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A-Z Guide
Currency and Banking Facilities
Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 1000-dollar bills. One and two dollar bills have been replaced by coins, often referred to as “loonies” (the bird on the $1 coin is a loon) and “toonies”, respectively. There are foreign exchange booths at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, at the Central Station and throughout the downtown core. Banks and automatic teller machines (ATM) can be found throughout the city.
Although the exchange varies daily, the following are some useful approximate conversion rates (as of January 2009):
| $ 1 CAD = | $ 0.833634 USD | $ 1 USD = | $ 1.19957 CAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 1 CAD = | € 0.611460 | € 1 = | $ 1.63543 CAD |
| $ 1 CAD = | £ 0.575615 | £ 1 = | $ 1.73727 CAD |
| $ 1 CAD = | 元 5.72215 | 元1 = | $ 0.174760 CAD |
| $ 1 CAD = | ¥ 77.5650 | ¥ 100 = | $ 1.28924 CAD |
| $ 1 CAD = | $ 1.16502 AUD | $ 1 AUD = | $ 0.858357 CAD |
For the most current rates, please refer to your preferred currency conversion site.
Customs and Immigration for International and US Flights
Passengers arriving on flights originating outside of Canada must clear Canadian Inspection Services. On the aircraft, the flight crew will distribute the Travellers' Customs Declaration Card. Complete it before passing through customs. After leaving the plane, follow the crowd into the Customs Hall. All visitors will need a passport. (See also Visas below.)
Getting to Montréal
By Air
All international and domestic flights to Montréal arrive at at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (airport code: YUL; formerly Dorval Airport), situated 25 minutes from the city centre. The airport offers a shuttle service to downtown ($15 CAD). Taxis to downtown are also readily available at a fixed rate of $38 CAD + tip.
By Train/Bus
Montréal's Central Train Station (Gare centrale), with connections from New York, is also a major stop for domestic trains from Eastern or Western Canada. The downtown station is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to hotels and the Palais des Congrès/Convention Centre. For information on schedules and fares for travellers from the United States, visit Amtrak. If travelling from other Canadian cities, consult schedules at ViaRail. Bus travellers arrive right downtown at the Montréal Bus Central Station which is also connected to the metro/subway (Berri-UQAM station).
By Car
Road access to Montréal is clearly indicated on signs from all directions. The New York State Thruway (I-87) becomes Route 15, and U.S. I-89 becomes two-lane Route 133, which joins Highway 10 to Montréal. From I-91 in Massachusetts, highways 55 and 10 lead to Montréal. Visitors coming to Montréal from Eastern or Western Canada use highways 20 and 40. Québec speed limits are in kilometres (100 km/h equals approximately 62 mph). Gasoline is sold in litres (3 3/4 litres equals 1 US gallon).
Rideshare
You would like to share a ride to the congress ? Visit PickupPal, register as a driver or as a passenger and you will be matched with an other congressist. To do so, follow the website instructions :
Health Costs
Canada does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to pay for any medical costs you may incur in Canada.
Languages
French is the official language of the Province of Québec. English is spoken among a significant minority of the population in and around Montréal, and can commonly be heard downtown and in most locations greeting visitors, including airports, hotels, tourist attractions, shops and restaurants.
Letters of Invitation
Visas are the responsibility of individual participants, including all contact with Canadian visa offices, application forms and any fees to be paid. To support your visa application to Canada, the Congress is happy to supply a letter of invitation. You may request this letter from the Congress Secretariat – JPdL, after completion of registration and full payment. If a letter is required for your visa application (see also Visas below), please note that only original letters are accepted by Canadian embassies. The Congress has informed Citizenship and Immigration Canada of the 5th World Environmental Education Congress and the expected international participation. The Congress does not have the authority to act on behalf on individuals in obtaining visas.
Meeting Rooms Available for Associations
If you wish to take advantage of the 5th World Congress “environment” to hold a meeting with your association members, meeting rooms are available in the Palais des congrès/Montreal Convention Centre on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12, after 5:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, May 12, between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. To book a meeting room, simply download this form and return it, duly completed, to the following email: 5weec@jpdl.com. You will receive a confirmation of your room booking once the committee has processed your request.
Palais des Congrès/Montréal Convention Centre
From its location in the heart of the Quartier international (International Quarter), the Convention Centre enjoys close and easy access to the rest of the downtown core as well as Chinatown, historic Old Montréal and the Old Port. The Palais des Congrès is located at Place-d’Armes metro (subway) station on the Montmorency/Côte-Vertu (orange) line. Congress registration is located in Bleury Hall, level 200.
1001, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle (Place-d’Armes metro station)
www.congresmtl.com
Transportation in Montréal
The City of Montréal offers an extensive public transit system, including metro (subway) and buses. Single fare is $2.75 CAD. To see schedules and fare options, visit the STM – Société de transport de Montréal website: www.stm.info/index.htm. Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed from the street or at the airport, train and bus stations. Fares begin at $3.65 CAD. The fixed rate for taxis between Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport and downtown is $38 CAD + tip.
Visas
All participants must have a valid passport and/or an appropriate travel document to enter Canada. Some participants may also require a visa. Visas are the responsibility of individual delegates, and must be obtained before coming to arrival in Canada.
If you are travelling through the US, you may also require an American visa. Please verify with your travel agent. If you require a visa, it is strongly recommended that you apply at least three months in advance to ensure you receive your visa in time for travel. To obtain a visa application form, visit the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate or get the application form online from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
As of January 2009, citizens of the following countries and specific regions do NOT need a visa for travel to or transit in Canada:
Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brunei, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (National Passport holders only), Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia (Republic of), *Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, *Poland, Portugal, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, United States, and Western Samoa.
*Citizens of Lithuania and Poland require an e-passport for visa-free travel to Canada.
For more information on what is needed to come to Canada, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada. General information for visitors to Canada who are participating in an international event is also available from the Canadian Border Services Agency.