Canada | North America

Canada is a sovereign state in North America and the second-largest country by land area. Its economy is diversified across natural resources (oil, minerals, timber), advanced manufacturing, and a high-growth technology sector; the capital is Ottawa, while Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver serve as its primary economic and cultural hubs.

Visa & Entry Policy

As of January 11, 2026, Canada utilizes electronic screening for visitors from visa-exempt nations:

eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): Citizens of the UK and EU traveling by air must obtain an eTA before boarding. It costs $7 CAD, is valid for five years, and is linked to the passport.

US Citizens: Exempt from both visas and eTAs. A valid US passport, passport card, or NEXUS card is sufficient for entry by air, land, or sea.

US Permanent Residents: Require a valid passport and a Green Card; if flying, an eTA is mandatory.

Stays: Standard visitor entry allows for stays of up to six months.

Biosecurity: Strict regulations govern the import of food, plants, and animal products. All such items must be declared to avoid immediate fines or seizure.

Language & Communication

Canada is officially bilingual (English and French).

English: The primary language in most provinces.

French: The sole official language of Quebec and widely spoken in parts of New Brunswick and Ontario.

Indigenous Languages: Over 70 Indigenous languages are spoken across Canada, with increasing institutional support for their preservation and official use in Northern territories.

Currency & Payment Systems

The official currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Real-Time Rail (RTR): Scheduled for full launch in Q3 2026, the RTR will enable instant, data-rich, 24/7 interbank payments, replacing older settlement systems.

Interac e-Transfer: The current de facto standard for P2P and P2M transactions.

Cashless Adoption: Canada is highly digitized; contactless payments (Interac Flash, Apple/Google Pay) are universal in urban areas.

CBDC Status: The Bank of Canada stated in late 2024/2025 that a Central Bank Digital Currency is not currently necessary due to high financial inclusion, focusing instead on the RTR system.

National Transport Grid

High-Frequency Rail (HFR): Significant construction is underway in 2026 for the Quebec City–Montreal–Ottawa–Toronto corridor, aimed at creating a dedicated passenger rail network separate from freight lines.

Urban Transit: 2026 marks peak construction for the Ontario Line in Toronto and the continued expansion of Montreal's REM (Réseau express métropolitain).

Aviation: Air Canada and WestJet dominate domestic routes. Toronto Pearson (YYZ) remains the primary international gateway.

Arctic Infrastructure: Transport Canada is adding a fifth aviation base in Iqaluit in 2026 to support northern logistics and government services.

Digital Infrastructure

5G & 5.5G: 5G standalone (SA) is ubiquitous in southern urban corridors. Carriers are investing $26 billion through 2026 to enhance density and industrial IoT applications.

Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites: Starlink and Telesat Lightspeed (2026 deployment focus) provide high-speed broadband to remote Indigenous and northern communities where fiber is unfeasible.

Network Modernization: Continued decommissioning of 3G spectrum to repurpose it for 5G-Advanced and private industrial networks.

Climate & Seasonality

Winter (Dec–Mar): Severe cold and snow are common; temperatures in the interior and north can drop below $-30°C$.

Summer (Jun–Aug): Warm to hot ($20°C–35°C$). Increasing wildfire risk in Western Canada (BC and Alberta) during these months.

Regional Variation: The West Coast (Vancouver/Victoria) has a temperate maritime climate with high rainfall and rare snow.

Health & Safety

As of January 2026, Canada is categorized as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).

Petty Crime: Increasing reports of auto theft and "smash-and-grab" incidents in major cities like Toronto and Montreal; travelers are advised not to leave valuables in vehicles.

Wildfires: Seasonal air quality alerts are frequent in the summer due to smoke from forest fires.

Health: Tap water is potable and of high quality. Universal healthcare is available to residents; however, visitors must have private travel insurance as medical costs for non-residents are extremely high.

Emergency: All services 911.

Top 3 Major Regions & Cities

Central Canada: Hub: Toronto (Finance) and Montreal (Culture/Aerospace).

The West: Hub: Vancouver (Tech/Trade) and Calgary (Energy).

Atlantic Canada: Hub: Halifax (Maritime/Defense).

Local Cost Index

1L Water: $2.50 CAD ($1.85 USD)

1 Domestic Beer (0.5L): $8.50 CAD ($6.30 USD)

1 SIM Card (20GB Data): $55.00 CAD ($41.00 USD)

Facts & Legends

Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world's lakes combined. Local folklore includes the Sasquatch (Bigfoot) in the Pacific Northwest and Ogopogo, a lake monster in British Columbia's Okanagan Lake. Historically, Canada was formed by the confederation of British colonies in 1867. Geologically, it contains the Canadian Shield, some of the oldest rock on Earth. In 2026, Canada will co-host the FIFA World Cup, with Toronto and Vancouver serving as host cities.