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General Information

We are looking forward to seeing you in Ottawa for the 27th Photonics North Conference!

We invite you to visit this website regularly, as more information becomes available on our Committees, Speakers, and Partners.
In the meantime, here are some tips & tools to better prepare your stay in Ottawa.
 

Venue

Rogers Centre Ottawa    
55 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 9J2 
Phone: +1-613-563-1984 or +1-800-450-0077
Fax: +1-613-563-7646
Email contact
Website: https: https://rogers-centre.ca
 

Language

French and English are Canada's two official languages. Ottawa is a bilingual city. You can be helped in French or English in most commercial establishments.

The official language of the conference 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 Photonics North 2025 will send an invitation letter. This letter is meant only to verify the name, dates, location and purpose of the conference 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 conference participants and accompanying persons, either during, or directly arising from the Photonics North 2025. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Clothing & Weather

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

The average temperatures in Ottawa during the month of May generally vary around 19 °C (day) and 7 °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 8% in the Province of Ontario, for a combined tax rate of 13% (HST). These taxes are applicable to most items and are not refundable. 
For accommodation, there is an extra 5% Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT).

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

Ottawa is in the EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) (UTC/GMT -4 hours) from March to November.

Useful Links & Maps

Ottawa's official tourism website contains up-to-date tourist information, including information about public transportation and maps.
Ottawa Tourism

Strategic Location

Ottawa is easy to reach by plane, car or train. See below for more information.

By Plane

Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, the state-of-the art Ottawa International Airport serves airlines offering flights to most major cities in Canada, the United States and Europe with seasonal services to the Caribbean and South America. It offers more than 110 daily non-stop flights to more than 40 domestic and international destinations.

Taxis, car services and car rentals are located just steps outside the airport. Full accessible public transit to downtown Ottawa is also available with OC Transpo bus route 97.

Visit the Ground transportation section of the Ottawa International Airport website for more information.
 

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

Convenient, comfortable and affordable, Canada’s passenger train service - VIA Rail - is a great travel choice that offers numerous daily departures to Ottawa from all major cities in southern Ontario and southern Quebec. Ottawa’s Central Station is just minutes east of downtown and a satellite VIA Rail station is located in the west end of the city at Fallowfield-Barrhaven.
Approximate travel times to Ottawa:
Toronto – 4.5 hours
Montreal – 2 hours
Kingston – 2 hours

By Bus

Ottawa has intercity bus terminals. The Orléans Express Network serves many cities and there are several connections between Montréal, Québec City and Ottawa.

By Car

The major highways in the Ottawa area are the 417 (also known as the Queensway), 416, 174, 7, 16 and 31 in Ontario; and the 148, 50 and 5 in Quebec. When heading east on the 417, the point in which the lanes split into two directions, continue east (this is commonly known as ‘The Split’).

Many streets in Ottawa, especially downtown, are one-way. Be aware of signs that indicate a one-way street (a white arrow on a black background).

Some Ottawa streets have adopted second names. For example, Preston Street runs through Little Italy and is also known as Corso Italia, and Gladstone Avenue is also called Via Marconi.

In Ontario and Quebec (except Montreal), drivers are permitted to turn right on a red light unless otherwise stated.
Many major roadways (called the Transitway) in Ottawa are dedicated to public transit - OC Transpo - buses only. These are marked with a diamond in the lane and/or a sign above the lane. Do not drive in these lanes.

Use this interactive map from PlugShare to find available charging stations for eclectic vehicles.

Approximate travel times to Ottawa:
Toronto – 4 ½ hours 
Montreal – 2 hours
Kingston – 2 hours
New York – 7 hours

Parking

Near the Rogers Centre Ottawa
The parking nearest to Rogers Centre Ottawa is a 2-storey underground facility providing 730 spaces. It features three entrances located on Daly Avenue and Nicholas Street South. The three exits are located on Nicholas Street South. Entry points to both the Rogers Centre Ottawa and the Rideau Centre shopping complex are located on both levels on the north and west walls. There are four handicap spaces per level located on the north wall near the Rideau Centre entrances.

Payment Options:
– Parking meter
– QR code on parking lot signs
hangTag mobile app

Your payment is linked to your license plate number—there is no need to display proof of payment on your dashboard. Failure to pay for parking will result in a $98 fine. Ensure you pay in the same area where your vehicle is registered to avoid fines.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:
CF Rideau Centre offers eight Tesla superchargers, one level 3 DC Flo fast charger (CHAdeMO & CCS Combo), and two level 2 Flo chargers, all located in the Green Garage. Standard charging and parking rates apply.

Parking Rates:
1 hour: $5.00 
2 hours: $10.00 
3 hours: $14.00 
4 hours: $17.00 
5 hours (Daily max): $20.00 
24 hours: $30.00 

In the city
There is a three-hour parking limit on all City of Ottawa streets unless otherwise marked. During rush hour (7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.), many downtown streets prohibit parking and stopping in order to improve traffic flow. Always check nearby signs for parking restrictions. Vehicles are not allowed to idle for more than three minutes in a 60-minute period, except in extreme temperatures.

Taxis

Capital Taxi
Tel.: 1-613-744 3333
Whatsapp : 1-613-744-3333

West-Way Taxi
Tel.: (613) 727-0101

Mon Taxi
Tel.: 1-873-376-2227

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.