General Information
We are looking forward to seeing you in Montréal for the 19th IFAC Symposium!
We invite you to visit this website regularly, as more information becomes available on our Committees, Speakers, Sponsors and News pages, in particular.
In the meantime, here are some tips & tools to better prepare your stay in Montreal:
Venue
Hôtel Bonaventure
900, rue De La Gauchetière
Montréal ( Québec) H5A 1E4
Tel.: 514-878-2332
Website: https://hotelbonaventure.com/en
Language
French and English are Canada's two official languages. French is the predominant language in Montréal. However, most, if not all, banks, hotels, airline offices, shops, and key visitor attractions have multilingual staff.
The official language of the congress is English. All abstract submissions and presentations must be in English. Simultaneous translation will not be available.
Visa & Letter of Invitation
Some participants may require a visa to enter Canada. For more information click here.
Upon request, the secretariat of the MMM 2022 Symposium will send an invitation letter. This letter is meant only to verify the name, dates, location and purpose of the congress to obtain a visa or travel funds. This letter is in no way a commitment to the participant on the part of the organizing committee.
Insurance
The Conference Secretariat and organizers cannot be held liable for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property of the congress participants and accompanying persons, either during, or directly arising from the MMM 2022 Symposium. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.
Clothing & Weather
The dress code for the congress is informal for all occasions.
The average temperatures in Montreal during the month of August are generally 26 °C (day) and 17 °C (night).
Currency, Banking, ATM & Credit Cards
The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and at foreign currency exchange offices either at the Airport or at other locations throughout the city.
Bank debit or credit cards are the most convenient means of getting cash at the many Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). ATMs are spread throughout the city and accept cards with the Interac, Plus, and Cirrus networks. Most are in operation 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
Most businesses accept U.S. currency and traveler’s cheque, as well as major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express).
Sales Taxes
There is a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) in effect in Canada and a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) of 9.975% in the Province of Québec, for a combined tax rate of 14.975%. These taxes are applicable to most items and are not refundable. An additional 3,5% is also applicable on hotel accommodation.
Electricity
The electrical current is the same as in the United States: 110 volts AC at 60Hz. Adapters are required for electrical devices from other countries.
Time Zone
Montréal is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) (UTC-05:00). Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST) is in effect from March to November.
Useful Links & Maps
Montréal’s official Web site and the official tourist site of the government of Québec contain up-to-date tourist information, including information about public transportation and maps.
Strategic Location
Montréal is easy to reach by plane, car or train. It is about an hour-and-a-half by plane from New York, Detroit or Toronto.
By Plane
The Pierre Ellliott Trudeau International Airport is 20 km from the city centre. It is used by more than 14.8 million passengers every year travelling to and from North American, South American and European destinations.
Travel is convenient, with direct flights from Paris, Ottawa, Toronto, and all major U.S. east-coast cities: Boston, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
There are many flights from U.S. cities and from all major Canadian cities, as well as numerous departures every day from many countries with only one connection.
Airport Transfers
The Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is 20 km from the centre of the city. Taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is a flat fee of CAD 40. Major credit cards are accepted.
Public transportation is also available. The 747 bus service runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, between the Montréal-Trudeau airport and the central bus station (Gare d'autocars de Montréal - Berri-UQAM métro station).
Travel time may vary between 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
Airlines
Air Canada (www.aircanada.com)
Reservations: 1 888 247 2262
Information: 1 888 422 7533
Porter Airlines (www.flyporter.com)
Reservations: 1 888 619 8622
United Airlines (www.united.com)
Reservations: +1 800 538 2929 (International)/1 800 864 8331 (Domestic)
WestJet (www.westjet.com)
Reservations: 1 888 937 8538 (1 888 WESTJET)
US Airways (www.usairways.com)
Reservations: 1 888 240 4770
American Airlines (www.aa.com)
Reservations: 1 800 433 7300
Delta (www.delta.com)
Reservations: +1 800 241 4141 (International)/1 800 221 1212 (Domestic)
Air Transat (www.airtransat.com)
Reservations: 1 866 255 4871
By Train
The Montréal train station serves the downtown area and is at 850m (10 minutes walk) to the Palais des Congrès. Via Rail Canada offers daily service between Toronto, Ottawa, and Québec City.
By Bus
The Montréal main bus terminal is 2.5 km from to the Hotel Omni Mont-Royal. The Orléans Express Network serves many cities and there are many connections to Montréal from many cities.
By Car
Highway 20 (autoroute Jean-Lesage) runs along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, and Highway 40 (autoroute Félix-Leclerc) is the north shore access to the city. For delegates from northeastern U.S., or eastern and central Canada, car travel is a viable option. The province’s 4,500-km highway network is among the most developed in Canada and links Montréal to the rest of Canada and the United States.
Taxis
Taxi Diamond
Tel.: 514 273 6331
Website : https://taxidiamond.com/particulier/commande-taxi
Taxi Coop Montréal
Tel.: 514 667 8960
Website : reservations@taxi-coop.com
Taxi Champlain
Tel.: 514 271 1111
Website : directors@taxichamplain.qc.ca
Cannabis
On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act and a number of supporting regulations and ministerial orders came into force, legalizing and strictly regulating the sale, possession and production of cannabis in Canada.
Entering Canada
Cannabis is now legal in Canada. However, the legalization of cannabis in Canada does not change Canada’s border rules. Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into Canada is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.
Leaving Canada
if you’re planning a visit south of the border, you should know that having cannabis in your possession is prohibited by law in the United States. And while several states have legalized cannabis, the product remains a controlled substance under federal law. So, be sure your bags and vehicle don’t contain cannabis in any form before heading off to explore Maine’s fine sand beaches or the beautiful views from Interstate 20, which you can travel all the way to California. The same applies if you take a plane. At Trudeau airport, you will find amnesty boxes for disposing any cannabis products you may have on you before going through U.S. customs.