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General Winnipeg Information POPULATION 793,430 CLIMATE Winnipeg experiences a continental climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Average temperatures range between -12 degrees Celsius (+10.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter months to +26 degrees Celsius (+78.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summertime. Due to its northern location, Winnipeg residents enjoy 2,300 hours of sunlight annually and up to 16 hours of sunlight daily during the summer months. Winnipeg averages approximately 51.4 centimetres (20.2 inches) of precipitation each year. TIME ZONE In Manitoba, Canada Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. local time on the second Sunday in March. On the first Sunday in November, areas on Daylight Saving Time return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. During Daylight Saving Time, clocks are turned ahead one hour. EMERGENCY INFORMATION Emergencies Only – Call 911 Non-emergency Police Services – Call 204.986.6222 LANGUAGE English and French are Canada's two official languages. English is the predominant language spoken in Winnipeg. Old St. Boniface — Winnipeg's French Quarter, is largely French-speaking. Many banks, hotels, airline offices, service institutions, shops, and key tourist destinations have multilingual staff. CURRENCY The currency used in Winnipeg is the Canadian Dollar. It is recommended that visitors exchange their currency at a bank, a foreign exchange outlet, or use a banking machine. TAXES Goods and services purchased in Manitoba are subject to an eight per cent Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and the federal five per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST). ACCOMMODATION TAX There is a five per cent tax on accommodations within the city of Winnipeg. For more information, please go to www.winnipegassessment.com/AsmtTax/ English/Other_Taxes/Accommodation.stm MEASUREMENT Canada follows the international metric system. Temperatures, rainfall measures, distance, weights, and velocity are expressed in metric units. Length: 1 kilometre = 0.6 mile 1 mile = 1.6 kilometre Capacity: 1 litre = 1.06 US quart 1 US quart = 0.95 litre Weight: 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds 1 pound = 0.45 kilogram Speed: 30 km/h = 20 mph 50 km/h = 30 mph 80 km/h = 50 mph ELECTRICITY Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States. Adapters are required for electrical appliances from other countries. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz. LIQUOR LAWS Spirits, wine, and beer are available at Manitoba Liquor Control Commission outlets; wine is also available at private wine stores; domestic beer also from hotel vendors. Open liquor must be stored in the trunk. Legal age for consumption of alcohol is 18 years. These laws are strictly enforced. "Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive." SMOKING Smoking is prohibited in all public places including restaurants, bars, malls, and sporting events. Transportation AIRPORTS WINNIPEG JAMES ARMSTRONG RICHARDSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 2000 Wellington Avenue Tel: 204.987.9402 www.waa.ca TRAIN VIA RAIL 123 Main Street Tel: 1.888.842.7245 www.viarail.ca BUSES – LOCAL WINNIPEG TRANSIT 421 Osborne Street Call 311 for route, schedule and fare information www.winnipegtransit.com DOWNTOWN SPIRIT Offers free and easy travel in the downtown area, and travels in a circular route between The Forks, Portage Avenue and Memorial Boulevard and back to The Forks. Visit winnipegtransit.com/en/service/ downtownspirit for information on routes and schedule. BUSES – REGIONAL BEAVER BUS LINE 339 Archibald Street Tel: 204.989.7007 | 204.989.7024 (Tours | 1.800.432.5072) www.beaverbus.com 4 2017 OFFICIAL VISITOR'S GUIDE Winnipeg