Canada

Brief Fact File

Capital	Ottawa
Currency	Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Language(s)	English (official) 59.3%, French (official) 23.2%, other 17.5%
Local time	GMT - 08:00 (Pacific Standard) GMT - 07:00 (Mountain Standard) GMT - 03:30 (Central Standard) GMT - 05:00 (Eastern Standard) GMT - 04:00 (Atlantic Standard) GMT - 03:30 (Newfoundland Standard) Add one hour for 'daylight saving time' (April-Oct), except in Saskatchewan and northeast BC
Telephone code	1
Major cities	Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver

Economy
Canada's economy closely resembles the US and has newly entered in the trillion dollar class. After the World War II, there was an impressive growth in the manufacturing, mining and service sectors, which transformed the nation from a largely rural economy to one of the primarily industrial and urban one. With its high natural resources, skilled labour force and modern capital plant, the country enjoys a good economic prospects. Exports account to 1/3rd of the GDP. The top three import and export partners of the country are the USA, China, Japan and the USA, Japan and the United Kingdom respectively.

Major Exports:

• Motor Vehicles And Parts
  
• Industrial Machinery
  
• Aircraft
  
• Telecommunications Equipment
  
• Chemicals
  
• Plastics
  
• Fertilizers
  
• Wood Pulp
  
• Timber
  
• Crude Petroleum
  
• Natural Gas
  
• Electricity
  
• Aluminum

Major Imports:

• Machinery And Equipment
  
• Motor Vehicles And Parts
  
• Crude Oil
  
• Chemicals
  
• Electricity
  
• Durable Consumer Goods

Business Practices

Business Dress

• Men should wear a dark conservative business suit with tie, especially in cities. Conservative colors of navy and gray, and shirts in white and light blue.
  
• Women should wear a conservative business suit or dress, especially in cities.
  
• Never wear new or trendy clothing. Older, classic clothing that is clean and neat is more valued. It should be accompanied by quality leather shoes.
  
• Rural areas are less formal, but stay conservative. Even with cold winter weather one may find oneself in a skirt or dress. Add a good quality long coat with minimal and classic detail to your wardrobe. In addition to navy and gray, a classic camel coat, or a lined Burberry may be a good addition. This will work for a sophisticated city meeting, or a more casual rural meeting.

Communication Guidelines

• Use a firm handshake with good eye contact when meeting and leaving.
  
• Men wait for women to extend hand for a handshake.
  
• French Canadians shake hands more frequently, even with a subsequent encounter the same day. Others just nod or smile at a subsequent encounter on the same day.
  
• Use a person's title if he or she has one. Otherwise, use Mr., Mrs., Miss and the surname.
  
• French Canadians may use their first name when talking to over the telephone, but generally use their full name when meeting you in person.
  
• Be open and friendly in the conversation. If one is naturally reserved in his/her behavior, it will appear confident and credible.
  
• French Canadians stand closer and are more demonstrative when talking.
  
• For French Canadians, print all material in French and English.
  
• Don't be boastful, and don't overstate one's product or service's capabilities.

Business Hours
9.00 am to 5.00 pm - Offices (Monday to Friday)
10.00 am to 4.30 pm - Banks (Monday to Thursday and until 5.00 or 6.00 pm on Fridays)
8.30 am to 5.30 pm - Post Offices (Monday to Friday)
9.30 am to 6.00 pm - Shops (Monday to Friday. Extended hours vary)
Note:- Many banks are also open 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturdays.

Important Contacts

Associations / Ministries
Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export
Suite 101, 345 Renfrew Drive, Markham
Ontario, L3R 9S9
Canada
Tel.: +(1)-(905)-5130046
Fax: +(1)-(905)-5131834
E-mail: minesupply@camese.org
Website: http://www.camese.org

Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters Inc.
438 University Avenue
Suite 1618, P.O. Box 60
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2K8
Tel.: +(1)-(416)-5955333
Fax: +(1)-(416)-5958226
E-mail: info@iecanada.com
Website: http://www.importers.ca

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
930 Carling Avenue, Room 737
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0C5
Tel.: +(1)-(613)-7597686
E-mail: westb@agr.gc.ca
Website: http://ats.agr.ca

Canadian Food Exporters Association (CFEA)
Website: http://www.cfea.com

Indian Embassy / Consulate

Embassy of India
High Commission of India (Ottawa)
10, Springfield Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1C9
Canada
Tel.: +(1)-(613)-7443751/52/53
Fax: +(1)-(613)-7440913
E-mail: consular@hciottawa.ca

Consulate General of India, Toronto
Suite #400, 1835 Yonge St.
Toronto, Ontario M4S 1X8
Tel.: +(1)-(416)-9600751/52/53
Fax: +(1)-(416)-9609812
E-mail: cgindia@cgitoronto.ca

Consulate General of India, Vancouver
325, Howe Street, 2nd Floor
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1Z7
Tel.: +(1)-(604)-6628811 (Exchange)
Fax: +(1)-(604)-6822471/3556
E-mail: indiainf@telus.net

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for Canada

The following documents are required for obtaining business visa for Canada:

• A valid and subsisting passport for travel to Canada.
  
• Visa application forms.
  
• Introductory or sponsorship letters from associated companies, business representatives, government agencies or other authority.
  
• 2 photographs.
  
• Visitors must be in possession of or have satisfactory evidence of sufficient funds to maintain themselves in Canada and to effect departure.

Validity/Extension
Provision persists that a visa can be issued of validity up to 5 years, but it cannot be issued which is valid longer than the passport. Upon arrival, entry can be granted for a stay of up to 6 months.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date	Detail
New Year's Day	January 1
Day after New Year's	January 2
Good Friday		Date Varies
Easter Monday		Date Varies
Victoria Day	Monday on or before 24 May
Canada Day	July 1	formerly Dominion Day
Labor Day	First Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day	Second Monday in October
Remembrance Day	November 11
Christmas Day	December 25
Boxing Day	December 26

Travel Tips

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) is 7%. It is added to most purchases and services, even to postage stamps, with the exception of basic groceries. In British Columbia, 7% Provincial Sales Tax (PST) is applied to some retail merchandise and services. There is also a hotel room tax of 8-10% in many places.
  
• The GST is refunded for non-residents visiting for short term on many purchases. Purchases need to be total of more than CAN$100.00
  
• It is customary in Canada to tip for services like restaurants, bars and pubs, taxis and hairdressers. Usually it is 15% but can range from 10-20%.
  
• Driving licenses of other countries are valid in Canada. Seat belt use is mandatory. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense.
  
• Tourists and temporary visitors do not qualify for their health care plan and should have their own insurance to cover medical expenses.
  
• Criminal activity is more common in the urban areas. Royal Canadian Mounted Police are the local police force.