North American Summer School on Photonic Materials

16 - 21 June, 2019, Université Laval (Quebec, Canada)

The 1st North American Summer School on Photonic Materials (NASSPM) supported by the International Commission on Glass (ICG), welcomes graduate students and young scientists from all over the world to take part in this unique training opportunity. The School will be held June 16 – 21, 2019, immediately following the 2019 ICG Congress in Boston MA.

The Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL), Canada’s premier university training center in the field of optics and photonics, and telescope pour observer la lune is proud to host this first edition. The setting of the school is the Pavilion of Optics and Photonics located on Université Laval’s main campus in Quebec City, Canada. With state-of-the-art research facilities and world-renowned expertise, COPL invites Summer School participants to experience a training environment of unmatched excellence. The opportunity provided to further their specialization in photonics promises to be an enriching one. In addition, students will be fascinated and inspired by the Old-World charms of Quebec City’s historical district, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1985, located only a short drive away from the campus.

The NASSPM is the first global and interdisciplinary school on Photonic Materials that combines both theoretical and experimental learning as well as academia and industry viewpoints. A high-level teaching and intense training on key topics blending photonics and material science will be provided by means of tutorial talks by renowned experts in their fields and a variety of hands-on, practical experiments on the fabrication, characterization and applications of photonic materials.

The NASSPM is designed for graduate students from chemistry, material science and physics as well as for young scientists who have recently started research in the field of photonic materials. The Summer School will take place in English. Admission is limited to 50 participants and applications are accepted until February 1, 2019.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

This 1st North American Summer School on Photonic Materials made possible thanks to the initiative and involvement of the members of its Organizing Committee:

Pr. Himanshu Jain, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
Pr. Kathleen Richardson, University of Central Florida, FL, USA
Pr. Younes Messaddeq, Laval University, Canada – Local Organization
Dr. Alicia Duran, Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio, Madrid, Spain – Adviser and Sponsor as President of the International Commission on Glass

Professor Younès Messaddeq of COPL will chair the 1st North American Summer School on Photonic Materials’ Local Organizing Committee.

About COPL

The COPL at Université Laval boasts a critical mass of expertise through its 21 research teams affiliated with the physics, chemistry and electrical engineering departments for telescope. It benefits from state-of-the-art laboratory facilities housed within the Pavilion of Optics and Photonics, which offers an unparalleled environment for multi-disciplinary research. Unique in its avant-garde design, the Pavilion’s humidity, temperature, dust and vibrations are rigorously controlled within its laboratories. Furthermore, this infrastructure houses the latest equipment, including fiber fabrication facilities, glass synthesis set-ups, a microfabrication lab, thin film deposition systems, a scanning electron microscope and a wide range of characterization instruments.

In addition to its commitment to support local research institutions and companies, the COPL is preparing tomorrow’s leaders to tackle the challenge of furthering the development of photonics knowledge and applications.

The Centre for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL) at Université Laval is also part of a strategic cluster of 42 research teams established in the province of Quebec and based in high-level academic institutions: Université Laval, École Polytechnique de Montréal, McGill University, INRS, École de technologie supérieure, Université de Sherbrooke, Université du Québec à Montréal and Concordia University. Together they share the same mission: Training students at the Master's, PhD and post-doctorate levels, performing fundamental and applied research and contributing to Quebec’s socio-economic development by supporting the industry.

About Québec

Welcome to Québec City!

Québec City, always enchanting and filled with history, offers you a typical European ambiance brimming with romance and joie-de-vivre.

You are sure to fall under its spell. A fortified city bustling with activity and culture, Québec City will charm you with its boutiques, landscapes, people and countless culinary delights. Surrounded by nature's majestic beauty, this city boasts a safe and exceptional quality of life.Founded in 1608, by Samuel de Champlain, Québec City is the cradle of French civilization in America and remains the only fortified city north of Mexico. Over the years, this city has preserved and developed its rich heritage. Old Québec has in fact been added to UNESCO's prestigious list of World Heritage Sites in 1985.

Useful Links and Maps
The Québec City official website and the Official tourist site of the Gouvernement du Québec contain up-to-date tourist information including public transport information and maps.

www.quebecregion.com
www.quebecoriginal.com

Awards and Accolades
Year after year, travel magazines continually rank the Québec City Area among the world's top destinations.

Things to do while in Québec City
Have you ever visited a new place only to find out that you had missed the best of it when you got back home? You have already been in Québec but would like to step off the beaten path and discover something new? If so, you will find below a list of activities and walking tours to do while you are in town. You can also visit the Québec City tourism office pages here.

For those who prefer guided tours and excursions, optional tours and activities are also offered as part of the conference program. See the complete list of tours available soon on this website.

The Red Bus (Double Decker)

Discover Quebec City from an open-top bus!

The best excursion to discover and explore the Quebec City you have been looking for. Historical, romantic, fashionable, fun and shopper friendly. Hop on and hop off the red loop as often as you please and see Quebec City on your own time and at your own pace. Enjoy fantastic views from the open top deck, it’s unique, it’s le Bus rouge! 12 stops at Quebec City's top tourist sites.

Hop on hop off all day long!

Departures every 30 minutes: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Guided St-Lawrence Cruise

Set sail with the costumed guide of the Louis Jolliet. This cruise on the St Lawrence River will allow you to discover the history of Québec City, the river and the surroundings. The cruise extends from the Cap Diamant to the Montmorency Falls.

Boarding: 11h00 am, 1h30 pm and 3h30 pm
Departure Point: Chouinard Pier

Observatoire de la Capitale

Visit the Observatoire de la Capitale, an observatory atop a 221-meter tower offering a stunning panoramic view a few steps away from the Congress Centre.

The perfect way to get yourself oriented in the City

Dufferin Terrace

The Dufferin terrace is by far the most visited tourist attraction in Québec City. You can see the water slowly run to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and you will have a breathtaking view on the South shore, the Île d'Orléans, the Old-Port and, of course, the Château Frontenac.

All summer, the terrace is alive with street artists, musicians, mimes, one-man bands, and many others. You can also see the canons that were used to defend the city more than once throughout the centuries. Come see the Samuel de Champlain monument as well as the one dedicated to generals Wolfe and Montcalm, who both died during the famous battle of the Plains of Abraham.

The Fortifications

The fortifications surrounding Old Québec are close to 4.6 km in length. As you walk the walls, you'll learn about the defence system of North America's only remaining fortified city. Take a guided tour of Québec City's fortifications and admire the views. Visit the Frontenac kiosk on Dufferin Terrace as well as Artillery Park and its unique building interiors near the Saint-Jean Gate.

More than just the vestiges of military art of war, the Fortifications of Québec bear witness to the era of fortified cities between the 17th and 19th century.

When within Québec's defence system, one can sense that the military's presence dominated the city. The parade grounds, esplanades, military arteries, casemate, and warehouse, in which munitions and artillery paraphernalia were stored, are remnants of a city's past that was punctuated by the beat of the war drum.

The Citadel

Nicknamed the "Gibraltar of America", the citadel was built between 1820 and 1850 and is the largest British fortress built in North America.
It is located atop Cap Diamant, the highest natural point in the area. Find out about its critical role in the city's defence system.
Why did Québec City have to have a fortress? What explains its shape, like a star when seen from above? What goes on within its walls today? These and other questions will be answered along the way.

Visit the Citadel, an active military base where visitors can watch the changing of the guard or explore the Governor General’s official residence.

The Plains of Abraham (Battlefield Park)

The Plains of Abraham was the site of many clashes for supremacy between the French and British Empires, the park is the scene of the 1759 Conquest, which changed the fate of North America.
Apart from its historical past, the park is to Québec what Central Park and Hyde Park are to New York and London: a city park of outstanding value, the lungs of the city. One hundred and three hectares of meadow and grassy knolls, decked with flowers or covered with snow, are there for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Plains are perfect for all kinds of activities (walking, cycling, picnicking, cross-country skiing, and more) or simply meeting up with friends.

Promenade Samuel-De-Champlain

This vast 2.5 kilometer long park was inaugurated in 2008 as a gift from the government of Québec to the capital for its 400th anniversary. The park, which runs between boulevard Champlain and the St. Lawrence River, restores access to the mighty waterway for Québec City residents.

The Wendake Huron village

Enter the fascinating world of the Huron-Wendat First Nation and embark on a history tour that will take you back to the 17th century. The ancestral site of Wendake is a window onto aboriginal culture! Dance shows and legends will whisk you deep into this people's imagination, while Musée huron-wendat and various craft stores invite you to learn more about the nation's culture and traditional know-how.

A short walk through scenic natural surroundings leads visitors to Kabir Kouba Falls by Rivière Saint-Charles, and sampling the game featured in traditional Huron cuisine is the perfect way to round out your voyage of discovery.

Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

The spectacular Rivière Jacques-Cartier flows through a deep valley surrounded by steep wall soaring up to 550 m in height! Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier is protected by Québec's parks and outdoor recreation network so that you can enjoy all your favorite outdoor pursuits.

With hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and camping all available in breathtaking surroundings, it's no wonder that the Jacques-Cartier region is known locally as Québec City's “green crescent.”

Montmorency Falls

Beautiful Montmorency Falls Park is just a few minutes from downtown Québec City. The waterfalls are 83 m (272') tall, a full 30 m (99') higher than Niagara Falls. Groomed footpaths throughout the park lead past several lookout points. You can admire the view from the cable car, suspended bridge or stairs climbing up the side of the cliff. Three via ferrata routes are located near the falls. At the Montmorency Manor, you will find a restaurant, gift shop and interpretation centre. A snack bar is located in the cable car station. Open year-round.

General Information

Venue
Université Laval - Pavillon d'Optique-photonique
2375 Rue de la Terrasse, Québec, QC G1V 0A6
Canada

Website: www.copl.ulaval.ca

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 Summer School is 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 Summer School 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 Summer School secretariat and organisers 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 Summer School Congress. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Medical 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
The dress code for the congress is informal for all occasions.

Weather
The average temperatures in Québec City during the month of June are generally 22 °C / 72 °F (day) and 11 °C / 52 °F (night).

Parking
There are many parking spaces on the campus. You can buy a daily pass at 18$/day or a week pass for 38$ if you stay at the residences. More info.

Travel Information – Getting Here
Strategic Location

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 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 or Université Laval is a flat Can $35.10. 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. If you travel by train, the Ste-Foy Station is closer to University Laval than the Québec downtown station.

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. If you travel by bus, the Ste-Foy Station is closer to University Laval than the Québec downtown station.

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.

Miles Kilometers
Atlanta 1,401 2,241
Boston 381 610
Chicago 1,016 1,625
Detroit 728 1,164
New York 524 839
Philadelphia 617 987
Washington D.C. 749 1,199

Taxis
Taxi Coop Québec
Tel.: +1 418 525 5191
E-mail: admin[at]taxicoop-quebec.com

Taxi Coop Sainte-Foy – Sillery
Tel.: 418 653 7777
E-mail: info[at]taxicoopstefoysillery.com

Taxi Laurier
Tel.: 418 651 2727
E-mail: contact[at]taxilaurier.com

Currency, Banking, ATM & Credit Cards
The currency is the Canadian dollar.
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 2:00 a.m. on March 10, 2019 until 2:00 a.m. on November 3, 2019

Summer School Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The NASSPM program was inspired by the extensive experience gained in the highly successful summer/winter schools pioneered by NSF’s International Materials Institute for New Functionality in Glass, and then expanded by the ICG at Université de Montpellier in France for the last 10 years. Through the teachings of renowned researchers from various disciplines, the NASSPM will expose students to cutting-edge topics of glass science and engineering, address the expanding fields encompassing optics and photonic materials as well as include hands-on team-based experimental projects to be carried out in COPL’s facilities.

The themes detailed below will be the main topics of the workshop :

Theme 1 Optical Materials

Materials for optical systems
Optical glasses and glass-ceramics
Transparent ceramics and optical crystals
Semiconductors
Theme 2 Properties and Characterization of Photonic Materials

Characterization of the optical properties of materials
Basics and applications of nonlinear optics
Basics and applications of spectroscopy
Integration of material properties in optical designs
Theme 3 Fibers and Fiber-Based Photonic Systems

Processing fundamentals – design strategies and fabrication methods
Advanced design of optical fiber sensors
Fiber lasers
Supercontinuum sources
Theme 4 Planar Photonic Materials and Systems

Introduction to integrated photonics and planar-based systems
Advanced materials for system applications
Lectures on these themes will be given every morning from Monday to Thursday.

Experimental projects

Participants will have the opportunity to carry out a hands-on team project in the COPL laboratories, from Monday to Thursday, after lunch time.

Industry Day

The last day of the Summer School will offer opportunities to connect with the photonics industry with specific focus on Next Generation Market Needs and Outlook for Photonic Materials.

Selection Process

NASSPM organizing committee invites all interested students to apply.

Application guidelines
A total number of 50 attendees will be selected, including 40 international graduate students and senior undergraduates as well as 10 postdoc/young professionals, each of the latter being expected to lead one team project during experiments.

A resume and a letter of reference from your research supervisor (Word or pdf format) are mandatory and must be emailed with the application form.

Download application Form here

Evaluation criteria :
Submitted applications will be reviewed by a Selection Committee and evaluated based on

Academic excellence
Aptitude for research and leadership
Relevance of the candidate’s research interests with the themes of the School.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application, which should include the following documents:

Application Form
Resume
Letter of Reference from your Research Supervisor

Invited Lecturers

LECTURERS

An international team of expert lecturers and industrial partners has been assembled for the SSPM.

Martin Bernier | Professor | COPL | Université Laval | Canada

Sawyer Campbell | Dr. | Penn State University | USA

Lionel Canioni | Professor | ICMCB | Université de Bordeaux | France

Thierry Cardinal | Dr. | ICMCB | Université de Bordeaux | France

Alain Chandonnet | President | INO | Canada

Jason Eichenholz | Dr. | CTO | Luminar Technologies | USA

Ulrich Fotheringhan | Dr. | SHOTT AG | Germany

Tigran Galstian | Professor | COPL | Unviersité Laval | Canada

Romain Gaume | Assistant Professor | University of Central Florida | USA

Juejun Hu | Professor | MIT | USA

Himanshu Jain | Professor | Lehigh University | USA

Maria Jesus Pascual | Dr. | CSIC | Instituto de Ceramica y Vidrio | Spain

Denise Krol | Professor | University of California | USA

Younès Messaddeq | Professor | COPL | Université Laval | Canada

Martin Richardson | Professor | University of Central Florida | USA

Katlheen Richardson | Professor | CREOL | University of Central Florida | USA

Clara Rivero-Baleine | Dr. | Lockheed Martin Corp | USA

Vincent Rogriguez | Professor | ISM | Université de Bordeaux | France

Frederic Smektala | Professor | Université de Bourgogne | France

Setsu Tababe | Professor | Kyoto University | Japan

Nelson Tansu | Profesor | Lehigh University | USA

Réal Vallée | Professor | COPL | Université Laval | Canada

Registration

Registration Fees
$300 CAD

Preferred lodging option will be the student residences on the Université Laval campus at a special rate of $39,50 CAD/ night (excluding taxes), which includes daily breakfast. More details on the Accomodation page.
Registration and payment must be completed before March 20, 2019.

Online registration will open on March 5, 2019.

Registration fee includes :

Teaching and scientific materials
Lunches (Monday to Friday)
Social activities
Official attestation of training issued by Université Laval
Registration fee does not cover:

Your travel to and from Quebec City
Food and lodging in Quebec City
Personal expenses
Health insurance (mandatory)
Payment methods
Payment of registration fees (in Canadian dollars) can be made as follows:

By Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard or American Express or Union Pay

Logo Credit Card

Refund Policy
A refund of registration fees will be made to any registered participant who cancels on or before April 1, 2019 less a 50 $ CAD administration fee.
No refund will be made if cancellation requests are received after April 1, 2019.

To get more information please contact :

NSSSPM 2019 – Contact information

For further information on the registration process, please feel free to contact Conferium
Tel. : +1 (418) 522-8182 or (800) 618-8182
Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00 U.S. / Canadian Eastern Time

General Information

Venue

Université Laval - Pavillon d'Optique-photonique
2375 Rue de la Terrasse, Québec, QC G1V 0A6
Canada

Website: www.copl.ulaval.ca

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 Summer School is 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 Summer School 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 Summer School secretariat and organisers 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 Summer School Congress. Participants should make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.

Medical 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
The dress code for the congress is informal for all occasions.

Weather
The average temperatures in Québec City during the month of June are generally 22 °C / 72 °F (day) and 11 °C / 52 °F (night).

Parking
There are many parking spaces on the campus. You can buy a daily pass at 18$/day or a week pass for 38$ if you stay at the residences. More info.

Travel Information – Getting Here
Strategic Location

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 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 or Université Laval is a flat Can $35.10. All of these services accept major credit cards.

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. If you travel by train, the Ste-Foy Station is closer to University Laval than the Québec downtown station.

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. If you travel by bus, the Ste-Foy Station is closer to University Laval than the Québec downtown station.

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.

Miles Kilometers
Atlanta 1,401 2,241
Boston 381 610
Chicago 1,016 1,625
Detroit 728 1,164
New York 524 839
Philadelphia 617 987
Washington D.C. 749 1,199

Currency, Banking, ATM & Credit Cards
The currency is the Canadian dollar.
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 2:00 a.m. on March 10, 2019 until 2:00 a.m. on November 3, 2019.

Useful Links and Maps