Canada

SAFETY: excellent
The whole country is generally considered safe. No particular risks are reported other than environmental ones (snow, ice, thaw, rugged terrain), for which great caution is advised: travel with suitable vehicles and equipment, and never alone.

TRANSPORT: very good
The country is very well connected by air to the United States (also by rail and coach), Europe and the Caribbean. There are direct flights from Italy to the main cities. Given the difficult environmental conditions, domestic transport is very good and allows you to reach most of the country in the warmer months. Travel is far more limited in winter. The far north of the country is hard to reach and uninhabited. Cars, motorbikes, campervans, bicycles and boats can be hired.

Main airports: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal (Mirabel), Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg.

Main ports: Fraser River Port, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Port-Cartier, Quebec, Saint John (New Brunswick), Sept-Îles, Vancouver.

ACCOMMODATION: very good
The country offers a good choice of accommodation of every kind, quality and price. The international hotel classification (one to five stars) applies, alongside farm stays, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels, campsites, and wellness and spa centres. There are numerous portals and websites useful for booking. Good choice of restaurants.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Canada – Location: North America. Borders: United States of America to the south, Alaska to the north-west, Pacific Ocean to the west, Atlantic Ocean to the east – Time zone: the country spans six time zones, from UTC -3.30 to UTC -9. The time difference compared with Italy is -4.30 in Newfoundland, -5 in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, -6 in Quebec and Ontario, -7 in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, -8 in Alberta, -9 in British Columbia. Canada observes daylight saving time over the same period as Italy – Area: 9,976,000 sq km – Capital: Ottawa – Population: 33,099,000 – Religion: 42.6% Catholic, 23.3% Protestant (9.5% Evangelical, 6.8% Anglican, 2.4% Baptist, 2% Lutheran), 4.4% other Christian denominations, 1.9% Muslim, 11.8% other religions, 16% non-religious – Languages: English (official language), French (official language) – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Canadian dollar (CAD). There are no restrictions on importing or exporting currency, nor any particular formalities for sums up to 10,000 CAD – Credit cards: the main cards are accepted– Exchange: bring euros; exchange is easy, and payments can also be made in USD.

ELECTRICITY: 120 V and 60 Hz – Sockets: flat-pin type; bring an adapter.

DOCUMENTS: valid passport. A visa is required only for stays of more than 6 months. Children up to the age of 16 must be registered on the passport of their parents or guardian. In any case, minors under 18 travelling alone must carry an authorisation from a parent (or guardian) stating the destination and length of stay. It is also advisable for minors travelling with only one parent to carry the signed authorisation of the other parent – Driving: international driving licence.

The Canadian authorities have officially announced that from 15 March 2016, citizens of countries exempt from visas for short stays who arrive in Canada by air must obtain an "Electronic Travel Authorization" (eTA) before departure. Travellers potentially concerned have, however, been able to submit the application online on a voluntary basis since 1 August 2015.
The eTA is valid for 5 years from issue, unless the passport expires before that date, the Canadian authorities revoke it, or a new eTA is issued to the applicant. A fee of 7 Canadian dollars is payable on application (by Visa or Mastercard credit card).

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: Int. dialling code: 001– GSM: coverage in the major urban centres, along the main connecting roads and in the surrounding areas. Standard: GSM 850/1900. Local operators: ICE Wireless, Microcell Telecommunications and Rogers Wireless – Internet: service available throughout the country, with the exception of the northernmost regions – Web domain: .ca– Emergency numbers: ambulance/police/fire brigade 911; CAA roadside assistance 800 2224357.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: crimes against the person and sexual offences are punished with severe prison sentences, up to life imprisonment. Sexual relations between an adult and a minor under 16 are criminal offences. The use, possession and dealing of drugs are prosecuted by law. Homosexuality is legal and same-sex unions are recognised.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations. No particular endemic diseases or health risks are reported. Canadian health and hospital facilities are of an excellent standard, but foreigners must pay for healthcare. Medicines are readily available.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year's Day; Good Friday, Easter, Easter Monday; Victoria Day (the Monday before 25 May); 1 July, Canada Day; first Monday in September, Labour Day; second Monday in October, Thanksgiving; 11 November, Remembrance Day; 25 December, Christmas Day; 26 December, Boxing Day.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 8.30-17.30, Sat 9.00-12.00 – Banks: Mon-Fri 10.00-16.00 – Shops: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00, Sat 10.00-17.00 – Closing day: Sunday.

CLIMATE: variable, with mostly long, cold or very cold winters. The cold season is longer and harsher inland and in the northernmost regions. On the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, during the winter, which is cold nonetheless, a warm dry wind called the “chinook” can cause temperatures to rise suddenly. In Quebec, winter lasts from November to the end of April. Winter is milder along the coasts, particularly the Pacific coast. Summer runs from early June to September and is muggier in the central plains of Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. On the coasts, summer is temperate.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy of Canada
Via Salaria 243 – 00199 Rome
Tel. 06 854441 – Fax 06 854443947
www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/italy-italie –rome@international.gc.ca

Consulate
Via Zara 30 – 00198 Rome
Tel. 06 854442911 – Fax 06 854442912
rome.citizenservices@international.gc.ca

Honorary consulates
Riviera Ruzzante 25 – 35123 Padua – Tel. 049 8764833 – Fax 049 8781147
Via Carducci 29 – 80121 Naples – Tel. 081 401338 – Fax 081 4104210

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN CANADA

Italian Embassy
Slater Street 275, 21st floor – Ottawa – Ontario K1P 5H9
Tel. 001 613 2322401 – Fax 001 613 2331484
ambottawa.esteri.it –ambasciata.ottawa@esteri.it

Consulates General

Beverly Street 136 – Toronto – Ontario M5T 1Y5
Tel. 001 416 9771566 – Fax 001 416 9771119
constoronto.esteri.it –ancip.toronto@esteri.it

Rue Drummond 3489 – Montréal – Quebec H3G 1X6
Tel. 001 514 8498351 – Fax 001 514 4999471
consmontreal.esteri.it –consolato.montreal@esteri.it

West Hastings Street 1100-510 Standard Building – Vancouver – B.C. V6B 1L8
Tel. 001 604 6847288 – Fax 001 604 6854263
consvancouver.esteri.it –consolato.vancouver@esteri.it

Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)
Suite 1400, Four Bentall Centre
1055 Dunsmuir Street, Box 49230
Vancouver, BC V7X 1L2
Tel. 001 604 6388300
www.destinationcanada.com

Tourisme Québec
www.bonjourquebec.com
Tel. 001 514 8732015
1255, rue Peel, bureau 100, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3B 4V4
12, rue Ste-Anne, Québec, Québec, Canada, G1R 3X2