About Vancouver
Language
Canada has two official languages, French and English. English is the predominant language in western Canada and is the main language of the 2009 World Conference on Sport and the Environment (WCSE). Many banks, hotels and other tourist facilities have multilingual staff; however, translation services are not provided at WCSE.
Currency
Canada's currency system is based on dollars and cents with one dollar equaling 100 cents. The one dollar coin is commonly referred to as the "loonie" in reference to the loon bird, while the two dollar coin is referred to as the "two-nie." Other coins are the penny ($0.01), nickel ($0.05), dime ($0.10) and quarter ($0.25) and the paper currency is in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Currency exchange services are available throughout the city. The United States (US) currency is generally accepted at par in most retail shops and hotels in Vancouver.
For more information on currency conversions, click here.
Canadian Customs Entry Requirements
US citizens and permanent residents of the US require a resident alien card, a green card or a passport to gain entry to Canada.
All other international travelers will require valid passports and/or visas. Check the Canadian Border Services website as well as your local travel bureaus for required documentation.
Weather
Vancouver is a temperate climate that seldom freezes but receives a lot of precipitation (average temperature in March is 7.6 degrees Celsius), for more up-to-date weather information, please click here.
Taxes
A provincial sales tax of 7% (PST) is applicable to most purchases; however, goods that are shipped directly out of BC are exempt from this tax. There is a national Goods and Services Tax of 5% (GST) applied to most goods and services with few exemptions. Visitors may apply to Revenue Canada for a tax refund if qualified. Accommodations in BC are subject to an additional 3% hotel tax.
Electricity
Electricity in Canada is 110 volt AC (alternating current) as in the US.