Visiting Canada this summer

[Doc Mark]

We will be visiting Ontario this summer; entering at Niagara Falls & returning to the States via Sault St Marie. Plan to go to Orillia to do some genealogy research on my maternal Grandfather.

I haven't been back to Canada since the middle 1950's when I was a passenger with my folks and our tents. This time we'll be in a 45' motor home with a tow car.

Any thoughts as to what to do/not to do? Are there any special documents we need? We travel with cats and have up-to-date vaccination certificates. What about money conversion? We'll be visiting for about 2 weeks.

Thanks for any advice - we are really looking forward to our visit.

Mark

[Doc Mark]

We will be visiting Ontario this summer; entering at Niagara Falls & returning to the States via Sault St Marie. Plan to go to Orillia to do some genealogy research on my maternal Grandfather.

I haven't been back to Canada since the middle 1950's when I was a passenger with my folks and our tents. This time we'll be in a 45' motor home with a tow car.

Any thoughts as to what to do/not to do? Are there any special documents we need? We travel with cats and have up-to-date vaccination certificates. What about money conversion? We'll be visiting for about 2 weeks.

Thanks for any advice - we are really looking forward to our visit.

Mark

[Horsevoice]

Don't forget...you need passports. Nan and Charlie have been waiting over four months for theirs to be processed!

While you are in Ontario - see the Thousand Islands. Check with me for contact information for Woody Stevens who may be in Gananoque while you are in the area. It might get you guys a boat tour of the area!

[LazyDog]

Hi Doc Mark

Welcome to the Canadian 'arm' of a great forum!

Check out these links to documents which I believe will answer your questions! Have a great time on your holiday and "Safe Miles"!

Info For Visitors to Canada
Be Aware and Declare

[Little Kopit]

The nutshell,

Border guards have authority to check on many things. They ask about this year's most in demand things. Tobacco, alcohol, and guns are always the first three. If you go over the allowable amount with the first two, you can pay duty. For the third you need a permit and a reason to carry allowed guns.

This year there have been many pet food recalls. Both sides can confiscate pet food. IMO get your pets on a type of food you can buy on both sides of the border. Rabies shots are mandatory. My vet recommends a health certificate.

The law of averages says every so often someone will have to go through a thorough search. I have been in that rota. I have always been sure, my questions were fewer, the time for the search shortened because I had checked the customs information before hand.

Re. passports, it's my understanding they are needed to fly into the United States this year, but your government says they are not needed for ground transportation until January, 2008. Still, you need proof of identity.

Human food is another area that is watched. Anything that can carry insects, such as fresh fruit, root vegetables, or meat can be questionned. If you have any meat, make sure it is in store bought or sealed containers. Best to leave that until you get here. All sections of the country have fresh produce stands in season.

Again IMO, shopping adds to the fun of the trip.

I found more things via www.google.ca, click on the circle for pages from Canada There is also a www.yahoo.ca with a similar option, but I haven't used it too much.

Enjoy.

[bstark]

All excellant responses and I will add one other caveat to the pet food. It has happened to me that they would not accept my assurances at the U.S. border that our pet food was made in U.S.A. (I-AMS) and unopened. They actually wanted to see the **** bag! So over to agriculture inspection I went. We now carry 2 bags of food, one opened in a cabinet in the trailer and one unopened for show in the cab of the truck. Sheesh!

[Little Kopit]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bstark:
All excellant responses and I will add one other caveat to the pet food. It has happened to me that they would not accept my assurances at the U.S. border that our pet food was made in U.S.A. (I-AMS) and unopened. They actually wanted to see the **** bag! So over to agriculture inspection I went. We now carry 2 bags of food, one opened in a cabinet in the trailer and one unopened for show in the cab of the truck. Sheesh! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, what with all the pet food recalls on both sides of the border, my guess is that it's really a new ball game. You need to check the recall lists. & make sure they are up to date. & you need to carry them too. I've heard of stores who aren't up to date.

Fortunately, I have mine on a type of dog food that hasn't been on any of the lists.

No matter, what the regulations are: "Made in the USA" is not a good thing this year.

[bstark]

I hear that. They are now saying that the melamine issue that found it's way into the pet food through a Chinese supplier may also have been used to feed fish farmed Salmon (thank god I don't eat that crap)on the west coast so it has reached the human consumption part of the food chain! What next??

[Novi]

Doc, from what you said about your route you should not need to take the 407 toll express highway. DO NOT TAKE THE 407 at any time in the motorhome. Besides being expensive you must have a valid transponder and an account with the toll operator. The fines are hefty for violations. Are you staying in the Niagara area, there is always plenty to do there. The drive up to Niagara-on-the-Lake is well worth the time. You won't be disappointed. Toronto also has some great site seeing things to do. But like any big city, leave the RV in a campground and use your towed. Lots of great country side so take your time and enjoy the views.

[Little Kopit]

Novi, Novi, Novi, you cover big territory when you go south.

Now you know there is Algonuin Provincial Park which is too your right if you go north on Rte. 400 or you can take more interesting roads and go via Gravenhurst. You can check out the doings via Sudbury and along the lake en route to Sault Ste. Marie via Ontario Tourism



Or also checking Ontario Tourism look to going up to Owen Sound via Route 10 and on up the Bruce Peninsula, then over to Manitoulin Island roam around there, over to Route 17, and along the lake to Sault Ste. Marie. There are many things to do in between. Each burg has a history, often reflected in creative little museums. I used to work out of Sudbury and covered Manitoulin Island too. I think it's beautiful country with much to be seen. I enjoyed St. Joseph Island too. I was through in 2004.

Novi, please don't talk as if the big cities are the only places with any thing to see. Doc said on up to The Soo. The Michigan UP is very nice too, with a National Forest, and lots of iron history.

Doc, enjoy your trip.

IMO, unless you are in a hurry, the little roads are the roads to take. Sure, you have to take more care, but slower speeds are much more relaxing and the scenery is worth it. Every place has character.

[Novi]

Well LK I wasn't trying cover everything, and they only have 2 weeks.

[Little Kopit]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Doc Mark:
entering at Niagara Falls & returning to the States via Sault St Marie. Plan to go to Orillia to do some genealogy research on my maternal Grandfather.


Mark </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Link to map covering the above

I still don't see how the reference to 407 and not seeing places en route to The Soo makes any sennse.

???

[brad03ca]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">DO NOT TAKE THE 407 at any time in the motorhome. Besides being expensive you must have a valid transponder and an account with the toll operator. The fines are hefty for violations. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Good advise Novi ....an unsuspecting tourist may very well get into a proper"fix",not being aware of these requirements.

[Groveite]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by brad03ca:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">DO NOT TAKE THE 407 at any time in the motorhome. Besides being expensive you must have a valid transponder and an account with the toll operator. The fines are hefty for violations. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Good advise Novi ....an unsuspecting tourist may very well get into a proper"fix",not being aware of these requirements. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good advice there. I did not know that a motorhome required the transponder! We often use the 407 on the way to North Bay and have twice been charged a premium for no transponder and a commercial vehicle. Both times we called and had them correct the bill which was then reduced to about 10% of what they wanted. I hope that those incidents were just the result of a tired worker/reader seeing a large PU and 5th wheel RV and mistaking them for a commercial truck/trailer combo.....conspiracy theories on the 407 operations are already rampant!
BTW as pointed out a passport is not yet a requirement however the cautious traveler should, I believe, plan ahead and get in the "queue" for one now rather than being denied a chance to travel later when it will likely be needed. I think it is irritating and unneccessary however that can be said for many travel impediments (fuel price gouging springs to mind) however I refuse to allow those to ruin my travel plans!
Ian