Conference kaosws::canada

Horror stories about the prices that now exist in Canada?

Just buy as little gasoline as possible (fill up in Portland and arrive
back at the return ferry empty), and don't buy cigarettes.

Restaurants are not horribly expensive.

  July 18th and 20th: Fine dinner for two, including wine, tax, and tip:

   Vancouver: C$71.76 charged as US$62.69
   Winnipeg:  C$62.00 charged as US$54.30

What sort of horror stories?

    o Gas:  I'm not sure, but, taking a car with a full tank
            of gas on a ferry not allowed due to weight restrictions?
            Also, WHY is gas so expensive?  Cost me $30 to fill up
            my Honda Civic last month in Quebec!  I have also noticed
            that the prices are constantly high....during the Gulf war
            the US gas prices dropped.  Isn't Canada a major producer
            of gas?  
    
    o Smokes:  If you do, purchase at the duty-free (one carton per
               person).  It's ~$5.00/pack in Canada.
    
    o Food/Clothing:  You will definatly notice the increase.  Buy
                      as much food before crossing (if you are
    		      camping).  
    
    o Lodging:  Camping is the best bet and relatively inexpensive.
                Best campgrounds I've stayed at were in Canada.
    
    o Eating Out:  VERY EXPENSIVE, but, relative on what you're 
                   used to.
    
    o Taxes:  I know in Ontario, you can get a refund on sales, meals
              and lodging taxes provided you fill out a form and wait
              for it in the mail......is this the case in Nova Scotia?
    
    o Ferry:  Too bad you've already made these arrangements.  If you
              are planning to visit Halifax or points northward, you
              could've saved $$$ bigtime by driving north into New
              Brunswick and entering Nova Scotia via Amherst.  For
              those who want to visit Southern Nova Scotia or just
              Yarmouth, and have little time (less than 4 days) to
              visit the area, I's then say "take the ferry".  The ferry
              from Portland is ok, but food and other items are very
              expensive.
    
    I visit Nova Scotia twice yearly to visit relatives in Sydney and
    hate the drive.  After this year, I'm giving up the long narrow
    drive and FLY!
    
    Have fun!
    rf

re Ferries and gasoline -- I've never had them check my tank.  Surely you
don't want it so full that it sloshes out in rough seas, but you can and
should fill your tank a few miles from the ferry terminal.

re buying tax at the duty free -- of course, you can only use the duty
free shop when leaving a country, and you can't buy anything you bought
there back in with you.  It has not been my experience that duty free
shops available to people leaving the U.S. have lower prices than normal
stores.  And some states collect sales tax in duty free shops under their
jurisdiction!

re tax refunds:  Meals tax is explicitly not refundable.  You can get
refunds on both the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST or TPS in French)
and provincial sales tax (PST or TVQ in Quebec) from most provices by
saving receipts for lodging and things you buy AND REMOVE FROM CANADA
or the province in question.  You must file for the Federal refund first
with original receipts, which the federal folks will stamp "refunded" and
return to you so that you can file for the provincial tax refund.  You
generally must have more than $100 of goods and services for which the
tax is refundable to qualify to file.  It's also possible to get the
federal tax refunded on the spot at Canadian duty free shops when leaving
the country, but they will give you Canadian cash which you might not be
able to make any real use of (except at the shop).  Since so few people
have been using that money at the shops, and since there is a pile of
forms to fill out for piddling $15-$20 refunds, the shops are not very
happy to do this.

/john

The reason things are so expensive in Canada is very simple: Taxes.

To support a cradle to grave social system including free health care,
you have to tax out the wazoo.

The high taxes in Quebec do have one advantage -- to figure out the
15% tip for your server, simply use the TPS+TVQ -- that's essentially
15%.

I simply have to disagree that eating out in Canada is "VERY EXPENSIVE."
Even with the higher taxes, I find it to be about 5-10% less expensive
than in the U.S.

/john

    The reason things are more expensive in Canada is not so simple, I can
    think of at least 3 right off the top of my head:
    
    1) Artificially inflated value for the C$
     
    2) Reduced economies of scale

    and, you're right
    
    3) Taxes, taxes and more taxes
    
    Myself the biggest price difference I see between travelling in the US
    and here is hotels, at the top of the range it's about the same, a
    name downtown hotel costs about the same in New York or Chicago as it does
    in Toronto or Montreal but there just isn't a wide availability of
    good, inexpensive hotels & motels the way there is in the US. When we 
    travel in the states we stay in nice clean places and rarely pay more than 
    $40US a night and if we were willing to cut our standards we could do it for
    much less. Up here when you can find a nice motel the price is going to
    be nearly as much as a downtown hotel. For example we stayed at the
    Chateau Laurier in Ottawa last summer for $79, the Journey's End in the 
    burbs (Nepean?) was only $10 cheaper.
                     

Thanks for all the insights you have shead...I will take the advice of
filling the gas tank prior to taking the Ferry. Since we are on a 
package plan (paid in US$ to Portland, ME) I guess we can't claim our
lodgings...oh well...I told me husband that since we have the car
we can stop at the package store in New Hampshire and pick up what we
might want for the 5-6 days. Also I thought I would bring my 2-cup
coffee maker for in-room coffee. If I get real ambitious I will bake
some muffins and then we can eat breakfast in our room and save some
expense. 

Just out of curiousity...where does the American dollar stand next to 
the Canadian dollar. Last time we went to Canada there was a 38 cent
difference (in our favor).

Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do and see in the Lunenburg,
Nova Scotia area or good and resonable places to eat in the area?

All your suggestions and information is greatly appreciated. Keep them
coming.

Thanks,
Marcia

>Last time we went to Canada there was a 38 cent difference (in our favor).

Not any more.  If you use US$ or TCs in a store, expect to get at most 10%,
but if they give you 15%, take it.

Transactions mid-late July on VISA/MC are all coming in around .8719-.8736.
(except for one that's .8760 for no apparent reason).

CIRRUS was the worst, at .8759 + US$1 which is .8814 for the C$180 I got.
But that may be because the Canadian dollar fell sharply on the 19th of
July, and the CIRRUS transaction was on the 18th.

When I was in Montreal over Memorial Day weekend, the CIRRUS C$s were slightly
cheaper than the VISA C$s.  Then, CIRRUS was .878 including the $1 charge for
C$100, and the VISA charges came through at .881.

/john

    For things to do while in the Lunenburg area, check out Peggy's Cove
    (I'm sure you're already planning to, though).  It really was
    beautiful.  We brought back some great pictures in July.
    
    The exchange rate we got most everywhere was between 10% and 12%.
    
    On our way along the Lighthouse route, we had lunch at a restaurant
    called the Olde Schoolhouse Restaurant (or something like that).  It's
    run by a commune of some kind.  The food was excellent and the service
    was very good as well.  There seemed to be quite a few locals that eat
    there regularly.  They use very fresh natural ingredients, and we
    really enjoyed it, all but the iced tea which was extremely sweet (to
    me).  This restaurant is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours outside of Yarmouth. 
    (Sorry, I don't remember exactly where it is!
    
    We enjoyed the Anapolis Royale Gardens, but that's quite a drive from
    Lunenburg.  Though we didn't see them, a friend who went the week after
    we were there said that the public gardens in Halifax are really
    spectacular.
    
    When we go back we want to spend a long weekend at White Point Beach
    close to Lunenberg and a long weekend at Halifax.  We did to much
    driving the few days we were there!
    
    Sandy

Re .8

Sandy, this is the second time my husband and I will be staying at the 
White Point Beach Lodge...we loved it 5 years ago and that is part of 
the reason for returning. Several years ago we stayed near Digby on the
Fundy side and enjoyed the Annapolis Valley including the gardens and 
the fort. 

Five years ago we went to Peggy's Cove and loved the area and drive...we 
continued to Halifax for the rest of the day. We plan on going back to 
Peggy's Cove to visit again...it was so lovely.

We traveled the Lighthouse Route last time and thought maybe this 
notesfile could give us other suggestions along the way or off the 
beaten route to visit or to experience other things that might not be 
mentioned in the tourists brochures.

I just love Nova Scotia...it is not too overwhelmed with tourists and 
rather peaceful compare to Bar Habor, Maine or the Cape.

Keep suggestions coming we are leaving in 2 weeks and making our travel
itinerary now.

Thanks again...Marcia

    Marcia,
    
    If memory serves me correctly, the big tourist traps in Lunenburg were
    the Bluenose II schooner and the Fisherman's Museum.
    
    Besides the shock of taxes on everything (including stuff like haircuts
    and taxi rides), the three things that will be dramatically more
    expensive are gas, booze, and cigarettes.  Although Canadian Customs
    can't do to much about the gas in your tank, be careful not to bring
    any booze or too much cigarette into the country, and do not plan on
    buying any in Canada.
    
    I liked Mount Euniack (sp?) in the Annapolis Valley...this is an old
    mansion on a lake that has been turned into some sort of relaxing
    public garden type thing (I was there when I was a kid).
    
    Have you been to the Cabot Trail?  That is definitely the Nova Scotia
    highlight for me....
    
    JP

    When we went in July, Steve and I were one of the chosen cars to be
    searched by customs when we entered Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  They pulled
    over cars from a Jag XJ6 to an old dumpy plymouth that didn't look like
    it would go another mile.
    
    Steve and I didn't have anything in the car (no booze and we don't
    smoke), so I couldn't tell you what they would do to folks who do take
    in their own booze.  I don't know what the policy is for taking in
    booze from the dutyfree shop on board ship, but I can tell you that
    they definitely search for it!
    
    When we bought gas, it usually takes about $17 to fill Steve's car up
    with premium unleaded.  He used filled up with regular unleaded and it
    cost about (I think) $31 Canadian.
    
    Sandy

In re "don't bring in any alcohol":

Visitors to Canada who are 19 or older may bring, for their own use, either

40 oz alcohol (distilled spirits and wine)
or
1 case of beer

They may also bring:

1 carton (200) cigarettes
and
2 lbs of tobacco
and
50 cigars

/john

    Yeah, I guess my comment should have said something about you being ok
    up to the limit...
    
    FYI...the duties are considerable on this stuff.
    
    Canada Customs have a 'profile' they use to inspect your car. 
    Sometimes its every x cars.  If you are a car with two young guys in
    it, you'll get it for sure.  If you are returning home and are Canadian
    but declare nothing, you'll get it.  If you are entering either country
    and mention the word 'work', you'll get it...use 'business' instead.
    There are other words which are 'marked'.
    
    JP
    

    "Honeymoon" must be marked then!
    
    Sandy

    Another trigger for a search is your licence number, a while ago
    an aunt of mine who lives in Windsor bought a used car (this was back
    in the days before Ontario went plate-to-owner) and suddenly started 
    getting hassled every time she crossed the border. Finally she got an 
    officer to explain why she was being marked, her plate numbers were in 
    the computer as past offenders, she went to the MTC and paid to get new 
    plates (I think she had to lie and say she'd lost the old ones) and the 
    hassles went away again. Perhaps your license number is the same as one
    from another state where someone was caught at the border for
    something.
    
    They're no longer very secretive about this, the last time I went over
    at Niagara Falls the guy in the booth was openly typing in licence
    numbers on a keypad as the cars rolled up, he asked a couple questions
    (waiting for the query to complete) then said "have a nice dinner" and
    waved us on, we go over for dinner a few times a year but had said
    nothing about it this time, he may have made a lucky guess but I'd be
    willing to bet that what he got on the screen when he typed in our
    plate was a record of a previous crossing where we'd been asked "reason
    for visit".    
                       

All in all it doesn't sound like traveling in Canada for a vacation 
(other than cigarettes, booze and gas) is really a problem. 

I really appreciate all the conversation is this note and will take heed 
to planning ahead for the three major increased expenses. New Hampshire 
package store will be one stop before leaving Portland on the Ferry and 
a gas station is Portland will be the other.

Still looking for good recommendations for reasonable restaurants in the 
Luneburg/Liverpool general area. 

Keeping fingers crossed for nice weather next week when we leave.  Any 
additional suggestions will be appreciated.

Marcia

    re: recommendations...
    
    Tell the one's who made your hotel reservations (the Prince of Fundy
    Cruiselines?) that it's a special trip (honeymoon, second honeymoon,
    impending parenthood,impending engagement...) a note will be made and 
    you'll get a better room at White Point Beach (one with an ocean view 
    rather than a street view).  We told them it was our honeymoon (it was) 
    and there was a note on the register of each hotel we went to.
    
    Sandy
    
    (We had room 108, it had a great view of the ocean!)
    
    Sandy

Good suggestion Sandy...but we already took care of it by calling the 
White Point and asking for a room with an oceanview. They were more than 
accomodating and there wasn't any additional charge. 

Another question???????

Several years ago it was recommended that we exchange our money at the 
Irving Gas Station rather than at a bank...rate was higher..QUESTION???
Does this still hold true and does anyone have any further 
recommendations as to where to exchange american $'s and get the best 
rate of return? 

Once again, thanks everyone for all the suggestions and directions...
just wish that someone could help me with a magic potion or magic words 
to make the weather sunny next week. 

...Marcia

    Marcia, when we were there in July, the exchange rate seemed to be
    between 10 and 12%, at the Irving gas stations, I think it was 15%. We
    had exchanged our money at our bank and got about 12%.  The worse rate
    was in a Canadian bank and at our hotel which was 10%.  Hopefully
    someone who lives in NS can give you better recommendations.
    
    Sandy

    I just got back from a trip through PEI and NB and indeed Irving
    gas stations were advertising 15% exchange for US$.  On the other
    hand most Irving stations I frequented seemed to have slightly
    higher gas prices than other brands ... co-incidence probably.
    
    You cannot really "exchange" your money there, but you can pay for
    your purchases with US$ and get Canadian in change. (e.g. pump $25
    gas, tender US$40 and change of CDN$21)
    
    Stuart

Note that "15%" (if that means that for US$1 you get C$1.15) is equivalent
to an exchange rate of .8696.  That's pretty good, since I've been seeing
.873 - .88 for CIRRUS and VISA transactions.

But if you have to buy gas at Canadian prices to get that exchange rate
(when you would not have otherwise bought gas) you will have really lost.

/john

    Just came back from a vacation in the Maritimes.  Lunenburg definitely
    a nice place!  The Cabot Trail (a fair drive from Lunenburg) is worth
    the trip and the highlight of N.S.  Fortress Louisburg (near Sydney
    N.S.) was fascinating and worth an afternoon visit (also near the Cabot
    Trail).
    
    We found hotel prices to be negotiable!  Stayed in the Sheraton Mariner
    in Sydney for $50 Cdn.  Never paid more than $50 a night for any
    hotel on the trip until we hit New England and then in US dollars!

re john covert's lunch:

> Saturday lunch (Granby):		C$28.50		US$25.08     $15.93

   We took the family to Granby as part of a whirlwind vacation last
   week.  Found a great restaurant there PACINI'S - It seems to be a
   chain.  Cheap, cheap, cheap and really good Italian food.  We even
   had great service.  Good way to save money in Quebec, I think there
   are branches in Montreal (several), Sherbrooke, and Hull.

   Actually the restaurant was the highlight of the Granby stop - the
   zoo is not what it used to be!  No monkeys (what did they do with all
   the monkeys??), and the price has gone up.  We spent 43$ to get the
   family (2a + 3c + senior) in!  NOT a good way to save money...

    
    Could someone please tell me the limit on the value of gifts that one
    person can bring into Canada ? A friend of mine is flying in to Pearson
    Int' from England on Good Friday. Could you also remind me of the 'average'
    value of recently released albums on cassette. I know they were much
    cheaper than over here but I forgety by how much.
    
    Thanks
    
    Richard
                                                

    
    
    Canadian Customs allows $40 (Cdn funds) to enter the country as a
    taxless gift per person.  Anything over that gets taxed 2.4% duty and then 
    7% GST on both, but that also depends on what it is you're bringing in. 
    The 2.4% and 7% was just taxes I had to pay for printed material
    (trading cards) which were sent to me from the States.  Note that this
    is also "per person".
    
    I haven't looked too recently at albums, but I believe most cassettes
    are around the $8.99 to $9.99 range around here for recently released
    tapes.  However, if you catch a sale, you can probably find it
    somewhere for $6.99 to $7.99 (check the Yonge St strip in Toronto).
    
    Greg