Canada: practical information to prepare your trip

CANADA

Capital: Ottawa
Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian dollar. Exchange rate: 1 CAD = ± 0.66 EUR
Tourist Office:canada.ca
Belgian Embassy in Canada: https://canada.diplomatie.belgium.be/fr
Emergency number: 911
Card Stop (if your card is lost or stolen): 0032 78 170 170
Doc Stop (Belgian ID card or passport lost or stolen): 00800 2123 2123 or + 32 2 488 2123
Assistance: Redion (Belgium):

• Tel.: +32.(0)2/533.75.75 (general number)
• Website: http://www.redion.be
• For medical and technical assistance only: Email: help.be@redion.com

Did you know?

Canada is the country with the largest number of lakes in the world. There are nearly 32,000 of them!

Are you travelling to Canada? Here are a few useful tips:

Travel documents and customs formalities

A visa is not required for a tourist or business stay of up to 6 months. However, you must apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) at a cost of 7 CAD. You can submit your application at least 72 hours before departure on the following website: https://voyage.gc.ca/. Make sure you have a passport valid for the length of your stay. To study or work there, you must apply for a special permit from the relevant Canadian authorities.

There are no customs formalities if you are bringing in less than 10,000 Canadian dollars. If you exceed this amount, you must declare it to customs.

The healthcare system in Canada

Canada has a high-quality healthcare system. Healthcare costs are high. We recommend taking out good travel insurance before you leave.
There are no compulsory vaccines for Canada.

Safety in Canada

Although Canada is a country with a very low crime rate, it's always wise to take the necessary precautions against theft.
If you decide to travel outside urban areas by car, make sure the tank is full and bring along (especially in winter) blankets, warm clothing and your mobile phone. Canada's west coast is a seismic zone, while the east coast can experience severe storms. Find out about weather conditions by checking the local authorities' website.

Before you leave, be sure to check the latest travel advice for Canada onthe website of the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs.

It is recommended that you register your trip to Canada onTravellers Online. This allows the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs to contact you should an emergency arise.

Climate and religion

Canada has an extreme climate, particularly in the east of the country: winters are very cold and summers are very hot. Winter is the best season for skiing, while summer is the best time to visit the far north or go on excursions in the big cities.

Autumn and spring are the low season in Canada. Prices are lower, but check that services and tourist attractions are available during these periods.

Canadian cuisine

Canadian cuisine is influenced by French, Irish and Italian cooking. Sunday brunch is well worth trying, as are the local fine cold cuts. The country's typical main dishes are prepared with Arctic shellfish, or with salmon steaks or pork. Poutine is also a typically Canadian dish. It's a fast-food dish, especially popular in Quebec, made of fries topped with cheese and smothered in gravy.

Which travel insurance should I choose for a trip to Canada?

At Redion, you can take out either temporary or annual travel insurance.

All travel insurance policies include the following benefits:

• Reimbursement of medical expenses
• Organisation of, and assistance with, your repatriation and that of your travelling companions if necessary
• Early return in the event of hospitalisation or death of a relative in Belgium
• Assistance in case of lost documents

If you only travel abroad once a year, temporary travel insurance may be useful. If you travel several times a year, annual travel insurance will be the more cost-effective option.