General Information – INSOL 2009        

Airport
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located nine miles (15 kilometres) west of the city centre. The Vancouver International Airport is serviced by the Vancouver Airporter Shuttle, charter bus companies, TransLink buses, taxi and limousine services. Rental cars can be picked up and dropped off at the airport and there is ample parking for private vehicles.

Banks
Vancouver banks are open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm and Friday from 10am to 6pm. Some banks, like Canadian Trust, are also open on Saturday.

Climate
Vancouver has one of the mildest climates in Canada. Winters are wet, but temperatures seldom fall below freezing and snow is rare. Summer is sunny and warm, almost never hot, and seldom humid. Late autumn can be chilly with occasional rain and fog.

Currency
Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many 24- hour-access automated banking machines. As in many other countries, these machines accept cards with Plus, Interac, and Cirrus symbols, and there is one on almost every block in downtown Vancouver. Most Canadian businesses accept U.S. currency and traveller’s checks. International currency exchanges are available at the airport and at all banks in the city. Major credit cards are generally accepted by Canadian businesses.

Canadian money is in dollars and cents, similar to the United States. Coins are the copper colored one-cent (penny), silver coloured five cents (nickel), ten cents (dime), and twenty-five cents (quarter), brass colored $1.00 (loonie), and the $2.00 (toonie) which is made of two different colored metals. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations and there is a different colour for each bill. One thousand dollar bills are obtainable from banks, but are not in everyday circulation.

Dining Out
Hungry? What tempts your taste buds: Decadent desserts - grilled T-bone steak - fresh seafood - soy burger? Vancouver has every taste and type of food you crave! Vancouver’s restaurant scene offers worldclass cuisine from every corner of the globe. Fine dining, casual or family- friendly restaurants are easily accessible throughout Greater Vancouver.

Electricity
Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States. Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Canada. For those from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz.

Goods and Services Tax - Elimination of the GST Visitor Rebate Program

Background

The GST is a value-added tax that applies to the vast majority of goods and services in Canada. The Visitor Rebate Program provides GST relief in respect of goods exported from Canada by non-residents, short-term accommodation and certain tour packages for non-residents, and certain property and services used in the course of conventions held in Canada.

The Visitor Rebate Program was eliminated effective April 1, 2007, as part of the package of specific spending restraint measures announced by the Government on September 25, 2006. Under the amendments, if a written agreement for a supply to which GST relief applies was entered into prior to the announcement date, the relief would generally continue to be available (as described below) to recognize the fact that contracts may have been negotiated based on the availability of that relief. In addition, the current one-year period to claim a rebate would continue to apply.

The proposed amendments would apply as follows:

Goods

• Non-resident consumers that purchase goods in Canada on which the GST becomes payable after March 31, 2007, would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of those goods. However, GST would continue not to apply where goods are shipped directly by the Canadian supplier to the non-resident's residence. (The shipping charges are also not subject to GST.)

• Non-residents would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of accommodation (including campsite fees) after March 31, 2007, unless it is part of a continuous accommodation at the same facility starting before April 1, 2007.

• Non-residents would no longer be eligible for a rebate of GST in respect of tour packages where the first night of accommodation in Canada included in the tour package is after March 31, 2007.
• This GST rebate would continue to be available in respect of tour packages purchased under a written agreement entered into before the announcement date if the first night of accommodation in Canada is before April 1, 2009.

Language
English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English is the predominant language in British Columbia. Many banks, hotels, airline offices, shops, and key visitor attractions have multilingual staff. Shopping Shopping in Vancouver is an enjoyable and interesting experience. For example, if you visit the Metrotown Mall or the Pacific Centre, you will find a variety of shops concentrated within a single area. If you walk down to Robson Street, you will find a good selection of individual shops. The street is also famous for its after-hours shopping. Shopping hours vary but stores usually open at 10.30am and close around 9pm (weekdays).

Smoking Laws
Smoking is not permitted by law in public buildings, on public transit, in shopping malls, and in most restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and casinos. Many restaurants and other establishments have designated smoking areas such as patios or outside heated seating areas. Please smoke in designated areas only

Time Zone
The majority of British Columbia is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone; however, a small portion of the province that borders the Rocky Mountains are in the Mountain Time Zone, one hour ahead of the Pacific Zone. Daylight Savings Time is in effect from 0200hr on the first Sunday in April until 0200hr on the last Sunday in October.

Tipping
Tipping for service is common in Canada. It is customary to leave a 15% tip for good (satisfactory service. A smaller or higher tip could be appropriate depending on the service. Like anywhere else in the world, porters who come to take the bags when checking into a hotel should be paid a tip. Housekeepers, taxi drivers, and some hairdressers will expect tips as well.

Transportation
The city also has an extensive bus, train or ferry network. Once you’re here, you can take the sky train, float planes, helicopters, a gondola, large BC ferries to go island hopping, and a sea bus to get back and forth between Vancouver and the North Shore or tiny ferries to explore False Creek.

One of the best ways to get around Vancouver and the North Shore is by walking. Vancouver has some of the best trails, paths and walkways you’ll find anywhere.

Visa Requirements
Delegates visiting from countries other than the United States may require a visa to gain entrance in Canada. Check with the nearest Canadian Consulate well in advance of travel.

Vancouver is...
• Host of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games.
• Consistently ranked one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
• Regularly acclaimed “the most livable city in the world.”
• Blessed with a sheltered marine climate that is mild year-round.
• One of the only cities in the world where you can ski, golf, and sail all in the same day.
• Home to Stanley Park, one of the world’s finest urban parks.
• Just two hours from Whistler/Blackcomb, North America’s top-rated ski destination.
• A cultural crossroads that is midway between Western Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
• A food-lover’s dream, with more restaurants, a wider selection of ethnic cuisine, and better prices   than any comparably priced city in the world.
• Home to the finest wine festival on the continent.
• The launching point for excursions to wild Alaska, enchanting Victoria, BC’s Okanagan
   wine country, and the stunning Canadian Rockies.
• An internationally acclaimed cosmopolitan city.
• A city of neighborhoods and diverse culture.
• Clean, green, safe, friendly, and walkable.
• The most accessible city in the world” for travelers with disabilities.

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