CHAPTER IX. Business Travel A. Business Customs Business customs in Canada closely mirror those of the United States. This is not to say, however, that doing business in Canada is exactly the same as doing business in the United States. U.S. business travelers to Canada should be sensitive to cultural and language differences and allow adequate time for the development of personal contacts in business dealings. B. Travel Advisory and Visas Citizens or legal, permanent residents of the United States do not require passports or visas and can usually cross the United States- Canada border with minimal difficulty or delay. However, to assist officers in expediting border-crossing, and particularly to re-entering the United States, native-born U.S. citizens should carry some identification papers showing their citizenship, such as a birth, baptismal, or voter's certificate. A driver's license is not acceptable. Proof of residence may also be required. Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry a naturalization certificate or some other evidence of citizenship. Legal permanent residents of the United States, who are not U.S. citizens, are advised to carry their Alien Registration Receipt Card. The CFTA facilitates the movement of U.S. and Canadian business persons across each country's borders through streamlined procedures. The streamlined border-crossing procedures assure that qualified persons will be permitted entry on a temporary basis. Business persons applying under any of the four categories (Professional, Trader/Investor, Business Visitor, and Intra-Company Transferee) must be U.S. citizens. At the time of entry a verbal declaration of citizenship may be sufficient. In those cases where business travelers are required to show proof of citizenship, a passport, citizenship certificate, or a birth certificate is acceptable. Business persons and dependents also must meet other admission requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act. U.S. citizens and other visitors to Canada may bring certain personal goods into Canada duty and tax-free, provided that all such items are declared to Canada Customs upon arrival and are not subject to restriction. The temporary entry of business related material (printed material, commercial samples, blueprints, charts, audio- visual material, and play back or projection equipment) may be subject to the full rate of duty and tax, a portion thereof, or may be duty and tax-free. The amount of duty and tax payable depends on the length of the visit, the items entered, and the end use. If the goods are eligible for free entry, a refundable security deposit -- in the form of cash or bond -- may be required by Canada Customs. C. Holidays Following are the Canadian holidays in FY95, through December 1995: Monday, October 10, 1994 Thanksgiving Day Friday, November 11, 1994 Remembrance Day Monday, December 26, 1994 Christmas Day Tuesday, December 27, 1994 Boxing Day Monday, January 2, 1995 New Year's Day Tuesday, January 3, 1995 New Year's Day (Quebec only) Monday, February 20, 1995 Family Day (Alberta only) Friday, April 14, 1995 Good Friday Monday, April 17, 1995 Easter Monday Monday, May 22, 1995 Victoria Day Monday, June 26, 1995 St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec only) Monday, July 3, 1995 Canada Day Monday, August 7, 1995 Civic Holiday (most provinces) Monday, September 4, 1995 Labor Day Monday, October 9, 1995 Thanksgiving Monday, November 13, 1995 Remembrance Day Monday, December 25, 1995 Christmas Day Tuesday, December 26, 1995 Boxing Day D. Business Infrastructure -- Transportation, Language, Communications, Housing, Health and Food The Canadian economy is highly developed, giving Canadians one of the highest standards of living in the world. Manufacturing is concentrated in transportation and communications equipment, engineering, steel, and consumer goods. Most manufacturing is concentrated in Ontario and Quebec. Primary industries built on Canada's abundant natural resources remain an important part of the economy and a major source of exports. The Canadian economy is closely linked by trade and investment with other countries, especially the United States. 1. Transportation Except in remote areas of the north, Canada possesses an advanced transportation system comparable to that of the United States. An extensive air network links all major and many minor traffic points with adequate connections to the United States and the rest of the world. Domestic air fares per mile are generally higher than U.S. fares, and distances between population centers are considerably greater. Likewise, a good highway system (with somewhat less emphasis on interstate roads) exists within 200 miles of the U.S. border and supports extensive truck, bus and automobile traffic. Canada also has an extensive railway system connecting the country from sea to sea. The Canadian National Railway deals exclusively with cargo, whereas VIA Rail offers passenger service. Furthermore, all large cities have a public transit system, generally buses. The operation of public transport is frequently subsidized by provincial and local governments, making most fares reasonable. In spite of extensive public transport arrangements, Canada is as much an automobile society as is the United States. All U.S. automobile manufacturers have plants in Canada, producing standard North American vehicles. Gasoline is sold in litres in Canada, and Canadian safety standards for cars are similar to those in the United States. Left-hand-drive vehicles are standard; traffic moves on the right side of the road. International highway symbols are used in Canada, and distances are in the metric (or metric and miles) system. Seatbelts and infant/child seat restraints are mandatory in all Canadian provinces. Fines are imposed for non- use of seatbelts and child restraints. 2. Language Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages, English and French. English is the language spoken in the geographical majority of the country. It is also the generally accepted language of business. French is spoken in Quebec and is the official language of that province. The province of New Brunswick is a bilingual province with the largest French speaking population outside of Quebec. 3. Communications Communications are highly sophisticated in Canada, comparable with those of the United States. Canada is integrated with the U.S. direct long-distance dialing system (dial 1, area code and number). All forms of communication and transmission are possible (including voice, text, data, and video), and worldwide telegraphic services are available. 4. Housing Canadians, in general, enjoy a high standard of living, and housing comparable to that found in the United States is readily available. Generally, relative costs of housing in Canada are considerably higher than those in the United States. For example, the average cost of a home in Vancouver in 1994 is C$500,000. 5. Health and Food Canada has no special health risks. Standards of community health and sanitation are comparable to those in the United States. Competent doctors, dentists, and specialists of all types are available, and medical training is equivalent to that in the United States. Most food and other consumables available in the United States can be found in Canada. No food shortages/problems exist in Canada. Canadian prices are often higher than those in the United States, but this may be offset by a favorable exchange rate.