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Useful Information
Population:
4.5 million
Elevation:
566 feet
Time Zone:
Eastern Standard Time (same time as New York City). Daylight saving April-October.
Public Holidays:
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day
March or April varies - Good Friday
March or April varies - Easter Monday
May Third Monday - Victoria Day
July 1 - Canada Day
August First Monday - Civic Holiday
September 1st Monday - Labor Day
October 2nd Monday - Thanksgiving Day
November 11 - Remembrance Day
December 25 - Christmas Day
December 26 - Boxing Day
Useful Conversions of weights and measures:
1 hectare - 2.471 acres
1 inch - 2.54 cm
1 ft. - 30.48 cm
1 oz. - 28.57 grams
1 lb. - 0.454 kg
1 cm - 0.39 inches
1 meter - 3.28 feet / 1.09 yards
1 km - 0.62 miles
1 liter - 0.26 US gallons
1 inch - 2.54 cm
1 foot - 0.39 meters
1 yard - 0.91 meters
1 mile - 1.60 km
1kg - 2.2lb
1 gallon - 3.78 liters
Business Hours:
Banks are generally open Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm, Friday 10am to 6pm. Most stores are open Monday to Wednesday 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm, with extended hours until 8 to 9:30pm on Thursday and usually Friday.
Dentist:
For emergency services from 8am till midnight, call the Dental Emergency Service 416/485-7121.
Doctor:
The staff or concierge at your hotel should be able to help you locate a doctor. You can also call the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 80 College St. 416/967-2600, ext. 626 , for a referral between 9am to 5pm.
Electricity:
It is the same as in the United States: 110 volts, 50 cycles, AC.
Fishing and Hunting Regulations:
416/ 314-2000
Email retrieval:
Many hotels have dedicated telephone outlets in the rooms for internet access.
Visitors with disabilities:
Canadian Paraplegic Association National Office provides information about accessibility in Canada. 613/ 723-1033.
Embassies/Consulates:
All embassies are in Ottawa, the national capital. US Consulate in Toronto is at 360 University Ave. 416/595-1700.
The Toronto General Hospital:
200 Elizabeth St., provides 24-hour emergency service 416/340-3946 for emergency or 416/340-4611 for information.
Liquor Laws:
The minimum drinking age is 19. Drinking hours are daily 11am to 2am. The government is the only retail vendor. Liquor Control Board of Ontario LCBO stores sell liquor, wine, and some beers. They are open Monday to Saturday. Most are open from 10am to 6pm; some stay open evenings, and a few are open Sunday from noon to 5pm.
Wine:
Vintages stores also operated by the LCBO , which carry a more extensive, specialized selection of wines. Downtown locations are in the lower-level concourse of Hazelton Lanes 416/924-9463 and at Queen's Quay 416/864-6777 . The Wine Rack, 560 Queen St. W. 416/504-3647 , and 77 Wellesley St. E., at Church 416/923-9393 , sells only Ontario wines.
Beer:
Most branches of the Beer Store also part of the LCBO are open Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm. There is a downtown location at 614 Queen St. W. 416/504-4665.
Lost Property:
If you leave something on a bus, a streetcar, or the subway, call the TTC Lost Articles Office 416/393-4100
Luggage Storage/Lockers:
Lockers are available at Union Station and at the Eaton Centre.
Newspapers/Magazines:
The four daily newspapers are the Globe and Mail, the National Post, the Toronto Star, and the Toronto Sun. Eye and Now are free arts-and-entertainment weeklies.
Pharmacies:
One big chain is Pharma Plus, which has a store at 68 Wellesley St., at Church Street 416/924-7760 . It's open daily 8am to midnight. The only 24-hour drugstore near downtown is Shopper's Drug Mart, 700 Bay St., at Gerrard Street West 416/979-2424.
Rest Rooms:
Finding a public rest room is usually not difficult. Most tourist attractions have them, as do hotels, department stores, and public buildings.
Time:
Toronto is on eastern time. The time in Toronto will be the same as the time in New York City. Daylight saving time is in effect from April to October.
Tipping:
the same as in major U.S. cities: 15% in restaurants, 10% to 15% for taxis, C$1 per bag for porters, C$2 per day for hotel housekeepers.
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