Population : Based on the 2016 Census , the population of Ottawa is estimated at 934,243 people .

p h o t o : b y wa r d m a r k e t , a s s e e n f r o m a n d a z h o t e l ( j a m e s p e lt z e r )

statutory and civic Holidays : Most businesses , government offices , banks and liquor stores are closed on the following days in 2017-2018 :

• Good Friday ( Apr . 14 ), Easter Monday ( Apr . 17 )— banks and government

• Victoria Day ( May 23 )

• St . Jean Baptiste Day ( June 24 ) — Québec

• Canada Day ( July 1 )

• Civic Holiday ( Aug . 7 )— Ontario ( known as Colonel By Day in Ottawa )

• Labour Day ( Sept . 4 )

• Canadian Thanksgiving Day ( Oct . 9 )

• Remembrance Day ( Nov . 11 )— banks and government

• Christmas Day ( Dec . 25 )

• Boxing Day ( Dec . 26 )

• New Year ’ s Day ( Jan . 1 )

• Family Day ( Feb . 19 )

time Zone : The Ottawa area is located in the Eastern Standard Time zone ( EST ) and observes Daylight Savings Time from March 12 , 2017 through November 5 , 2017 .

Local weather : Ottawa has four very distinct seasons : spring , summer , fall , and winter . Expect snow on the ground between December and March and patio weather between May and September .

currency : Canadian Dollar ( CAD ). Find up-to-date exchange rates at www . xe . com . The one-cent coin was discontinued in 2013 .

Only cash transactions are affected . Cash payments are rounded , either up or down , to the nearest five-cent increment .

taxes : Most purchases in Ontario will include the Harmonized Sales Tax ( HST ) at 13 %. For up-to-date tax information , visit www . cra . gc . ca / visitors .

Gratuity : A 15 to 20 % tip is customary for good service in , for example , a restaurant , bar , hair salon , spa or taxi .

Visitor information : Brochures that feature local attractions are available at the Capital Information Kiosk ( 90 Wellington Street across from Parliament Hill ), Rideau Centre ( 50 Rideau Street ), and ByWard Market Square ( 55 ByWard Market ).

By Phone : Ottawa Tourism answers visitor information enquiries on weekdays by phone at 1-800- 363-4465 . The National Capital Commission provides visitor information seven days a week at 613- 239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867 .

accessibility : Information for special needs travellers can be found on our website at www . ottawatourism . ca / special-needs-travellers .

Entering canada : Check with a Canadian high commission , embassy , consulate or travel agent to find out what documents are required to enter Canada if you are visiting from another country . U . S . citizens traveling to Canada must have a passport , passport card , or WHTI-compliant document . A list of countries and territories whose citizens require a visa to enter Canada as visitors can be found at www . cic . gc . ca / english / visit / visas . asp .

Starting March 15 , 2016 visaexempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization ( eTA ). Exemptions include U . S . citizens and travellers with a valid visa .

Embassies and

High commissions : Many foreign embassies are located in Ottawa . Visit http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / List _ of _ embassies _ and _ high _ commissions _ in _ Ottawa for a list .

Free capital wi-Fi Zones : Free Capital Wi-Fi in downtown Ottawa-Gatineau lets you access information with your smart phone , tablet or laptop .

Legal matters : The legal drinking age is 19 in Ontario and 18 in

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