VISITORS FROM THE USA
While US passports are not yet necessary to visit
British Columbia or other parts of Canada, the
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI),
requiring passports for cross-border travel, will take
place for air travelers by January 8th, 2007, and for
land or sea travelers (including ferries) as early as
January 1st, 2008. Passports, NEXUS Air cards or
Merchant Mariner Documents (MMDs) will be
required for all air travel from within the Western
Hemisphere for citizens of the US, Canada, Mexico
and Bermuda. It is anticipated that US citizens
traveling between the US and Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean and
Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries) may be
required to present a valid US passport or other
documents as determined by the Department of
Homeland Security.
To prevent delay at all ports of entry, we encourage
all US citizens, including children, to obtain a
passport before traveling.
Current Travel Requirements: When traveling
to Canada, US citizens should carry more than a
driver’s license – a birth certificate, a resident alien
card or a green card together with a picture ID or a
passport is now recommended.
What is the Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative? The Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers,
including US citizens, to and from the America’s to
carry a passport or other accepted document that
establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to
enter or re-enter the United States.
This is a change from prior travel requirements.
The goal is to strengthen border security and
facilitate entry into the United States for US
citizens and legitimate international travelers.
For information, including Customs
Information for visitors to Canada and
seasonal residents contact:
1-800-461-9999
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/visitors-e.html 
VISITORS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
All persons coming into Canada as visitors, other
than American citizens, must be in possession of
a valid national passport or other recognized
travel documents and visas if required. Visas
must be obtained in advance from a Canadian
Embassy or Canadian Consulate outside Canada.
BRINGING GOODS TO CANADA FOR
PERSONAL USE
Visitors are not allowed to carry a weapon (a
firearm, mace or any other spray) to be used
against humans for self-defense in Canada.
Contact information about the restrictions on
importing firearms is provided in another section
on this page.
You may bring bona fide gifts worth up to $60.00
(Canadian) each for your friends or family in
Canada without paying duty, provided these do
not consist of tobacco or alcoholic beverages.
TRANSPORTING GOODS THROUGH
CANADA
Americans seeking a convenient route to other
parts of the mainland U.S. or Alaska may bring
goods "in transit" (but not handguns) through
Canada. To facilitate your border crossings, you
should carry three copies of a list of all the goods
you are bringing with you, including values and
serial numbers if applicable. Consumable goods
e.g. alcohol, tobacco and food should be packed
in containers that can be recorded and sealed by
Canadian Customs at the time of entry.
RESTRICTIONS ON ITEMS FOR
PERSONAL USE
Alcohol
Those meeting the age requirement of British
Columbia (19) may bring in either: 1.14 litres (40
oz) of liquor or 1.5 litres (51 oz) or 2 x 750 ml of
wine, or in lieu, 8.6 litres (288 oz) of beer or ale.
Tobacco
Visitors meeting the age requirement of British
Columbia (19) may bring the following amounts
of tobacco into Canada without paying duty:
• up to 50 cigars • 200 cigarettes • 200 grams (8
oz) of tobacco. This does not apply to
merchandise or articles intended for other
persons or for sale.
Drugs for Medical Use
Prescription drugs should be clearly identified
and carried in the original packaging with a label
specifying both what they are and that they are
being used under prescription. It is recommended
to bring a copy of your prescription and the
contact number of your doctor. Diabetics and
others who have to bring syringes with them
should carry some kind of evidence of their need
for use.
HEALTH INSURANCE & HOSPITALS
The vast majority of hospitals in Canada are
publicly managed and rates are set by the
provincial and hospital authorities. Your regular
health insurance will likely offer extended
coverage while you are in Canada. However, it is
always wise to purchase extra travel insurance
before leaving on any trip.
SALES TAX
Goods & Services Tax
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 6%
federal tax which applies to most goods and
services available in Canada.
Provincial Sales Tax
The province of British Columbia has a
provincial sales tax of 7%.
ANIMAL COMPANIONS
All animals must be accompanied by their owners
when entering Canada. Owners of dogs and cats
must bring a certificate issued by a licensed
American or Canadian veterinarian clearly
identifying the pet and certifying that it has been
vaccinated against rabies during the previous 36
months. An exception is made for puppies or
kittens that are younger than three months old.
Seeing eye dogs are allowed into Canada without
restriction. Canadian law also guarantees that
anyone using seeing-eye dogs may bring them
into restaurants, hotels and other businesses.
For further information on the entry of pets,
please contact:
Entry of Pets:
Toll Free: 1-888-732-6222
Tel: (604) 666-9240 (outside Canada/US)
www.inspection.gc.ca
HUNTING
REVOLVERS, PISTOLS AND FULL
AUTOMATIC FIREARMS ARE PROHIBITED
ENTRY INTO CANADA.
• Contact Canada Customs or the RCMP for
details before bringing firearms into Canada.
• Hunters can obtain provincial licensing details
from Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
offices, government agents or any authorized
licensing office. All hunters should carry a
current copy of the BC Hunting and Trapping
Regulations synopsis.
Hunting and fishing are subject to the laws of
each province and to those of the Federal
government. To learn more about the regulations
and license requirements contact:
Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection -
Wildlife Branch
PO Box 9363, Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC Canada V8W 9M2
Toll Free: 1-800-663-7867
FIREARMS IN CANADA
To enter Canada with a restricted firearm,
individuals must obtain an Authorization to
Transport (ATT) from a provincial or territorial
Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) before arriving at
the border. For further information regarding the
importation of firearms in Canada contact:
Canadian Firearms Centre
1-800-731-4000
www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca
METRIC SYSTEM
Here are some handy comparisons that will help
you with Canadian signs and fuel prices.
A kilometre (km) is approximately six-tenths
(0.6) of a mile. Use the following formula to
estimate speed limits and distances:
25 km = 15 miles 70 km = 45 miles
40 km = 25 miles 90 km = 55 miles
50 km = 30 miles 100 km = 60 miles
For example: in a 50 km-per-hour zone, you
should drive 30 miles per hour; in a 100 km-perhour
zone, you should drive 60 miles per hour.
Fuel in Canada is sold in litres. It takes 3.78 litres
to make a U.S. gallon.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACT
The Province of British Columbia enforces the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Please be aware of the total
permissible weight for your vehicle.
For further information:
Insurance
Corporation of BC (ICBC)
Tel: (250) 414-7900
Toll Free: 1-800-559-9688
(North America) 24 hrs/7 days a week
www.icbc.com
TEMPERATURES
Temperatures in Canada are measured in Celsius. To convert from
Celsius to Fahrenheit multiply by 9/5, then add 32; from Fahrenheit
to Celsius, subtract 32, then multiply remainder by 5/9.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures (º C) and (°F)
for Northeastern British Columbia.
| |
High °C |
Low °C |
High °F |
Low °F |
January |
-15.2 |
- -24.7 |
4.6 |
-12.5 |
February |
-7.9 |
-18.8 |
17.8 |
-1.8 |
March |
-2.0 |
-13.4 |
28.4 |
7.8 |
April |
8.3 |
-3.5 |
46.9 |
25.7 |
May |
16.0 |
2.9 |
60.8 |
37.2 |
June |
19.7 |
7.4 |
67.5 |
45.3 |
July |
21.9 |
9.6 |
71.4 |
49.3 |
August |
20.6 |
8.2 |
69.1 |
46.8 |
September |
15.0 |
3.4 |
59.0 |
38.1 |
October |
8.0 |
-1.9 |
46.4 |
28.6 |
November |
-3.6 |
-12.3 |
25.5 |
9.86 |
December |
-11.4 |
-20.3 |
11.5 |
-4.5 |
|
