EMS  Annual Meeting 2006 : Vancouver , British Columbia, 

Money Matters !!

Currency & Exchange

The currency system in Canada uses dollars and cents, similar to the U.S. system.  It is always best to change your money at a recognized financial institution-bank, trust company, or currency exchange. Stores, hotels, and restaurants will also exchange U.S. currency but the rate will not be as good as a financial institution. Convert some money prior to leaving home.  

Euros or other foreign currency will only be exchanged at banks or currency kiosks.  Vendors in general will not exchange non-US currency. 

Credit Cards/Bank Machines

Major credit card such as VISA, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted in Canada. Keep in mind your financial institution at home will automatically make the currency exchange before you receive your monthly statement.  You can use any bank card for the Interac or other systems with just about every automatic banking machine (ATM) in Canada, located at banks, hotels, corner stores, and many bars/restaurant locations throughout Vancouver and the airport.  You can use your Interac card to pay directly for most purchases.  You MAY pay a service charge for doing so, but this is vendoe-specific.  NOTE:  Without exception, you will pay a service charge at ATMs in the range of 1.50 $CDN, in addition to your own banking charge. 

Tax Refunds

Britich Columbia charges Provincial sales tax (7%) and Federal sales tax (GST 6%). As a non-resident visitor, you can claim a refund for Goods and Services Tax (GST) you paid on eligible goods and/or short-term accommodation while visiting Canada.  You will mail in a form and receive a reimbursement at your home address.  GST is 6%, so this can amount to a substantial amount after a week of hotel and services.  A non-resident visitor qualifies for a tax refund if the following conditions are met:

• You are not a resident of Canada;
• You purchased eligible goods, short-term accommodation or both;
• You paid GST/HST on these purchases;
• You have original receipts;
• The total of your purchase amounts (before taxes) for eligible goods and accommodation must be at least CAN$200;
• Each individual receipt for eligible goods shows a minimum total purchase amount (before taxes) of CAN$50; and
• The goods are removed from Canada within 60 days of the date they were purchased. You must have proof of export. This documentation can be obtained by taking your luggage to the Canadian Goods Counter at the Airport.

Tipping and Service

Tipping is one of the arcane matters of travel on the planet.  In geenral in Canada, tips are an accepted norm in "service" jobs (waiters, doormen, cabs, hairdressers, delivery people).   In Vancouver, tipping at restaurants on top of the billed amount is the norm.  Tips form in many cases a component of your waiter's earnings.  Tips are not included in the bill UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INDICATED.  Excellent service may receive up to 20% tip on the actual costs, not including taxes.  Lesser tips for less or poorer service.  An especially poor tip (say a few cents) constitutes a form of complaint (the service was sooo bad.....).  At better establishments, payment given in bills, with a coin on top, means no change is expected.

If you go to a restaurant with more than say, 8 people, you may expect to see the tip included without option in the total bill.  Separate bills will not get you out of this. 

Tipping cabs, doormen,  etc is in proportion to service quality. In general, one does not tip store clerks. 

If you desire to tip you hotel maid (not necessary, but sometime useful), your editor suggests do so at the beginning of your stay.  This may  enhance the service you receive and oddly, often resonates to other services in the hotel. Room service for example, usually expects a tip either in cash or when you sign the bill.