Canada uses the metric system. In emergency situations, you can contact the local police, ambulance service, fire department and other emergency services by calling 911, where available, or by dialing the numbers for local police and ambulance services listed in the front of all local telephone directories. Public telephones are located in all major centres. A local call costs 25 cents in BC and 35 cents in Alberta. To place an international call, the operator will inform you of the cost and you will need to have the coins available.
Some public telephones accept credit cards.
Phone cards are available at most small grocery or newspaper stores, and allow you to purchase a certain amount of telephone time in advance. The news media and many tourist facilities cooperate with the RCMP in the Tourist Alert program to communicate urgent messages to visitors. If you see or hear your name, please phone the number given.