LANGUAGE

While Canada has two official languages – French and English – English is the predominant language in the west. Multilingual staff is commonly found in major tourism and business facilities.

TAXES

In British Columbia, a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 7% is currently charged on to most purchases. However, goods purchased by a visitor and shipped directly to their home outside of the province are exempt from PST. Accommodation in the Vancouver area is currently taxed at 17% with 7% rebatable to non-residents. An additional 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is also applied to most goods and services, but is rebated for many items to visitors and non-resident meeting planners. At the Vancouver Convention Centre, if at least 75% of the delegates are reasonably expected to be non-residents of Canada, then 100% of the GST on eligible convention-related goods and services that are booked through us will be fully rebated. 50% of the GST on eligible convention-related food and beverage booked through the Convention Centre will also be rebated.

Effective July 1, 2010, our current PST of 7% and GST of 5% will be replaced with a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 12%. Rebates for visitors and non-residents will remain in place for the HST.

Ask your Event Manager for details.

CURRENCY

Currency exchange services are available at points of entry throughout the city at financial institutions; in addition, U.S. currency is accepted at most places in the Vancouver area. Visit http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/index.html for up-to-date rates.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity in Canada is 110 volt AC (alternating current), as in the United States.