Find out all you need to know about Toronto.
Customs and Immigration for International and US Flights
Passengers arriving on flights originating outside of Canada must clear Canadian Inspection Services. On the aircraft, the flight crew will distribute the Travellers' Customs Declaration Card. Complete it before passing through customs. After leaving the plane, follow the crowd into the Customs Hall. American citizens will need a passport or a birth certificate plus photo ID. Citizens of other countries require passports.
Visas
Please check with the nearest Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission to know whether or not you require a visa for entry into Canada. Visas are the responsibility of individual delegates, and must be procured prior to arrival in Canada. If you are travelling through the USA, you may also require an American visa. Please verify with your travel agent.
The Conference organizing committee has informed all Canadian embassies about the Conference, and requested them to give fair consideration to any applications for visas. However, the Conference has no control over the actual decisions, and although we will extend invitations and help as much as we can, we have no authority to influence the final decision of the embassies.
As of March 2005, citizens of the following countries do NOT need a visa for travel to or transit in Canada:
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United Kingdom (including British Overseas citizens), United States and Western Samoa
For more information, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Exchange Rate
Although the exchange varies daily, the following are some useful approximate conversion rates (as of March 2005):
| $1 CAD = $0.80 USD |
$1.00 USD = $1.24 CAD |
| $1 CAD = €0.61 |
€1.00 = $1.64 CAD |
| $1 CAD = £0.42 |
£1.00 = $2.38 CAD |
| $1 CAD = ¥84 |
¥100 = $1.19 CAD |
| $1 CAD = $1.03 AUD |
$1.00 AUD = $0.98 CAD |
For current exchange rates, please visit
the Bank of Canada: Exchange Rates
Taxes
Two taxes apply to most goods and services purchased in the Province of Ontario: the federal good and services tax (GST) of 7% plus provincial sales tax (PST) at 8%. Non-residents can reclaim the GST on certain items, including hotel rooms and goods being brought out of the country.
When leaving Toronto Pearson International Airport, visitors requesting claims for a GST rebate must consider the following:
- Prior to check-in with airlines, all receipts must be stamped or validated at the Canada Customs Information counter located on the Arrivals level, Public Concourse in each terminal building.
- All goods must be available for inspection by a Canada Customs officer.
- Allow at least 20 additional minutes prior to check-in to carry out this process.
Details are available in the brochure "Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada" from Revenue Canada, available at Canadian airports, border crossings and hotels. For further information about the Visitor Rebate Program, see the Visitor Rebate Program.
Tipping
Tipping is voluntary but expected. Gratuities are not automatically added to the bill. In normal practice, waiters receive 15-20% of the bill, depending on level of service; taxi drivers, 10-15%; doormen, porters and skycaps, $1 CAD per bag.
Languages
English and French are the official languages of the Metropolis 2005 Conference. All presentations will be made in either language, for plenaries, on-site workshops and evening speaker sessions. Simultaneous translation services will be provided on site for all plenary sessions only. Study Tours will be held in English only. Workshop languages will be confirmed in May.
Canada has two official languages: English and French. English is the language of the majority in Toronto, but all government services are offered in both tongues. Over 100 different languages can be heard on city streets.
Temperature and Clothing
In October, the average daytime high for Toronto is 14º C (57º F), and the low, 4º C (48º F). Humidity can vary significantly. Fall jackets and sweaters are recommended.
