Millions of tourists visit Canada each year. We hope this information will help you avoid problems.

Alcohol You must be 19 years of age to consume or purchase alcohol in the province of British Columbia. The minimum age varies from province to province. Drinking alcohol in public is prohibited by law in all of Canada.

Electricity Like the USA, residential Canada uses 110 volt electrical systems at 60 hertz. You will need a voltage transformer/ converter for your electrical appliances if they operate on a different voltage. There are different types of converters for different types of appliances. Small electronics, razors and non-heating appliances can operate with a 50-watt converter. Heating appliances such as hair dryers, irons, coffee makers and other high-power electrical appliances need a 1600-watt converter. You can also purchase combination converters for both types. Mains wall sockets and plugs for 110 volts are two parallel flat blades. If those sockets are different from the ones used in your country then you will need a socket converter.

National Holidays January 1 - New Year's Day
(January 2 - Day after New Year's)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Monday on or before 24 May - Victoria Day
July 1 - Canada Day (formerly Dominion Day)
First Monday in September - Labor Day
Second Monday in October - Thanksgiving
November 11 - Remembrance Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - Boxing Day

Businesses, including banks, that would normally be closed on a Sunday will be closed on these generally observed holidays. The main exception is Boxing Day which is a big day for the retail sector. Businesses might also be open on Remembrance Day. Banks are open on Good Friday but closed Easter Monday.

When a fixed-date holiday falls on a day that a business would normally close (e.g. Christmas on a Sunday), then the Friday or Monday of that weekend is taken as a holiday.

Language Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), however the working language in British Columbia is English.

Measures Canada uses the metric system. Distance is measured in kilometers, speed signs are in kilometers per hour. Petrol/gas is sold by the litter and temperature is measured on the Celsius scale. Most weight measurements are in kilograms or grams.

Smoking In British Columbia, smoking is banned on all public transport, in public buildings, including restaurants and bars, and workplaces.

Tax In Canada the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7% applies throughout the nation. It is added to most purchases and services (including postage stamps) with the exception of basic groceries. In addition to the GST, there is also a tax that varies from province to province. In British Columbia, a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of about 7% applies to retail merchandise and services with certain exceptions - such as food, books, children's clothing, restaurant foods and personal services such as hairdressing and laundry. The PST and GST are calculated separately on the base price of the item. There is also a hotel room tax (8-10% in most places).