General Information
We are looking forward to seeing you in Ottawa for the 28th 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 Quebec.
Venue
Quebec City Convention Center
1000 Bd René-Lévesque Est
Quebec, QC G1R 5T8
Canada
Website
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 2026 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 2026. 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 Quebec during the month of June generally vary around 20 °C (day) and 9 °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
Quebec is in the EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) (UTC/GMT -4 hours) from March to November.
Useful Links & Maps
Quebec's official tourism website contains up-to-date tourist information, including information about public transportation and maps.
Quebec Tourism
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 fee of 41,40$ CA (day) or 47,60$ CA (night). All of these services accept major credit cards.
Airlines
Air Canada (www.aircanada.com)
Reservations: 1 888 247 2262
Information: 1 888 422 7533
Promotion Code: CPV4HRF1
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
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
Drug Regulation
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. However, taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis into Canada is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties both at home and abroad.
If you’re planning a visit south of the border, you should know that it is illegal to bring cannabis or any product containing cannabis across the U.S. border. At Trudeau airport, you will find amnesty boxes for disposing any cannabis products you may have on you before going through U.S. customs.