Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/CANADA.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 5KB | 91 lines

Canada - Consular Information Sheet
May 19, 1994

Country Description:  Canada is a highly developed stable democracy with a
modern economy.  Tourist facilities are widely available.  In northern and
wilderness areas, tourist facilities are less developed and can be vast
distances apart.

Entry Requirements:  Proof of U.S. citizenship and photo identification are
required for travel to Canada.  Visas are not required for tourists entering
from the United States for stays up to 180 days.  U.S. citizens entering
Canada from a third country must have a valid passport or an official U.S.
travel document.  For further information, including information on student
or business travel, travelers can contact the Embassy of Canada at 501
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  20001, [phone] or the
nearest Canadian consulate in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland,
Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, or Seattle.

Medical Facilities:  Good medical care is widely available.  U.S. medical
and auto insurance may not be valid in Canada.  Travelers have found that in
some cases, supplemental auto or medical insurance with specific Canadian
coverage has proved to be useful.  Further information on health matters can
be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers
hotline on [phone].

Crime Information:  Canada has a higher incidence of criminal activity in
urban areas than in the countryside.  Violent crimes such as murder, armed
robbery, and rape occur infrequently.  The loss or theft of a U.S. passport
abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate.  U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of
State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-
free journey.  The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.  20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to Canadian laws while they are
in Canada.  Penalties for possession, use, and dealing in illegal drugs are
strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.

Other Information:  (a) Canadians consider driving under the influence of
alcohol a serious offense.  Penalties are heavy, and any prior conviction
(no matter how long ago or how minor the infraction) is grounds for
exclusion from Canada.  A waiver of exclusion may be obtained from Canadian
Consulates in the United States, but requires several weeks.  (b) Firearms
are strictly controlled.  In general, handguns are not permitted in Canada.
Anyone wishing to take hunting rifles into Canada can contact in advance the
nearest Canadian Consulate for detailed information and instructions.  In
all cases, travelers must declare to Canadian customs authorities any
firearms in their possession when entering Canada.  If a traveler is denied
permission to take the firearm into Canada, there are in many cases
facilities near the border crossing where firearms may be stored pending the
traveler's return to the U.S.  Canadian law requires that officials
confiscate guns from those crossing the border who deny having guns in their
possession.  Confiscated guns are never returned.  (c)  It is illegal to
take automobile radar detectors into the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and
Manitoba or into the the Yukon and Northwest territories.  The police will
confiscate radar detectors, whether in use or not, and impose fines up to
one thousand dollars.  (d) The prevailing language in Quebec province is
French rather than English as in most of Canada.  However, even in Quebec,
English is spoken at most hotels and many tourist facilities.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section at the
U.S. Embassy or at a U.S. Consulate may obtain updated information on travel
and security within Canada.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in Canada is located at
100
Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, telephone [phone].

There are also consulates in:

Calgary, Alberta, at 615 Macleod Trail SE, [phone];

Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Suite 910, Cogswell Tower, Scotia Square, (902) 429-
2480;

Montreal, Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street, [phone];

Quebec City, Quebec, at 2 Place Terrasse Dufferin, [phone];

Toronto, Ontario, at 360 University Avenue, [phone]; and

Vancouver, British Columbia, at 1095 West Pender Street, [phone].

No. 94-084

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 27, 1993, with no
change following periodic review.