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Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Welcome to Toronto

The largest city in Canada, Toronto is one of the leading tourism destinations in the country and a world leader in areas like business, finance and more.

The city is a shining example of Canada’s multiculturalism with more than 100 languages spoken among its 2.6 million inhabitants. Everyone can find a place to feel at home in Toronto.

Toronto includes important landmarks like the CN Tower, one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world, the impressive Casa Loma and so much more. The city is safe and easy to explore either on foot or by public transportation with a web of routes spanning the city.

Useful Information

Toronto remains one of the safest cities in the world, and the safest largest city in North America. It has the largest municipal Emergency Medical Service in Canada, with 850 paramedics based in 41 stations across Toronto. When planning your trip it is important to be aware of the safety services available to you. Please make sure you are also aware of your embassy’s phone number and location in the event you lose your travel documents. In an emergency of health, safety or crime – Dial 911.

Canada operates on 110V, 60 cycle electric power, which is the same as in the United States. Non-North American visitors should bring a plug adapter if they wish to use their own small appliances from home. If you are visiting from countries, such as Australia, that use a higher voltage, you may encounter problems charging your rechargeable batteries. Canadian electrical goods come with either a two-prong plug, which is the same as the US or a three-prong plug; most sockets accommodate both.

Toronto’s currency is the Canadian dollar. Commonly used small coins are the 5-cent (“nickel”), 10 cent (“dime”), 25 cent (“quarter”), the $1 gold-coloured coin, commonly called a “Loonie”, and the $2 silver and gold tone coin is called the “toonie”. Paper bills come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations.

On most purchases, a total of 13% HST (harmonized sales tax) is charged on taxable items. Restaurant tipping is left to the customer’s discretion, but the customary amount is 15% – 20%. Many restaurants automatically add a tip or gratuity to the bill for groups larger than 6 or 8 people. It is also customary to tip bellhops, luggage handlers and taxi drivers, at your discretion.

In Toronto, the legal drinking age is 19; bars and restaurants are open until 03:00 a.m. in some parts of the city.

Smoking is not permitted in the Congress facilities. The city of Toronto has public health regulations that prevent smoking in public buildings, on public transit and in all restaurants and lounges.