You will find public telephones at airports, bus and train stations, restaurants, stores, and many street corners. Most phones accept coins of 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, and $1.
Many phones also accept prepaid phone and credit cards. You can buy phone cards for $5, $10, $15, $20 or $25 at stores, pharmacies, and newsstands. Phone and credit cards are a convenient way to pay for long-distance calls.
A phone number usually consists of several parts, including a long-distance code, area code, local subscriber number, and extension number. For example, the number 1-250-360-0311, extension 555, where 250 is the area code for Victoria, 360-0311 is the local subscriber number, and 555 is the extension number.
In Toronto, you must dial the area code for all local numbers. For example, to call the Mississauga area from Toronto, you need to dial area code 905, followed by your local number. Even if your area code and your subscriber's area code are the same (for example, 416), you must dial all 10 digits of the number (for example, 416 - 555-9898). This call is not considered long-distance. If the call is long-distance, the operator will notify you that an additional code needs to be dialed (usually 1 or 0).
An extension number is usually found in the phone numbers of organizations.
Long-Distance and International Calls (long distance calls)
To call another city in Canada or the United States, insert 25¢, dial "1," the area code, then the number. The operator will inform you of the amount required for a one-minute conversation.
To make an international call, dial "011," the country code, the internal code, then the desired number. You can also dial "0" and ask the operator for assistance.
If you want the party you are calling to pay for your call, tell the operator that you want to make a "collect call." The operator will dial the number for you and ask the person on the other end if they are willing to pay for the call.
Most phone companies offer various plans for long-distance calls, as well as local calls within Canada and throughout North America. For international calls, there are many prepaid calling cards available at low prices. You should always carefully check what service terms are offered, such as whether there are any hidden fees for connection (connection fee).
Toll-Free Numbers
Some long-distance numbers are toll-free numbers. These numbers start with the digits 1-800, 1-877 or 1-888 and are usually owned by government services, municipal organizations, or large companies.
Numbers beginning with 1-900, although visually similar to toll-free numbers, are not free. Each minute of conversation on such a number is charged at established rates.
How to Use the Phone Directory
You can find a phone directory at most public phones. This book has four sections:
- Emergency Numbers (and user guide)
This section contains phone numbers that you will need in emergencies, such as calling the police. It also includes information on how to use the phone.
- White Pages
This section lists home and business phone numbers and addresses in the city. People’s last names are listed first, followed by their first names. For example, to find your friend Marie Martin, look for "Martin, M" in the white pages.
- Blue Pages
This section is printed on blue paper. It lists government services and provides the phone numbers for contacting them. This section also contains a subject index of government services. For example, to find the Ministry of Health, look under Health in the blue pages.
- Yellow Pages
This section is printed on yellow paper. It lists businesses by type. For example, to order pizza, look for the word Pizza in the yellow pages. In some regions, the yellow pages are published in a separate book. They are also found online.
Your Local Phone Service
Residents of Ontario are typically served by "Bell Canada" - the oldest and largest telecommunications company in the country. To order a phone line, you can visit the nearest Bell Store or fill out an application form online, which will also contain information about various phone services and their rates. As a rule, a one-time connection fee is charged, after which you will receive a monthly bill. If you have never had a phone line registered in your name in Canada, you may be asked to provide a deposit and list a guarantor - a person responsible for paying your bill in case you do not pay it yourself.
Online directories provide phone numbers of individuals and organizations, lists of businesses by categories (Yellow Pages), and free information about products and services throughout Canada (Canada Toll-Free).
How Mail WorksCanada Post is operated by the Canada Post Corporation. Mail is delivered daily from Monday to Friday, except on public holidays.
If you have moved to a new address in Canada, the United States, or another country, you can take advantage of the mail redirection service (Redirection of Mail service). This will protect you from losing important mail after your move. Fill out a Request for Redirection of Mail at your post office, and your mail intended for you will be sent to the new address continuously or for a specified time. This service is fee-based.
To send a letter anywhere in the world, you need a stamp. Postage varies depending on the weight, size of the mail item, and the destination. You can buy stamps at any post office. They are also sold at pharmacies, newsstands, and other public places.
If you are sending mail within Canada, do not forget to include the six-digit postal code and return address. This will speed up delivery. You can send letters or small parcels at your nearest post office or drop them into any red mailbox (these mailboxes are set up on streets and in shopping centers).
Larger packages must be sent at the post office. Packages within North America can be sent via Regular Mail – delivery takes from three to ten days. Express Mail (Xpresspost) – within one to two days. Courier Mail (Priority Courier) delivers items by noon the next day. The most economical way to send international packages is Parcel Post.
The fastest, but also most expensive way is the SkyPak International Courier. This service guarantees next-day delivery to over 1,000 cities in the U.S., as well as fast delivery to over 200 countries worldwide.
If you want to know the specific delivery time for your mail item, use Registered Mail. Registered mail is a safe and reliable way to send important documents that require proof of mailing or proof of delivery, passports, birth certificates, legal documents, contracts, financial documents, etc. Canada Post also offers insurance for very important mail items in case of loss or damage.
You can send an online telegram anywhere in the world (www.telegramgateway.com).
Complaints about postal services should be directed to tel. 1-800-267-1177.
For more information: tel. 416 - 979-8822
Websites:
} ⟩ ⟩