Airports
Montreal-Trudeau Airport is only about a 20-minute ride from Dorval to downtown Montreal depending on traffic conditions. Quebec City's Jean-Lesage Airport is about a 20-minute drive to the downtown area. From downtown Montreal to Sherbrooke you should count on a one-hour forty-five minute drive. From downtown Quebec City to Sherbrooke, the drive is about two hours and thirty minutes.
Aéroports de Montréal
(514) 394-7377 / Toll-free: 1 800 465-1213
Business Hours
Most businesses are open without interruption from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday. Some of these could also be open until 9 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. There are also "dépanneurs" (neighbourhood convenience stores) which open early in the morning and stay open until late at night. Some are even open on a 24-hour basis.
Canadian customs regulations
Douanes Canada
400, Place d'Youville, room 120
Montréal (Québec) H2Y 2C2
Telephone: 1 800 461-9999 (English service)
Fax: (514) 496-7055
- Personal identity (for persons coming from other countries)
All persons coming into Canada from another country other than the United States must hold a valid passport (unless these persons are American citizens or permanent, legal residents of the United States). Before entering Canada visitors must ensure that they have all the necessary documents, including those which will allow them to return to their own or another country. - Personal effects
All visitors clothing and other personal effects are exempt from customs duties. Persons who are 18 years of age and older may bring in specified limited amounts of tobacco products. The same age applies to importing alcoholic beverage products. Visitors are encouraged to register with their own custom's authorities such items as tape players, computers and sports equipment before entering Canada, to later prove that they were purchased prior to entering the country.
The following may be imported into Canada without customs duties: 1.14 litres of alcohol or 1.5 litres wine and 24 tins of 350 ml-sized beer. Minimum age: 18 years in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec; 19 years elsewhere. For tobacco products: (minimum age of 18) 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos. For complete information about importing food products, please refer to the following site: www.cfia-acia.agr.ca
Canadian Money and Banking Services
The Canadian monetary system uses dollars and cents. Because of fluctuations in the exchange rate there is a difference in the value of the Canadian and American currencies. We advise you to use Canadian money during your stay in Canada. It will save you lots of hassles in exchange rate conversions. Legal tender in Canada is the Canadian dollar. It is divided into 100 cents. Monetary bills are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 1000 dollar bills, and coins are in amounts of $1 (looney), $2 (twoney) and nickles, dime, quarters and fifty-cent pieces.
Most major credit cards are accepted everywhere and they include: Visa, Master Card and American Express. Traveller's cheques are honored in all the major hotels, some restaurants and the major stores in the region. Otherwise they must be cashed at either a currency exchange outlet or a bank.
Banking establishments are generally open from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. A widespread network of automatic tellers facilitates withdrawals at any time, seven days per week.
| In Sherbrooke : Exchange | Operating Hours |
|
|---|---|---|
Banque Nationale du Canada 3075 de Portland Blvd. |
Monday, Tuesday | 10am to 3pm |
| Wednesday | 10am to 7pm | |
| Thursday | 10am to 8pm | |
| Friday | 10am to 4pm | |
Western Union 104, rue King Ouest |
Monday, Tuesday Wednesday | 9am to 7pm |
| Thursday | 9am to 7pm | |
| Friday | 9am to 8pm | |
| Saturday | 11am to 4pm | |
Consulates
There are over 80 consulates in Montreal. For a complete listing, please check the "Yellow Pages" under the section entitled "Consulates and other representatives of foreign countries."
United States
(514) 398-9695
France
(514) 878-4381
Great Britain
(514) 866-5863
Italy
(514) 849-8351
Germany
(514) 931-2277
Daycare services
Le Delta Sherbrooke Hotel can supply you with a list of facilities. Please enquire at the reception desk.
Driver's permit and insurance
Most foreign driver permits are valid for use in Canada. In case of corporal injuries caused during an accident, the driver and passenger(s) who are in a car which is registered in Quebec are entitled, like any other citizen, to an indemnity which is paid out by the government's automobile insurance board, the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). If the car which is involved in an accident is not registered in Quebec, or if the visitors who are hurt are pedestrians or cyclists, the indemnity will apply according to the degree of responsibility of the non-resident.
It is important to point out that the owners of automobiles which travel in Quebec must possess an insurance policy of at least $50,000 to be able to compensate for material damage. For all additional details please contact the automobile insurance board at:
Automobile Insurance Board of Quebec
333 Jean-Lesage Blvd.
Quebec (Quebec) Canada G1K 3J6
(418) 643-7620 or 1 800 361-7620
Please note that Canadian laws are strict about drinking and driving: 80mg/100 ml of blood. Anyone driver found to be above this rate will face criminal charges, and if the person is from elsewhere, he or she might have to appear in court within 24 hours of being arrested.
Duty-Free Shopping
Duty Free Hors Taxes
Transit International
P.-E. Trudeau Airport
Dorval (Québec)
Telephone: (514) 636 1227
Fax: (514) 636-3095
Boutique Hors Taxes
Stanstead (Québec)
Telephone: 819 876-5249
Fax: 819 876-7734
The duty-free shops which are located at the Montreal-Trudeau airport offer appreciable savings with a vast selection of internationally-known brand names in fragrances, beverages, tobacco products, luxury gift items, confectionery items and souvenirs.
They are open 365 days per year, at least two hours prior to each flight departure. There is complete access for the physically impaired. Indoor and outdoor parking is available.
Electrical Outlets (wall sockets)
Just as in the rest of North America, the current is 110 volts (60 cycles). Wall sockets cannot accept European connections. There must be an adaptor. This piece of equipment is available in specialty travel shops and even in duty-free shops in airports or on board aircrafts themselves. The same caution must be exercised if you buy an electric product in Canada to bring back to Europe. It will not function for the same reasons.
Emergency medical services
Contrary to European medical services, local doctors do not make what is commonly known as house calls. You must present yourself to the emergency services area of a hospital center which will offer diagnostic services and both general and specialized medical care. You may also go to a local community services center, called a CLSC, from which you will also receive first-rate health care and social services.
| Address | Telephone | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital Centers | Hôtel-Dieu | 555 Murray St. |
819 346-1110 |
| Hôpital Fleurimont | 3001 12e Avenue North |
819 346-1110 | |
| Local Community Service Centers | Gaston Lessard | 1200 King St. East |
819 563-0144 |
| CLSC | 50 Camirand St. |
819 565-1330 | |
| CLSC | 8, rue Speid |
819 563-2572 | |
| CLSC | 5112, boulevard Bourque |
819 563-2572 | |
| Note: There is a medical clinic at the Place du Centre des congrès. It is available by appointment only: 819 565-1828. |
|||
Emergency
To contact the ambulance, police or fire services, in emergency situations, please dial 911.
Info-Santé
The INFO-SANTÉ (Health Information) line is staffed by trained nurses
24 hours a day, seven days per week: 565-1330.
Gifts
With the exception of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and publicity material, gifts which are introduced or posted in Canada by non-residents are exempt from customs duties on the condition that the value of these objects does not exceed $60 (canadian). The value which is in excess of $60 is subject to the usual duties.
Handicaped Persons Access
For any information concerning handicapped persons' access to hotels, restaurants and touristic sites, please contact:
Promotion Handicap
928, Federal street
Sherbrooke (Québec) J1H 5A7
819 565-7708
Société de transport de Sherbrooke (STS)
895, Cabana street
Sherbrooke (Québec) J1K 2M3
819 564-2687
Health Insurance
Before you leave it is important to purchase an insurance policy that will cover any hospital or other medical expenses that you might incur while you are visiting, Costs may vary from one country to another. When you present yourself to receive care or medication you must pay for it right away. A receipt will be given to you and you should in turn send it to your insurance company for a refund.
Highway codes and rules of courtesy
Autoroute speeds are limited to 100 km/h and seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. Radar detectors are illegal whether they are hooked up or not. Offenders risk having their equipment confiscated and are subject to fines of from $500 to $1000. Right turns at red lights are permitted everywhere in Quebec, with the exception of the Montreal's island and where signs indicate it is not permitted.
Medical Insurance
Before leaving home it is important to obtain a medical insurance policy which covers medical services and hospital stays, because costs can vary from one country to another. When you request care or medication, you must immediately pay for the costs involved. You will receive an official receipt which you should then present to the insuring company for a reimbursement.
Metric Conversion
| Conversion | Metric | Other | |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada uses the metric system as a unit of measurement. Visitors can therefore expect to hear their weather forecasts given out in Celsius degrees. Liquid products such as wine, milk and gasoline are posted in litres and millilitres. Foodstuffs are listed in grams and kilograms, and fabric and clothing items are in metres and centimetres. Finally, travel distances and speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometres per hour. |
1ºC | = | 33.8ºF |
| 0.31 metres | = | 1 foot | |
| 1 km | = | 0.62 mile | |
| 1.61 km | = | 1 mile | |
| 453.6 grams | = | 1 pound | |
| 1 litre | = | 0.22 gallons |
Persons with reduced mobility
For complete information about hotel, restaurant and tourist-site-access for persons with reduced mobility, please communicate with:
Promotion Handicap
928, rue Fédéral
Sherbrooke (Québec)
J1H 5A7
819 565-7708
Société de transport de Shebrooke (STS
895, rue Cabana
Sherbrooke (Québec)
J1K 2M3
819 564-2687
Photos
It is easy to get film and photo supplies in general anywhere in Canada. Film can be passed safely through airport security facilities in Canada as well. But be careful about leaving film in your baggage because the X-Raying machines are so much more powerful. If you have any fears about this possible problem, get yourself a special box which can be obtained in a photo shop or a store which sells items for travelling.
Postal Outlets
Postal outlets can be found throughout the region. Here are the main ones:
315, rue King Ouest 3050, boul. de Portland
Sherbrooke Sherbrooke
819 823-9449 (819) 569-9535
Stamps are sold in all postal outlets as well as at hotel reception desks and pharmacies. It costs $1.65 to send a postal card or letter to Europe. Postal rates for 1st class letters and postal cards, as of June 2009 (taxes not included) are:
Canada
$0.54 maximum 30 gram.
United States
$0.98 maximum 30 gram.
Other countries (air mail)
$1.65 maximum 30 gram.
Rules for alcoholic beverages
Brasseries are authorized to serve alcoholic beverages between 8am and 1 am. All other licensed establishments are entitled to sell their beverages between 11am and 3 am. The legal age for drinking in Quebec is 18 years. Liquor stores (SAQ) are open daily. Beer and wine are also sold in dépanneurs (convenience stores) and in grocery stores.
Taxes
The federal tax (GST) of 5% applies to most products and services sold in Canada. The provincial tax of 7.5% (QST) also applies to most products and services. Non-residents may request a refund of the GST for most products (there are exceptions) because they will be used outside of Canada. They can also claim it for short-term residence costs. The information is contained in the brochure entitled: «Reimbursement of taxes to visitors», published by Revenu Canada, Customs and Excise: 1-800-668-4748 (Canada) or (613) 991-3346. You can claim your tax refund by presenting your completed form to a participating Canadian dutyfree shop or by mailing it in. It is also possible to get a provincial government refund (for items which exceed $100 in value) by calling Revenu Québec (514) 873-4692 or by requesting a form from a store owner.
Telephone charges
Local calls from a public booth cost $0.50.
For long-distance calls please dial 0 + the regional code and the seven figures (after the tone). The automatic billing system will inform you of what steps to take to establish communications.
To place a call to France, dial the international code 011, following that of the country (for France: 33, for Belgium: 32, for Switzerland: 41, for Luxembourg: 325, for Great Britain: 44, for Ireland: 353, for Italy: 39, for Spain: 34, for Poland: 48) then the telephone number, without adding the first 0 of the number.
You may also use a credit card or a smart card. Numbers which are preceded by 800 or 888 are free from Canada, and sometimes even from the United States.
Smart cards are available at:
Carrefour de l'Estrie
3050, boul. de Portland
Sherbrooke
Tel.: 1 800 361-9844
They are available in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $20, and $ 25.
Tipping
As a general rule of thumb, a 15% gratuity is expected. This applies to waiters, hair dressers, taxi drivers, etc. It is also customary to give $1 per piece of luggage handled to bell boys and hotel doormen as well as to airport and train station attendants. The same spirit applies to bars and other night spots.
Tourist information
Sherbrooke's official tourist outlet and welcome centre, the Tourist Information Bureau, has all the information needed to help you enjoy your stay in the region.
Sherbrooke Region Tourist Information Bureau
785 King Ouest Street
Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1H 1R8
819 821-1919 Toll free: 1 800 561-8331
Information about the region is also available on the internet:
Sherbrooke: www.tourismesherbrooke.com
Cantons-de-l'Est:www.tourisme-cantons.qc.ca
Tourisme Québec
Tourisme Québec has instituted a green number to answer all your questions. Please note that this green international number puts you in touch with Montreal. Take into account the time differences and use this service every day if you have to, but from 3pm to 11pm in most European time zones. This does not apply to Wednesdays when the accessible hours start at 4pm. The welcome is warm and the information precise. If necessary, you may request documentation by writing to the following address:
Tourisme Québec
The Green Number is: 0 800 90 77 77 (for France only).
1 877 Bonjour (for North America only)
Web Site: www.bonjourquebec.com
Video Cassettes
These are generally in American standards (NTSC), which are different from the European (Pal-Secam) formats. Enquire first before returning home with an unuseable acquisition. It is important to point out however that the new tapes now being sold in France are increasingly adaptable to the NTSC format, which would allow you to read them.
Weather
| Average temperatures – expressed in °C | Month | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
Sherbrooke is a city which is blessed by four distinct seasons. It adds so much to the life and vibrancy of the area. In fact, our weather conditions vary enormously. Weather conditions for Sherbrooke and other regions can be heard in recorded messages by dialing:(819) 564-5702 or 1-900-451-4455 (this service costs money) for other regions. |
January | -11.6 |
| February | -10.4 |
|
| March | -4 |
|
| April | 3.9 |
|
| May | 10.8 |
|
| June | 15.5 |
|
| July | 18 |
|
| August | 16.6 |
|
| September | 12 |
|
| October | 6.4 |
|
| November | -0.1 |
|
| December | -8.3 |
