What You Need To Know...

Phones:

The area code in Greater Vancouver is 604. The remainder of the province has an area code of 250. For local directory assistance, call 411. For long distance directory assistance, call 1-(area code)-555-1212.
In case of emergency, call 911.

Taxes:

The GST is a value added tax of 6% applicable to most purchases regardless of whether the buyer is a Canadian resident or a visitor. For general information, call 1-800-668-4748 (in Canada) or (902)432-5608 (outside Canada) or visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/nonresidents/visitors. In B.C., an additional provincial tax of 7% is also applied to all retail purchases, except liquor, which is taxed at 10%. Accommodation is taxed from 15% to 17% including the GST.

Identification:

Travellers won't need to show a passport for travel to Canada from the United States across land and sea borders until mid-2008 at the earliest. Adults must have picture ID to cross any border and children under 15 years old must have a birth certificate.

If you are flying into Canada, you must have a valid passport. Anyone flying within Canadian borders - including children who appear to be 12 years or older - must have picture ID. Regulations are evolving regularly on this issue, please verify any regulations before setting out.

Driving the Province:

• Vehicle seat belts and motorcycle and bicycle helmets are compulsory at all times.
• Speed limits are posted in kilometres per hour.

Approximate Driving Speed Conversions

30km/hr = 20mph
40km/hr = 25mph
50km/hr = 30mph
60km/hr = 40mph
80km/hr = 50mph
100km/hr = 60mph