Tourist and Traveler
Information for Ontario
Miscellaneous Information
Hospital and Medical Services
Visitors are strongly urged to obtain
health insurance before leaving their country. It is possible that
your health insurance does not extend coverage outside of your
country of residence. Check with your insurance company before your
trip. If you are taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, bring an
adequate supply in the original bottles and a copy of the
prescription if there is a chance you will have to renew it here.
Your travel agent also may be able to supply additional information.
Holidays
Public holidays in Ontario include: New
Year's Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day (May 24 or the preceding
Monday), Canada Day (July 1), Civic Holiday (first Monday in
August), Labour Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving
(second Monday in October), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Liquor Laws
Anyone 19 or over may buy and consume
liquor, wine, or beer. These are available from government stores or
agencies throughout the province.
Licensed premises may serve alcohol
from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. In Ontario it is an offense to consume
alcohol in other than a residence or a licensed premise. Please
note, driving any motorized vehicle, including boats, while impaired
is illegal in Ontario.
Sales Tax Refunds
Visitors from outside Canada my claim
a GST (Federal Goods & Services Tax- 7%) refund on eligible
purchases. The minimum claim is $200.00 before taxes, the goods must
be taken out of Canada within 60 days, and the claim must be made
within one year of purchase. GST rebates are also available on
purchases of accommodation or vacation packages that include
accommodation of less than 30 days in length.
For more information contact
Revenue Canada, Visitor Rebate Program
(902) 432-5608
1-800-668-4748
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/visitors
Rail
Via rail links most of the major
cities in the province and connects with Amtrak and other US rail
lines at many border crossings. The Algoma Central Railway offers a
tour of Agawa Canyon north of Sault Ste Marie and the Ontario
Northland Railway will take you from Cochrane to the coast of James
Bay on the Polar Bear Express. Links to this information may be
found in the appropriate area of this site.
Boating
Pleasure craft may enter Canada by
trailer or under their own power. The required entry permit is
issued by Customs at the point of entry. All boats powered by motors
10 hp or over must be licensed and the license number clearly
indicated on both sides of the bow. Boat licenses from outside
Ontario are acceptable. Overboard discharge of garbage or untreated
sewage is forbidden.
Crown Land Camping
Non-residents of Canada, 18 years or
older, are required to obtain a permit to camp on Crown Lands. The
applies to the area north of the French and Mattawa rivers, from the
northwestern to the northeastern borders of Ontario. These permits
are available from most angling license issuers and from the
Ministry of Natural Resources District Offices throughout Northern
Ontario.
Ministry of Natural Resources
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/
Credit Cards
American Express, MasterCard, Visa,
Diners Card, Carte Blanche, and many others are welcome at most
Canadian businesses.
All information on this web site was accurate at the time of
writing. Laws change. The information contained here is meant
only
to be a casual introduction to the laws and requirements to
enter Canada and should not be considered the final word in
accuracy. Please call one of the following governmental
agencies for additional information before trying to enter the
country.
