Fast Facts

Area Code -- The telephone area code for Ottawa is 613; for Gatineau, 819. You must now use area codes for all calls in Ottawa, local or long-distance; but if you're simply calling from Ottawa across the river to Gatineau, you don't need to dial "1." If you're calling farther afield in the provinces, dial "1" first.

Doctors/Dentists -- There's a walk-in clinic, the Family Medical Centre, 344 Slater St. (tel. 613/235-4140). Or check with the hotel front desk or with your consulate for the nearest doctor or dentist.

Embassies/High Commissions -- The U.S. Embassy is in a large building at 490 Sussex Dr., north of Rideau Street (tel. 613/238-5335). It's open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm. The British High Commission is at 80 Elgin St. (tel. 613/237-1530). The Australian High Commission is at 50 O'Connor St., Suite 710 (tel. 613/236-0841), the New Zealand High Commission is at 99 Bank St., Suite 727 (tel. 613/238-5991), and the Irish Embassy is at 130 Albert St., Suite 1105 (tel. 613/233-6281).

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 for police, fire, or ambulance.

Hospital -- Your best bet is the Ottawa Hospital General Campus at 501 Smyth Rd. (tel. 613/722-7000).

Internet -- Access Most of the major hotels in the city have business centers with computers to check your e-mail, and offer high-speed Internet access in-room as well. Many now also have wireless hot spots; ask when booking.

Liquor & Wine -- The government controls liquor distribution, selling liquor and wine at certain LCBO stores and beer at others. Provincial liquor stores are generally open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm (to 9pm Thurs-Fri); Beer Store outlets are open Monday through Saturday noon to 8pm (to 9pm Thurs-Fri). The legal drinking age is 19 in Ottawa (and the rest of Ontario), but it's 18 across the river in Gatineau (because it's in Québec). There's a convenient liquor store downtown in the Rideau Centre, just inside the Rideau St. entrance (tel. 613/569-1879).

Newspapers/Magazines -- A great variety of international publications, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the International Herald Tribune, are sold at Planet News, 143 Sparks St. (tel. 613/232-5500).

Police -- Call tel. 911.

Post Office -- The most convenient post office is at 59 Sparks St., at Elgin Street (tel. 613/844-1545), open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

Taxes -- In Ontario, there's an 8% provincial sales tax (PST) plus the 5% national sales tax known as GST. However, there are a few exceptions to this rate: hotel stays are taxed at 5% (if you stay less than 30 days), plus the 5% GST, plus another city tax of 3% in the Ottawa area, for a total of 14%. Liquor is taxed at 10% and 12% at restaurants and liquor stores, respectively. Across the river in Québec, there's a 7.5% tax on food, liquor, merchandise, and accommodations, plus the 5% national sales tax (which is also taxed by the province).

Telephones -- The telephone system, operated by Bell Canada, works essentially the same as that in America. Pay phones are not exactly plentiful in Ottawa, but where present they generally accept coins and prepaid calling cards. All Bell Canada operators speak French and English.

Time -- Ontario and Québec are in the eastern time zone, the same as New York City. Daylight saving time is observed in summer, exactly as in the U.S.