Coming to Canada

Canada is the second largest country in the world made up of ten provinces and three territories which vary greatly in terrain and span across six time zones. Waterloo is in the province of Ontario, which is also home to the capital of Canada, Ottawa, and is in the Eastern Time zone.

Did you know? Most of Canada participates in Daylight Savings! This means, depending on the time of year, Waterloo may be in EST (Eastern Standard Time) or EDT (Eastern Daylight Savings Time).

You will hear many languages spoken in Canada, especially if you are in a large city like Toronto. English and French are the official languages in Canada, with most people in Waterloo speaking English. You will also hear unique Canadian slang terms (e.g., “double double”) during your time here, and this slang and dialects will even change as you travel to different provinces and territories.

If you are a learner of the English language, consider attending an English Conversation Circle hosted by the Writing and Communication Centre or taking a course through Renison University College. There are also other English learning opportunities across the Region of Waterloo.

There are over 630 indigenous communities in Canada with unique histories and cultural practices. Most work at the University of Waterloo takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Check out the Office of Indigenous Relations to learn more.

If you or someone else needs emergency medical services or if there is a crime or fire occurring, call 911.

In Canada there are laws at the federal (e.g., Criminal Code of Canada) and provincial (e.g., Employment Standards Act) levels as well as various bylaws at the municipal level (e.g., City of Waterloo’s Animal Control bylaw). Some important ones to note include:

• To drive in Ontario, you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. If you are visiting Canada for more than three months and intend on driving you will require an International Driver’s Permit.
  • Don’t drive? Don’t worry! Public transportation is available in the Waterloo Region through Grand River Transit, and public transportation to other areas of Ontario is available through GO Transit.
• There are many places where you are not allowed to smoke or vape (e.g., restaurants, playgrounds). As of July 2024, the University of Waterloo will also be adopting a smoke-free policy across our campuses.
• You must be at least 19 years old to drink alcohol in Ontario. Alcohol must only be consumed in permitted and/or licensed locations (e.g., a licensed bar or your home). Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The University of Waterloo also has a list of policies everyone is expected to follow during their time at the University of Waterloo.

The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar (which is different than the American dollar) composed of colourful, usually plastic, bills ($5-blue, $10-purple, $20-green, $50-red, $100-brown) and five types of coin in current use ($2-toonie, $1-loonie, $0.25-quarter, $0.10-dime, $0.05-nickel). Canada’s $0.01 coin, the penny, is no longer distributed. Note that some establishments will not accept $50 or $100 bills. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most stores.

Large banks in Canada include the Bank of Montréal (BMO), Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and TD Canada Trust (TD). Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found at most bank locations as well as in many grocery stores, gas stations, malls, and event spaces.

Goods and services purchased in Ontario are subject to the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 13 percent. Rent and some groceries are excluded from this tax. HST is also added to the price of restaurant meals and drinks in bars. It appears as a separate item and is not a service charge or gratuity.

Note: Most stores in Canada do not operate on a barter system (the price you see on a product will be what you pay unless it is listed incorrectly).

Weather and temperature patterns vary across Canada, especially if you were to go far north. We have four distinct seasons with fall running roughly from September-November, winter from December-February, spring from March-May, and summer from June-August. In southern Ontario in the winter, you may experience temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius (usually hovering around -15). In the summer, you may experience temperatures as high as +30 degrees Celsius (usually hovering around +20). You will also experience a wide range of weather conditions with March-May having the most rain and December-February having the most snow.

• Canada is the polar bear capital of the world (Don’t worry. You won’t run into these in Southern Ontario!)
• Canada produces 75% of the world’s maple syrup
• Canada’s national animal is the beaver
• Basketball and Penicillin were invented by Canadians