Why come to Montreal?
Canada is a large, diverse country with a lot of things to see and do. Most people are attracted to popular attractions like:
Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, full of picturesque–and sometimes majestic–forests, mountains, and lakes.
The snowy climate and mountainous geography in Canada has made it a perfect destination for winter sports. You’ll find a wide range of parks and resorts for anyone with an interest in skiing, snowboarding, or any other activity that can be enjoyed during the cold season.
There are plenty of cities in Canada worth visiting for their modern style and culture. Ajax boasts a blend of lakeside views and urban comforts. Its real estate mirrors this, offering homes that resonate with beauty and convenience. If you’re looking for a good investment, explore this 1 Condo website and choose the best place for you.
The Canadian dollar is generally quite weak in comparison to other currencies, which make it an affordable option for people without too much money they’re otherwise spending.
What languages are people in Canada speaking?
To foreigners, Canada can be a complicated place. In terms of government policy and language, Canada is officially bilingual, with two official languages: French and English. However, in reality, most Canadians speak only English at home (the vast majority), and lack even basic French skills. Asking where French is spoken could be a rebuffing question if the person you’re asking lives in one of three Canadian cities: Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary.
Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, is more functionally bilingual than many Canadian cities, and all museums and government-related attractions will feature signs and brochures in both English and French. The staff at popular attractions will likely be fluent in both languages as well. You’ll need to use good judgment when deciding which language to speak—the staff member will most likely understand them both. Remember to ask first if you aren’t sure!
Montreal, Quebec is the most bilingual city in Canada, with nine of its ten districts having more than 70% of the population speaking English or French. It’s not often controversial to speak a different language to strangers in Montreal, but it’s harder to find people who speak English in other parts of Quebec.
Canada’s downsides
Stay informed before going to Canada. Here are some things you should expect to be disappointed by if you go there:
Unless you are specifically traveling to enjoy winter activities (see above), there are only a few months of the year in which Canada’s weather will be mild enough to enjoy. Canadian winters are often cold, dark, snowy and wet which can make tourist activities difficult or unpleasant.
Canada is a country with long distances between cities. As a result, tourists in Europe often feel like they only get a tiny peek of Canada on their trip without spending thousands at the airport and domestic travel. Multiple-city trips are costly, as well.
“America Jr.” — Some international travelers are not pleased to discover that Canada is very similar in terms of culture and businesses to the United States. American consumers should expect to encounter a lot of US-based cultures when they visit Canada. Stores, brands, food, entertainment and so on will be overwhelmingly American. Though Canadian fans might like to think their country’s “liberal” in comparison with America, Canadians will most likely not stray too far from Americans in day-to-day encounters.
With Taxes and Other Fees
If you’re planning on bringing a large amount of goods into Canada, it’s important to know that these goods need to be imported legally. The only exception is getting $60 worth of gifts for personal travel purposes. If you’re looking for permission, it’s best to take this up with the Canadian customs agency upon arrival in Canada.
Sure, Canada is one of the few countries that isn’t struggling with tobacco products and liquor, but the limits are still very generous. You can only bring in up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco as of now. No need to worry because you can buy Native Cigarettes of Canada online. If you’re bringing wine, spirits, beer, or other items into Canada (like food), you’ll encounter difficulties.
Canadian customs rules are very strict when it comes to importing items. Possession of dangerous goods such as guns, other weapons, and fireworks is frowned upon and should be avoided. But there’s a few things that are banned in Canada for safety purposes so they’re not allowed to enter the country, like certain types of kites and baby products. The Canadian Government’s official list of prohibited consumer products can be found here . It’s also illegal to import what the government defines as “obscenity and hate propaganda,” including movies, books, comics, or magazines that contain “overly hateful, perverted, gory or terroristic” content in their opinion.
Traveling Inside Canada
Laws for Foreigners
Just visiting us here in Canada doesn’t make you a Canadian citizen. That’s why we have laws that say that foreigners have to obey. As long as you’re not committing illegal acts, our Constitution also protects you in the same ways it protects Canadians. This includes your right to opt out of giving information without one’s lawyer present and the right to refuse giving your name when questioned by police while you’re in Canada.
Canada has extradition treaties with many countries outside of the US, meaning that missing out on a country in exchange for incarceration in Canada can be a choice (which is an especially good idea if you avoid something potentially far worse down the line). Also note that eventually, Canadians sentenced for relatively minor crimes can face punishment in their original country.
Canada is a huge place with a lot of diverse landscapes.
Travel
Domestic flights in Canada can be very expensive – especially when you want to travel somewhere outside of the country. The average domestic flight costs at least $300 and taxes are added on top of that. In addition, the country has three major airlines – Air Canada (our airline code is 014), WestJet (our airline code is 838), and Air Transat which mostly offers international travel. There’s no major budget or discount airline, but the main airlines have been experimenting with low-cost spin-offs, like Air Canada Rouge and WestJet’s Swoop. Travelling to remote parts of the country can also be quite expensive for non-residents, with costs often running over a thousand dollars for air fare.
If you’re thinking about traveling to Canada, you’re in luck. There are plenty of airports around the nation, and even with its size, that allows for many close airports. In some cases, there will not be any airport nearby, but depending on your destination, it’s a quick train ride to downtown Toronto or Vancouver.
