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For U.S. Visitors - Travel Tips for Visitors to Canada

TRAVELER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LAND BORDER CROSSINGS IN 2008

Air travel - November 21, 2007

U.S. citizens travelling by air between the United States and Canada are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.

Land travel - January 31, 2008

U.S. and Canadian citizens travelling between the United States and Canada will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. For full documentation options, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Summer, 2008

The proposed ruling set to take effect in the summer of 2008 will require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports to have a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card or a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI. For full details and an exact implementation date, visit the U.S. Department of State travel information.

For additional information on exceptions to the standard requirements as well as dutyfree limits, please refer to:

Weather

Stratford 5-Day Forecast courtesy of CJCS Radio

Maps & Directions

Driving in Ontario

When driving in Ontario U.S. travelers need to be aware that posted speed limits are in kilometers per hour. Here is an approximate conversion chart of commonly posted speed limits:

km/hr m.p.h.
50 30
80 50
90 55
100 60

Be aware also of the following regulations:

  • Radar detectors are illegal in Ontario.
  • Seat belt use is mandatory in Ontario. 

See also the Ontario Ministry of Transport website for additional maps and highway information, including road conditions and highway closures due to construction.

Currency

It is recommended that visitors use Canadian funds in Ontario. Currency exchange offices, conveniently located at most Ontario Travel Information Centres at the U.S./Ontario border, offer a good rate of exchange and are open daily. A good rate of exchange is also offered at the currency exchanges at international airports (Toronto, Ottawa) and at all banks, trust companies and credit unions. Banks are generally open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday; to 6 p.m. Friday. Most trust companies are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturday mornings.

Use this quick and easy Currency Converter at OntarioTravel.net to help you make quick and easy conversions between currencies.

What You Should Know About Ontario's Taxes

Ontario has an 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST), a 5% federal value-added General Services Tax (GST), special taxes on food and liquor in restaurants, and a room tax on visitor accommodation.

As a visitor you will be charged:

  • GST -- the federal Goods and Services Tax of 5%. This is a value-added consumption tax that applies to most goods, purchased gifts, food/beverages, and services, including most hotel and motel accommodation.
  • PST -- the Ontario provincial sales tax of 8% on any goods you buy, but not on services or accommodation.
  • Room Tax -- a 5% provincial tax (in place of PST) on most tourist accommodation charges, as well as the 5% GST.
  • Food Service -- In restaurants, 5% GST and 8% PST will be added to the food portion of your final bill, as well as . . .
  • Liquor Service -- a provincial tax on alcoholic beverages (10%, in addition to the 5% GST).
  • Special Note: Rented houseboats do not qualify as rental accommodations for purposes of the taxes mentioned above. Houseboat rental fees are taxed at a rate of 8% (PST) and 5% (GST), both non-refundable.

Elimination of the GST Visitors' Rebate Program was effective April 1, 2007.

On September 25, 2006, the Government of Canada announced the elimination of the GST Visitors’ Rebate Program effective April 1, 2007 as part of a package of spending restraint measures. This includes cancellation of the rebate for goods exported by non-resident consumers. GST/HST rebates for commercial exports, which are not part of the Visitors’ Rebate Program, will continue as before.

More Traveler's Tips can be found at OntarioTravel.net


Stratford Tourism Alliance
(519) 271-5140 or
1-800-561-7926
47 Downie Street
Stratford, ON N5A 1W7

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