GOOD TO KNOW
Never visited Vancouver before? Here's some information to get you oriented.
CLIMATE
Vancouver offers a comfortable climate year-round with mild winters (average 5°C or 41°F) and warm summers (just over 20°C or 68°F).
LANGUAGES
While Canada has two official languages – French and English – English is the predominant language in the west. Multilingual staff is commonly found in major tourism and business facilities.
CURRENCY
The Canadian dollar (symbol: $; code: CAD) is the currency of Canada. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or sometimes C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. We recommend that visitors use Canadian currency when traveling within Canada. Currency can be exchanged at Canadian chartered banks, trust companies, credit unions, or at offices of foreign exchange brokers, but it is advised to have local currency on hand prior to arriving.
TAXATION
Most purchases in British Columbia will be subject to a 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST), with the exception of liquor (10% GST).
TIME ZONE
Vancouver is in the Pacific Time Zone. Daylight savings time (PDT) is in effect from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November when the zone switches to (PST).
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in Canada is 110 volt AC (alternating current), as in the United States.