General Information

Visas

Depending on where you live, and the reason for your visit to Canada, you will need to meet certain entry requirements. In some cases, if you plan to stay in Canada for a certain period of time, you will need a temporary resident visa.

Even if you are a citizen of a country where you do not require a visa to visit Canada, you must still have a valid passport. Some citizens from visa exempt countries have more requirements such as having a machine readable passport or an e-passport to travel to Canada.

Please consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website to determine whether you need a visa to enter Canada as a visitor. You should have all relevant documents on hand when you arrive. These documents include, but are not limited to:

• a valid passport or travel document that will be valid until the end of your stay;
• if applicable, a temporary resident visa;
• a letter of invitation to DRS 2010;
• a copy of any documents to support your visit;
• 24-hour contact details of an DRS 2010 representative; and
• proof that you have enough money for both your stay in Canada and your return home.

For accurate information on visa requirements for your country, consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Invitations will be sent by the DRS 2010 Secretariat, on request, to participants from countries who require a visa to enter Canada. All requests must be on official letterhead of the organization to which the participant belongs, and are to be sent to drs2010@umontreal.ca.

Please note that information regarding passports and visas is subject to change without advance notice. We urge you to consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website regularly, or check with your travel agent, to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.

Passport and Visa (Visitors from the US and other countries)

If you are visiting Canada, a valid passport is necessary. It is the responsibility of visitors, before entering Canada, to ensure they have the necessary documents, including those for entry into another country or re-entry into their own country.

Visit www.cic.gc.ca for more information.

Airport

For more information about the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, please go to www.admtl.com. The cost of a taxi from the airport to downtown Montréal is fixed at C$38.

Montreal International Airport
Enlarge Map

Health Insurance and Hospitals

Canadian hospitals and medical services are excellent. The vast majority of hospitals are publicly managed and rates are set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital, but generally range from C$1,000 to C$2,000 a day. It is therefore important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home, since it is possible that your regular health insurance may not include coverage outside your country of residence. Check with your travel agent.

Banks

Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and sometimes on Saturdays. You will find automated teller machines almost everywhere. Please note that most automated tellers will charge a transaction fee of C$1.50.

Weather

The weather in Montréal in June is usually sunny, with an average temperature of 18ºC (maximum: 25ºC, minimum: 15ºC). Montrealers like to take advantage of the fine weather to enjoy the numerous outdoor cafés and restaurants open from morning to the middle of the night.

Current weather in Montréal

Currency

The official currency of Canada is the dollar (C$), which is made up of 100 cents (¢). There are bills in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 as well as coins of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢ and $1 and $2.

Bank of Canada currency converter

There are many currency exchange offices in downtown Montréal.

Electricity

The voltage used in Canada is the same as in the United States, i.e. 110 V 60 Hz. If you are travelling from Europe, you will need an adapter to use small appliances designed for a different standard (220/240 V).

Rental of a Self-serve Bike

A leader among North American cities, Montréal has made thousands of self-serve bicycles available to the public in strategically located stations. Complementing the public transit system, this new mode of active transportation, referred to as BIXI, offers a practical, ecological and inexpensive alternative to the car. BIXI has just won the Gold Edison Award in the Energy and Sustainability category, a prestigious American prize designed to reward the most innovative products in certain defined categories. For details, go to the website www.bixi.ca.

BIXI Stations in Montreal

Car Rental

Cars can be rented in Montréal from local or international companies. The average rental cost per day is C$85. All cars are left-hand drive. Most hotels in Montréal offer parking for approximately C$20 a day.

Tipping

Service is not included in restaurants or bars and it is customary to add a 15% tip to the pre-tax total. If you are with a group, a tip may already have been added to your bill; if you are uncertain, just ask if a tip has been included. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters and doormen generally receive at least C$1 per suitcase or per service rendered. In restaurants where orders are placed at the counter, there is often a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated.

Health

Vaccinations are not required.

Disabled Access

If you have specific needs, please contact the Conference secretariat at drs2010@umontreal.ca.