Climate
Winnipeg is said to be the sunshine capital of Canada, with over 2,300 hours of sun annually. However, Winnipeg is also one of the coldest large cities in the world and has the coldest winters out of any city over 500,000 population in the Western Hemisphere. Summers are warm and humid, with highs around 25 C. Spring and fall are tough to predict and you will want to plan for both warm and cold weather.
Clothing
Casual wear is acceptable most of the time. Some establishments (nightclubs and bars) have a 'no jeans, no running shoes policy,' and certain dining rooms require men to wear jackets to dinner.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted throughout Canada. Bank machines can be found everywhere and debit cards are also widely used. If you are using a foreign card at a bank machine, your money will be disbursed in Canadian funds.
Currency
Financial institutions will provide a credible rate of exchange when switching your currency for Canadian dollars. Currency exchange is available at the Front Desk.
Electrical Current
110 Volts, 60 cycles AC
Entry Into Canada
For detailed information on Canada's entry requirements, please refer to the Government of Canada's website for more information.
Goods and Services Tax Visitor Rebate
Changes to Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) Visitor Rebate Program.
On March 19, 2007, the Government of Canada confirmed their intention to eliminate the GST/HST Visitor Rebate Program and announced the introduction of the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program. For more information, please visit the Canada Revenue Agency website.
Health Insurance
Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent. It is recommended that visitors to Canada obtain traveller's health insurance before leaving their country because health insurance plans often do not extend coverage for services received outside the country of residence.
Visitors may find that they have either no health insurance or that they have inadequate coverage once in Canada. Visitors taking medicine prescribed by a doctor should bring a copy of the prescription, in case it needs to be renewed by a doctor in Canada.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day: January 1
Louis Riel Day: February
Easter: March or April
Victoria Day: May (Third Monday)
Canada Day: July 1
Civic Holiday: August (First Monday)
Labour Day: September (First Monday)
Thanksgiving: October (Second Monday)
Remembrance Day: November 11
Christmas Day: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26
Shipping to Canada
Canadian customs brokers or a Canada Customs office can provide information on transportation companies that offer efficient service for time-sensitive meeting materials or exhibit goods.
Time Zones
Canada has six time zones. Winnipeg is located in Central Standard Time Zone. The zones are: Newfoundland (3.5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time), Atlantic (4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time), Eastern (5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time), Central (6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time), Mountain (7 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time) and Pacific (8 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time).
Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to a bill in Canada. In general, a tip of up to 15% of the sub-total (before taxes) is given. This applies to waiters, waitresses, barbers and hairdressers, taxi drivers, etc. At hotels, airports and railway stations, bellhops, doormen, redcaps (porters), etc. are generally paid $1-$2 per item of luggage.
Water
Canadian tap water is among the cleanest in the world and is very safe to drink.