Currency & Payments in Canada
When traveling to Halifax for the 2026 conference, understanding the Canadian payment landscape will help you avoid unnecessary fees and "sticker shock" at the checkout.
The Canadian Dollar ($ / CAD)
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (CAD). It is a distinct currency from the U.S. Dollar. While some larger retailers or tourist-heavy spots near the Halifax waterfront may accept USD, they often do so at a poor exchange rate. We recommend paying in CAD or by card to get the best value.
Banknotes: $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. Canadian bills are made of a durable polymer (plastic) and are color-coded for easy identification.
Coins: 5¢ (Nickel), 10¢ (Dime), 25¢ (Quarter), $1 (Loonie), and $2 (Toonie).
Note on the Penny: Canada discontinued the penny. For cash transactions, the total will be rounded to the nearest five cents. Card transactions are not rounded.
Using Cards & Mobile Pay
Canada is highly digitized; you can pay for almost everything-from a taxi to a cup of coffee-using a card or phone.
Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. American Express is widely accepted but may not be taken at some smaller independent shops or cafes.
Contactless Pay: "Tap" is the standard. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless cards work at nearly every point-of-sale terminal.
Transaction Fees: Many international cards charge a 2.5% foreign transaction fee. Check with your bank before traveling to see if they offer a "no-FX fee" card to save on every purchase.
Currency Conversion: If a card terminal asks if you want to pay in your home currency or CAD, always choose CAD. This allows your own bank to handle the conversion, which is almost always cheaper than the "Dynamic Currency Conversion" offered by the merchant.
Accessing Cash
While you won't need much cash in Halifax, it is helpful for small tips or the occasional "cash-only" stall at local markets.
ATMs: Known as "ABMs" in Canada, these are plentiful throughout Halifax. Using a bank-affiliated machine (e.g., RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) is usually safer and cheaper than generic machines found in convenience stores.
Withdrawal Tip: Your home bank may charge a fee for international withdrawals. It is often cheaper to withdraw one larger amount of cash ($100–$200) once rather than making several small withdrawals.
Taxes & Tipping
Sales Tax: In Nova Scotia, a 15% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is added to most goods and services. Crucial: Prices on tags and menus do not include this tax; it is added at the register.
Tipping: Tipping is standard practice in Canada for sit-down service.
Restaurants: 15% to 20% of the pre-tax bill.
Taxis/Bars/Salons: 10% to 15%.
Note: Card terminals will usually prompt you with a "Tip %" option during payment.