Get Used to the Metric System

Yes, Canada generally uses the metric system.  Gas is sold by the liter (L), distances are posted in kilometers (km), speeds are posted in kilometers/hour (km/h), and temperature is in Celsius (C).  However, you’ll find many Canadians still know the English units since the conversion to metric started in 1970 in Canada and was slowly adopted.  What can I say; it takes some getting used to.  Get an app for your phone, and that will ease the transition.  One note of caution: you will find a mix of measurements at the grocery stores.  Be careful when you buy anything by weight because some places post prices per pound, some per 100g, and others by kilogram. 

I know we all learned the metric system in school, but like languages it takes actually using it every day to be “bi-lingual” in measuring systems.  A couple of shortcuts you can use for easy conversions:  (1)100 km/h is approximately 60 mph. (2)To convert degrees C to Fahrenheit (F), take degrees C and multiply by 2 then add 30.  20 degrees C is approximately 70 degrees F.  Once you are "bi-lingual" you won't need the shortcuts. Most the rest of the world uses the metric system so it won’t kill us to learn!