2021 Algoma Travel Guide - Magazine - Page 80
Vehicles and INSURANCE
SEAT BELTS
Any necessary permits are issued at the
port of entry. If you’ve rented a vehicle or
trailer, make sure you bring along a copy
of the rental contract, which stipulates
that you have permission to use it in
Canada. U.S. motorists planning to
travel in Canada are advised to obtain a
Canadian Non-Resident Interprovincial
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card
available only in the U.S. Contact your
local insurance agency. For more
information contact Canadian Border
Services (204) 983-3500, or
(506) 636-5064, or visit the website at
www.cbsa.gc.ca
Note that in Ontario use of cellular and
other devices is hands-free.
www.ontario.ca/page/distracteddriving
Ontario Law requires that adults and
children over 40lbs / 18kg in weight wear
seat belts. Infants from birth to 20lbs /
9kg in weight must travel in a rear-facing
child restraint system. Toddlers weighing
20-40 lbs / 9-18 kg must travel in a
forward or rear facing child restraint seat.
HOSPITALS &
HEALTH INSURANCE
Most communities have hospitals and/
or resident doctors. Wise travelers will
check with their medical service plans
to ensure they will be covered while
in Canada, as health insurance plans
may not extend coverage outside your
country of residence. If you are taking
prescription drugs, make sure that they
are in the original packaging, bring an
adequate supply, and bring a copy of
the prescription in case you need a refill
during your stay in Ontario.
If this is not possible, carry a copy of the
prescription or a letter from your doctor.
For more information and insurance
details, contact your travel agent,
insurance broker, or your employer’s
insurance provider.
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CREDIT CARDS, FINANCIAL
SERVICES AND U.S. FUNDS
Chartered banks are located in virtually
all cities and towns. These full-service
institutions are the best locations for
exchanging currency. There is also
a government sanctioned Canada
/ U.S. currency exchange service at
the International Bridge Plaza in Sault
Ste. Marie and at the Duty Free Store
& Kiosk. Credit cards such as Visa,
MasterCard and AMEX, are generally
honoured in all communities. Be sure to
check with individual businesses before
or when booking accommodations to
ensure they accept your card.
SALES TAX
In Ontario, a Harmonized Sales
Tax (HST) of 13% applies to most
purchases. For more information,
contact:
• 1-800-565-9353 (inside Canada);
• 1-902-432-5604 (outside Canada);
• www.cra-arc.gc.ca
CURRENCY
If you want to know what your money
is worth in Canada, visit www.
bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/
daily-converter/ to quickly convert your
currency to Canadian dollars.
BOATERS - HOW TO
REPORT YOUR ENTRY
Pleasure crafts may enter Canada by
trailer or under their own power. All
boats powered by motors 10 HP or over
must be licenced. Boat licences from
outside Ontario are accepted. Operator
Competency Requirements for Pleasure
Craft – Regulation requires that all
operators of motorized pleasure crafts
have proof of competency and proof of
age on board at all times. An operator
card or equivalent, issued to a nonresident by their state or country, will be
considered as proof of competency.
More info visit www.safeboater.com
Planning to “land” your vessel on
Canadian soil or did you leave Canadian
waters and land on U.S. soil? All private
boaters who intend to land on Canadian
soil, or who have departed Canadian
waters and landed on U.S. soil, are
required to report to a CBSA designated
marine reporting site. Upon arrival at
this designated site, call the Telephone
Reporting Centre at 1-888-226-7277
from the phone provided to obtain
clearance. Not planning to “land” your
vessel or did you leave Canadian waters
but did not land on U.S. soil? You still
need to report to the CBSA. Certain
private boaters may contact the CBSA
by calling the TRC at 1-888-226-7277.
For more info, visit www.cbsa-asfc.
gc.ca/travel-voyage
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL
POLICE (OPP)
For police services anywhere in Ontario,
call the 24-hour toll-free line
1-888-310-1122 or 1-888-310-1133(TTY).