Conference kaosws::canada

    Don't know the Thornton Bay area so I can't help there.
    
    However, as to bringing US money. You can spend it anywhere you
    want, but be prepared to lose some on the exchange. Most businesses
    allow 15%-20% Many businesses belong to a provincial group that
    support Fair Exchange and post a sign saying so; they also usually
    have a fairly prominent notice of the rate at the cash registers.
    
    You are better off exchanging your money at a bank. Most of them
    are open 10:00 am to 3:00 pm every day, so they are convenient.
    
    Roger

    
    
    	 Just got a card from the place I'm staying at and the
    	place is in Thornbury, Ontario not Thornton Bay, Ontario.
                                                        
    

	Thornbury is a quiet little village on Georgian Bay, north of 
Toronto that has been invaded like everything else within 2 hours of TO
by condominium builders, chalet builders, cottage builders etc etc.
from the city.

	Re getting there, you will probably get around Lake Ontario via
Kingston on the east, rather than Niagara Falls on the west.  If you go
via Kingston, go west on highway 401 to Toronto, north on highway 400,
and take highway #26 west from Barrie.  If you go via Niagara (I think
the there is a nice festival of lights centered around the falls), take
the QEW highway (Queen Elizabeth Way) around the lake to highway 427 at
Toronto, north to 401, and join the other route (highway 400, to highway
26).  If the weather looks bad when you're are leaving Toronto, the best
advice is stay over until it clears up... highway 26 is one of the worst
places to get caught in a snowstorm. 

	As far as skiing, pick up brochures at any tourist info place 
you see.  For starters, there are Blue Mountain and Georgian Peaks at 
Thornbury, mainly downhill resorts but also providing cross-country.  
I think there are lots of others around though, you can find out also by 
asking once you get there...

	As for new years eve, just find out where it's happening at one
of those two resorts, there won't be much else going on around there
unless there is an exciting snowstorm.  Not worth going to one of the
larger towns around for New Years, the cops will be checking for
impaired drivers... 

    For good vacation ideas in Ontario, check 53.

    
    My family and I will be visiting the Niagra Falls and Toronto areas in
    early August.  We plan to stay 2-3 days in Toronto.  Can you tell me
    what type of identification is required in order to pass in and out of
    Canada for a brief stay?  I've heard that a birth certificate or
    baptismal certificate may be required.  I'd like to know ahead of time
    so that we don't get detained at the border.  Also, we have an Italian
    citizen traveling with us.  He's visiting us just for the month of
    August.  Will that present any particular problem?  I assume that with
    a valid passport he should be able to travel with us into and out of
    Canada without any additional documents.  If you know of anything else
    he will need please post a reply here.
    
    I've also heard that I should carry my automobile insurance policy with
    me.  I understand that you have to prove that you are carrying at least
    $200,000 liability insurance.
    
    If you know of any other requirements for a hassle free border
    crossing, I'm very interested to find out BEFORE we leave on our trip.
    
    							Thanks,
    
    							Paul
    

	re .5

>    citizen traveling with us.  He's visiting us just for the month of
>    August.  Will that present any particular problem?  I assume that with
>    a valid passport he should be able to travel with us into and out of

	I think you need to be sure that his U.S. visa is valid for multiple
	entries to the U.S. Otherwise, when you go into Canada he has left
	the U.S. and has no right of return.
	Actually what would happen in this case is that he would be refused
	entry into Canada because he has no right of return to the U.S.

	Tony

    You should carry a birth certificate or passport ... other photo id
    like drivers licences may be accepted but I wouldn't like to rely on
    it.  Sometimes no id at all is required, but it would be rotten to be
    turned away at the border.
    
    Your friend MUST have a valid Canadian Passport and MUST have a US
    multiple entry visa ... otherwise he will have all kinds of problems
    getting back into the US and may have problems coming into Canada.
    (It is not unknown for people to enter Canada from the US with valid
    passport and then cannot return to the US and end up having to go home
    from Canada!)
    
    Also, ensure check with the nearest Canadian consulate to ensure that
    a visa is not required.  Generally for most European countries visas
    aren't required, but the rules do change.  Visas can be obtained from
    any Canadian Diplomatic Mission or Conuslate.
    
    
    	Stuart

>    Also, ensure check with the nearest Canadian consulate to ensure that
>    a visa is not required.  Generally for most European countries visas
>    aren't required, but the rules do change.  Visas can be obtained from
>    any Canadian Diplomatic Mission or Conuslate.
    
 
	Having been to Canada last year, and wanting to go to the US, I can say
	that for British citizens, YOU NEED A VISA to get into the US, unless
	you are flying direct to the states and back, with a return ticket.

	If you cross the boarder under your own steam (ie not a package deal)
	then you need a visa. My mum and dad have just come back, and they
	definately had their visa scrutinised.

	As both Italy and Britain have euro passports, I would assume that
	the rules were the same. I would definately check with the Canadian
	consulate.

	Heather

    Re .8:
    
    I beg to differ: I'm British hold a British passport. I flew to
    Vancouver during May and crossed the Candian/US border twice (each way)
    with any visas.
    My first journey to the US from Canada was via road. At US immigration,
    all I had to do was fill in a Visa waiver form. They stamped my
    passport and stapled a visa waiver to it which was valid for 90 days (I
    think).  My second trip was from Victoria, Vancouver Island to Seattle,
    Washington. US immigration automatically accepted the visa waiver. I
    returned to Vancouver via road. An African was refused entry because
    not only had visa expired, but also his passport!
    However, I would advise anyone to write to the relevant embassies,
    outlining their travel plans.

    Note that this person is coming from the US into Canada and returning to 
    the US, so he will have had a visa already to enter the US, but we are
    concerned that it allows for multiple entries into the US.  The other
    thing is to confirm that a visa is not currently required for Italians.
    (A couple years ago French citizens required a visa for a short while
    in spite of travelling on European passports.  Citizenship is what
    counts.)
    
    Stuart

Hello,

old note, new question - and probably a stupid one ...

can anyone tell where  ETOBICOKE,  ONTARIO,  M9W 6J6  is please ?

i can't find Etobicoke in any of the atlases i've got access too, so i assume 
that its part of somewhere larger (perhaps a suburb of Toronto or Ottawa ?). And
what would be the nearest international airport ?

Thanks a lot,

	Ray Wright,  DEC Bern,  Switzerland

    I think it is outside Toronto, which would have the closest
    international airport.
    
    							Derek.

    Etobicoke is the western 1/4 of Metropolitan Toronto.  It used to be
    called a borough, but is now a "city".  Toronto International Airport
    is on the boundary of Etobicoke.  It's a suburb, but the "city" now goes
    far beyond it into Mississuaga.  
    
    How it got this silly name I have no idea, but I'm sure Glenn can up
    with something.
      
    
    
    Marshall

    
    

    No Derek,

    I believe...
    Ever since the Pepsi revolution hit the Great White North, the name
    Etobicoke has been renamed Etobipepsi. Personally, I voted for the 
    Etobimountain-Doo myself.

thanks very much for the information

	Ray

    What a remarkably silly bunch. Now Ray will be wondering what's wrong
    with this notesfile.
    
    Glenn

well, since i'm wondering .... from a purely subjective viewpoint, would 
Etobicoke be a good choice as a place to work/live for someone migrating to
Canada ? At the moment we live in Switzerland, but we're from the UK. I've been
offered the chance of a job in Etobicoke, and as we are keen to leave Europe i'm
seriously considering it. We don't particularly want to live in an urban area,
we'd be happier living further out, even if it means a longer commute to work
each day. "We" are myself, my wife, and 2 children, aged 4 and 6. We're looking
for good schools, nice outdoor environment, safe streets - normal kind of things
for a family with young children.

Obviously before we make such a big step we'll come over and see the place for
ourselves, but any background information would be good to have.

Any opinions/advice welcomed...

	Ray

    Etobicoke, like Mississauga, is fairly new. There are lots of nice areas
    to live in. Also if you're willing to commute, the possibilities are
    endless really. I'm certain you can find what you're looking for. The
    Toronto area does have a lot to offer.

    Glenn

Homes in much of Etobicoke do tend to be on the expensive side ... On the
other hand, Etobicoke (pronoounced ee-toe-bi-co), also contains some of
the seedier parts of town ... along the Jane Street corridor.

Where to live depends on where you actually want to work!  Remember
that it can take hours to cross Toronto.  It is generally much cheaper
to live outside the city limits for home prices, car insurance, house 
insurance etc.

Stuart

    I think the 'Jane Street Corridor' as you call it is actually in North
    York, the "City with Heart" (and no soul).
    
    

>    I think the 'Jane Street Corridor' as you call it is actually in North
>    York, the "City with Heart" (and no soul).

Norm, you are right ... Etobicoke today certainly takes in a lot of
Toronto these days, and I forgot exactly where the border was in the
North East ...

Stuart

    I remember back when I was living not too far from the Jane Street
    Corridor, 1980-83, it was not that bad a place. Things went downhill
    pretty fast during the latter half of the 80's.
    
    Glenn

hello again,

referencing notes 144.11, 144.11 - we now think we know enough about Toronto to
arrange a trip over to meet my potential employers face-to-face, so i've now got
a couple more questions -

- i'm a MUMPS senior a/p or project leader, 10 years+ experience. The company i'm
in contact with is MDS Laboratories in Etobicoke. Are there any other MUMPS sites
in Toronto or surrounding area - if there are any i'd like to get in touch with
them and possibly arrange a meeting with them while i'm there. Any company names,
addresses, contact names, etc. appreciated

- are there any special events going on that we should make a point of seeing ?
We'll be arriving in Toronto on Saturday 2nd April, leaving on Saturday 9th April

Thanks again,

	Ray

    
    Special Events in Toronto around that time:
    
    April 1-3 Flower and Garden Show, International Centre
    April 8-10 Wine and Cheese Show, International Centre
    April 8-10 Hobby Ceramic Show, International Centre
    April 8-10 Computerfest'94, International Centre
    March 30-April 3 Canadian Craft Show, Exhibition Place
    April 8-17 Home Show, Exhibition Place
    
    Off course the incredibly expensive and hard-to-get-tickets for
    musicals like Phantom, Miss Saigon, Show Boat, etc.
    
    The Leafs should be playing, haven't got their schedule.
    
    There are all kinds of dance, art, theater, events on all the time, but 
    no self-respecting MUMPS guy would be caught dead at that stuff! 8^)
    
    
    Marshall
    
      

Hello again,

with reference to previous few notes - we'll be coming to Toronto next week
(from Saturday 02.04 to Saturday 09.04), and i've got a couple more questions
which i'd appreciate an answer/opinion on ...

- what's the weather likely to be like that week. Its spring over here in
Europe, but is it still COLD in Toronto ?

- when i meet my potential employers, and the discussion gets on to money, i'm
not sure what sort of figure i should be looking for, so... what sort of income
do you need to support a family in Toronto ? By "support" i mean 

	. rent a decent 2 or 3 bedroom house in a pleasant area (suburb or out
	  of town - somewhere with decent schools, within an hours commuting
	  distance of the International Blvd area of Etobicoke, and where its
	  safe to walk the streets after dark)

	. run a car (possibly 2)

	. have enough disposable income to enjoy the things that Toronto has to
	  offer

	. eat at least one meal a day     :-)

alternatively, any indication of the "going rate" for a senior a/p or project 
leader (university degree, 10 years+ experience) would be welcome

- any suggestions for residential areas we should look at, that meet my 
criteria for "pleasant" areas ?

Thanks once again for your help,

	Ray

    Weather: generally the first week of April should be fairly springlike, 
    daytime highs around 10C, nighttime lows above -5C. Expect rain. Could
    be colder but let's hope not.
    
    As for where to look for housing, there are very few, confined areas
    that do not meet your definition of pleasant. In general if you avoid
    the east and west fringes of Downtown Toronto and suburban areas with 
    concentrations of apartment tower blocks you're OK. There are some very 
    nice, safe, pleasant areas inside Metro Toronto. The way the rental market
    is depressed these days you're by no means guarenteed to find cheaper
    accomodation by heading to the burbs.