Canadian Dollar (CAD; symbol C$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of C$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of C$2 and 1, and 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Major credit cards are widely accepted. Use of debit cards is widespread, although many stores impose a $5 to $20 minimum per debit card purchase, and service charges may apply. ATMs are easy to find in populated areas but are less common in remote areas such as rural areas of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Labrador. Use a machine affiliated with a major bank to reduce service charges; independent machines in locations such as casinos and convenience stores may carry high charges.
Culture
A piquant mixture of British, French and aboriginal influences, Canadian culture is uniquely three-dimensional. The country also imbibes neighbouring America’s cultural trends as well as 'borrowing' from the constant stream of immigrants. Canada is a bilingual country, with both English and French as official languages at the federal level reflecting the two main groups of early settlers.
Canada enjoys a society that is open and relatively free of class distinctions and most Canadians take pride in the equality accorded to all citizens.
Emergency Services
Police, Medical, Fire: 911
Non-emergency 311 in certain areas. Some rural areas still lack 911 service.
Also 112 is being redirected to 911 on GSM mobile phones.
Weather
Summer thunderstorms are common throughout Canada. Occasionally, these may become severe. Tornados also occur throughout Canada, with May to September being prime months. The peak season is June and early July in southern Ontario, Alberta, south-eastern Québec, and a band stretching from southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, through to Thunder Bay. The interior of British Columbia and western New Brunswick are also tornado zones. Earth tremors occur in the western mountains. Forest fires can occur at any time, regardless of the season, particularly in the grasslands and forests of western Canada.
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