Canada's International Events and Convention Services Program (IECSP)

If you are a convention, meeting or event planner, trade show organizer, or if you are involved in promoting Canada as a destination for a concert, art show or exhibition, this information will be of special interest to you.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), together with the help of other government departments and agencies, has designed the International Events and Convention Services Program (IECSP) to assist you in the planning process of your event being held in Canada.

By using this CBSA service early in your planning process, you will be aware of any Canadian border-related requirements for your event.

The IECSP coordinator is able to access a vast network of Government of Canada agencies and departments on your behalf, and has the expertise to advise you on what you need to know about bringing your type of event to Canada, including information on:

• the Letter of Recognition - a letter of introduction, issued by the IECSP coordinator, which you may present to the CBSA upon your arrival in Canada to facilitate the entry process;
• border-related requirements, exemptions and services that may apply to your specific event;
• moving your goods from the Canadian border to the event site;
• non-Canadians working in Canada;
• visitor visa requirements for persons from countries that require a visa to visit Canada;
• duties and taxes;
• Canada's goods and services tax (GST) or harmonized sales tax (HST); and
• security deposits.

For further details call one of our IECSP coordinators (see list in this brochure). They are available to answer your questions and provide advice.

More information

Copies of publications may be obtained at most CBSA offices across the country or by contacting our Forms and Publications Distribution Centre toll-free (within Canada and the United States) at 1-800-959-2221. You may also visit our Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

Canada's International Events and Convention Services Program

IECSP Coordinators

Atlantic

Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador

1969 Upper Water Street
Purdy's Tower II, 3rd Floor
Halifax NS B3J 3R7
Telephone: 902-426-7340
Facsimile: 902-426-1347

Quebec

130 rue Dalhousie
Québec QC G1K 4C4
Telephone: 418-648-3881
Facsimile: 418-649-6259

400 Place d'Youville, Bureau 120
Montréal QC H2Y 2C2
Telephone: 514-283-2949
Cellular: 514-829-9549
Facsimile: 514-283-5757

Northern Ontario, Nunavut and the National Capital Region

2265 St. Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa ON K1G 4K3
Telephone: 613-991-1427
Facsimile: 613-957-8911

Southern Ontario

Toronto, Windsor, London, Niagara Falls and Hamilton

1980 Matheson Blvd. E.
P. O. Box 7000, Station “A”
Mississauga ON L5A 3A4
Telephone: 905-803-5261
Facsimile: 905-803-5353

Prairies

Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories

269 Main Street, Room 100,
Victory Building
Winnipeg MB R3C 1B3
Telephone: 204-983-3664
Facsimile: 204-983-6635

Alberta

2588-27th Street N. E.
Calgary AB T1Y 7G1
Telephone: 403-292-4313
Facsimile: 403-292-4200

Pacific

British Columbia and Yukon

333 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver BC V6B 5R4
Telephone: 604-666-1294, 604-775-5379
Cellular: 604-834-6404
Facsimile: 604-666-4470

National Coordinator

191 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa ON K1A 0L8
Telephone: 613-946-0237
Cellular: 613-316-9614
Facsimile: 613-998-5584