511 service
A provincial or territorial road-information system, usually providing conditions, closures and construction updates.
Canada travel glossary
Plain-language definitions for transport, regions, parks, seasons and northern travel.
Aurora
Light in the night sky caused by charged particles interacting with the atmosphere; also called the northern lights.
Backcountry
Areas away from developed roads and visitor facilities, often requiring permits and self-sufficiency.
Buffer day
A day intentionally left flexible for weather, transport delays or rest.
Cabot Trail
A scenic road loop in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Canadian Rockies
The mountain region spanning parts of Alberta and British Columbia.
Crown land
Public land managed by a federal or provincial government; use rules vary.
Electronic travel authorization
An entry document that may be required for some visa-exempt travellers flying to Canada.
Ferry check-in
The deadline by which passengers or vehicles must present for a sailing.
Fire ban
A temporary restriction on open flames or fires due to conditions.
First Nations
A broad term for many Indigenous peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Metis.
Gateway city
A city used as an arrival point for a wider region.
Great Lakes
Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario; four touch Canada directly.
Icefields Parkway
The mountain highway between the Lake Louise area and Jasper.
Inuit
Indigenous peoples whose homelands include Inuit Nunangat in northern Canada.
Inukshuk
A stone structure associated with Inuit culture; meanings and appropriate use depend on context.
Itinerary corridor
A linked set of destinations sharing geography or transport.
Metis
A distinct Indigenous people with their own history, culture and communities.
National park reserve
A protected area managed like a national park while an Indigenous land claim remains under negotiation.
Nunavut
Canada's largest territory by area, created in 1999.
Outport
A small coastal community, especially in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Parks Canada
The federal agency responsible for national parks, national historic sites and related protected places.
PRESTO
A fare payment system used in parts of Ontario; it is regional, not a national transit card.
Shoulder season
The period between peak and low travel seasons.
Smoke forecast
Information about the expected movement and concentration of wildfire smoke.
St. Lawrence River
The major waterway linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean.
Territory
One of Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut; territories have different constitutional arrangements from provinces.
Trans-Canada Highway
A national highway system made up of designated routes across the provinces.
Tundra
A cold, treeless ecosystem found in northern regions.
VIA Rail
Canada's national passenger rail service.
Wildlife closure
A temporary restriction protecting animals and visitors.
Winter road
A seasonal route over frozen ground or water, not a permanent highway.