Ontario At A Glance

The Canada Select Accommodations Rating Program helps travelers select accommodations that best suit their preferences. Accommodations are rated within six different categories: Hotel/ Motel; Country Inns; Bed and Breakfast; Resort; Cottage; Hunting and Fishing. Issued rating should be compared within the appropriate categories. Benchmarks outlining specific facilities and services within each category star rating may be found at www.canadaselect.com or by contacting your local Canada Select office.

Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport is the main gateway for air traffic into Ontario. In addition, international airports are located in Ottawa and Hamilton.

Area codes of Ontario are as follows: 416, 905, 807, 705, 519, and 613.

Principal banks located in Ontario include the Bank of Montreal, the Bank of Nova Scotia, National Bank of Canada and Royal Bank of Canada. Banking hours vary, with most banks open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and Friday from 10am to 5pm. A few banks are open on Saturday. Banks are closed on federal pubic holidays. Automated banking machines and debit (Interac, Cirrus, Plus, etc.) services are widely available.

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are not required to carry passports or visas to cross the Canada/U.S. border until June 2, 2009. However, it is recommended that U.S. citizens carry proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or voter’s certificate or other documentary evidence of citizenship. All other visitors entering Canada from any country other than the United States must have valid passports. For more information on Canada Customs and regulations, contact:

Canada Border Services Agency
Ottawa, ON K1G 4K3
Tel: 613-991-0537 or 1-800-461-9999
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Ontario - Toronto
Canada – Ottawa

A majority of stores, restaurants and accommodations throughout Ontario accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Debit (bank) cards are increasingly popular and can be used almost as readily (Interac, Plus and Cirrus networks). Credit and debit card charges will appear on the purchaser’s statement, converted to the home currency. Credit and debit cards may not be accepted in more remote areas of the province.

Although American currency is usually accepted throughout Canada, visitors are advised to exchange their funds (or traveller’s cheques) for Canadian dollars, or make purchases with credit cards. Commercial establishments are encouraged to provide a fair rate of exchange to our foreign visitors. The best exchange rates on foreign currency can be obtained at major financial institutions throughout the region. Currency exchange rates are posted daily.

Canada uses the same electrical plug configuration and current as the United States:  110 to 115 volts, 60 cycles.

All embassies are in Ottawa, the national capital. The U.S. embassy can be contacted at www.usembassycanada.gov or 613-238-5335.  The U.S. consulate is in Toronto at 416-595-1700.

In the event of an emergency, dial 911 for immediate police, fire, and medical assistance.  For other emergencies or in an area not served by 911, contact the operator by dialing zero (0).

Forest, mineral lands, thousands of lakes and rich farmland.

There are approximately 20 highway rest areas along Hwy 401 and four on Hwy 400, featuring food services and service stations. 

Visitors to Canada are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country. Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent, but a hospital stay can be costly without adequate insurance coverage. Visitors taking prescribed medications are advised to take a copy of the prescription should it need to be renewed during the trip.

English and French are the official languages of Canada. Although Ontario is predominately an English speaking province, languages and dialects from all over the world can also be heard. The Native languages spoken in Ontario are: Cayuga, Cree, Delaware, Mohawk, Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, Oneida, Innu and Inuit.

Manufacturing, Mining, Forestry, Farming.  50% of all exports from Canada originate from Ontario.

The metric system is based on 10s.
• Celsius 100 degrees = 212 Fahrenheit
• Celsius 0 degrees = 32 Fahrenheit
• One kilometer (km)  = 5/8 of a mile
• One kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds
• One meter = 39.37 inches
Gasoline is sold in liters. One liter equals 0.264 U.S. gallons and 0.219 imperial gallons.

• Capital - Toronto

• Flower - White Trillium

• Provincial sales tax 1998, 8.0%

• Urban population - 83.3%

• Exports represent over 50% of

Ontario’s economy

• Land area of Canada’s total area - 10.7%

• Ontario accounts for 43% of visitors

to Canada

• The Iroquois called Ontario “Kanadario” meaning “sparkling water”

• Toronto was formerly known as York

• Toronto is Canada’s largest city

• Ontario entered Confederation July 1, 1867

• Four of the five Great Lakes are in Ontario - Huron, Superior, Erie, Ontario

• Water covers about 1/6 of the province

• Forests cover 2/3 of Ontario

• The St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959 linking the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean

Ontario - 12,280,731
Toronto – 2,523,267
Greater Toronto Area – 5,029,900
Dec 2003 estimation, Statistics Canada

In Ontario, an 8% provincial sales tax applies to most purchases, and most goods and services are subject to the federal 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST). If you reside outside Canada, you may be
eligible to reclaim GST paid on purchases during your visit. Expenses must total at least $200 (Canadian), before taxes; each receipt must total at least $50 (Canadian) before taxes. It is imperative that your receipts get stamped before you leave Canada; no refund will be issued otherwise. Visitors can get their receipts stamped at participating dutyfree shops for an immediate refund (up to $500 Canadian) or at Canada Customs Offices, for a mail-back refund.

In addition, visitors to Ontario are eligible to reclaim the provincial 8% Retail Sales Tax (RST) paid on goods permanently removed from Ontario within 30 days of purchase. To qualify, RST paid on each purchase must total at least $50 (Canadian), before taxes. Please note that a refund is not available for the RST paid on accommodation or on taxable services. For more information about the RST refund and to obtain an application form, call 1-800-263-7965 (within Canada) or 1-905-432-3332 (outside Canada).

Throughout Ontario most tourism related stores, grocery stores and malls are open on Sundays for shopping during the hours of 11am and 6pm.

There are six time zones observed in Canada. Ontario uses both Eastern and Central Standard Time. The majority of Ontario uses Eastern Standard Time, with the dividing line being west of Thunder Bay. 

International bridges, tunnels and ferries charge a fee, but Ontario highways are toll-free. The only exception is Hwy 407 Express Toll Route (ETR). 

Seat Belts are required at all times when driving in Ontario. Throughout Canada, speed limits are posted in kilometers. In Ontario the maximum speed permitted on provincial highways is 110km (70mi) per hour and 50km (30mi) per hour in urban districts, unless otherwise indicated. The speed limit in residential areas is 50km (30mi) per hour and 60km (36mi) per hour in business districts. Lower speed zones are posted.

The entry of vehicles and trailers into Canada for touring purposes, for periods up to 12 months, is generally a routine matter that does not require the payment of Customs’ assessment. Any necessary permits are issued at the port of entry.

Barrie
21 Molson Park Drive
Tel: 705-725-7280
Fax: 705-725-7285

Cornwall
903 Brookdale Avenue
Tel: 613-933-2420
Fax: 613-933-3387

Fort Erie
315 Bertie Street
Tel: 905-871-3505
Fax: 905-871-6461

Fort Frances
400 Central Avenue
Tel: 807-274-7566
Fax: 807-274-7870

Gateway Niagara Information Centre
424 South Service Road
Tel: 905-945-5444
Fax: 905-945-3078

Niagara Falls
5355 Stanley Avenue
Tel: 905-358-3221
Fax: 905 358-6441

St. Catharines
Westbound QEW at east end of
Garden City Skyway, Niagara-on-the-Lake
Tel: 905-684-6354
Fax: 905-684-3634

Sarnia -  Blue Water Bridge
1415 Venetian Blvd.
Tel: 519-344-7403
Fax: 519-332-4576

Sault Ste. Marie
261 Queen Street West
Tel: 705-945-6941
Fax: 705-945-6943

Toronto
Eaton Centre, 220 Yonge St., Level 1
Tel: 1-800-Ontario (668-2746)
Fax: 416-314-5901

Windsor Huron - Ambassador Bridge
1235 Huron Church Road
Tel: 519-973-1310
Fax: 519-973-1313

Windsor Park
110 Park Street East
Tel: 519-973-1338
Fax: 519-973-1341

Hawkesbury
Highway 417, Chute à Blondeau
Tel: 613-674-2000
Fax: 613-674-2689

Hill Island
Highway 137
Tel: 613-659-2108
Fax: 613-659-2102

Lancaster
Highway 401 & County Rd. 2
Tel: 613-347-3498
Fax: 613-347-3435

City of Kenora
1500 Hwy. 17 East
Tel: 800-535-4549
Fax: 807-467-4644

Pigeon River
7671 Hwy. 61, Canada/U.S. Border
Tel: 807-964-2094
Fax: 807-964-2029

Prescott
Hwy. 16, Canada/U.S. Border
Tel: 613-925-3346
Fax: 613-925-1462

Rainy River
301 Artwood Avenue
Tel: 807-852-4449
Fax: 807-852-3124

Ontario is the second largest province in Canada.  As a result, temperatures will vary greatly from region to region. Summer temperatures range from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit). January, February and March are considered winter months with snow present in most areas. Winter temperatures range from minus 5 to minus 15 degrees Celsius (23 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit).  Many pleasant, cooler days are experienced in the spring and fall. For an exact conversion of Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply the Celsius temperature by 9/5 and add 32.