Daily life in Canada is not all that different to many other western countries however exceptions and differences can be found. City, provincial and federal legislation may cause for variance across the country for some things such as alcohol purchasing.

Electricity
Canada operates on 110 volts, 60 cycle electric power the same as the USA. Visitors from outside of North America will require an adapter. Power outlets are designed for use with a two prong and some accept a 3 prong (with ground) plug.

Weights & measures
Canada uses the metric system however sometimes the imperial system can be found alongside. Temperatures are in Celsius but sometimes Fahrenheit is given too. Gasoline is sold by the litre. Road signs are in kilometres and kilometres per hour.

Tax and money
For further information on tax in Canada including GST and PST and visit the Trail Canada tax and tax refunds guide for visitors

Business hours
Banks usually open at 10am until 5pm Monday to Friday. Post Offices open at 9am until 5pm however sometimes the postal outlets which can be found in shopping malls, drug stores and convenience stores operate individual opening hours. Shops normally open between 9am and 6pm with shopping malls closing later, usually around 9pm. Restaurants, cafes and coffee shops open at various times but most are closed by 10pm. Some diners are open 24 hours a day. Bars and pubs close between 1am and 4am depending on the province.

Alcohol
In most of Canada you can only purchase alcohol in government run stores. Private stores in Alberta are allowed to sell alcohol and in Québec beer and wine can be bought in grocery stores. The legal age for purchasing and drinking alcohol is 19 with the exception of Alberta, Manitoba and Québec where it is 18.

Smoking
The legal age for purchasing cigarettes and tobacco in Canada is 19. Many restaurants no longer have smoking sections and city bi-laws vary across Canada regarding where you can and can't smoke. It is illegal to smoke in most public places.

Drugs
Recreational drug use in Canada is illegal. Drug smuggling and possession, including marijuana and hashish, is a serious offence. The use of drugs by Canadians is similar to that in the USA with the availability of illegal drugs similar to that south of the border.

Prescription drugs can be obtained from pharmacies and dispensing chemists. Some hospitals and clinics can fill some prescriptions. Prescriptions from outside Canada will not be honoured and you will require to see a doctor before being a prescription is given.

Emergencies
Dial 911 for emergency services: police, fire and ambulance. Phonebooks provide the numbers for local police stations and hospitals for non-emergencies.

Visitors from outside Canada can seek assistance at local consulates and embassies for problems such as lost passports. Consulates and embassies do not help out with financial assistance. Lost and stolen credit cards or travellers cheques should be reported to the issuer.

Time zones
Canada is spread over six time zones. Daylight savings is observed in Canada with the exception of Saskatchewan and Nunavut. Saskatchewan uses Central Standard Time during the winter and Mountain Standard Time during the summer. Nunavut uses Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard time during the summer. Some other small regions across Canada do not observe daylight savings. Daylight savings takes effect on the last Sunday in April (clocks go forward 1 hour) and ends on the last Sunday in October (clocks go back 1 hour).

Photography and video
Camera shops can be found all over Canada with a good selection of equipment and services. Film can be developed in drugstores, supermarkets and outlets in malls.

Laundry and dry cleaning
Laundromats (laundrettes) are commonplace in cities and most towns. Washing machines and driers are usually coin operated and washing powder can be purchased on site. Opening hours vary but many will not close until 11pm.

Dry cleaning services are usually provided by dedicated stores. Some hotels also offer this service at a higher price. Some campgrounds and hostels provide laundry services at an additional charge.

Toilets
In Canada the 'toilets' are referred to as the restroom or washroom. Public washrooms are rare and it is usually easier to go into a hotel or fast-food restaurant