Statutory Holidays in BC
There are 9 statutory holidays celebrated annually in British Columbia, Canada.  Generally, banks and some businesses remain closed. Theatres, restaurants, and corner grocery stores remain open for business as usual. In some centres many of the shops remain open.

Language
English and French are Canada's two official languages. English is the predominant language in British Columbia. Many banks, hotels, airline offices, service institutions, shops and key tourist destinations have multi-lingual staff.


Metric Measures
Canada follows the international metric system. Temperatures, rainfall measures, distance, weights, velocity are expressed in metric units. Distance is measured in kilometres.


Metric Equivalents

Population
City of Vancouver: approx 580,000
Greater Vancouver: approx 2 mill


Time Zone
Most of British Columbia is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone; however, some portions of the province that border the Rocky Mountains are in the Mountain Time Zone, one hour ahead of the Pacific Zone. Daylight Savings Time is in effect from 0200hr on the first Sunday in April until 0200hr on the last Sunday in October.

Banking
Regular banking hours in Canada are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with extended hours including weekends at some locations. Visitors who wish to cash cheques or require other banking services are advised to check times of operation with the institutions. Main branches of Canadian chartered banks, particularly in major centres, are equipped to exchange foreign currency as well. Several major European and foreign banks have offices in Vancouver, and will handle some foreign currencies directly. Most banks have automatic teller machines, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, using bank cards on major international banking networks such as Cirrus, Plus and Interac.

Credit Cards
Most major credit cards are accepted, but visitors are always advised to check with the vendor before a purchase is made. Cash machines with 24 hour access are available in many convenient locations.

Tipping
Some properties and resort hotels include tips or gratuities with group tours to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. If meals are included in the price, customary gratuity will be calculated at 15 per cent. Visitors should be advised that the standard tip in most restaurants is 15 per cent.

Food and Beverages
An extensive variety of cuisine is available representing the multicultural flavour of Vancouver. Alcoholic beverages in bottles are sold in special stores. However, alcoholic beverages including beer and wine may be purchased in restaurants, hotel lounges, taverns, and nightclubs, which can be recognized by the sign "Licensed Premises". Minors are not admitted into bars. In British Columbia, minors are defined as anyone under 19 years of age.

Smoking Laws
No person shall smoke in a restaurant, a limited food service establishment, a casino, a bingo hall or in a liquor outlet except in a patio or in a smoking room.

Newspapers
Residents of Greater Vancouver stay well informed through a variety of daily and weekly newspapers that service a wide range of cultural interests. The two major daily newspapers are the Vancouver Sun and The Province and there are two major daily Chinese newspapers: Sing Tao and Ming Pao, offering local and regional news. Business in Vancouver offers weekly local business information while the Globe and Mail and National Post provide national and international news on a daily basis.

Downtown Vancouver Map

Important Telephone Numbers