Typical Canadian Cuisine

Canada is believed to be one of the best places to live for foreign nationals. This diversity of culture makes the cuisine of Canada unique and special in its own ways. Actually, it is a mixture of food staples from different parts of the world. It is varied and rich, but it has remained true to its original self while incorporating innovations. However, most of the traditional Canadian cuisines are deeply influenced by French and English heritage, and it has made an impact on communities in several ways. The kind of food you will find in Canada cannot be found across the boundaries. Canadian cuisine is made from over 500 plant species, along with animals hunted from water, land, and air. If you want to explore some Canadian cuisines, then you must try their real cheese curds, and never forget to taste their dim sum and gourmet menu. Apart from that, here you can find some basic information about Canadian cuisines.

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Canadian diet

Nobody can maintain their body or appetite without a proper diet plan, and in Canada, you can find various dishes that made with a balanced diet plan. Here you can find some dishes for your separate meal:

• Breakfast: Cooked eggs, fried pork sausages or bacon, fried or deep-fried potatoes, toasted bread, pancakes, cereals, or hot oatmeal are mostly eaten as breakfast items in Canada.
• Lunch: It is mostly a light meal. Traditional Canadian lunch foods are the ones that are portable or easy to make, like sandwiches, soups, or salads.
• Dinner: Any form of meat like chicken, pork or beef along with cooked vegetables like carrots, peas, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, or corn is served with rice, pasta, potatoes, or bread as the part of the main course.

Main Ingredients of Canadian Cuisine

Canadian cuisine consists of a number of recipes, and each region takes pride in varied products and dishes. Here we are enlisting some of the main ingredients that make Canadian cuisine special:

• Maple syrup: Maple is very important to Canada, and the fact can be successfully claimed with the appearance of the maple leaf on the Canadian flag. Extracted from a maple tree, maple syrup is delicious and sweet, and it has gained worldwide popularity due to its goodness. A large percentage of the maple syrup present in the world is made in Quebec, and you can find many Canadian cuisines decorated with maple syrup. Even you can also collect a few bottles of maple syrups from Canada for your family.
• Salmon: Since Canada is surrounded by sea on many sides, you can find many seafood Canadian cuisines in this city. Among all the species of fish available in the area, salmon remains the most popular ingredient used in many Canadian dishes. Some of the best salmon variety originates from the Pacific of British Columbia. Other popular fish varieties include tuna, haddock, halibut, and snapper are also available in Canada.

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• Corn: Corn is one of the most widely used ingredients in North American cuisine. Whether you want to eat corn on the cob or kernels as a side dish, you will find corn them in almost every Canadian kitchen. Watching a movie or a TV show is just incomplete without a bowl of popcorn.
• Blueberries: Being abundantly available in Canada, it is a major ingredient used in the making of a number of Canadian dishes. Apart from that, you can also taste the ice wine in Canada because this is a rare dish that is available in Canada and Germany. Ice wine is a desert, and it is produced with frozen grapes.
• Cheese: Dairy farms in different parts of Canada together produce more than a thousand varieties of cheese alone. Apart from the standard cheddar cheese, the high-class French cheese produced in Quebec is popular around the world as well. Cheese has a great role to play in making Canadian cuisine so distinct and delicious.
• Spices: Coriander, ginger, bay leaves, turmeric, anise, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, paprika, cinnamon, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper are some commonly used spices in Canadian food.

Canadian Dishes You Must Try

If you are in Canada, you must not miss relishing some of its delicacies. Some of them include:

• Canadian bacon: Traditional bacon is derived from pig’s belly, but Canadian bacon is the loin of lean pork made after bringing and rolling in cornmeal and thickly slicing afterward. Many Canadian style foods like pizza and burgers also have bacon.
• Poutine: One of the most staple Canadian dishes originating from French, and this dish is the perfect representative of Canadian cuisine. It is basically a bowl of French fries covered with peppery gravy and cheese. Any Canadian dinner is just incomplete without poutine. Many cities also hold poutine festivals to celebrate this delicacy.
• Butter tarts: This is one of the most traditional dishes of Canadian cooking. Featuring a flaky and delicate crust and a center made of butter, egg and sugar mixture, there are varieties in which raisins are also added to the mix. They are simple to cook but good to taste. Once you taste them, you will crave for them even after your Canadian trip is over. Almost every bakery and coffee shop in Canada serves them, but some of the best ones are found in rural Ontario area.
• Nanaimo Bars: This is a classic Canadian tri-layered dessert that is made up of vanilla flavored butter icing, melted chocolate, and flaky mixture. Originating from Nanaimo in British Columbia, the dessert becomes more delicious when you have it with added nuts, coconut, vanilla, peanut butter and chocolate as toppings.
• Split pea soup: This is a classic Canadian French dish that is made with dried peas, vegetables, and cured meats. This is a comfort food traditionally made with pork, peas and a number of herbs to render it a creamy texture. A bowl of this soup is a must to stay comfortable during harsh Canadian winters. Some variations are made by cooking yellow split peas together with turnips, carrots, and meat. Earlier, voyagers used to make it to last their long journey, but now it has become a tradition for Canadians.

 See also: Working and studying in Canada with your eTA

•  Montreal bagels: These are circular bread with a hole in the center. They taste best when served fresh after making by hands and baking in a wood-fired oven. When Jewish immigrants entered Montreal from Easter Europe, they introduced these bagels to Canada. Earlier, only Jewish communities made and sold these bagels, but now, they are widely sold in Canadian markets and grocery stores. These days, there are several varieties of Montreal bagels, including the ones with smoked salmon and cream cheese filled in them.

Now that you know some of the most popular Canadian dishes don’t forget to try some of them while you are in Canada.

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3 Things You Should Know About When Visiting Canada

Planning a visit to Canada? Your visit will be better if you know before you go.

1. Country size, weather, language, and measuring system

Canada is a very large country: 6,521 kilometers (4,025 miles) across, encompassing 10 provinces and three territories. If you’re only in the country for a week, don’t try to see all of it! Look at a map and target one or two provinces, saving the rest for another trip.

Know that the weather will be cold in the winter and maybe cold in the summer. On the prairies, winter temps can get down to -30 degrees Celsius. Take layering clothes, woolen hats, gloves, a scarf, and thermal underwear.

English and French are Canada’s two official languages. Quebecers predominantly speak French. You’ll hear more English the farther you go from the province of Quebec.

Visitors to Canada will hear reports and see signs in both Celsius and Fahrenheit, although the official system is metric.

2. Alcohol, marijuana, and guns

Recreational marijuana was legalized in Canada in October 2018. The minimum age for using is 19, except in the provinces of Alberta and Quebec, where the age is 18. It can be grown at home for personal use in all provinces except Quebec, and in Manitoba with a medical license. In most provinces and territories, people driving with marijuana must have it sealed and kept in a place that passengers can’t reach while traveling.

Drinking in Canada is legal at age 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. In all other provinces and territories, the legal drinking age is 19. You will find recognized wine regions in Ontario and British Columbia. The ready availability of alcohol varies by area of the country.

A license is required to own a gun in Canada. To get a license, a person must be at least 18, submit to a background check and complete safety training. Canadian gun law divides guns into categories: prohibited, restricted, and non-restricted. The last category includes regular rifles and shotguns.

3. Entry requirements

For decades, citizens of many countries, including the United States, have been able to enter Canada freely without visas. However, a significant change to this policy occurred on March 15, 2016. On this date, it became mandatory that travelers who were formerly visa-exempt now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (a Canada eTA).

It is important to be aware of this change. Without a Canada eTA, travelers in other countries will not be allowed on a flight to Canada.

An electronic Travel Authorization does not guarantee admission to the country. Travelers must also be able to convince an immigration officer in Canada of their intent to leave Canada and return home. Evidence of motivation to return home includes such things as the traveler having gainful employment back home and financial obligations (i.e. owning property).

In addition, travelers must demonstrate to immigration officers that they have enough money to stay in Canada for the duration of their trip and either a return ticket or funds for a return ticket.

Obviously, it is not as easy to get into Canada as it used to be. Remember the electronic Travel Authorization requirement!

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Want To Improve English? There Is a Whole Continent Waiting For You

It has been French, and then German, but for a good time now, the English language has stepped in as the commonly acceptable way people from all over the world communicate among each other. The English language is so wide spread that term as “selfie” is now recognized by probably almost 99% of the Earth’s population. The globalization of course comes of help here. So, no need to tell you twice, get a pen and pick some of the below advises we have for you!

 

Apply today and get your approved eTA by email!

 

A teacher once said: One can say that he is fluent in a foreign language only when all the following three are present - one counts in his head in the foreign language, one dreams in the foreign language, and one feels uncomfortable when swearing in the foreign language. But how to learn a language so good so the mention of the F-word can make our non-English and TV obsessed personalities feel bad?!

 

Well, what’s better than to travel and learn from the source? What is the source though and where is it? Is it Great Britain? Is it the English Shakespeare wrote on? Or is it Waugh’s beautiful way of describing… a house?

 

Although England and the British English is what we think of when choosing to improve our language skills abroad, we kind of forget that some miles on East there is a whole continent that offers some really funny and interesting ways of learning and improving our language skills. How does it sound an English language course in a cooking course? Or an English language course together with a music lesson? What is sure to be true, speaking in a native environment is one of the best and easiest ways to learn and improve one’s language skills.

 

Let’s start with some theory. There are several kinds of English learners and they can be split into five categories:

 

• Jedi master

The Jedi master will make you feel like you will never learn English even if you have all the time in the world. People who belong to this category are generally the ones who have achieved a high level of fluency and are close to being perfect in English language in terms of grammar. One important note – these people have a pure linguistic interest to the language. They never stop learning. As the language itself is keen on developing, they follow it constantly. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. This perfectly applies to the Jedi master.

 

• English speaker

The common English speaker has a good knowledge in the language. However, he is not a Jedi master due the lack of interest in focusing on the development of the language. The English speaker uses the language as a tool only.

 

• False beginner

These people always refrain from speaking in English in public or even while conversing with other English speaking people even though they have the basic knowledge of the English language. This has generally happened because one have had a bad experience while speaking in English at some point in time and this has lead to the destruction of his confidence. Also they have more knowledge of grammar instead of spoken English skills.

 

• True beginner

The true beginners have learned to speak at school, from internet, by picking this and that from everywhere. They also speak in slang pretty well.

 

• Failed student

This is that last category. The curious thing about people who fell under this category is that they claim they lack skills for studying any foreign language. They have tried and given up after. When one tries again, he or she will most likely quite at the same place/lesson where he/she has quitted the previous time. However, if more constant, one can learn to ignore its previous experience and continue to the next level.

 

Check here the requirements for applying for an eTA?

 

Nowadays, you can get several courses which can improve your communicative English as well, and will make you efficient in writing skills. These will generally help you in business interactions. But before starting them, remember that it is very important to finish them or otherwise all your hard work would go in vain. Some of the types of courses are:

 

• Practice writing with professionals

This is a type of course which will mainly help you to carry out your business interactions. This course mainly focuses on improving your English language. You can write emails to your clients in a good English language. This course will provide you with certain tips on how to write in a professional way. This will surely help you to improve your vocabulary and grammar. Not only this, the course will help you know about the different cultures where your clients belong. Each and every email needs a different style of the formal level, analyzing tone and use of words.

 

You can enrich the type of content you intend to mail to your client by improving the style of introduction, requests, announcements, etc. Ultimately, at the completion of the course, you will understand the mistakes which you used to make initially. You will be able to see the changes in your earlier emails and the later ones. You can now rectify all your punctuation marks, understand the formality level, and write all the professional writings and business emails.

 

• Practice spoken English online

Everyone wants to be an expert in spoken English. This course will surely help you to achieve that goal. Try to speak in English online and also on calls. This will surely make you a professional at speaking English. This is basically a 5-week course. Also, try to participate in all the group discussions. This will help you to understand what you should reply when you are asked a particular thing. This will also enhance your ‘role play’ game.

 

This course will definitely make you more accurate in choosing the right kind of words. This course includes a combination of lectures, vocabulary quizzes, comprehension, etc. This will eventually make you more confident in spoken English. If possible, try to learn all the commonly used phrases, questions, and settings in spoken English.

 

• Build e-Portfolio in English

Majority of the population is engaged in some of the other kind of online activity. Thus, it is very important to be unique in the digital world. The best possible way to do this is to make an e-portfolio. E-portfolio states your resume, presents your background, etc. This course teaches and helps you to improve your grammar, writing skills, vocabulary, etc. This will also help you to learn how to write your resume for several educational and job-based sites and of course in LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc. You can easily get connected to the professionals now.

 

This course will also make you correct the mistakes of others and ultimately will make you learn some good vocabulary skills. At the end of the course, you will know how to write a proper headline, precise writing. One of the most effective things which this course helps you to do is that now you can present your resume in a professional way and know which particular words should be used for a particular audience.

 

The above things generally improve your spoken English. But to improve the writing part, you may have to enroll yourself in some of the short-term courses. You can also check out some sites which will provide these free of cost. This will help you to write fiction as well. Some of them are mentioned below:

 

• Creative writing for everyone

In addition to enriching your vocabulary, this course will also increase your creativity.

 

• English style grammar

In this course, you will be taught the basics of grammar which is actually very important for proper sentence construction. You will be able to write in English confidently now. You will also be able to suffice the high level of writing needs.

 

• Punctuation and grammar

The most common thing which happens is that we often forget the basic English grammar rules, which we had to learn in the elementary schools. This short-term course will help you to master your punctuation and basic grammatical skills.

 

• Essay writing

Essay writing is one of the best things which can be done to improve your writing skills. You can choose a random topic and start writing on it. This will eventually improve your vocabulary and writing skills.

 

As said before, there are many sites which can help you to learn quick English language skills. You can find some of the sites which are specially designed for learners to know about the rules of writing English. Some of the basic things which these courses include are: elementary English courses, coffee culture, common culture, etc. These courses encourage the learners to socialize with people so as to increase one’s communicative skills. It is mostly an interactive session while getting connected to millions of people online. Some of the popular institutions generally offer these courses.

 

These courses generally occur in regular intervals like in a week or twice in a month. They will not only help to learn basic English but also will teach you a high level of English skills which is useful for TOEFL exams or example.

 

Some of the other types of courses are:

 

• Courses of sentence connectors which will help you learn English of pre-college
• College readiness which will let you choose your own field of interest.

 

Conclusion

The above courses can be opted if you want to learn English for dealing with your day-to-day activities. It can be business transactions, school-level activities, college-level activities, etc. These courses will surely help you to learn the basics as well the high level of English.

 

See also: Canada – Our Top Budget Accommodation Tips

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Visiting Canadian North – Travel to the traditional Inuit Culture

Introduction: The term, Inuit, means “the people.” Inuit is a a group of indigenous people living in Greenland, Alaska and Canada, all of whom share a wide range of cultural similarities. Historically, they faced struggle against nature by surviving in the harsh climate of the place, and there were many significant steps in their history of survival that point to their endurance levels. Over time, the culture has gone through a number of significant changes, but it has never left its grassroots. Assimilation has definitely influenced their culture, but the Inuit people still hold their unique values and beliefs to carry forward their identity. Let’s know more about these people.

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Geography: Inuit people live mostly in Greenland, Canada and Alaska. Russia also shares a part of the Inuit geography, as their Yupik people are indigenously close to the Inuit tribe.

Home: Since times of history,  the Inuit people have lived amongst the most hostile environment. In the tundra, since not all construction material is available for building a home, the snow itself has become a building material in order to build a home which we know as the “igloo”. The term “igloo” means a block of snow. Due to extreme cold, no trees can be grown there, and if wood is needed, it has to be transported from other places.

However, in the summer season, the scenario somewhat changes. The ice starts to melt and hence, huts do come into the role of giving shelter. These huts are primarily a frame which is covered by animal skin. But as time has passed and mode of transportation also has been evolved, other building material can be transported now, and thus, some of these people have started making permanent homes for protection.

Food habits: Food habits do play an important role in shaping a culture. The area is characterized by extreme snowy weather, which is why it is almost impossible to cultivate any trees or other vegetables. Thus, the food habits of these people is entirely dependent on meat. The Inuit people hunt and catch fish in order to have a meal on the table, including whales, walrus, seals etc.

Transportation: The area is mostly covered by snow, due to which Inuit lack a transportation method that can move them easily in the snowy area. Sleds made of animal bones and skins pulled over by the snow dogs are the primary methods by which the people move from one place to another. The dogs are of the special breed which is known as the “Huskies”. With strong thick fur, these dogs have immense strength to pull these sleds over the snow and survive in this chilled climate.

Not sure if you are eligible to apply? Please, check here for the eTA requirements.

Language: The Inuit speak several different languages, which include Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun and other languages of Greenland. Inuktitut is spoken in Canada among the Inuit people. The speaking language differs from place to place, for example, Inuit in Alaska and Northern Canada do speak English. A special mention also goes for the Inuit sign language which is used by the deaf Inuit. This language though, is at the verge of extinction, and is used by only a very small group of Inuit people.

Industry: In terms of industrial field, the Inuit revolve around animal hides, driftwood and bones. Since the harsh climate doesn’t give much opportunity, there’s a little platform in order to develop industry in other areas. The clothing is made from animal skins which are sewn together by needles. The needle itself is made up of animal bones. “Parkas” plays an important role in the winter, which is basically a thick coat with a big hood. This style of clothing has also spread to other parts of the world and hence, it has somewhat become a trending fashion in other areas.

Traditions: As time has passed, the traditions are changing, though the Inuit still hold the core value of their ancestors. Traditional storytelling, mythology and dancing still take an important role in shaping the culture of the Inuit. The family and the community play a big role in the life of an Inuit.

Once, they had very rare contacts with the outside world, but now the scenario has changed a lot especially after the cold war. Till 19^th century, the Inuit used to hunt whales and their goods included trading furs. They also used to change places in summer and winter. As it has been already mentioned above, they used to live in “igloos” in winter and in a hut covered by animal skin in the summer.

But as time has progressed, these places have become strategically very important. With an aim to build settlements and gain influence, lots of structures were built in the community, including schools, airbases, radar stations etc. This in turn allowed Inuit people to communicate with the outside people more frequently. As Inuit people started getting access to better modern medical facilities, their health and longevity improved significantly. With the building of schools, the whole lifestyle of Inuit people also started to change, as the children started to go to school and become accustomed to the culture from other parts of the world.

Due to permanent settlement and building of permanent homes, the opportunity did arise in which Inuit people could think about living in a place permanently, instead of moving from one house to the other in winter and summer. With better education, the jobs also started to come, as a result of which drastic changes were introduced in the lifestyle of the Inuit people.

See also: Canadian Culture: What You Need to Know

Though, there is somewhat a struggle in the younger generation between the modern culture and the traditional values, Inuit people have still maintained a balance between the two very well. Hence, one could see the progress in Inuit without giving up on the core beliefs. With the rich history and culture, the Inuit have always been an important community in the northern part of Canada, Alaska and Greenland. If you are visiting north Canada, spending a couple of days with the Inuit tribe would be a lifetime experience for sure.

 

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Canada – Our Top Budget Accommodation Tips

Canada is like the United State, based on their business class-hotels, resorts, small inns, and B&BS. Among all the countries, Canada has the lowest population densities in the world. If you travel alone then you can book a camp for your staying because hostel will cost you more and you can also save your cost by booking a bed in hostel dorms. But during night, you cannot get a peaceful silent sleep due to huge noise created by your room mates. So what will be the solution to find out the for top budget accommodation in Canada? In this case, you can follow some other options like cabin rental, home exchange, house sittings and farm stays.

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Being newcomer, the first thing you do is finding the accommodation in Canada. You may go for temporary accommodation after you can search for the best apartments or houses for rent in Canada. Else if you want to stay for few days only then you can choose some farm strays or hostel rooms.

Tips for getting accommodation in Canada

Temporary:

In Canada, you can find many hostels and hotels in urban areas. So you have to book in advance to ensure that you have the temporary accommodation in Canada is available.  If you look for the top budget accommodation then you can go for the hostel booking, because they have an extensive collection of short-term stay. Even you can also book budget friendly dormitory in hostel to save your cost.

Now the Canadian Government helps the newcomers for finding the temporary accommodation in Canada as a part of its Resettlement Assistance Program. For further information regarding such programs, you can get connected with the Canadian Government.

Finding Houses and Apartments in Canada

In Canada, there is plenty of rental accommodation that includes condominiums, houses, and apartments. Some houses are available entirely for rent and some are split into several units. So you can book a Duplex for your small family or book a Triplex for group accommodation.

The apartment will be available to rent the range from single room serves as have the bedroom and living area to multiple bedrooms and separate living area. Some accommodation owners don’t include the utility cost which means electricity and water. But you have to ask them about their prices and taxes that you need to pay at the end of your trip.

Book an apartment for your short stay:

Simply, you can roam around your neighborhood, as landlords will post the board outside of their property. Usually, Landlords will get information about your ability to pay rents while before offering a lease. Then they want some documents that include:

• Letter from the current company, the letter should be indicated by your annual income
• Submit the bank statements that will your savings to cover the rent
• Get a reference from your previous landlords.

Not sure if you are eligible to apply? Please, check here for the eTA requirements.

As well as, most of the landlords require Canadian documentation. So if you do not have such documentations then you can contact with your company to arrange the same.

Stay in Resort

Some of the jobs include accommodation. If you are working in the resort, hotel or mountain lodge, then you won’t worry about the accommodation.

You may end up in a limited space shared dorm because it will be cost-effective. So, you should go for a hospitality job at one of the best resorts and make sure to check if there is an accommodation included or not. Even there are some home exchange programs available in Canada and you can avail such programs to save your cost. Homeowners can exchange their home with the travelers who live in a foreign country and they can use your home for the stipulated timeframe. But this program can be availed by the Canadian citizens only.

Hotels and Motels in Canada

In Canada, hotels are classified into 3 categories such as high-class establishments, plain downtown places, and roadside motels.

So, you may choose the last two categories for your budgets.

• Mid-price Hotels: often it is part of Holiday Inn and Best Western. It offers more comfort while comparing to motels.
• Bottom bracket hotels:

You can find in small-sized towns and most-medium towns and cost from $65 to $80. The benefit of this hotel is being extremely central.

The motor hotels are driver friendly and their cost comes at a reasonable price. In the Canadian motels, the simple rooms cost start at around $75 as well as the average price near $100. You can also able to arrange the motels at the cheaper deals.

Go for Farm Stays

You can also choose a farm stay in Canada. The farm life experience includes planting, feeding animals, general farm chores or cooking, and harvesting crops too.

You may book the best farm stays online instantly and get good availability at the lower price in Canada.

Definitely, you get experience in the great outdoors and learn new skills. Facilities can be varied the range from basic camping to rustic cabins, and it depends on the farms.

So, don’t waste your time, browse the best collection of farm stays and then see the reviews as well as opt for a great deal of the day.

Things to remember while before choosing accommodation

Keep in Mind while choosing accommodation in Canada

Do you want to stay in a hotel or hostel? You should inspect your room on arrival while before giving a payment. You may ask the local tourism association when you are unsure about your hotel location. Even you can also choose a house sitting jobs in Canada and stay in a private house while the homeowner is on vacation. But in this case, you need to maintain their house and feed their pets. But they will not charge you anything for your staying.

See also: Working and studying in Canada with your eTA

Traveling to Canada could be very expensive and time-consuming, so you can choose the rental car and stay the top budget hotels and get a memorable experience. But for your travel to Canada, you must try cabin rental once because they are situated inside the dense forest and you can save your cost by cook your foods in your own cabin. Even you can also share your cabin with other travelers to save your overall cost.

 

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Currency – What Is Good To Know Before Arriving In Canada

As a savvy traveller, one should understand the local currency of the country that one plans to visit. When we move from one country to another, the currency used changes. Suddenly we find ourselves dealing in currency notes or coins that we have never seen before. It sure can be a bit overwhelming if you have little idea about the currency and how it works. Knowledge and information about the currency of the country where you plan to go is an essential part of travel. If you are planning to travel to Canada for a business or a holiday trip, it would be useful as well as helpful if you know about the currency used in Canada.

 

Ready to apply for your eTA? It takes only 5 minutes and we send you the approved travel permit by email!

 

Currency in Canada

Canadian Dollar is the currency used in Canada, and it is referred to as CAD or C$. All Canadians make use of Canadian dollars, and when compared to one U.S. dollar, its value stands at about 70 or 80 cents. Canadian banknotes are commonly available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The $1 and $2 bills have been switched with coins. Canadian coins comprise of Loonie, Toonie, 25¢ quarter, 10¢ dime, 5¢ nickel, and 1¢ penny. However, pennies are gradually being edged out of circulation.

 

Canadian banknotes are brightly coloured, and thus it is easy to distinguish them from another currency. Canadians take pride in the colourful side of their money. In 2011, the Canadian government replaced paper bills with polymer bank notes to curb counterfeiting. The polymer banknotes are sturdier and more slippery when compared to the paper bills.

 

While you can always carry cash, you should be aware that credit cards and debit cards are easily accepted in Canada. Thus, there is no need to bring loads of cash, but do carry some Canadian dollars that you can use when you arrive for odd expenses and small purchases. One can use debit and credit cards for purchases or withdraw Canadian money. The currency exchange rates can vary and can fall between $2 and $5.

 

Traveling to Canada and your money

Before you leave for Canada, it is essential to know about the country as well as the currency so as to avoid any problems. Always buy travel insurance and carry a backup source of funds for any unexpected emergency.

 

• Carrying Cash – Check with the Canadian embassy in your country on how much cash you are allowed to carry. You should carry whatever limited amount you feel comfortable for your trip and keep the money safe in different pockets or secure in a money belt.

 

• Credit cards - It is recommended to carry a credit card for the major expenses of your trip, such as the restaurant and hotel bills or the flight tickets. Make use of the credit card wherever possible and look for the best exchange rate and fees for the international transactions.

 

• Pre-paid cards - Many banks and financial institutions provide pre-paid travel cards for traveling abroad. These paid travel cards are loaded with money from your bank account and can be used as a credit or debit card. However, the transaction fee may be higher than the credit and debit cards.

 

• Debit cards - Check with your bank if it has international branches in Canada. If so, then you may be able to use your debit card. Always use the bank-affiliated ATMs as the debit card may not work in any other ATM of the destination country.

 

• Travelers’ cheques -Travelers’ cheques are another option in case you do not want to carry cash or use credit or debit cards. You can always carry multiple cheques in small denominations.

 

Places to Exchange Foreign Currency

It is easy to exchange any foreign currencies into Canadian dollars at currency exchange kiosks. You can easily locate them at airports, shopping malls, border crossings and banks. Several banks in Canada have been there for a long time and are reputable because of their longstanding services. Some of these banks are Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, TD Canada Trust, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Bank of Montreal.

 

ATMs are commonly found near the banks, in malls, stores, bars, and restaurants. When you withdraw money through an ATM, you will get Canadian currency based on the conversion rate.  It is better to stick to the ATMs in banks and avoid those random ones you come across on the streets. Watch out for scammers. Look for another ATM if you feel that card slot is not as smooth as it should be. Keep your credit card safe and stay alert at all times, whoever using the card.

 

Learn about the conversion rate from your bank before you leave for Canada. It is a good idea to discuss which travel cards or credit cards will work the best for travel. Find your about some ATM networks that do not charge any fee from their visitors when they withdraw money.

 

Not sure if you are eligible for eTA? Check here the requirements.

 

How to get the best Exchange Rates?

Most likely, you will get the best exchange rate at a bank, especially when you use their credit card for your expenses and shopping. There may be a small bank fee per transaction, but the exchange rate will be at par with the current exchange rate. So, check ahead with your bank as there are some banks that may charge a surcharge for foreign currency. Some Citi cards do not charge a foreign exchange fee. Other places where you can get good exchange rates are the American Express offices and post offices. You can always try some hotels to get decent exchange rates.

 

 How to avoid worst Exchange Rates?

Although there are many locations and spots where you can exchange your currency for Canadian dollars, there are some areas that should be evaded. These include tourist areas, airports, train stations as they typically offer the worst exchange rates. If you do need to exchange your currency at these sites, do only for a small amount of money.

 

Common Pitfalls When Exchanging Money

Tourists and travelers often end up making some mistakes when exchanging money. It is essential to know about those common pitfalls and avoid those mistakes to get the best possible exchange rates.

 

• Travelers do not look around: Do not make this mistake and spend some time looking around and get information on how and where you can get the best possible exchange rates.

 

• Travelers do not find about exchange rates: Get information on the best possible exchange rates and read the posted exchange rates. Inquire about the net rate after commissions and if the fees are per transaction or on a percentage basis.

 

• Travelers do not read the fine print: Always read between the fine lines as you can be easily misled into thinking that you are indeed getting the best exchange rates. There may be certain conditions that apply and that you should be aware of.

 

Debit Cards And Credit Cards

Debit cards and credit cards are commonly used and accepted across Canada. However, a lot relies on how you plan to use the foreign-issued cards and the transaction fees applied by the card company. As a trailer, one must talk to their banks about the best options and how to use their credit and debit cards when making withdrawals at the Canadian banks.  Keep in mind that any currency exchange will cost an additional fee whether at a foreign bank or at an ATM. Every traveler should call their bank or credit card companies in advance to inform them of future use out of the country.

 

• When using Debit Cards in Canada
  A debit card differs from credit cards as one is making a withdrawal on money in their bank account in their home country. One has to either wither swipe or insert or tap to get the funds withdrawn, In Canada, as these terminals run on the Interac network, which is a network specific to Canada, it means you cannot access information of your account in real-time. So, if you are using debit cards issued by non-Canadian banks, they will probably not work. However, they might work at point-of-purchase terminals. However, there is a foreign transaction fee for each purchase. Still, one can use their debit cards to withdraw Canadian currency from ATMs in Canada. Depending on your bank, the exchange rate fees will vary and apply every time you withdraw.  The fee per transaction can be higher at small ATMs at stores and restaurants and be around three-to-five-dollar per transaction. So, go for withdrawals at major banks where the fee per transaction is not so hefty. If you are a frequent traveler to Canada, it is a good idea to check with your bank if you can set up an extra account where you will not have to pay any currency exchange fees when out of the country.
• When using Credit Cards in Canada
  Credit card fees can leave a leave a major dent in your pocket when traveling overseas. Hence, before you travel to Canada, ensure that you are using the right card and with minimum transaction fees. Most major retailers across Canada accept all the major credit cards such as the Visa and MasterCard. There are some exceptions where the retailers wither accept only cash or MasterCard. It is best to call your credit card company and inform them about your travel plans to Canada.  Canadians prefer chip-and-PIN and contactless cards as they are easy fast and convenient to use. What adds to the advantage are that these are the most secure and safe ways to pay! If you don’t have the PIN, don’t fret as the point-of-sale systems in Canada will ask you to run a signature to complete each transaction. Many card machines permit swiping, but one should consider getting chip cards it is looked upon to be more secure. Just keep your financial details and pin number safe and you will enjoy a trouble-free experience when using your credit card in Canada.

 

See also: Christmas in Vancouver

 

Using the US currency in Canada

Canada and the United States have enjoyed a longstanding relationship based on trade and tourist activity. Still, Canada is its own laws, and currency. When one reviews the past couple of years, the CAD hovers slightly below the U.S. dollar. During the early years of the 21st century, it was almost on par with the US dollar. When shopping in Canada with American currency, you can enjoy some really good bargains.

 

Although the U.S. currency is readily acceptable with significant retailers and hotels, you may not be able to do so if in rural destinations and far-flung areas. At the popular destinations and border towns, you can probably get a decent exchange for the U.S. currency. It is always better to travel with the local currency i.e. the Canadian dollars. Although the major U.S. credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Canada, it is better to do your homework before handing over the US dollars to a Canadian cashier.

 

Canadian banks usually offer better exchange rates. But the easiest way to get Canadian dollars is by using an ATM. Most machines will charge a user fee of about $5. You can use your US dollars at tourist destinations and in border areas. However, you may need to use Canadian dollars in rural areas and smaller cities. Keep in mind that most of the coin-operated machines at laundromats and parking meters will accept only Canadian currency.

 

As a good rule of thumb, carry a mix of all options. For example, you can carry a little cash, debit and credit cards and some traveller’s checks. As the cards are accepted at most ATMs across Canada, it would be easy to get cash anytime and anywhere. Just look for the best possible exchange rates so as to make the most out of the Canadian dollars for each transaction.  With complete information on Canadian dollars, the exchange rates and the safest and most practical way of using the money, you would feel confident when handling money in Canada.

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Are You Eligible To Travel With A Canadian Online Travel Permit – eTA?

All tourists and travellers require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to transit through a Canadian airport. Before you fly or travel to Canada, you need to know as to what all documents you need so as to avoid any confusions or mistakes.

 

What is an eTA or Electronic Travel Authorization?

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is an entry condition for all those visa-exempt foreign nationals who are flying to Canada. The eTA is linked to the passport electronically and holds validity for five years or when the passport expires. So, if you have a new passport and are flying to Canada, make sure that you have an eTA. With an eTA, you can feel free to fly to Canada as often as you want and stay for shorter time periods for up to six months. However, one doesn’t need an eTA for travel within Canada.

 

Keep in mind that having an eTA does not guarantee your entry into Canada. When you arrive, the immigration officers will evaluate your other documents and passports. He needs to be convinced that you are eligible to enter Canada. The final decision lies at the discretion of an immigration officer, and if the officer feels that your visit is based on tourism or for any business, he or she can refuse entry.

 

Apply for your eTA from the comfort of your home and we will send you back the approved travel permit by email!

 

Who needs an eTA?

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) has been introduced by the Canadian government as a new requirement for travellers from the visa-exempt countries when they fly through Canada. Those travellers who do not need a visa to travel to Canada would require an eTA, but only if they are travelling by air. You do not need an eTA if you are travelling to Canada by land or sea. Those travellers who carry a Canadian visa and Canadian citizenship do not need eTA travel document.

There are different requirements for different travellers. One needs to be sure about their status to learn if they need an eTA and are eligible for it.

 

• Visa-exempt foreign nationals-These travellers need an eTA when they go through a Canadian airport but do not need the eTA when arriving by land or sea. That is, if they enter Canada via car, bus, train or boat, they do not need an eTA.

 

• The permanent resident of the U.S.- U.S. citizens, need an eTA when they fly through a Canadian airport. However, they must show their Green Card and passport when they check in.

 

 Who is eligible to apply for an eTA?

There are travellers who may or may not be eligible to apply for an eTA. Travellers from select visa-required countries can go for the eTA instead of a visa to transit through Canada by air. However, the same travellers will need a visitor visa when they arrive by car, train, or boat. Those travellers who cannot apply for an eTA but need to carry other identifications or documents include the Canadian citizens and American-Canadians. However, they need to have with them a valid Canadian or U.S. passport. Canadian permanent residents need to carry their permanent resident travel document. Those travellers who are excused from getting the eTA requirement include the U.S. citizens. However, they too must carry valid documents and passport.

 

It is important to note here that the former residents of Canada, the Permanent Resident (PR) status does not expire. Still, they should learn more about their status and if they need eTA.  If you lived in Canada several years ago, you could still have PR status.

 

Only citizens of certain countries who can travel to Canada without a visa are eligible. These countries include Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Bahamas,  Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco,  Romania, San Marino, Singapore, , Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain Taiwan, Turks and Caicos, Vatican City, United Kingdom.

 

Not sure if you are eligible to apply? Please, check here for the eTA requirements.

 

How to apply for an eTA?

The Canadian government has made it compulsory for citizens eligible to enter Canada without a tourist visa to apply online for an eTA. It is easy to apply for an eTA even from the comfort of your home. It is simple to follow the online process, which takes just a couple of minutes. Most applicants get their eTA within minutes while for others, it may take several days to process as they need to submit the supporting documents. One can apply and pay for an eTA for only one person at a time.

 

Keep your passport, email address, credit or debit card details ready as you would need those to fill in your application. Other information you would need to complete an eTA application includes your name, birth date, marital status, address, passport number, nationality, and some simple questions to determine if your eligibility to come to Canada.  People often make mistakes when applying for an eTA like entering the wrong passport number or other details. One needs to be careful as this can lead to further issues when you fly to Canada. You also need to apply for an eTA for your child and need to submit a separate application form.

 

Do you need an eTA?

It is essential to know about your eligibility status and determine if you need an eTA so as to minimize the risk of any denial in your application. To find out if you require an eTA, all you need to do is go through the following list of questions and answer.

 

• Are you from a visa-exempt country and travelling to Canada by air?
  If yes, then you need an eTA before you board your flight to Canada.

 

• Are you a U.S. citizen?
  If you are a citizen and permanent resident of the U.S., you can visit Canada with your valid U.S. passport and do not need an eTA.

 

• Are you a U.S. permanent resident?
  If you are a Green Card holder or permanent resident of the U.S., you don’t need and eTA to travel to Canada. You must carry your passport as well as Green Card.

 

• Are you a dual citizen?
  A dual citizen is one who has Canadian citizenship as well as citizenship of another country. If you are a dual citizen, you do not need an eTA to enter Canada. However, you must have all the valid documents with them when travelling.

 

• Are you a Canadian permanent resident?
  If you are a permanent resident of Canada, do not need an eTA, but as mentioned before, must carry all the other valid documents.

 

Specific considerations are taken into account for those applying for Canadian eTA, for example, their employment information. Any criminal record would result in an automatic denial of an eTA.  Certain illnesses or health conditions too can result in a denial for entry.

 

FAQ regarding eTA

Travellers to Canada carry some questions in their mind regarding the new entry requirement, eTA or the Electronic Travel Authorization. Here are some of those frequently asked questions.

 

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Can I fly to Canada without an eTA?
                        Yes, but please note that depending on your citizenship, you might still need some kind of authorization like a visa.
                     2. Can I still travel to Canada if the application for an eTA was refused?
                         Yes, you can still travel to Canada but only if you are holding an approved visa.
                     3. Do I need an eTA as a NEXUS or CANPASS member?
                        Yes, you are required to have an eTA to transit through a Canadian airport.
                     4. I am visiting the U.S. and now want to visit Canada. Do I need an eTA?
                        Yes, all travellers will need an eTA to transit through Canada.
                     5. Can I use my ESTA to enter Canada?
                        No, you cannot use your ESTA to enter Canada as eTA is separate authorization that is required to enter Canada by air.
                     6. Do I need to carry a printed copy of the eTA to the airport?
                        We always recommend our clients to print their eTA document and to keep it among the travel documents.
                     7. As I have been refused entry to Canada before, does it make it difficult to get an eTA?
                        Any earlier refusal especially those that have happen less than 10 years will most probably lead to an eTA refusal. In such case, we highly recommend our clients to apply for regular visa directly through the Canadian Consular services.
                     8. Can one go for group applications for eTA?
                        No, group applications are not possible, and any travellers with eTA-requirements are expected to have an eTA including minors.
                     9. Do chartered aircraft travellers or Heads of State or diplomats need an eTA?
                        Yes.  All travellers from eTA-required countries whether they are VIPs or diplomats or travelling as a chartered group need to have an eTA.
                     10. I carry CoPR or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. Do I need an eTA?
                         No. If you have a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document, you don’t need an eTA.
                     11. How do I pay the eTA application fee?
                         You have several options to pay for your eTA application – debit or credit card or via PayPal.
                     12. Can I get my eTA on an urgently because of exceptional circumstances?
                         In case you need urgently your eTA please, contact us and we will treat your eTA application with priority.
                     13. Will you email me when my eTA is approved?
                         Yes. We will contact you by email sending the approved eTA on your names.
                     14. What information will I receive once I apply for an eTA?
                         Once you submit the eTA application, you will get an email with one of the following messages:
                         - A message with your approved eTA;
                         - A message requesting additional information;
                         - A message saying that your passport is not eligible and that you will be refunded in up to 7 working days;
                         - A message saying that you are not authorized to travel with en eTA and that you will be refunded in up to 7 working days.
                     15. What if I am not getting any information or emails after I apply for an eTA?
                         In case you have not received a message from us, please check your email’s Bulk folder. You can also contact us via the contact form of the website. Our Customers support department is there 24/7 for you.
                     16. How do I check the status of my eTA?
                         If you have lost your eTA document or you need to follow the progress of the online travel permit validation, do not hesitate to contact us!
                     17. Can I pull out my eTA application?
                         No, once the eTA application paid and sent, you cannot pull it out.
                     18. Can I get a refund if my application for an eTA was refused?
                         Yes, in case of an eTA refusal, we will fully refund you.
                     19. Is there a way I can appeal if my application for an eTA was refused?
                         You can get in touch with the Federal Court of Canada to review your application status and decision. However, only a lawyer can apply for judicial review on your behalf.

                      

                      

                     See also: Working and studying in Canada with your eTA

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