Experiencing Canada
Culture
Canadian culture has historically been influenced by British, French, and Aboriginal cultures and traditions. It has also been influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between the two countries. American media and entertainment are popular if not dominant in Canada; conversely, many Canadian cultural products and entertainers are successful in the US and worldwide. Many cultural products are marketed toward a unified "North American" or global market.
The creation and preservation of distinctly Canadian culture are supported by federal government programs, laws and institutions such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
Canada is a geographically vast and ethnically diverse country. There are cultural variations and distinctions from province to province and region to region. Canadian culture has also been greatly influenced by immigration from all over the world. Many Canadians value multiculturalism, and see Canadian culture as being inherently multicultural. Multicultural heritage is enshrined in Section 27 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, seen here at Expo 67, are the federal and national police force of Canada and an international icon.National symbols are influenced by natural, historical, and First Nations sources. Particularly, the use of the maple leaf as a Canadian symbol dates back to the early 18th century and is depicted on its current and previous flags, the penny, and on the coat of arms.] Other prominent symbols include the beaver, Canada goose, common loon, the Crown, and the RCMP.
Canada's official national sports are ice hockey (winter) and lacrosse (summer). Hockey is a national pastime and the most popular spectator sport in the country. It is the most popular sport Canadians play, with 1.65 million active participants in 2004. Canada's six largest metropolitan areas - Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton - have franchises in the National Hockey League (NHL), and there are more Canadian players in the league than from all other countries combined. After hockey, other popular spectator sports include curling and football; the latter is played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Golf, baseball, skiing, soccer, volleyball, and basketball are widely played at youth and amateur levels, but professional leagues and franchises are not as widespread.
Canada has hosted several high-profile international sporting events, including the 1976 Summer Olympics, the 1988 Winter Olympics, and the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Canada will be the host country for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.
Business Customs
Business customs in Canada are very similar to those in the United States. For example, an exchange of business cards is expected. However, there are differences. Canadians are generally quite aware of news and cultural developments in the United States, much more so than most U.S. businesspeople are aware of Canadian issues or culture. Canadians are also very aware that they are not Americans and that Canada is not the United States. Quebeckers in particular are very proud of the 400-year history of French speakers in North America. U.S. business travelers to Canada should be sensitive to these and other cultural and linguistic differences and allow adequate time for the development of personal contacts in business dealings. The most important thing is to make a good first impression in any sales communication, and sell the reliability and honesty of yourself and your company before trying to sell your product or service.
Travel Advisory
The State Department posts the latest Consular Information Sheet for Canada with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. In addition, travel warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country.
Visa Requirements
All persons entering Canada may be required to present proof of citizenship and identity. U.S. citizens are encouraged to show a U.S. passport. If they do not have a passport, they should be prepared to provide a government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver’s License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or expired U.S. passport. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid U.S. passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens to visit Canada for up to 180 days. Legal permanent residents of the United States are advised to carry their I-551 permanent resident card. Business travelers and dependents must also satisfy any other admission requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act. Beginning January 23, 2007, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all visitors, both US and non-US citizens, flying between the US and Canada will be required to present a valid passport. As early as January 2008, this requirement will be extended to the land border. For additional information see the links below.
Anyone seeking to enter Canada for any purpose besides a visit, (e.g. to work, study or immigrate) should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest consulate prior to travel. In addition to other Canadian visa categories, the North American Free Trade Agreement provides for certain professionals, traders and investors, or intra-company transferees who are U.S. or Mexican citizens to be eligible for visas for temporary employment. Anyone with a criminal record (including some misdemeanors such as Driving While Impaired (DWI) charges) may be excluded or removed from Canada, and should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Canadian consulate well in advance of any planned travel for further processing, which may take some time.
Further information on Canadian entry requirements for business travelers is available from the U.S. State Department webpage “Tips for Travelers to Canada” and the Government of Canada webpage “Entering Canada – Entry Requirements for Business Visitors.” Business travelers may also check Immigration and Citizenship Canada's website or contact the Embassy of Canada or the nearest Canadian consulate. U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.
State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
United States Visa information: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
U.S. Embassy Ottawa Consular Section: http://www.usembassycanada.gov/content/content.asp?section=travel&document=index
Telecommunications
Telecommunications networks are highly sophisticated in Canada and comparable with those of the United States. Canada is integrated with the U.S. direct-dial long-distance telephone system (dial 1, the area code and the number, just like making a long-distance call in the United States). Most if not all U.S. mobile phones work in Canada, although roaming and long-distance charges may apply. Some U.S. mobile phone plans allow for roaming within Canada. All forms of communication and transmission are possible, including voice, text, data, and video, over regular phone lines, broadband and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Transportation
Except in remote areas of the north, Canada possesses an advanced transportation system comparable to that of the United States. An extensive air network links all major, and many minor, traffic points with adequate connections to the United States and the rest of the world. The transcontinental Canadian National Railway handles freight, while VIA Rail provides passenger service.
An excellent highway and freeway system exists within 200 miles of the U.S. border that connects with major U.S. interstate highways at the border and supports heavy truck, bus and automobile traffic. While all cities have reasonably priced public transport systems, Canada is as much an "automobile society" as is the United States. Gasoline is sold in liters in Canada, and Canadian safety standards for cars are similar to those in the United States. International highway symbols are used in Canada, and distances and speed limits are given in kilometers. Seat belts and infant/child seat restraints are mandatory in all Canadian provinces. Fines are imposed for non-use of seat belts and child restraints. Travelers renting cars in Canada in the winter should make sure that the cars have winter tires on them, since all-season tires start losing traction in cold weather.
Language
While Canada is officially bilingual in English and French, English is spoken in every major business center in Canada including the province of Quebec, where French is the official language spoken as a first language by 80 percent of the population. The province of New Brunswick is bilingual, with the largest French-speaking population outside of Quebec. Knowledge of and appreciation of French and of the history of the French-speaking North Americans will be greatly beneficial in helping build relationships with Canadian business partners especially in Quebec. Canada has attracted a huge influx of immigrants, many of whom speak Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and a variety of Arabic dialects. One recent report indicated that the number of Spanish speakers is now approaching the number of French speakers. Large Chinese communities are found in Toronto and Vancouver that form a sizable market themselves.
Health
Canada has no special health risks for travelers. Standards of community health and sanitation are comparable to those in the United States. Competent doctors, dentists, and specialists of all types are available, and medical training is equivalent to that in the United States. However, long waits for treatment in hospital emergency rooms, for appointments to see doctors, especially specialists, and for diagnostic tests are the norm. Also, Canadian doctors, hospitals and health providers generally do not accept U.S. health insurance. Travelers should expect to pay in cash or by credit card, obtain a receipt and description of the treatment, and file their own insurance claims.
Business Hours & Holidays
Canada has six time zones. Newfoundland Time is 4 1/2 hours ahead of Pacific Time. Local business hours are Monday to Friday, with the workday generally starting between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Canadian federal and provincial holidays overlap some, but not all, U.S. holidays, and differ by province. Canadian federal holidays in 2007 are January 1 (New Year’s Day), April 6 (Good Friday), April 9 (Easter Monday), May 21 (Victoria Day), July 1 (Canada Day), September 3 (Labour Day), October 8 (Thanksgiving Day), November 11 (Remembrance Day), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26 (Boxing Day). In 2008 the holidays are January 1 (New Year’s Day), March 21 (Good Friday), March 24 (Easter Monday), May 19 (Victoria Day), July 1 (Canada Day), September 1 (Labour Day), October 13 (Thanksgiving Day), November 11 (Remembrance Day), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26 (Boxing Day). Quebec observes January 2 and its National Day of June 24 as holidays. A holiday that falls on a Saturday or Sunday is observed the following Monday. Most of Canada will follow the U.S. with the new dates for daylight savings time beginning in 2007.
Temporary Entry of Materials & Personal Belongings
Business visitors to Canada may bring certain personal goods into Canada duty and taxfree, provided that all such items are declared to the Canada Border Services Agency upon arrival and are not subject to restriction. Further information on Canadian entry requirements for business travelers is available from the U.S. State Department webpage “Tips for Travelers to Canada” and Canada Border Services Agency Memorandum D2-1-1 “Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-Residents.” For information on temporary entry of commercial goods and equipment, see the subchapter on Temporary Entry. Business travelers to Canada may also be eligible for a refund of the GST/HST sales taxes paid for certain expenses in Canada such as hotel accommodations.
