General Information

• We look forward to welcoming you to Quebec City for the international Symposium “Agriculture, Biodiversity and Food Security: From Commitments to Actions.” 
• We invite you to visit this website regularly to consult the latest information about the Symposium

In the meantime, here is some practical information to help you prepare for your stay in Quebec City: 
 

Venue

Tel.: +1 418 644 4000
Toll free (Canada and U.S.): +1 888 679 4000
Fax: +1 418 644 6455

https://www.convention.qc.ca/en

Language

French and English are Canada's two official languages. French is the predominant language in Québec City. However, most, if not all, banks, hotels, airline offices, shops, and key visitor attractions have multilingual staff.

The majority of the symposium presentations will be in French.

Visa & Letter of Invitation

Some participants may require a visa to enter Canada. For more information click here.

Upon request, the secretariat of the ABSA 2024 Symposium will send an invitation letter. This letter is meant only to verify the name, dates, location and purpose of the Symposium 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 Symposium Secretariat and organizers cannot be held liable for personal accidents, loss of or damage to private property of the Symposium participants and accompanying persons, either during, or directly arising from the ABSA 2024 Symposium. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Visitors are not covered by Canadian health insurance plans. Check with your personal medical plan before leaving your home country to ensure you have adequate travel insurance.

Clothing & Weather

The dress code for the Symposium is informal for all occasions.

The average temperature in Quebec City in April-May is between 8°C in the evening and 15°C during the day (46°F to 59°F).

Travel Information – Getting Here

Québec City is easily accessible by plane, car and train. It is about an hour and a half from New York, Detroit or Toronto by plane. From Montréal, it is a less than three hours by car or 50 minutes by plane.

By Plane

Located 16 km from the city’s centre, the Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB) welcomes more than 700,000 passengers a year from North American, South American and European destinations.

Travel is convenient with direct flights from Paris, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, and all major U.S. hubs on the east coast: Boston, Detroit, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia (some flights only available seasonally).

There are many flights coming from U.S. cities and from all major Canadian cities, as well as numerous departures every week from many countries with only one connection.

Airport Transfers

The Jean-Lesage International Airport is located 16 km (10 miles) from the centre of the city. Taxis fare from the airport to the city centre is a flat $35 CAD. All of these services accept major credit cards.

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)

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

Two train stations serve Québec City and its surround­ing areas. Via Rail Canada offers daily services between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City. There are up to five daily connections between Montréal and Québec City.

By Bus

Québec City features two inter-city bus terminals. The Orléans Express Network serves many cities and there are several connections between Montréal and Québec City.

By Car

Highway 20 (autouroute 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 the Northeastern U.S., or Eastern and Central Canada, car travel is a viable option. The province 4,500 km highway network is among the most developed in Canada and links the city to the rest of Canada and United States.
Car Rental

All major car rental compagnies have offices both at the Jean-Lesage Airport and in the downtown area (Avis/Budget, Discount, Entreprise, Hertz). All hotels will help you if you need to rent a car.

Parking

There are many underground parking spaces close to the Centre. More specifically, Marie-Guyart complex (Complex G), Place Québec, Delta Hotel and finally in the Place D’Youville parking lot all linked by underground connections. These lots operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Taxis

Taxi Coop Québec
Tel.: +1 418 525 5191
http://www.taxiscoop-quebec.com

Taxi Coop Sainte-Foy – Sillery
Tel.: +1 418 653 7777
http://www.taxicoopstefoysillery.com

Taxi Laurier
Tel.: +1 418 651 2727
https://www.taxilaurier.ca

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

Québec City is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST) (UTC-05:00). Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST) is in effect from March to November.

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.