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|hitch = {{good}} to {{very good}}<rating country='ca' />|BW = CA|neighbour = ([[Greenland]]), [[Saint-Pierre and Miquelon|Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] (''incorporated''), [[United States of America]]

'''Canada''' is the northernmost country of [[North America]] and is comprised of ten provinces and three territories. English and French are the two official languages of the country, . English, being spoken by 3/4 of the population, is the majority language in most provinces. French is the main official language in the province of Quebec, but also widely spoken in New Brunswick and some areas of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. Inuktitut is the main language in Nunavut and has official status there but English is still widely spoken. For the convenience of the common hitchhiker the provinces and territories are discussed in detail, along with their capitals, in separate pages. Canada is a vast country (the second biggest in the world) and many visitors do not realize its size or extremes in temperature prior to arrival. Certain northern rural regions are inhabited by few or even no permanent population, so it might not always be bright to adventure by yourself into some wild or less inhabited part of the country without the proper equipment or having registered yourself to some local authorities prior to such a journey. As a simple reminder, the density of population is about 3.2 habitants/km², and about 75 % of that population lives in the south, nestled by the US border. It is normal in some parts of the country to drive a hundred kilometres without any living soul. Even if the country bears some similitude with its southern (and only) neighbour, the [[United States]], the cultural and life outlook of the population is markedly unique.

== Telecommunication = Local attitude ===The best and cheapest way is to contact people in the area you are is to find the nearest phone booth. There are plenty within the cities and even Even if the in country side; usually you will find one by every petrol station, or by shops or restaurants. Unlike many countries, they are usually in good condition, so always make sure to have a pre-paid phone-card or a few 'quarters' available. Local calls cost a quarter (25 cents) but in bears some areas what seems to be a local call will in fact be a 'long distance call' and the phone will request an higher amount. It's simplest to call using pre-paid calling cards. You can make calls from public phones without using coins when you dial the card's toll-free "1-800" number, and, for many of these cards, there is no extra fee for making the call from a public phone. Credit is deducted from the card at the same rate as similitude with calls from land-lines. Most cards will cost somewhere between 2 its southern (and 10 cents per minute for calls to anywhere in Canada. The sameonly) neighbour, or similar, rates will often apply to calls to the [[United States of America|United States]], the cultural and parts life outlook of Europe as wellthe population is markedly unique.

If The majority of the Canadian population lives in harmony within their vast country. The size of the person you are trying country has allowed people to contact is expecting live using their own beliefs, languages or religion without being bothered by anybody else, in a call from you'Live and let live' motto. Therefore, hate crimes are mostly absent and you donmajor ''t have a pre-paid phone card, you can also try to call them difference'collect'clashes even rarer, but may exist. It usually costs less might be useful for a traveler to be aware of the current political situation to avoid getting into a discussion which may offend more than the amount requested by the booth and anything else. Sometimes, during such situations, it is normal practice (does might not apply for mobile phones!) be helpful to receive and accept collect callhitchhike as a white in a First Nation reserve, or sound French in an English area, or visa versa. To do a collect call That said, simply dial '0' Canadians are generally friendly and follow the instructions of the operatorforget their stereotypes once they meet you in person.

Mobile phones are not widely spread within The rural population will usually be keen to help if the country and traveler is making the first steps into breaking the 'stranger in the networks are expensivelocality' image, unreliable, primitive as the split between country- and only cover certain urban areascity-folk is also existent. A mobile phone user The rural community feeling is usually has to pay to make pretty strong and when people believe you belong there and receive callsact more altruistic. However, and will likely some rural regions have no signal when he leaves large populations of urban commuters which has the nearest citytendency to bring a more individualistic mentality.

Internet cafés are rare and will only exist in main urban and touristic centres. They are not frequented by locals, so it It is possible worth noting that nobody knows if there is one in the surrounding area. In rural areasQuebec, Internet may be limited to dial-up only. In most Canadian cities and towns of significant size, there are public libraries which offer free internet access to the general public - regardless of where you are fromcarshare website "AmigoExpress" is extremely popular. This is generally the best bet Worth checking out if a bit pressed for travelers without their own computer or access to a friend's. If there are several people waiting to use them though, you may time and have to wait a while for one bit of cash to be availablespare. You'll usually be given There are more than 50 rides a time block day between Quebec and Montreal at costs of anywhere from 10-15 minutes to one hour. Many college and university libraries also provide free internet access to the public. Ask the circulation desk staff. College and university guest accounts will let you use the Internet as much as you like, but only for the current dayCAD.

With temperature often dropping beneath −30 Celsius, you should not stand outside more than 15 minutes. Make sure you wear Canada is a vast country (the appropriate gear and take precautions to never be stuck anywhere outside without shelter. In winter second biggest in the roads can be slippery, icy or narrowed by the snowbank, so it will often be impossible for cars to stop by world) and pull over safely and they won't many visitors do it if they can't as the risk of causing an accident might be too high and the driver would have to bear entire responsibility of it towards his [[insurance]]. In some areas, especially not realize its size or extremes in the north, every citizen is bound by law to provide help and safety to every citizen in need from the hazards of temperature and nature. The reaction towards that will often differ, going from immediate support prior to a 'where have you left your brainarrival... being out Certain northern rural regions are inhabited by this weather'. It is true that few or even no permanent population, so it will might not always be perceived as quite stupid and irresponsible bright to have dared outside without all the effective preparation adventure by such weather, most locals prefer to enjoy the cosiness of their home at times of such extreme temperatures. Although and for that reason, no shops, restaurants yourself into some wild or gas stations would be allowed to kick you out less inhabited part of their property. Either no car should be allowed to ignore you if the needs is there. This would usually be country without the case in rural areas while people in urban areas might simply think, someone else can do it. If you feel your life threatened by the hazard of nature, you are allowed proper equipment or having registered yourself to do anything possible some local authorities prior to get help by the surroundingsuch a journey. Which would include entering As a housesimple reminder, 'stopping' a car or denouncing to the authorities any refusal for help. This does not mean ''abuse'' and, density of population is to be use logically and tactfullyabout 3. Bear in mind that if you attempt such behaviour2 habitants/km², an investigation might be done afterwhile to verify if you didn't put yourself at risk at your own will and full knowledge about 75 % of that population lives in the consequences! Which situation you aresouth, nestled by law, not allowed to find yourself into! == Border Crossing ==Canada has only one neighbour, the [[United States]], and even if this US border . It is known as the longest unprotected border normal in the world, entering the country as a backpacker, hiker or hitchhiker might be a hard, especially since 2001. The border control is quite tight, especially since the unproven allegation that some terrorists came from Canada. Questions might be asked about the relations between passengers in a car. Because parts of these strong security measures, a hitchhiker probably will have to cross the border by foot and start again once the control is done. You might also discuss with your driver beforehand in the matter country to get to know each other and to ensure that everything will be alright with the crossing and that s/he is fine with the hassle (or fine waiting for you if you are being interrogated). The vast majority of the drivers will be frisky at helping a stranger to cross from Canada to the States in their car. The best way to be at drive a border control is too remain calm, be confident, do not lie and simply answer the questions as asked hundred kilometres without being witty or vague. Just remember that you do not have to tell that you are bumming around and bring some suspicious travelling plan (yes, hiking and hitching around in a ''blown by the wind way'' is a suspicious thing! Especially for the the average citizen!). So just be reliable, show enthusiasm and that your adventure is part of a life plan holiday... not a way to escape realityany living soul.

It is custom to be asked to prove that With temperature often dropping beneath −30 Celsius, you have the means to sustain your holiday (money) and that your holiday is part of a plan (a return ticket)should not stand outside more than 15 minutes. Also bear in mind that most Canadian and American land crossing control are separated from each other by a no manIt's land short distance between the two borders in which VERY important to make sure you will only be controlled by wear the welcoming country. So if you get denied entrance by one, you will have further enquiry appropriate gear and take precautions to enter back into the country you came fromnever be stuck anywhere outside without shelter.

===== While Crossing In winter the Border =====Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are one. Armed with this attitude try and maintain your dignity and self-confidence throughout roads can be icy or narrowed by the encounter snowbank, so it will often be hard for cars to stop by and the guard will more likely respect you (even if he or she doesnpull over safely. Drivers won't show do it). Trust me, things will go more smoothly. If you're passing the border inside a car, if they don't advertise feel safe as the fact that you are a hitchhiker. But if it becomes obviousrisk of causing an accident might be too high, don't try and deny the driver would have to bear entire responsibility of it, eithertowards their [[insurance]]. Remember, there It's no shame even more important in icy conditions to make sure you find a hitchingspot where there is good visibility and a safe place to pull over.

=== Passports for UIn some areas, especially in the northern territories, every citizen is bound by law to provide help and safety to every citizen in need from the hazards of temperature and nature.SThe reaction towards that will often differ, going from immediate support to a 'where have you left your brain!?!? being out by this weather!'. Your actions may be perceived as quite stupid and Canadian citizens ===From Summer 2009 onirresponsible to have dared outside without being prepared for the weather, Uas most locals prefer to enjoy the cosiness of their home in winter storms.SFor that reason, shops, restaurants, or gas stations usually won't kick you off their property in extreme weather. In the summer it's different, and Canadian citizens are required to show a passport you may be asked to cross leave if there is no danger from the borderoutside elements.

Also== Personal Experiences ==''I have hitchhiked many thousands of miles through most of the provinces. Getting rides is usually slightly easier than the [[United States]], if you are a Ubut harder in some places.SThe cost of food makes travel here very expensive. Border crossing as an American citizen going into Canada or is incredibly frustrating! It usually takes four to six hours of intense interrogation of myself and violation of the privacy of other people in my life. The first time I was held and interrogated for over six hours and eventually turned away because I couldn't provide documentation proving that I had a Canadian going into reason to return to the U.Sstates; they wanted me to buy a return bus ticket to prove I was only staying a short while, sorry, not happening! Well I got a little crafty with their requirements and subsequent attempts to enter have been easier, heh.You may have to get creative, but where there's a guard can deny you entry for will, there's a number of reasons (usually because of a criminal record or you donway. Don't look like you have enough money for lunch at give up! This is a fast-food restaurantbeautiful country!'' [[User:Thewindandrain|Thewindandrain]] ([[User talk:Thewindandrain|talk]]) 00:45, 5 June 2013 (CEST).