Most of the big summer events such as the Montréal International Jazz Festival and the FrancoFolies do not have blackout dates. However, during the Grand Prix du Canada F1 (early June) and some major conventions, the rates are higher in the main hotels, which often have no vacancy.

Goods and services

A federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is charged on most goods and services in Canada. A Québec provincial tax (TVQ) of 7.5% is added to all goods and services purchased in the Province of Québec.

Accommodations

There is a tax on the cost of each accommodation unit rented in an establishment located in the Montréal tourism region. The amount of the tax is 3% per night if visitors pay for the accommodation themselves, but $3 per night if the room payment is made by an intermediary.

GST refund

To find out if you are eligible for a refund, visit the Canada Revenue Agency Web site.

There are over 100 consulates in Montréal. Visit www.yellowpages.ca for the complete listing. Below are the numbers for the six most often requested consulates:

Consulate General of France
514 878-4385

Consulate General of Great Britain
514 866-5863

Consulate General of the United States of America
514 398-9695

Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
514 931-2277

Consulate General of Mexico
514 288-2502

Consulate General of Japan
514 866-3429

You may dial 9-1-1 at any time. The service is free from a pay phone and available in French and English. Operators are in contact with emergency firefighter, police and ambulance services at all times.

Québec Poison Control Centre: 1 800 463-5060

French is Québec’s official language but English is widely spoken in Montréal. The city has more than 80 ethnic groups and over 20% of the population speaks three languages.

The weather in Montréal varies from -8.9°C (16°F) to 22.3°C (72.1°F) depending on the season, so visitors are encouraged to check the forecast before packing. Below are average monthly temperatures and some Web site links that provide basic weather information to help you plan your visit.

Average monthly temperatures:

To find out the temperature in Montréal:

The Meteorological Service of Canada

The Weather Network

Montréal switches to Eastern Daylight Time (summer time zone) on the second Sunday of March and returns to Eastern Standard Time (winter time zone) on the first Sunday of November. The time difference between Montréal time and Greenwich Mean Time is less than 4 hours in the summer and less than 5 hours in the winter.

Canada observes standard North American holidays with a few differences. The national holiday is celebrated on July 1st (Canada Day) and Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday in October. Québec also celebrates Saint–Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24.

In Montréal, banks and government offices like the Post Office observe the holidays listed below. Some businesses may also be closed.

Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday). They are usually closed on legal holidays—and on January 2 in the majority of cases—but some establishments (supermarkets, SAQ outlets, etc.) may still be open.

Service is not included in restaurants, so it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total before taxes (if you’re with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill). Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $1 per suitcase or per service rendered. 

A local call at Montréal pay phone costs only $0.50 for the duration of the call. You can buy pre-paid phone cards for different amounts at some stores. When calling in North America, directory assistance (4-1-1) is free and there are 10-digit numbers to which no long distance charges apply (1 800, 1 888, 1 877 and 1 866). To make a call, dial the full telephone number including local area code. Most tri-band frequency cellphones work in Canada.

Operator: 0

Area codes: 514 or 438 (Montréal Island) and 450 (Montréal surroundings)

There are many postal outlets located within other businesses, like pharmacies. Canada Post offices are also found throughout Montréal.

Visitors may drive a car for a maximum of six consecutive months without having a Québec driver’s license. However, a valid driver’s license corresponding to the vehicle category is required. For more information, visit Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec(Québec Automobile Insurance).

Québec uses the metric system, so speeds are indicated in kilometres (100 km/h = 62 mph) and gas is sold in litres (3 3/4 litres = 1 US gallon). Even though road signs are in French, most of them use international symbols.

Right turn

Although turning right on a red light is authorized across Québec (except at intersections where a sign indicates this is not permitted), rights on reds are strictly prohibited on the island of Montréal.

For more information, visit: Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec(Québec Automobile Insurance).

There are many paid parking lots as well as meter parking in Montréal located near the major tourist attractions and in the downtown core. Some meters have automated pay stations that accept both coins and credit cards. Street parking is usually free after 9 p.m. weekdays and after 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more details on rates and regulations, see Stationnement de Montréal.

Establishments have been assessed by Kéroul, an organization devoted to making tourism and culture accessible to persons with limited physical ability, according to criteria approved by the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec.

To find out more on tourism and culture for people with restricted physical ability:

André Leclerc

Tel.: 514 252-3104

Fax: 514 254-0766

www.keroul.qc.ca

To file a complaint about tourism services provided in Québec, call or email:

Ministère du Tourisme du Québec

Direction de la qualité des produits et des services touristiques

1 800 463-5009

dqpst@tourisme.gouv.qc.ca .