extend coverage outside your country of residence . If you are taking prescription drugs , make sure that they are in the original packaging , bring an adequate supply , and bring a copy of the prescription in case you need a refill during your stay in Ontario . If this is not possible , carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor . For more information and insurance details , contact your travel agent , insurance broker , or your employer ’ s insurance provider .
CREDIT CARDS , FINANCIAL SERVICES AND U . S . FUNDS
Chartered banks are located in virtually all cities and towns . These full-service institutions are the best locations for exchanging currency . There is also a government sanctioned Canada / U . S . currency exchange service at the Ontario Travel Information Centre in Sault Ste . Marie and at the Duty Free Store & Kiosk . Credit cards such as Visa , MasterCard and AMEX , are generally honoured in all communities . Be sure to check with individual businesses before or when booking accommodations to ensure they accept your card .
Please note that driving motorized vehicles , including cars , trucks , ATVs , snowmobiles , and boats , while impaired is illegal . You can immediately lose your licence for 90 days for refusing to take a breathalyzer reading greater than 80 mg ( 0.08 %) of alcohol per 100 mL of blood . Charges may be laid under the criminal code of Canada .
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE ( OPP )
For police services anywhere in Ontario , call the 24-hour toll-free line 1-888-310-1122 or 1-888-310-1133 ( TTY ).
SALES TAX
In Ontario , a Harmonized Sales Tax ( HST ) of 13 % applies to most purchases . For more information , contact : 1-800-565-9353 ( inside Canada ); ( 902 ) 432-5604 ( outside Canada ); or www . cra-arc . gc . ca
CURRENCY
If you want to know what your money is worth in Canada , visit www . bankofcanada . ca / rates / exchange / daily-converter / to quickly convert your currency to Canadian dollars .
STATUTORY HOLIDAYS
In Ontario , it ’ s important to plan ahead for the following holidays and booking ahead for accommodations is recommended :
New Year ’ s Day |
January 1 |
Family Day |
Third Monday in February |
Good Friday |
Friday before Easter Sunday |
Easter Sunday |
Retail stores not open |
Easter Monday |
Governmental Only |
Victoria Day |
Monday before May 25 |
Canada Day |
July 1 |
Civic Holiday |
First Monday in August ( not statutory ) |
Labour Day |
First Monday in September |
Thanksgiving Day Second Monday in October |
Christmas Day |
December 25 |
Boxing Day |
December 26 |
LIQUOR OUTLETS AND THE LAW
You must be 19 or over to buy or consume liquor , wine and beer in Ontario . It is an offence to consume alcohol anywhere other than in a licenced establishment , your residence or within a reasonable distance of your residence . Ontario laws prohibit having open bottles of liquor in a location accessible to the driver of a vehicle . Please don ’ t drink and drive ! Liquor including wine and beer is available through stores run by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario ( LCBO ) or in smaller centers , by their authorized representative . Beer may be purchased through “ The Beer Store ” or directly from brewery outlets . Beer , wine and cider is now available at select grocery stores in the province of Ontario . Drinking hours in licenced establishments are from 11 a . m . until 2 a . m . In Ontario , it is an offence to consume alcohol anywhere other than in a residence or on licenced premises .
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