WiN 2006 Global Meeting Website: Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

In general, persons visiting Canada from other countries must be in possession of a valid passport. It is the responsibility of the visitor, before entering Canada, to ensure that he/she has the required documents (passport and/or other official identification), including those for entry into another country or reentry into his or her own country (such as Visas). If you require a letter of invitation to obtain a travel Visa, please contact the WiN Secretariat.

Banks: Regular banking hours in Canada are 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with extended hours including weekends at some locations. Most banks have automatic teller machines, which can be accessed 24 hours a day using bank or credit cards on major international banking networks such as Cirrus, Plus and Interac. There is an automatic teller machine onsite at the Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre.

Climate: Daytime temperatures at the end of the month of May will be in the range of 10 C [50 F] to 25 C [80 F] with high humidity. Evening temperatures are in the range of 0 C to 8 C.

Clothing: Business or casual business attire is recommended for Conference sessions. Business attire is recommended for the Banquets. Bring a sweater or light jacket to meeting rooms, as they tend to be cold. For the Gala Dinner on Wednesday evening, evening, business attire or traditional dress from your country would be appropriate.

Consulates: There are almost 100 different Consulates in Toronto. Consult http://www.mia.gov.on.ca/english/pdf/Consular_eng_03Apr06.pdf for a complete listing.

Currency Information: The Canadian money system is based on dollars and cents. Because of current monetary exchange rates, there is a difference in value between the Canadian and American dollar. We advise you to have Canadian money while traveling in Canada to avoid any exchange problems. Legal tender is the Canadian dollar, which divides into 100 cents. Bills come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 1,000 dollars. The coins in use are of the following denominations: 1, 5, 10, 25 cents, 1 dollar and 2 dollars. Currency exchanges are found at the airport, in many shopping malls and at all major banks and trust companies.

Electrical Supply: The Canadian Electrical Supply is 110V, 60 Hz. Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States. Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Canada. For those from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada in 60 Hz.

Languages: English will be the working language for the WiN 2006 Global Meeting. All documentation will be available in English only.

Personal baggage: Clothing and goods for personal use by the visitor during his/her stay in Canada are admitted free of duty. Items such as cameras, tape recorders, computers or sporting equipment should be registered with the customs service in the traveler’s country of residence prior to departure to prove they were purchased before entering Canada.

Places of worship: Information about and directions to local places of worship (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc.) are available through the Reception and Front Desk at the Waterloo Inn.

Smoking: Smoking is not permitted by law in public buildings, on public transit, in shopping malls, and in most restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and casinos. Many restaurants and other establishments have designated smoking areas such as patios or heated outdoor seating areas.

Taxes and Tips / Gratuities: In Ontario, taxes on various goods and services include: 7% Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST), 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST), 10% PST on alcoholic beverages and 5% Room Tax. GST and PST rebates are available for non-residents on non-consumable items. In general, a tip of 10-15% is given to waiters, waitresses, taxi drivers, etc. Bellhops, doormen, porters, etc. at hotels, airports and railway stations are generally paid $1.00 per item of luggage. Unless otherwise indicated, gratuities are not included in restaurant bills.

Telephone: Emergency: 9-1-1, Directory assistance: 4-1-1, Operator: 0, Area code: 519.

Time zones: Waterloo is located in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST). We adopt Eastern Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October.