Population and Area
Montreal is the second most populous Canadian city, and the largest French-speaking city outside of France. About one million seven hundred and fifty thousand people live on the Montreal island and over three million three hundred thousand people live in the greater metropolitan area. The City of Montreal covers an area of 177 square kilometers; the Montreal island covers an area of 494 square kilometers; the greater Montreal area covers 3,509 square kilometers.

Exchange Rate
The legal currency is the Canadian dollar, pided into 100 cents. Paper money is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 1,000 dollars.  Coins are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 cents, 1 dollar and 2 dollars. Due to exchange rate fluctuations (The Universal Currency Converter™:www.xe.net/ucc/), there is a discrepancy between Canadian and American money. We advise that you use Canadian money during your travels in Canada to avoid any exchange problem.

Although the exchange varies daily, the following are some useful approximate conversion rates (as of March 2003):

$1 CAD = $0.67 USD $1.00 USD = $1.47 CAD

$1 CAD = 0.62 1.00 = $1.62 CAD

$1 CAD = £0.42 £1.00 = $2.38 CAD

$1 CAD = ¥79 ¥100 = $1.26 CAD

$1 CAD = $1.13 AUD $1.00 AUD = $0.88 CAD

Languages
French is the official language of the Province of Québec. English is spoken among a significant minority of the population in and around Montréal, and can commonly be seen downtown and in most locations greeting visitors, including airports, hotels, tourist attractions, shops and restaurants. Deaf people in Québec use LSQ (Langue des Signes Québécoise) or ASL (American Sign Language) or both.

Childcare
No babysitting/childcare services will be offered during the Congress. Young people 13-17 years old may register as Youth delegates to enjoy full participation in Congress activities (see applicable fees in Registration section). Check with your hotel concierge for information on sitters in Montréal.

Food Services
No meals are offered as part of the Congress programme except the Gala evening, for which a separate ticket is required, and the Farewell Lunch, included with full registrations only. (See "Gala" and "Farewell Lunch" in the Social Programme and Special Events section above.) However, a large number of restaurants for all budgets can be found within easy walking distance of the Palais des Congrès. For rapid, moderately-priced meals participants may try Complexe Guy-Favreau (immediately north of the Palais on De la Gauchetière), Complexe Desjardins (1 block north of the Palais on René-Lévesque Ouest, lower level) or Chinatown (De la Gauchetière, between Saint-Urbain and Saint-Laurent).

Medical Insurance
The Canadian public health system does not cover foreign visitors. All participants must be sure to arrange their own medical insurance prior to arrival in Canada.

Secretariat
For any questions regarding the Congress, including registration, housing, tours and presenters, please contact the CMS 2003 WCD CONGRESS SECRETARIAT – JPdL, 1555 Peel, Suite 500, Montréal, QC H3A 3L8 Canada, TTY: +1 514-287-9107, Telephone: +1 514-287-1070, Fax: +1 514-287-1248, contact@wfd2003.org.

Taxes
Two taxes apply to most goods and services purchased in the Province of Québec: the federal GST of 7% plus provincial sales tax (TVQ) at 7.5%, calculated on the total after GST. The GST can be reclaimed by visitors on certain items, including hotel rooms and goods being brought out of the country. More information is available in the brochure "Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada" from Revenue Canada, available at Canadian airports, border crossings and hotels, or at www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4031eq/README.html. Specialty service points in downtown shopping centres also offer tax refund options.

Temperature and Clothing
In July, the average daytime high for Montréal is 26º C (80º F), and the low, 16º C (61º F). Humidity can vary significantly. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended, plus a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings.

Tipping
Tipping is voluntary but expected. Gratuities are not automatically added to the bill. In normal practice, waiters receive 15-20% of the bill, depending on level of service; taxi drivers, 10-15%; doormen, porters and skycaps, $1 CAD per bag.

VISAS
Please check with the nearest Canadian embassy, consulate or high commission to know whether or not you require a visa for entry into Canada. Visas are the responsibility of individual delegates, and must be procured prior to arrival in Canada. If you are travelling through the USA, you may also require an American visa. Please verify with your travel agent.

Web Site
This brochure and all attached forms can be downloaded from the Congress web site at www.wfd2003.org.

Disclaimer
14th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (CMS 2003 WCD) and/or its Agents have the right for any reason to alter or cancel, without prior notice, the Congress or any of the arrangements, timetables, plans or other items relating directly or indirectly to CMS 2003 WCD and/or its Agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage, expenditure or inconvenience caused as a result of such alteration or cancellation.

Telephone Numbers
Emergencies: 911
Directory Assistance: 411
Operator: 0
Area Code: 514

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