From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Canada
Date: 13 Oct 1992 16:47:42 -0500
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Canada
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Canada - Consular Information Sheet
 October 7, 1992

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in Canada is 
located at 100 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario; telephone (613) 
238-5335.  There are also Consulates in Calgary, Alberta, at 615 
Macleod Trail SE, (403) 266-8962; in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Suite 
910, Cogswell Tower, Scotia Square, (902) 429-2480; in Montreal, 
Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street (514) 398-9695; in Quebec city, 
Quebec, at Place Terrasse Dufferin (418) 692-2095; in Toronto, 
Ontario, at 360 University Avenue, (416) 595-1700, and in Vancouver, 
British Columbia, at 1095 West Pender Street, (604) 685-4311.

Country Description: Canada is a highly developed stable democracy 
with a modern economy.  Tourist facilities in southern Canada are 
widely available; in northern and wilderness areas, facilities are 
less developed and can be vast distances apart.

Entry Requirements: Proof of U.S. citizenship and photo 
identification are required for travel to Canada.  Visas are not 
required for tourists entering from the United States for stays up 
to 180 days.  U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country 
must have a valid passport or an official U.S. travel document.  For 
further information, including information on student or business 
travel, travelers can contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 
Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington DC 20001, (202) 682-1740 or the 
nearest Canadian Consulate General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, 
Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San 
Francisco, or Seattle.

Medical Facilities:  Good medical care is widely available.  U.S. 
medical and auto insurance may not be valid in Canada.  Travelers 
have found that in some cases, supplemental auto or medical 
insurance with specific Canadian coverage has proved to be useful.  
Further information on health matters can be obtained from the 
Centers for Disease Control's international Travelers hotline on 
(404) 332-4559.

Crime Information: Canada has a higher incidence of criminal 
activity in urban areas than in the countryside.  Violent crimes 
such as murder, armed robbery, and rape occur infrequently.  U.S. 
citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, "A Safe 
Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free voyage.  The 
pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington DC 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use, and dealing in 
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Other Information: (a) Canadians consider driving under the 
influence of alcohol a serious offense.  Penalties are heavy and any 
prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the 
infraction) is grounds for exclusion from Canada.  A waiver of 
exclusion may be obtained from Canadian Consulates in the United 
States, but requires several weeks.  (b) Firearms are strictly 
controlled.  In general, handguns are not permitted in Canada.  
Anyone wishing to take hunting rifles into Canada can contact in 
advance the nearest Canadian Consulate for detailed information and 
instructions.  In all cases, travelers must declare to Canadian 
Customs authorities any firearms in their possession when entering 
Canada.  If a traveler is denied permission to take the firearm into 
Canada, there are in many cases facilities near the border crossing 
where firearms may be stored pending the traveler's return to the 
U.S.  Canadian law requires that officials confiscate guns from 
those crossing the border who deny having guns in their possession.  
Confiscated guns are never returned.  (c) It is illegal to take 
automobile radar detectors into provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and 
Manitoba or into the Northwest Territories.  The police will 
confiscate radar detectors and impose fines up to one thousand 
dollars.

Registration: Americans who register in the Consular Section at the 
Embassy or Consulate may obtain updated information on travel and 
security within the area.

 No. 92-011