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Know Before You Go

The custom of the country
By Tom Mason

Tourists arriving in Atlantic Canada from the United States should know three things straight away: Canadian currency looks a lot different; most everyone speaks English; and the weather is pretty much the same as New England’s. Summer days are warm (if not hot) and evenings are cool, so bring a jacket. Tourists have been heard to remark on the extreme humidity as well. Here’s some more information to help make your trip more enjoyable.

Clearing customs

Crossing the border is relatively easy. If you’re an American citizen or a permanent resident, you won’t need a visa or passport to visit Canada but you will require identification that provides your proof-of-citizenship status. A birth certificate, citizenship certificate or green card, presented with valid photo identification, will work.

Be careful what you bring into Canada. Although weapons are restricted, hunters can bring non-restricted hunting rifles and shotguns across the border providing they have a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate, which is available at any border crossing. Some personal items and goods also must be declared at the border, including recreational equipment such as outboard motors, cameras and computers and small amounts of alcohol and tobacco products. For a complete list, visit www.inspection.gc.ca. Dogs or cats can travel, too, providing they have a valid rabies-vaccination certificate.

For more information about Canadian customs regulations, visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca or call 800-461-9999 in Canada or 888-CANPASS in the U.S.

Currency exchange

Unlike American paper money, Canadian currency is colourful. There are no one- or two-dollar bills (there are coins instead); the $5 bill is blue, the $10 is mauve, the $20 is green, the $50 is red and the brown $100 is rarely seen. Most locals don’t carry much cash; they use Interac debit machines instead, a service that virtually every establishment provides.

American money can be exchanged for Canadian money at banks, credit unions and trust companies, as well as at some visitor information centres. Most businesses in the region accept major credit cards and travellers’ cheques. Credit card purchases made in Canadian dollars will be converted automatically to your home currency.

Many Maritime businesses follow the Fair Exchange Program that ensures that American visitors get the best exchange rate possible. Look for the Fair Exchange logo displayed on the outside of businesses and accommodations.

Sales tax

Visitors pay sales tax on most purchases, at least temporarily. The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is applied at the single rate of 14 per cent to most goods and services in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Like most of the rest of Canada, Prince Edward Island uses the seven per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Accommodations

The Canada Select rating system is an excellent way to choose overnight accommodations. Canada Select uses a five-star classification system: a one-star property meets the Canada Select standards of cleanliness, comfort and safety with a few extras, while five stars denote an exceptional facility that is among the finest in the country. Camping Select is a similar rating system used by area campgrounds. Camping Select actually uses two sets of star ratings: the first denotes the quality of the facility, while the second rates the standard of recreational activities at the campground.