Local Services & Laws
Find out how to access useful services and get the lowdown on local laws to help make your stay in Toronto easier and more enjoyable.
Canadian Currency
Canadian dollars are the main currency accepted in Toronto. Bills come in denominations of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, and coins come in denominations of five, 10 and 25 cents and one and two dollars. Please note that some retailers do not accept $100 bills.
American (U.S.) Currency
U.S. dollars are also accepted in some establishments although change is always given in Canadian funds, and exchange rates vary between merchants.
Paying by Card & Currency Exchange
Most major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) are accepted at retailers and cash machines (ATMs) can be found across the Toronto near most banks, hotels and shopping centres. Contactless payments, using mobile wallets such as Google Pay or Apple Pay, are also widely used.
Currency exchange is available at kiosks at Pearson airport and near many malls and tourist attractions.
Sales Tax
The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is a 13 per cent tax that is applied to most purchases of taxable supplies of goods and services in Ontario. The HST consists of a five per cent Federal tax portion and an eight per cent Provincial tax portion.
Basic groceries such as milk, bread and vegetables are tax exempt in Canada.
Accommodation Tax
The Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) is a six per cent tax that is applied to most accommodations.
In Toronto, tips are expected at restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, hair and nail salons, tours and for food delivery, taxi or ride-share services.
If you are happy with the service you receive, a 15 to 20 per cent tip on the pre-tax bill is a standard expression of appreciation. If the service did not meet your expectations, you’re not obligated to tip excessively, but providing a modest tip is still a polite gesture.
Note that some restaurants automatically add this gratuity when serving large groups (usually six or more), so be sure to check your bill.
Buying Alcohol
The legal drinking age is 19 in Ontario. To legally purchase alcohol in Ontario, you may be asked to show valid government-issued identification, which must include your name, photo and date of birth. It is illegal for anyone to purchase alcohol for a minor.
In addition to licensed venues, liquor and spirits can only be purchased together at Ontario Government-run Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores. Beer and cider can be purchased at Beer Stores, licensed breweries, select grocery stores and corner stores, and wine can be purchased at Wine Rack stores, licensed wineries and some grocery stores and corner stores.
Where to Drink
Alcohol may be consumed by persons of legal age in licensed venues and events, private residences and some Toronto parks between 5:30 a.m. and midnight. It is illegal to drink in any other public place or while driving.
Buying Cannabis
Recreational cannabis use is legal in Canada for those aged 19 and over. Cannabis is available to buy online through the Ontario Cannabis Store, a government-run facility that delivers the product safely and securely, or through one of the many brick-and-mortar retail stores that are open across Toronto. It is legal to purchase up to 30 grams (about one ounce) of dried recreational cannabis (or equivalent) in public at any time. Different rules apply to medical use. Visit the Ontario Cannabis website site for all regulations.
Buying Tobacco & Vapour Products
The legal age to purchase cigarettes, other tobacco products and vapour products in Ontario is 19 or older.
Smoking & Vaping
Public places where smoking or vaping is illegal:
- Most indoor venues
- Within nine metres of an entrance or exit of public buildings, shopping malls and stores, office buildings, restaurants, bars and cafés and multi-residential buildings
- Patios of a restaurant or bar
- Within the boundaries of any public square.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the following places:
- Most cafés and restaurants
- Public libraries
- Arenas
- Recreation centres
- Airports and train stations.
5G cellular is available in several tunnels on the TTC subway network.
9-1-1 Emergency
An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from a police officer, a firefighter or a paramedic. Sometimes all three will respond, such as in the event of a serious traffic collision where people are trapped or injured. If you are ever in doubt about whether a situation is an emergency, you should call 9-1-1 and let the 9-1-1 call-taker determine if you need emergency assistance. Assistance is available in 180 languages.
8-1-1 Health Advice Number
Access safe, high-quality care and avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room. This service is an easy way to get connected to care you or your loved ones need, but it does not replace your other touch point with your health care provider. In a medical emergency call 9-1-1 immediately.
Mental Health & Distress Lines
Operated by various agencies 24 hours a day:
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 9-8-8
- Toronto Distress Centres: 416-408-4357
- Gerstein Centre: 416-929-5200
3-1-1 City of Toronto Services
The City of Toronto provides residents, businesses and visitors with easy access to non-emergency City services, programs and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assistance is available in 180 languages.
Human Rights & Accommodation Issues
If you are a resident or visitor using a City of Toronto service or facility, you may contact the Human Rights Office for confidential advice and information on human rights and accommodation concerns. Call 416-392-8383 or email humanrights@toronto.ca
Postal services in Canada are operated by Canada Post who have many locations across Toronto, many which are inside pharmacies.
Please note that Canada Post does not collect or deliver mail on national and provincial holidays.
Grocery Stores
There are many grocery stores located throughout Toronto, including major national chains and independent grocers. Only some grocery stores are licensed to sell alcohol and hours vary with some stores closed on public holidays. Rabba Fine Foods stores are open 24 hours.
Pharmacies
Various pharmacies operate across Toronto and a small number operate 24 hours a day.
If you choose to book a stay in a short-term rental in Toronto there are a number of things to keep in mind.
Short-term rentals are only allowed in a person’s principal residence and must be registered in the City of Toronto. When booking a short-term rental in Toronto, check to make sure that the City issued registration number (in the format: STR-0000-XXXXXX) is included in the listing or advertisement.
Do not rent short-term rentals that do not display this registration number.
Rights
- People who operate short-term rentals shall not discriminate with guests based on race, place of origin, ethnic origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or disability.
- People short-term renting their homes cannot refuse service to any person with a disability. This includes a person accompanied by a service animal.
Safety
- During your rental period, your host must provide you with the contact information of a person available 24 hours a day.
- You should receive a diagram of all exits from the building where your short-term rental is located. This information must be physically posted in your rental.
- Call 911 only for emergencies, such as reporting a fire, reporting a crime or for emergency medical assistance.
Complaints
- You can call 311 or submit a complaint online if you notice that the short-term rental is operating without registration, not used as a principal residence or unsafe.
Staying in a short-term rental means you staying in a residential neighbourhood. If you need information about topics like on-street parking, use of City of Toronto facilities, noise by-laws or other topics consult with your host or search the topic on toronto.ca.
Find your country’s consulate in Toronto.