel-covid

Finally, you should know that if you plan to cross the U.S. border for a little getaway, you need a biometric passport. This passport allows you to benefit from the Visa Waiver Program for stays of less than 90 days. In order to benefit from this visa waiver, it is necessary to make an online declaration, along with a US$21 fee, for tourist stays in the United States. For more information: esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. Also, be sure to check out the Covid-19 entry requirements: en.visittheusa.ca/us-covid-19-travel-recommendations

Driver's license Driver's license Canada

French, Belgian and Swiss driver's licenses are accepted for a limited period of time (variable depending on the province or territory, generally three months); if not, you will need an international license (generally valid for one to three years). If you wish to rent a car in Canada, you must be 21 years of age, or even 25 years of age for certain models, and have a credit card. A driver's license is also required for snowmobiles and ATVs, and a motorcycle license is required to drive one.

Health Health Canada

There are no infectious diseases or health risks worth mentioning in Quebec, except of course Covid-19 which affects the whole world. Also, you should know that tap water is drinkable (unless otherwise stated) and free, even in restaurants.

Security Security Canada

Although still low, the crime index in Canada has been rising slightly in recent years. It should be noted, however, that the majority of crimes committed in this country are actually property crimes. Although Canada remains a safe country, much more so than its French cousin and out of all proportion to its American neighbor, some recent attacks have left their mark on the imagination: in 2018, in Toronto, the ram-truck attack on Finch Street in the north of the city and then the shooting on Danforth Avenue, both of which claimed victims, or the April 2020 massacre in Nova Scotia, resulting in the death of more than twenty people. These may be isolated incidents, but they have increased in recent years. That said, as a general rule, there is nothing to worry about in Canada, even as a woman travelling alone.

Time difference Time difference Canada

The second largest country in the world, Canada has six time zones: Pacific, Rocky Mountain, Central, Eastern, Atlantic and Newfoundland. While each time zone is one hour apart, only 30 minutes separate the Atlantic and Newfoundland time zones. For example, when it is noon in France, it is 3:00 a.m. in Vancouver, 4:00 a.m. in Calgary, 5:00 a.m. in Winnipeg, 6:00 a.m. in Montreal, 7:00 a.m. in Halifax and 7:30 a.m. in St. John's. Please note that the time change in the fall and spring is not the same as in France, and some areas of Canada remain on standard time year round.

Spoken languages Spoken languages Canada

The official languages of Canada are English and French. Although English is the majority language in the country, Francophone communities are present in every Canadian province and territory. However, provincial governments can define their own official language(s) for communications and services. For example: English and French in New Brunswick, French in Quebec, English in Alberta, and English, French, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun in Nunavut. Canada is also a true cultural and linguistic mosaic, with more than 200 languages spoken by different cultural communities. So don't be surprised to hear languages from all over the world. Finally, there are more than 70 Aboriginal languages in Canada, which are grouped into a dozen language families.

Communication Communication Canada

Telephone coverage is excellent in the major centers and the southern half of the country. However, in some of the more remote areas, notably the northern provinces, and in a large part of the Canadian territories, only satellite phones work, and even then. If you take out a mobile subscription in Canada, especially with low-cost operators, be sure to check the coverage because it may be limited to a few cities or a single area.
As for wifi, finding a connection is not a problem in the southern half of the country and major centers in the northern regions. Airports, bus and train stations, hotels (beware: luxury hotels often offer this service at an extra cost), restaurants, cafes, bars, cultural venues, etc., are usually equipped with wifi, most of the time free of charge. Free public networks are also available in many areas of major cities. However, in remote areas, access to the Internet can be complicated or even non-existent.
Libraries, some hotels and cafes also provide computers, sometimes free of charge. But Internet terminals and self-service computers are gradually disappearing from the landscape...

Electricity and measurements Electricity and measurements Canada

110 volt alternating current with a frequency of 60 Hz. The plugs are flat like in the US (not round like in Europe). Bring an adapter to use European appliances such as a shaver or hair dryer, and make sure they accept this voltage. If necessary, you should also bring a current transformer.
When it comes to measurements, things get a bit tricky. Although Canada adopted the metric system more than 40 years ago, Canadians also use the old measures (inch, foot, pound, ounce, quart, gallon, etc.). For more information: metric-conversions.org/en
As for shoe sizes, a woman's 38 corresponds to 7 (which is equivalent to 39.5 for men). For clothing sizes, women's 40 is 12; men's 44 is 34.

Luggage Luggage Canada

Summers are hot, especially in the south. However, air conditioning and cool evenings in the countryside or mountains require woollens and a windbreaker. Don't forget a bathing suit, a backpack for hiking and mosquito repellent.

In the spring and fall, a lined raincoat is a must, and in the winter, a hat, mittens and a scarf, as well as an anorak, warm clothing and furry boots are a must. That said, the climate varies greatly from one ocean to another, so it is imperative to find out more before you leave. For example, winters tend to be rainy on the west coast, while the central and eastern parts of the country often experience cold spells. And for those who intend to explore more remote areas or the Canadian Far North, a good preparation in terms of equipment is imperative.