General Information
We are looking forward to seeing you in Québec City for the 8th ICEC!
In the meantime, here are some tips & tools to better prepare for your stay in Québec City:
Venue
Québec City Convention Centre
1000, boulevard René-Lévesque Est
Québec QC
G1R 5T8
Canada
Tel.: +1 418 644 4000
Toll-free (Canada and U.S.): +1 888 679 4000
Fax: +1 418 644 6455
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 official language of the congress is English, but there will also be sessions in French. All abstract submissions and presentations must be in English or in French. Simultaneous translation will not be available.
Visa & Letter of Invitation
Some participants may require a visa to enter Canada. For more information click here.
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 RE3Conference. 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 congress is informal for all occasions.
The average temperatures in Québec City during the month of August are generally between 24 °C (day) and 14 °C (night).
RTC - Local Bus Services
Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) offers regular public transit services in the greater Quebec City area. Thanks to RTC, thousands of people can travel anywhere in the area served, at a reasonable price, to work, study, and enjoy social pursuits.
At registration, you will have the option to purchase at only 15$ a 5 consecutives days public bus pass to facilitate your transportation during the conference. If you are planning to visit the city or get around the venue easily, you may consider this Unlimited travel pass as your best option since a single fare is sold $ 3,75 CAD.
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 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 (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 the 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 the city to the rest of Canada and the United States.
Car Rental
All major car rental companies 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, the Marie-Guyart complex (Complex G), Place Québec, Delta Hotel and finally the Place D’Youville parking lot are 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 traveller’s cheques, 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 to 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 of any cannabis products you may have on you before going through U.S. customs.