Airport
Toronto's Lester B. Pearson International Airport (LBPIA) is located 27 km (16 miles) north/west of downtown Toronto and within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) which includes the regions of Durham, York, Halton, Peel and Toronto. The airport - covering 1,792 hectares (4,430 acres) - has been Toronto's main international airport since 1939 when it was first known as Malton Airport.

Visas
U.S. citizens and legal residents do not need passports or visas to enter Canada, but must show proof of citizenship (birth or voter's certificate, naturalization certificates, or green card). Every person under 19 years of age is required to produce a letter from a parent or guardian granting permission to travel to Canada. The letter must state the traveler's name and the duration of the trip. It is essential for teenagers to carry proof of citizenship; otherwise their letter is useless at the border.

Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland must have valid passports. Citizens of many other countries need visas, which must be applied for in advance at the local Canadian embassy or consulate. For detailed information, call your local Canadian consulate or embassy.

Currency
Canadian money is in dollars and cents, similar to the United States. Coins are the copper colored 1 cent (penny), silver colored 5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), and 25 cents (quarter), brass colored $1.00 (loonie), and the $2.00 (toonie) which is made of two different colored metals and quite unique. Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100, with each bill in different color. $1,000 bills are obtainable from banks, but are not in everyday circulation. Click here for currency conversion

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Credit Cards
Most major credit cards are accepted, but visitors are always advised to check with the vendor before a purchase is made.

Tipping
Restaurant tipping is left to customer discretion, but the customary (and expected) amount is 15 per cent (the debate rages about whether this is calculated before or after tax). Many restaurants automatically add a gratuity (tip) to the bill for large groups (six to eight or more). It is also customary to tip bellhops, luggage handlers and taxi drivers, at your discretion.

Useful Numbers
Fire, police, or ambulance: 911
Toronto General Hospital: (416) 340-3946 for emergency
Poison Information Centre: (416) 813-5900
Distress Centre suicide prevention line: (416) 598-1121
Rape Crisis Line: (416) 597-8808
Assaulted Women's Help Line: (416) 863-0511
AIDS Sexual Health InfoLine: (800) 668-2437
Toronto Prayer Line: (416) 929-1500
Kids Help Phone: (800) 668-6868

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Electricity
It's the same as in the United States-110 volts, 50 cycles, AC

Health Risks
Visitors intending to stay in Canada for more than six months, either as tourists, students or employees, may be required to take a medical examination. Visitors working in an occupation in which protection of public health is essential may be required to undergo a medical examination even if employment is only temporary. Check with the Canadian Consulate or High Commission for further information.

Tap water is considered safe to drink. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.

Other risks: Rabies is present in animals. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Time Zone
Eastern Time (ET) is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During Daylight Savings Time (DST), March to October, clocks are turned ahead one hour.

Business Hours
Most office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Most shops are open 10 a.m. to 5:30 or 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
Many store hours are extended to 8 or 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and most stores are open Sundays 12 noon to 5 p.m.

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Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
21-24 Mar Easter.
19 May Victoria Day.
1 Jul Canada Day.
1 Sep Labour Day.
13 Oct Thanksgiving Day.
11 Nov Remembrance Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10-13 Apr Easter.
18 May Victoria Day.
1 Jul Canada Day.
7 Sep Labour Day.
12 Oct Thanksgiving Day.
11 Nov Remembrance Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Climate
Toronto has four seasons, a long winter (about five months, mid-November-mid-April), short spring (mid-April-May) and fall (October-mid-November) and a four-month summer (June-September). In the winter, the temperature seldom rises above freezing point, low enough to enable the city to host many natural ice rinks. In the summer, moderate temperatures can be expected. High winds are also commonplace. Click here for a 10-day Toronto weather forecast.

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Clothing
Dressing for business in Toronto is on the traditional side, although casual-dress Fridays have been adopted by many companies in recent years. In arts and media-related companies, casual chic is the norm. Meetings tend to be run formally but not stiffly. It helps to know that while U.S. businesspeople often enjoy being the first in their fields to experiment with new business concepts, Canadians, especially Torontonians, tend to be more conservative and prefer to observe over time, then act. U.S. guests need to be respectful in discussions with Canadian hosts; condescension is the kiss of death for U.S.-Canadian business relationships.

GDP Growth Rate
3%

Inflation
3%

Exports
Motor vehicles, parts & accessories, machinery & mechanical appliances, electrical machinery & equipment, plastics & plastic articles, non-ferrous metals & allied products

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Imports
Crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages

Trading Partners
USA, Japan, U.K., China, Germany, Mexico

Industries
Banking and financial services make up the largest industry in Toronto, followed by tourism, manufacturing, and communications.

Government
Canada is a constitutional democracy with a federal system which gives considerable powers to the provincial governments. The Provincial Government of Ontario understands and accepts its considerable responsibility in regard to the bid. National elections will take place in 2005, regional elections in 2004 and local elections in 2003 and 2006.

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Geography
Situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario (the most eastern lake of the Great Lakes system), Toronto is one of the southernmost cities in Canada (latitude 43; N - the same as northern California; longitude 79).

The city of Ottawa is situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Ottawa and the Rideau. Its geographic location has shaped the city from its earliest days.

Population
Canada: 31.6 million
Toronto: 2.5 million

Ethnic Groups
British Isles origin 28%, French origin 23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%, mixed background 26%

Language
English is the predominant language of Toronto, although both English and French are official languages; most government services are available in either language. The top 12 languages spoken in Toronto are English, Cantonese, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Tagalog, Punjabi, and Ukrainian.

Literacy Rate
97%

Religion
Catholic (45%), Protestant (36%) and minorities from most of the world's major religions