The Canada Select Accommodations Rating Program helps travellers 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 ratings 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.

Area codes of each of the four provinces of Western Canada are as follows:

British Columbia: 250, 604, 778

Alberta: 403, 780

Saskatchewan: 306

Manitoba: 204

Canada’s monetary system is based on dollarsand cents. The Canadian dollar has a differentvalue than the American dollar, and though US dollars are generally accepted in Canada at the current rate of exchange, it is advised that travelers change their money at a bank or other recognized financial institution to receive a favourable rate of exchange. Visa, Mastercard, American Express and travelers’ cheques are widely accepted in Canada. Any bank or debit card on the Interac system can be used at just about every automatic teller machine in the country, with funds delivered in Canadian dollars. A nominal fee may apply to this service. Banking hours vary, but are generally 10:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, with some banks open on Saturday.

A valid passport is required for entry into Canada from the United States and vice versa when traveling via air, land and/or sea.

British Columbia – Victoria

Alberta – Edmonton

Saskatchewan – Regina

Manitoba - Winnipeg

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

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).

The Western Canada Group Travel Planner has been designed to work as a companion piece to official tourism materials from each of the provinces in the region – including Official Visitors Guides, Highway Maps and Provincial Group Tour Planners. For expert advice on how to plan your tour to Western Canada, or to order free planning and promotional materials, we invite you to contact each province directly. Experienced travel professionals are standing by to help you with your plans!

Tourism British Columbia
510 Burrard Street, 12th Floor
Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8
Toll Free: 1-800-HELLO-BC
Outside North America: 604-660-2861
Fax: 604-660-3383
www.HelloBC.com

Travel Alberta
400, 2601 – 9 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0H4
Toll Free: 1-800-ALBERTA
Outside North America: 403-648-1000
Fax: 403-648-1111
www.travelalberta.com

Tourism Saskatchewan
1922 Park Street
Regina, SK S4N 7M4
Toll Free: 1-877-2-ESCAPE
Outside North America: 306-787-9600
Fax: 306-787-6293
www.sasktourism.com

Travel Manitoba
155 Carlton Street, 7th Floor
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3H8
Toll Free: 1-800-665-0040
Outside North America: 204-927-7821
Fax: 204-927-7828

New Year’s Day - January 1

Louis Riel Day - February 20

Good Friday - April 6

Easter Monday - April 9

Victoria Day - May 21

Canada Day - July 1

Labour Day - September 3

Thanksgiving Day - October 8

Remembrance Day - November 11

Christmas - December 25

Boxing Day - December 26

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.

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 US gallons and 0.219 imperial gallons.

The combined population of all four provinces in Western Canada is approximately 8 million.

Throughout Canada, speed limits are posted in kilometers (Km). The maximum speed permitted on provincial highways is 100 or 110 kilometers per hour, depending on the region, unless otherwise indicated. Other speed limits vary, but typically fall into 80km/hr on highways, 50km/hr in cities and urban centres, and 30km/hr in school zones. Please watch for posted speed limits as you travel through the region.

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.

The provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchean and Manitoba enjoy four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures in the range of up to 30ºC (88ºF), and winter temperatures varying from seasonally mild to very cold depending on the region. Many pleasant, cooler days are experienced in the spring and fall. The coastal region of British Columbia experiences the mildest climate in the country, with balmy temperatures compared to other provinces during most of the year.

The provinces of Western Canada encourage winter travellers to come to this region and enjoy its many attractions during the winter months, including the world-class ski resorts. Visitors are advised to take precautions due to seasonable weather conditions in winter, particularly in the Rocky Mountains, and expect delays in extreme weather conditions.