Getaway2Canada | Canadian Facts and Etiquette

Home > Facts & Etiquette

Each country has defining customs and behaviours. Knowing these intricacies is helpful when travelling. The following Canadian facts and etiquette tutorial will provide cultural insights and knowledge when you come to Canada!

> Canadian Facts

Canada’s Location: Canada is located in Northern North America, bordering the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east and the Arctic Ocean in the north.

Land Area: 9,984,670sq km

Coastline: 202,080km

Highest Mountain: Mount Logan - 6081m (19950.79ft)

Division of Land: 10 Provinces and 3 Territories (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon). For more information on each region, please see our map of Canada.

Capital of Canada: Ottawa (in the Province of Ontario)

Two Official Languages: English and French

Government Type: Constitutional monarchy, also a parliamentary democracy and a federation.

Population: 33 million (2006 est.)

Ethnic Groups: British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, First Nations 2%, other (mostly Asian, African, Arab) 6% and mixed background 26%.

Religious Distribution (2001 census): Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3%, other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8% and none 16%.

Currency: Canadian dollar (CAD)

National Holidays:
New Years Day: January 1
Good Friday: Varies
Easter Monday Varies
Victoria Day: Monday preceding May 25
Canada Day: July 1. The Holidays Act provides that July 2 is Canada Day when July 1 is a Sunday.
Labour Day: First Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day: Second Monday of October
Remembrance Day: November 11
Christmas Day: December 25
Boxing Day: December 26

Weights and Measures: Metric

Time: Various time zones. See Getaway Guides for more information.

Useful Numbers:
Directory Assistance: 411
North American Access Code: 1
International Access Code (for calling out of Canada): 011
International Access Code (for calling to Canada): Your Access Code + 1 + Area Code + Number
Police, Ambulance, Fire: 911
Roadside Assistance: 0 (non-emergency), 911 (emergency)

> Canadian Etiquette

Canadians are known around the world for their polite and gracious demeanor; however, this conduct quickly fades when observing ice hockey, a favourite Canadian pastime. Sporting events aside, Canadians are inviting, fun-loving and activity-oriented people who try and make the most of their massive natural playground.

Approaching Strangers:
If you need to approach a stranger for directions or the like, simply say “pardon me, could you kindly…” or “hello, may I ask you a question…” Most Canadians like to be acknowledged by a stranger before they are asked a question.

Toilets:
Canada uses the seat-style flush toilet. Public restrooms can be found frequently and do not require payment.

Driving & Walking:
Whether driving on the highway or walking on the street, it’s assumed that the slower traffic should always keep to the right.

If someone gives way to your vehicle in busy traffic, it’s courteous to lift up your hand and wave as a ‘thank you’ to the other driver.
Certain Provinces have something called an ‘advanced green arrow’ which gives left-turners the indication to proceed through the intersection prior to the oncoming traffic entering the intersection.
Certain Provinces have flashing green lights which are found at intersections controlled by pedestrians. If the light turns amber then red, be prepared to stop for crossing pedestrians.

Eating:
Dinner is the biggest meal of the day in Canada. Since breakfast and lunch tend to be on-the-go for many people, dinner is a time when families and friends gather together to enjoy each others’ company over a meal.

Canadians generally eat at the following times:

Breakfast: 7am -10am
Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm
Dinner: 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Due to various cultural influences, Canadians enjoy many different types of foods. Here is a 'taste' of the foods typically eaten at each meal:

Breakfast: cereal, eggs, toast, beagles, muffins, pastries, coffee and specialty coffees
Lunch: salads, sandwiches, burgers
Dinner: pastas, pizza, seafood, meats and poultry and assorted ethnic dishes

Eating Out:

Some restaurants choose to provide their clientele with complimentary bread prior to ordering. This offering is an added bonus is not typical of all restaurants.
When you are done with your meal, your server may ask you if you would like the bill, this is not an attempt to rush you through your meal, it is simply a way to give you the freedom to leave when you are ready.
If you are dinning at a high-end or trendy restaurant, reservations are recommended. If for some reason you cannot make your reservation, it’s always nice to call and cancel.

General Tipping Practices:
Although not mandatory, if someone in the service industry assists you, it is kind to thank them with a tip ranging from 10-20% on the services rendered.

Restaurant Tipping Practices:
For satisfactory service, a 15-20% tip calculated before taxes is customary. The only time a service change may be included is if you are eating out with a party larger than 6 people. In this case, a restaurant may automatically add a 15% gratuity to the bill under the heading ‘service’ or gratuity.’

At the Beach:
Canada has many beaches to choose from whether along the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans or one of the many lakes or rivers. If you would like to blend in with the locals, here is what people generally wear at the beach:

Women: A one-piece bathing suit or two-piece bikini
Men: Swim Shorts or Board Shorts

Note: Some areas of Canada do allow topless bathing, check local information before stripping-down.

Getaway Tool Kit
Quick access to all the custom tools created by the staff at Getaway2Canada.

Map-out your trip, read articles about traveling to Canada, learn Canadian facts and etiquette, and find other resources. Don’t leave home without the items in your Getaway Tool Kit.

Maps

Articles

Facts & Etiquette

Resources