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Breaking news, town apologizes for ‘sexualizing’ tourism ads: ‘show us your regina’.

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Tourism officials in the Canadian city of Regina have apologized for a “gross” new ad campaign that has been slammed as “misogynist” and “steeped in masculine toxicity.”

Locals in the city of Saskatchewan, located 100 miles north of the US border, eagerly awaited the unveiling of the new ads last Thursday, which came as part of a $30,000 rebrand by the tourism organization Experience Regina.

However, the residents were revolted by the inclusion of two sleazy slogans in the campaign that poked fun at the fact that the city’s name rhymes with the word “vagina.”

The slogans — “Show us your Regina” and “The city that rhymes with fun” — appeared on the tourism organization’s website and on hoodies before they were quickly pulled in the face of backlash.

“I want to start by apologizing, on behalf of myself and our team, for the negative impact we created with elements of our recent brand launch,” Experience Regina CEO Tim Reid said in a statement on Sunday.

“It was clear that we fell short of what is expected from our amazing community with some slogans that we used,” he added. “We crossed the line on some of the poking fun at ourselves around our city name.”

Reid’s apology didn’t appear to placate all who were outraged by the raunchy campaign, with some calling for him to resign.

Others lashed out at the tourism honcho, including one who snarled : “Do better. This is pathetic and disgusting,

“Of course a man would be in charge of this joke of a campaign,” a second critic stated. “Offensiveness aside it’s super cringe and dated humor. You can be clever without resorting to trashy slogans.”

Once you notice it, it's hard to imagine this made onto the internet. As Experience Regina's inaugural public engagement campaign no less. pic.twitter.com/oiDFjsjozh — Paul Dechene (@PaulDechene) March 17, 2023

Meanwhile, a number of prominent female Regina residents have spoken out about the sordid slogans, according to CBC.

“It’s sexualizing the city when it isn’t necessary,” former tourism board member Kristen McLeod stated,

Meanwhile, local councilwoman Cheryl Stadnichuk said she was “incredibly disappointed and appalled” by the campaign.

“The slogans associated with the campaign, however, are misogynist and objectify women’s bodies,” she wrote. “As one woman pointed out on social media, would we engage school children with this messaging? I also ask, do we want men harassing women in bars chanting ‘Show us your Regina?'”

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Marketing & Advertising Opportunities

Marketing & advertising opportunities.

Tourism PEI works with tourism operators, organizations and communities to showcase what to see and do on Prince Edward Island and the array of places to stay from traditional to trendy. We aim to inspire those dreaming of a vacation or a weekend getaway to book a trip to Prince Edward Island by connecting them directly with you to close the sale.

Free Web Listings in 2024

Be sure that visitors to TourismPEI.com know what you offer. Starting in 2024 listing, you may request a web listing to include:

• dates of operation
• business address and contact information;
• a description of up to 500 characters;
• three photos (landscape orientation);

If you do not have a web listing now for 2024, contact Tourism PEI Industry Support .

Free Festival & Event Listing

Tourism PEI maintains an  online events calendar  to showcase the artistic, culinary, cultural and musical talent of our Island community. Many visitors begin planning their trip well in advance so be sure to update your event listings as soon as possible each year.

Free Tourism Literature Distribution

Tourism operators are invited to participate in the Tourism PEI Private Literature Distribution System. This free service distributes private tourism business literature (brochures) throughout the province to provincial Visitor Information Centres and Destination Centres.

Social Media

Share your content. Tag  @tourismpei  and use our official hashtag  #ExplorePEI . Your operation or product could be featured by Tourism PEI.

You can also tag @ExploreCanada and #ExploreCanada for Destination Canada, our national tourism marketing organization. 

Visitor Information Centres & Call Centre

Do you consider visitor information centre staff as part of your marketing team.

Drop by your nearest  Visitor Information Centre  (VIC) to share everything staff should know about your business. Keep them updated on your operational dates, special events and activities. VIC staff communicate with thousands of visitors annually from the early stages of planning to recommendations on what to do upon arrival.

Staff help with vacation planning by phone, e-mail, live chat and  Ask an Islander  year-round, seven days a week. 

An informed VIC team will give visitors the information needed to promote your business.

Create Vacation Packages

Set yourself apart by designing a unique and memorable vacation package. Your bundle could be the result of working with a local operator or maker. A successful package is designed to extend visitors’ length of stay, increase consumer spending and/or offer convenience.

Packages can be designed by accommodation operators and/or attraction operators.

Paid Advertising Opportunities

Operators are invited to advertise on the TourismPEI.com website with sponsored links and box ads. You may also purchase sponsored content and ads in the monthly Tourism PEI consumer e-newsletter.

Request Assistance

Not sure what to buy? Volume 18 is contracted by Tourism PEI to work with you to select the right mix of advertising for your operation.

Industry Support

Contact one of our helpful staff members in Industry Support

Tourism Industry Information & Support

Consumer Advertising Campaigns

Now more than ever, travellers are looking for all the things New Brunswick has to offer. Canadians are looking for open space, stress-free travel experiences, outdoor adventure, and unique cultural and culinary experiences. Over the past two years, the New Brunswick tourism industry has been hit hard, but it has also presented a unique opportunity for our province. Our tourism businesses have been resilient and innovative, and we know they look forward to rolling out the welcome mat as Canadians rediscover New Brunswick for their summer 2022 vacations.

–> See the Recovery and Growth Plan

CURRENT & UPCOMING CAMPAIGNS

Core Campaigns: Ontario and Quebec

We are inviting key travellers in Ontario and Quebec to come discover the abundance of incredible experiences that New Brunswick has to offer, either as first-time visitors or to reacquaint themselves with everything they know and love about New Brunswick. The campaign creative highlights our rugged Fundy coastline and the world’s highest tides; sandy Acadian shores and Canada’s warmest saltwater beaches; accessible outdoor activities including hiking, biking and paddling; and our distinct local culture, including Acadian, First Nations, cultural ambassadors and artisans, and ‘Maritime urban.’ Expanded audience profiles for targeted advertising include middle-aged, family-oriented travellers as well as younger, urban cultural enthusiasts (new for 2022). To attract new audiences, exciting media additions this year include a larger-scale influencer strategy, a Buzzfeed partnership, and the use of 3D audio advertising with Spotify. A significant network TV buy ensures that New Brunswick has high awareness in key markets during summer travel planning months. Partnership opportunities for cities, DMOs, and RTAs to buy into the campaigns with a matched investment by THC were made available through the 2022 Co-op Partnership Program. 

Campaign Messaging: Welcome to New Brunswick Target Markets: Ontario and Quebec Timing: Mid-March through July

–> View creative

Always On Campaign

Supplemental to the core summer campaigns, the Always On campaign focuses on specific interest-based activities that motivate travel bookings. Through the campaign we are inviting key travellers across Canada to choose New Brunswick as THE place to go for their specific activity interests and associated vacations. Building on the same creative concept as the Ontario and Quebec summer campaigns, this initiative is an ongoing layer of targeted media that puts the best of New Brunswick in front of the travellers who are most interested in the specific tourism experiences we have to offer.  Initial key interests include beaches, parks, breweries, mountain biking, local food, Acadie, and Bay of Fundy. Subsequent phases of the campaign will include interests such as fishing, hunting, trails, fall travel, and more.  For the first time, this campaign will promote New Brunswick’s abundance of tourism activities to key travellers across Canada. Media tactics include search, social ads, programmatic display, and native ads.

Campaign Messaging: Welcome to New Brunswick Target Markets: Ontario and Quebec Timing: February through December

Connections Campaign: Expat New Brunswickers

Summer external market campaigns are a key focus within the 2022 Tourism Marketing Strategy,  and the ExPats Connections Campaign presents a unique opportunity to test new markets and capitalize on our distinct pride-of-place. This campaign taps into the pride that New Brunswickers hold near and dear to their hearts, inviting Canadians who once called this place home back to New Brunswick for a one-of-a-kind summer vacation. The campaign creative brings the feel of home to Expats across Canada and urges them to come home this summer and find what they’ve been missing. While so much of what makes New Brunswick great hasn’t changed, there are so many new and exciting experiences to discover. The campaign includes a national contest to win the ultimate trip home for a 5-day, 4-night expenses-paid vacation curated by the travel experts at New Brunswick’s Kefi Travels. Media tactics include social ads, digital video, and LinkedIn.

Campaign Messaging: Find What You’ve Been Missing Target Market: NB Expats across Canada Timing: April 1 through June 30

Connections Campaign: New Brunswick Residents

As part of our broader efforts to expand markets across Canada, this campaign taps into the unique pride-of-place that New Brunswickers have built up over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, urging residents to invite Canadians who once called this place home back to New Brunswick for a one-of-a-kind summer vacation together . Targeted at New Brunswick residents who received Staycation campaign advertising for the past few years, the campaign creative promotes the abundance of tourism offerings and experiences in the province, with the idea that there’s so much to share and it’s time to invite the world back to experience it with us.  The campaign includes an #RSVPNB Summer Sweepstakes contest to win the ‘ultimate reunion’ curated by the travel experts at New Brunswick’s Kefi Travels. The campaign will have a strong digital presence (social ads and programmatic display) along with an added Out of Home presence in select cities. There will be an on-the-ground presence throughout the campaign with the #ExploreNB Mobile Unit.

Campaign Messaging: So Much to Share. Who Will You Invite? Target Market: New Brunswick residents Timing: April 1 through May 31

Staycation Campaign

Building off the springtime New Brunswick Connections Campaign, the Staycation Campaign continues to lay the groundwork for The Invitation with “Who Will You Invite” messaging (adjusted for NS and PEI with “Who Will You Bring”) and invite-focused creative. Evolving throughout the seasons with tailored messaging, the 2022 Staycation campaign will place the same three Unique Selling Propositions in the front window as the external market campaigns: Endless coastlines, accessible outdoor activities, and distinct local culture. The Staycation campaign also includes an additional focus on our 8 road trips. Media tactics will focus on digital efforts (social, search, display), along with the addition of a wholistic promotional plan for the #ExploreNB Mobile Unit. Partnership opportunities for cities, DMOs, and RTAs to buy into the campaigns with a matched investment by THC were made available through the 2022 Co-op Partnership Program. Campaign Messaging: Who Will You Invite / Who Will You Bring Target Markets: Maritime provinces (NB, NS, PEI) Timing: June 1 through October 15

ACAT Consumer Campaigns

New Brunswick continues to be in market alongside our Atlantic Canada counterparts within the ACAT (Atlantic Canada Agreement of Tourism) partnership efforts. 2022 consumer campaign tactics include Expedia Canada and Expedia US. Campaign messaging and target audiences align with other in-market efforts on behalf of Tourism New Brunswick.

Campaign Messaging: Welcome to New Brunswick Target Markets: Across Canada / New England states Timing: May 15 through March 31

Marketing Resources for You

New Brunswick’s Destination Brand Co-op Partnership Program Update Your Website Listing Social Media Toolkit

Visiting Canada and Canadian Tourism

Over 18 million foreigners visit Canada every year making tourism an over $80 billion-a-year Canadian industry — bigger than lumber, fishing, and farming combined. So why not join in?

The Government of Canada spends a lot of effort promoting Canadian tourism through a variety of websites and social media accounts, including Instagram — as seen here. The current slogan is "Canada: Keep Exploring" with "explorecanada" their most widely used user name and hashtag.

Why come to Canada?

Canada is a large, diverse country with a lot going for it, but most tourists are drawn to a few of the same things:

Nature — Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, full of picturesque forests, mountains, and lakes that make it a fantastic place for camping, hiking, or just wandering around and admiring.

Winter Sports — Canada’s snowy climate and mountainous geography has produced no shortage of must-visit parks and resorts for anyone interested in skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or any other activity best enjoyed in the cold.

Cities — Canada is home to several large, modern cities that anyone with a taste for urban life will be able to appreciate.

Cost  — The Canadian dollar is generally quite weak in comparison to other currencies, which make it a very affordable option for people without too much money in their travel budgets.

• Bank of Canada Exchange Rates

The rest of this chapter deals with general information about traveling to Canada. For more information on things to see and do in Canada’s four most popular tourist destinations, please see the specific chapters on British Columbia tourism , Alberta tourism , Ontario tourism , and Quebec tourism .

What language do they speak in Canada?

Foreigners are sometimes confused by Canada’s language situation. Officially, Canada has two official languages , French and English. However, this is mostly just a matter of government policy. The vast majority of Canadians only speak English, and lack even basic skills in French. French-speaking tourists should not expect to speak French in cities like Vancouver, Toronto, or Calgary.

The capital city of Ottawa is more functionally bilingual than most Canadian cities, and all museums and government-related attractions will feature signs and brochures in both French and English. Staff at popular attractions will likely be fluently bilingual as well, as will many employees of popular stores and restaurants. It helps to ask, however.

The famous city of Montreal , in the province of Quebec , is the most bilingual city in Canada and most residents, particularly those who live and work in the downtown core, can speak fluent French and English. It is not considered controversial in Montreal to speak either French or English to a stranger and assume the other person will understand. In other parts of Quebec, however, rates of English fluency are much lower and it may be considered offensive to speak English to a stranger without first asking for permission.

Downsides of Canada

To avoid unhappy surprises, would-be tourists to Canada should be aware of the following potential disappointments before they go:

Bad weather — Unless you are specifically traveling to enjoy winter activities (see above), there are generally only a few months of the year (usually around June to September) in which Canada’s weather will be mild enough to enjoy. Canadian winters, and even parts of spring and fall, are often cold, dark, snowy, and wet, which can make tourist activities difficult or unpleasant.

Long travel distances — Canada is an enormous country and its main cities are all spread quite far apart from each other. Tourists, particularly European tourists unfamiliar with the vastness of North America, are sometimes disappointed to learn that they will probably only be able to see a rather small part of Canada on their trip. Visiting multiple major Canadian cities on a single vacation — for example, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal — would be extremely time-consuming and likely cost thousands of dollars in domestic travel alone.

“America Jr.” — Some tourists are disappointed to discover that Canada is extremely similar to the United States . Travelers familiar with America should not expect to encounter a strikingly different culture in Canada. Stores, brands, food, entertainment and so on will be overwhelmingly American. Though the international press likes to emphasize Canada as being a more “liberal” country than the US, Canadians will probably not seem very different from Americans in day-to-day encounters.

Security checkpoint at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. Serjio74/Shutterstock

Sick travelers.

Travelers from certain countries will need to be cleared by a medical exam as part of their application process before they can visit Canada. During times when there's a global panic over the spread of a particular infectious disease, such as the SARS scare of 2003 or the Ebola scare of 2014, visitors who display worrying symptoms may be detained by border authorities and sent to a hospital for quarantining.

How to Visit Canada

Customs and visas.

Canada does not treat all international visitors the same; citizens of certain countries will have an easier time entering Canada than others. All foreign visitors to Canada, however, must bring a valid passport from their home country.

Residents of the United States have the easiest entry to Canada, and don’t require anything other than a passport to get in. Residents of Great Britain, western Europe, and a few other countries have to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization ( ETA ) before they can enter. This is a very easy process that only takes a couple of minutes and should be done online  before you leave. Once completed, an ETA lasts for five years or until you get a new passport.

• Find out if you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa

Residents of countries not covered by the ETA program can only visit Canada after obtaining a short-term visitor’s visa . Applications can be done online, through the mail, or at an overseas Canadian consulate. They take a couple weeks to process and usually cost around $200. For more information, see the Government of Canada’s visitor eligibility questionnaire .

It is illegal for anyone, from any country, to enter Canada to work or live without first obtaining a long-term visa , which are much more complicated to apply for, and take many months to be approved.

Canada's land border crossing stations operate as drive-throughs. Visitors who arrive by air cross the border at the Canadian airport.

Crossing the Canadian Border

Anyone entering Canada from a foreign country by land, sea, or air — including Canadians themselves — are required to have an interview with a Canadian border guard at their point of entry so it can be determined they are a safe and legal visitor. Exactly how long and invasive this interview will be depends very much on where you are coming from, why you want to visit, whether you have completed any authorizations you may need, and how clearly you communicate these facts. It pays to be honest, cooperative, and informed.

• Canada Border Services Agency
• Wait Times Now, estimated wait times for major Canadian border crossings

It should be remembered that while foreigners enjoy various legal rights after they enter Canada (see below), no foreigner has the right to get into Canada just because they want to. Canadian border guards have the power to deny anyone entry to Canada for any reason. Possessing a criminal record, a history of subversive political activity, dangerous diseases, suspicions of drug trafficking, or just broadly suspicious behavior are all common grounds for refusal of entry to Canada.

Ever since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 Canadian security forces have been extra vigilant about terrorist threats, particularly from the Islamic world. Would-be visitors from the Middle East or parts of Africa, or those with a history of visiting such places, may find themselves subject to increased scrutiny.

• Visiting Canada Help Centre and FAQ, Government of Canada

Visitors to Canada are expected to hand a completed Declaration Card to a border guard in order to cross the border. These cards, which ask basic questions about the visitor and their trip, are usually handed out on airplanes or trains. Visitors who cross a land border usually have to just tell the information to the guard.

Bringing Goods to Canada

It is illegal for foreigners to bring products into Canada to sell without first going through the complex procedures for engaging in international commerce . If you cross the border with more stuff than a reasonable person would assume you need for a trip, the authorities may conclude you are probably intending to illegally sell goods. The only exception is a maximum  $60 worth of “ gifts .”

Tobacco and liquor products are counted separately, and foreigners can bring a fair bit of both into Canada. The current tobacco limit is quite generous; you can bring up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, and 200 grams of tobacco, if you so choose. The liquor limit is stricter: you can only bring 1.5 litres of wine, 1.13 litres of another liquor, or a 24-pack of beer. Bringing food products into Canada is generally a hassle, as there are very specific rules and limitations for just about every type.

Dangerous goods, like guns , other weapons , and fireworks can be imported, but have their own particular rules. A few very specific things are likewise banned in Canada for safety reasons and are thus illegal to bring into the country, such as certain kinds of kites and baby products. A complete list can be found on the Canadian Government’s official prohibited consumer products list . It’s also illegal to import what the government describes as  “obscenity and hate propaganda ” which includes any movies, books, comics, or magazines that contain, in the opinion of the border guard, overly hateful, perverted, gory, terroristic, or violent content.

• Alcohol and Tobacco Limits, Government of Canada
• Restricted and Prohibited Goods, Government of Canada

Traveling Inside Canada

Laws for foreigners.

This should hopefully go without saying, but foreigners have to obey Canadian laws while in Canada. Those who do otherwise can be charged, arrested, sentenced, and imprisoned just like Canadians. At the same time, the legal protections granted to Canadians by the Canadian Constitution also apply to foreigners visiting the country. This includes the right to avoid self-incrimination, the right to consult a lawyer, and the right to dispute before a judge any charges or fines imposed by a police officer.

Canada has extradition treaties with more than half the world’s countries , meaning foreigners who commit a crime in Canada but leave the country before they are caught or punished can be caught by local police and forced to return to Canada to face justice (and vice-versa). Only in very rare situations will a foreigner accused of a crime in Canada be tried and punished for it by their own country’s justice system.

Getting Around in Canada

Flights within Canada are notoriously expensive, with the average domestic flight costing at least $300, plus airport fees and taxes which usually add an additional $40 or so. The country has three national airlines, Air Canada  (airline codes: 014, AC or ACA, part of the Star Alliance airline coalition) and  WestJet  (838, WS, WJA, part of its own 16-airline alliance ) which are largely domestic, and  Air Transat   (649, TS, TSC) which is mostly international. Canada does not have a major discount or budget airline, though in recent years the major airlines have been experimenting with budget spin-offs, such as Air Canada Rouge and Westjet’s Swoop . Flights to northern Canada , and especially within northern Canada, are extremely expensive, often a thousand dollars or more, and to get to certain remote regions travelers must use a special northern airline or a chartered flight.

Every major Canadian city has its own international airport , and many smaller cities too. There are also several considerably smaller regional or domestic airports that exclusively service flights between Canadian cities. Most of Canada’s big city airports are located around 20 kilometers from their city’s downtown core, or about a 30 minute drive. Vancouver and Toronto have trains that go directly from the airport to downtown.

• Security Screening at Canadian Airports, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

The railroad played an important role in Canadian  history , but trains have now become among the slowest, most expensive ways to travel the country. While trains can be a somewhat convenient way for tourists to travel between large Canadian cities located relatively close to each other, air travel or driving remains much more popular, and may even be cheaper.

VIA Rail is Canada’s primary passenger train service, offering direct service from Vancouver to Toronto (at over 4,000 km, one of the longest train trips in the entire world!), Toronto to Montreal, and Montreal to Atlantic Canada, with stops in all significant cities along the way. Traveling between the axis of Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal is a popular route. A cross-country Canadian train ride, from one end of the country to the other, will take about four days and cost around $500-$800.

VIA Rail’s Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal stations also offer connecting trips to the United States, via Amtrak . Several provinces also have limited train service to some of their more remote areas. Cruise-like luxury train services are provided by Royal Canadian Pacific  for those willing to pay.

A Via Rail passenger train takes a break in Blue River, British Columbia. joseph s l tan matt/Shutterstock

Driving in canada.

Anyone driving a car or motorcycle in Canada must possess a valid driver’s license . A foreign driver’s license will generally be recognized as valid by the police if it can be read by them, which is to say, if it has English text on it. Don't forget to check if your car insurance applies in Canada!

Car and Bus Travel

Canada is united by a massive cross-country highway known as the Trans-Canada Highway  that extends 7,821 km from the farthest western portion of British Columbia to the farthest eastern part of Newfoundland. It is primarily a west-east corridor, however. Though the Trans-Canada highway does have some northern forks, these do not go very far and none reach Canada’s  northern territories . Every province has its own highway system as well, and these often merge into portions of the Trans-Canada highway. Through a combination of national and provincial highways, virtually every part of Canada is reachable by road travel, though in many cases drive times will be incredibly long.

• Trans-CanadaHighway map, Transport Canada

Many tourists enjoy traveling between Canadian cities by charter buses , which are large, comfortable buses featuring modern amenities such as bathrooms and WiFi. In eastern Canada, Greyhound is the dominant charter bus line. Other provinces are serviced by various regional bus companies.

Public Transportation

Most large Canadian cities have relatively sophisticated public transportation systems, with some combination of bus, light-rail train, monorail, subway, street car, and ferry services that can be used to navigate most of the downtown core and surrounding areas. The exact combination of services will vary from city to city (as will the cost of tickets and passes). In most cases, public transportation does not travel to rural areas, though some rural communities may have their own public transportation system.

Shopping in Canada

Canadians use the Canadian dollar (symbol: $ ) to pay for goods and services, which can be obtained at any ATM machine, which can be found at banks, shopping centres, corner stores, and many other public places. Most Canadian ATMs will accept foreign bank cards, though withdrawal fees can be high. Some smaller, independently-run shops will have a strict “cash only” policy, but these days, most Canadian business will actually prefer to do transactions through credit or debit cards . Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly-used credit card brands in Canada, and many shops will not accept other kinds — though some will, making it a good idea to ask ahead of time.

US dollars are often accepted at Canadian stores, particularly in tourist-heavy areas. Some places may have a policy of accepting US dollars “at face value,” however, meaning American money will not be accepted at its exchange rate worth, but rather treated as if it was worth as much as Canadian money, which is a bad deal.

Foreigners will be charged sales tax on every purchase they make in Canada, through special “value-added tax” known as GST and either PST or HST . Canada does not have a rebate program allowing foreigners to get a refund for the GST, PST, or HST they spend in Canada.

Challenges, dangers and annoyances when visiting Canada

Medical costs.

Though Canada offers generous public healthcare insurance, you have to be some form of long-term, legal Canadian resident before the government will pay for your hospital visits or operations. Non-residents will be billed full cost for any medical service performed while in Canada, which is why it always pays to get travelers’ medical insurance .

Canada has some of the world’s cleanest tap water and strict laws to ensure the cleanliness and safety of any meat, dairy, or poultry products sold at restaurants or grocery stores.

No foreigner will be denied emergency medical service in Canada, though if they have no insurance they will later face a hefty bill. In addition to hospital admittance and treatment, the uninsured should be prepared to pay full cost for things like ambulance rides and hospital beds. Seen here, a sign in a Vancouver hospital emergency room.

Staying Safe in Canada

Canada is generally a safe country, but it has some dangerous places. Every large Canadian city will have a couple of “bad neighborhoods” where criminals tend to congregate and locals generally avoid — particularly after dark — for fear of being harassed, robbed, or assaulted. Unfortunately, these neighborhoods can often be located close to tourist areas, and may seek to take advantage of the obviously confused or foreign. At the same time, most serious, violent crime in Canada tends to occur between people who know each other. Visitors who act confident and use caution and common sense should have little to fear.

Leaving belongings unattended in any public place is generally considered a high-risk activity, and though some businesses may store forgotten items in a “ lost and found ” collection of lost property, the police — and indeed, most Canadians — will generally be unsympathetic to victims of theft caused by inattentive behavior. People generally lock up their homes, cars, and bicycles before leaving them unsupervised. In rare cases, tourists and locals may be targeted by scam artists looking to cheat them out of money. In big cities, most scams are quite brazen, and usually take the form of a stranger asking for money on some sympathetic pretext, such as a phony personal emergency or phony charity. In some cases, a thief may attempt to quietly sell stolen goods to a stranger. Beggars can be common in some large Canadian cities as well. Many Canadians regard them with indifference, believing them to be scam artists.

The police can be called anytime in Canada by dialing 9-1-1 on the telephone. Canadian police are obligated to treat crimes committed against foreigners exactly the same as crimes against Canadians.

• Scams in Canada, TravelScams

More About Canadian Tourism

• Destination Canada, the Government of Canada's Official Tourism Department
• Explore Canada Instagram Account
• Lonely Planet Canada

Exchange Rate for one Canadian dollar (as of April 2019)

• $0.75 U.S. Dollar
• £0.57 U.K. Pound
• $1 Australian Dollar
• ¥5.02 Chinese Yuan
• ¥83.5 Japanese Yen

Canadian Travel Visas are special holographic stickers that are attached to a blank page of the passport.