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Visitor Information

Who May Visit Us

Anyone of course! Citizens and legal residents of the United States need to carry identification such as birth, baptismal, voter or naturalization certificates to enter Canada. Please check with US Customs and Immigration to determine what documentation you will need when re-entering the U.S. Visitors from all other countries require a valid passport and in some cases a visitor's visa. If you have been convicted of anything considered a criminal offence in Canada, including driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will need to get approval of rehabilitation or a temporary immigration permit from Canada's Minister of Citizenship and Immigration before you can enter Canada. Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate for more information. Questions? Visit the Canada Immigration web site:

www.Immigration.ca.

 

Visitors' Centers

 

The Ministry of Tourism maintains an Ontario Travel Information Centre at 261 Queen St. W., Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario adjacent to the International Bridge Plaza.

 

Note: Currency Exchange offers U.S./Canadian currency exchange service in the Information Centre.

 

Several municipalities in Algoma Country operate information centers on a year-round basis. These include:

• Wawa - Box 500, Wawa, Ontario P0S 1K0
• White River - Box 399, White River, Ontario P0M 3G0
• Blind River - Box 640, Blind River, Ontario P0R 1L0

 

Of course, don't overlook the Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association (AKTA) at 485 Queen St., Suite 204, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 1Z9.

 

Vehicles and Insurance

 

The entry of vehicles and trailers into Canada for touring purposes is usually a quick routine matter. 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.

 

Seat Belts

 

Ontario Law requires that adults and children over 40lbs/18kg in weight wear seat belts. Infants from birth to 20 lbs/9kg in weight must travel in a rear facing child restraint system. Toddlers weighting 20-40 lbs/9-18 kg must travel in a front-facing child restraint seat.

 

U.S. motorists planning to travel in Canada are advised to obtain a Canadian Non-Resident Interprovince Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card available only in the U.S. Contact your local insurance agent

 

Can Your Pet Come?

Dogs and cats accompanying their owners from the U.S. must have current (within 36 months) rabies vaccination certificates. Owners from other countries who wish to bring their pets with them should contact: 1-800-442-2342 / 1-613-225-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 or

www.inspection.gc.ca

 

What You Can Bring With You

 

Duty free articles that may be taken into Canada are:

• 1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine
• 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor
• a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of wine and liquor; or24 x 355 millilitre (12 ounces) cans or bottles (maximum of 8.5 litres) of beer or ale.
• 200 cigarettes
• 50 cigars or cigarillos
• 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco; and
• 200 tobacco sticks.

 

Firearms

 

Canada's firearms laws make the country safer for both residents and visitors. We suggest you contact one of our customs offices or a chief firearms officer for information before you attempt to import a firearm.

 

The Canada Boarder Services Agency is responsible for controlling items brought into Canada. However, here is some basic information if you wish to bring a firearm or other item regulated by the Firearms Act into Canada. The Firearms Act is a federal law and applies all across the country. Provinces may have additional requirements, especially with respect to hunting. You must be at least 18 years old to bring a firearm into Canada.

 

Contact the Canada Firearms Centre by one of the following:

• Email: cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca
• 1-800-731-4000 (toll-free)
• 506-624-5390 (long-distrance charges will apply)
• Fax: (613) 957-7325 (response within five days)
• Mail: Canada Firearms Centre, Ottawa, ON K1Z 1M6 Canada

 

Liquor Outlets and the Law

 

You must be 19 or over to buy or consume liquor, wine and beer in Ontario. It is an offence to consume alcohol anywhere other than in a licensed establishment, your residence or within a reasonable distance of your residence. Ontario laws prohibit having open bottles of liquor in a location accessible to the driver of a vehicle. Please don't drink and drive!

 

Visitors to Ontario looking to buy liquor or beer for consumption outside a licensed establishment usually have to go to 2 separate stores. Liquor including wine, is available through stores funded by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) or in smaller centers, by their authorized representative. Beer may be purchased through "The Beer Store" or directly from brewery outlets.

 

Ontario laws prohibit having open bottles of liquor in a location accessible to the driver of a vehicle. Drinking is only allowed in your residence or within a reasonable distance of your residence. A tent, trailer or camper can be considered residences. Drinking on public beaches, parks, etc., while in transit is prohibited. When checking into a provincial or private campground check their regulations.

 

Boaters & Boat Operator Competency Requirements 

 

The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require that all operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor have proof of competency and proof of age on board at all times. All operators born after April 1, 1983 and all operators of craft of less than 4 m (13 feet)(including personal watercraft) are required to have proof of competency. As of September 15, 2009, all operators will be required to have proof of competency. The Regulations apply to non-residents if they operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or, if they operate a pleasure craft that is licensed or registered in Canada (including rented or chartered boats). The Regulations do not apply to non-residents who operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for less than 45 consecutive days. Please note that a proof of residence will be required on board at all times. For non-residents, proof of competency can take one of three forms: a Canadian-issued pleasure craft operator card, a completed boat rental safety check-list (for power-driven rental boats), or an operator card or equivalent which meets the requirements of their state or country. The Age - Horsepower Restrictions prohibit operators under the age of 16 from operating recreational vessels above specified horsepower limits: Children under the age of 12 and not directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older can operate a recreational vessel with no more than 10 hp (7.5 KW) .Youth between 12 years of age and under 16 years of age and not directly supervised by someone 16 years of age or older can operate a recreational vessel with no more than 40 hp (30 KW). Only persons 16 years of age or older can operate a personal watercraft (PWC) regardless of supervision. These restrictions apply to all operators of pleasure craft in Canadian waters both domestic and foreign.

 

CANPASS Private Boats Program

Subscribers to this program may call up to four hours in advance to report their estimated arrival time in Canada and then arrive at a telephone reporting marine site. If you often enter Canada from the United States using a private pleasure boat, this program may be for you. Contact 1-800-461-9999 (toll free in Canada) 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long distance charges will apply) or

www.cbsa.gc.ca

If you have any questions, contact the Boarder Information Service (BIS) line. This is a 24-hour telephone service that automatically answers all incoming calls and provides general boarder services information. You can access BIS free of charge throughout Canada by calling 1-800-461-999. If you are calling from outside Canada, you can access BIS by calling 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply). If you call during regular business hours (8:00am to 4:00 p.m. local time, Monday to Friday, except holidays), you can speak directly to an agent by pressing "0" at any time. You can also visit website:

www.cbsa.gc.ca

 

CROWN LAND CAMPING IN NORTHERN ONTARIO

 

PH: 1-800-667-1940
Non-residents of Canada who are 18 years of age or older must have valid Crown Land Camping Permits to camp on Crown land in Northern Ontario. "Residents" include Canadian citizens and those who have resided in Canada for a period of at least 7 months immediately preceding the camping experience. Non-residents are asked to pay their share through the permit system.

 

Crown Land Camping Permits are required to camp on all Crown lands in northern Ontario with the exception of areas inside operating provincial parks. Check with the local MNR office in the area you want to camp for possible green zones which are prohibited zones.

 

Permits can be purchased from most of the local "outside licence issuers" authorized to see other MNR licences and permits (e.g. hunting and fishing licences) Typically, outside issuers are operators of outdoor-oriented sporting goods stores or tourist establishments.

 

Crown Land Camping Permits are $10.00 per person per night. There are two types of Crown Land Camping Permits available. The individual permits are valid for one person for one night camping. When purchased, the permit is stamped with the date for which it will be valid. The permit expires at 12 noon on the day following the stamped date.

 

The "multi-user" Crown Land Camping Permit is available only in Wawa and Sault Ste. Marie Districts. Multi-user permit allows the issuer to issue one permit for a group of campers for the full time period of their stay. The fee is still $10.00 per person per night and it expires at 12 noon on the day following the date stipulated on the permit.

 

Camping unit means equipment used for outdoor accommodations, including tents, trailers, ten-trailers, recreational vehicles and camper-back behicles.

Remember you are responsible for your own waste/garbage. Please leave your camping area clean and green!

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