As a general rule, the employee can expect the following types of services to be available at each type of establishment listed:
Hotels and Resorts
Motels
All-suite and Apartment Hotels
Apartments
Bed and Breakfast Establishments and Inn
(a) Canada Selecttm Star Ratings
In Canada, all but the province of Quebec, Northwest and Nunavut Territories, participate in a national accommodation rating program called Canada Selecttm. This rating system uses common grading criteria and evaluation techniques to establish a uniform method of comparing establishments. This "star rating", when provided by the property, is included in the Directory to assist travellers in selecting clean and comfortable accommodation.
Individual property ratings, ranging from
to
, are described as follows:
Clean, comfortable accommodation (with minimal or
no facilities, amenities, and guest services)
Clean, comfortable accommodation with some
amenities (limited facilities, amenities, and guest
services)
Very comfortable and attractive accommodations
with a greater range of facilities, amenities and guest
services
The highest standard of accommodations, along
with an extensive range of facilities, amenities, and guest
services
Exceptional properties which are among the very
best in the country in terms of the outstanding facilities and
service.
(b) Canadian Automibile Association/American Automobile Association (CAA/AAA) Diamond Ratings
In Canada and the United States, the Canadian Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association use a grading criteria to establish a uniform method of comparing establishments. This "Diamond Rating", when provided by the property, is included in the Directory to assist travellers in selecting clean and comfortable accommodation.
Individual property ratings, ranging from
to
, are described as
follows:
Properties provide good but modest
accommodations. Establishments are functional, emphasizing clean
and comfortable rooms. They must meet the basic needs of clean
and comfortable.
Properties maintain the attributes offered at
the one diamond level while showing noticeable enhancements in
room decor and quality of furnishings. They may be recently
constructed or older properties, both targeting the needs of a
budget-oriented traveller.
Properties offer a degree of sophistication.
Additional amenities, services and facilities may be offered.
There is a marked upgrade in the physical attributes, services
and comfort.
Properties are excellent and display a high
level of service and hospitality. These properties offer a
variety of amenities and upscale facilities in the guest rooms,
on the ground floor and in the public areas.
Properties are renowned. They exhibit an
exceptionally high degree of service, striking and luxurious
facilities and many extra amenities. Guest services are executed
and presented in a flawless manner. The guest is pampered by a
professional and attentive staff. The property's facilities and
operation help set the standards in hospitality and service for
the industry.
(c) Corporation de l'industrie touristique du Québec (CITQ)
For the province of Québec, the CITQ uses a rating system similar to Canada Selecttm Star Rating. This rating, when provided by the property, is included in the Directory to assist Identified Users in selecting clean and comfortable accommodation.
(d) Star Ratings for Other Countries
Some countries, other than Canada and the United States, use a rating system similar to the Canada Selecttm Star Rating. This rating, when provided by the property, is included in the Directory to assist Identified Users in selecting clean and comfortable accommodation.
The Government of Canada encourages its travelers to choose an establishment who has an environmental rating. Therefore, the Accommodation directory provides the properties' environmental rating as well, when a traveler accesses the Directory. Establishments are encouraged to participate in an environmental program.
(a) Green Leaftm Eco-Rating Program
The Green Leaftm Eco-Rating Program
is a graduated rating system designed to identify hotels, motels
and resorts committed to improving their environmental
performance. The program recognizes an establishment's
achievements through a reward of
to
. Establishments are encouraged to
indicate their Green Leaftm rating to
assist individuals traveling on government business to select
environmentally responsible lodging listed in the Directory.
The program provides a green leaf designation reflecting the following criteria for each rating level:
: Hotel must have identified and
initiated some measures to improve environmental performance in
areas such as energy use, water conservation and waste reduction.
Hotels must score higher than 15 points to be eligible for 1
Green Leaf.
: Hotel has moved beyond an
awareness of sound environmental practice and has achieved real
results in reducing environmental impacts of its operations.
Hotels must score higher than 35 points to be eligible for 2
Green Leaves.
: Hotel has shown excellent
progress in achieving improved environmental performance in all
areas of facility operations and management. Hotels must score
higher than 55 points to be eligible for 3 Green Leaves.
: Hotel has demonstrated
national industry leadership in terms of outstanding
environmental performance for both hotel management and
facilities. Hotels must score higher than 75 points to be
eligible for 4 Green Leaves.
: This designation is reserved
for hotel facilities serving as world leaders in eco-efficiency
who continually introduce new policies and practices for others
in the industry. Hotels must score higher than 90 points to be
eligible for 5 Green Leaves.
The Green Leaftm Eco-Rating Program is international in scope and is available to any lodging facility, whether it be full or limited service. For more information please contact:
Green Leaftm Eco-Rating Program
c/o Green Leaf Environmental Communications Inc.
Attn: Kevin Gallagher
Telephone: 613-247-1900, extension 222
Facsimile: 613-247-2228
E-Mail: kevin@greenleafenvironmental.org
Website: greenleaf.auduboninternational.org
(b) Hotel Association of Canada Green Key Eco-Rating Program
The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a graduated rating system
designed to identify hotels, motels and resorts committed to
improving their environmental performance. Designed by hoteliers,
for hoteliers, the program recognizes an establishment's
achievements through a reward of
to
. Establishments are encouraged to indicate
their Green Key rating to assist individuals traveling on
Government business to select environmentally responsible lodging
listed in the Directory.
The program provides a green key designation reflecting the following criteria for each rating level:
: A hotel that has taken steps to reduce
environmental impacts by analyzing its operations and identifying
opportunities for improvement. An action plan focusing on
resource conservation and waste minimization has been
established, and is supported by a firm commitment to continual
improvement.
: A hotel that has taken considerable
strides to identify environment impacts and implement policies
and programs to minimize its ecological footprint. A firm
commitment to continual improvement has resulted in programs and
actions that have shown effective results.
: A hotel that has made significant advances
towards protecting the environment. Strong environmental programs
which identify impact and the implementation of best management
practices, training programs, and engineering solutions, have
benefited the environment and the local community.
: A hotel that has shown national industry
leadership and commitment to protecting the environment through
wide ranging policies and practices. Mature programs that involve
management, employees, guests, and the public have shown
substantial and measurable results.
: A hotel that exemplifies the highest
standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout
all areas of operations. The hotel employs cutting edge
technologies, policies, and programs which set the international
standard for sustainable hotel operations.
The Hotel Association of Canada's Green Key Eco-Rating Program is national in scope and is available to any lodging facility, whether it be full or limited service. For more information please contact:
Andrea Myers
Hotel Association of Canada
Phone: (613) 237-7149
Fax: (613) 237-8928
E-Mail: myers@hotelassociation.ca
Website: www.hacgreenhotels.com
For the purpose of this Standing Offer, there is no room defined as a "government room".
A. Guest Room
A guest room is a regular room normally offered for accommodation. Guest rooms should not exclude rooms considered to be superior in quality, size or location (for example: Harbour view vs. City view). Superior or Deluxe rooms (larger rooms with additional amenities) are also to be considered as a guest room. Any other type of room may be offered to the Identified User as a guest room at the discretion of the establishment's management, at no additional cost.
B. Business Class Room
A business class room is a room that offers additional services, at no extra cost to Canada, including, but not limited to: free continental breakfast, free hors d'oeuvres, free access to concierge lounge, etc. These rooms are typically located on specialty floors (executive, corporate, club floors, etc.). Business class rooms must not exclude rooms considered to be superior in quality, size or location (for example: Harbour view vs. City view).
C. Bachelor/Studio with Kitchen
A Bachelor/Studio with Kitchen is a room that includes a full kitchen. Full kitchen means a full size stove or stove top, refrigerator and all kitchen utensils. Rooms with a microwave and mini-fridge are considered as a Guest Room for the purpose of this Standing Offer.
D. 1 or 2 Bedroom Suite with or without Kitchen
A suite is a room which has a living and sleeping area that are separated by a door. Should you indicate that the suite includes a kitchen, it must be a full kitchen (see Bachelor/Studio with Kitchen above for definition of full kitchen). Suites should not exclude rooms considered to be superior in quality, size or location (for example: Harbour view vs. City view).
Specialty suites such as the "Presidential Suite" and other similar suites are excluded from this Standing Offer, but may be offered to the government traveler as one of the offered room types, at no extra cost, at the discretion of the establishment's management.
Rates offered for each category of occupancy are not based on the size of the bed in the room. For example: single occupancy means one person occupying the room , regardless of the number or size of the bed (double, queen or king).
(a) Establishments that accommodate people with disabilities offer barrier-free building and service features to entrances, elevators, restaurants, lounges, guest rooms, bathrooms, service counters, way finding systems, conference areas, recreation areas, leisure areas and communications systems. The level of accessibility (1, 2, or 3) available at the establishment is dexcribed below.
Minor variances to the Standard are acceptable provided they do not limit access or use of a facility.
(b) Information on the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard is available from:
The Canadian Standards Association
5060 Spectrum Way
Mississauga, ON L4W 5N6
Telephone: (416) 747-4000
Fax: (416) 747-2473
Toll-Free: 1-800-463-6727
Web Site: www.csa.ca
(c) Access Canada is a national program managed by the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), aims to increase the number of accessible hotels in Canada by improving the facilities and services provided to seniors and people with disabilities.
The on-line program incorporates Staff Sensitivity Training and a Standards Assessment of the physical property. Completion of both components is required in order to be officially recognized as an Access Canada rated property.
Properties are rated on a scale from Participant up to Level 4 (Participant indicates a hotel has completed Staff Training, has some accessible features but is not yet at Level 1 standards). The higher a property's rating the more extensive their accessible facilities, services and amenities are. Within each Access Level, the Property Standards are divided into 15 areas (public washrooms, guestrooms, signage, lobby, parking, etc.) for easy reference. The Staff Training component is designed to improve the comfort level and interpersonal skills of hotel staff in relating to seniors and people with disabilities as well as enhancing their knowledge of the property's accessible services and facilities.
Hoteliers interested in obtaining further information on the Access Canada Program should contact the Hotel Association of Canada at 613-237-7149 or visit the official program website at www.access-canada.ca.
The credit cards that are accepted by the property for the payment of meals and accommodation is indicated in the Accommodations Directory.
Be advised that the American Express Bank of Canada (AMEX) presently provides Government of Canada employees with their Designated Travel Card (DTC).
Canadian properties are encouraged to provide essential services in both official languages, as well as English and French television channels.
(a) The rate periods are set up by monthly periods. This allows establishments to set government rates for each month in accordance with their own high and low seasons.
(b) The rate periods cannot be altered (rates must be available from the first to the last day of the month inclusively).
Offerors are permitted up to seven (7) days per year of their choice during which they will not be obligated to provide the discounted rates offered in this Standing Offer (Canadian properties only).
(a) Rates offered for the 2010 Accommodation Directory are considered maximum rates. Preferred suppliers that have been awarded a Standing Offer will have the option to reduce their rate offering during the course of calendar year 2010 as follows:
Under no circumstances will any rate changes be accepted other than what is specified above.
Should a supplier lower its offering for a specific month, all existing reservations made prior to the rate modification must be adjusted to reflect the new lower rate offering. Should an Identifed User be charged the inaccurate rate, this will be considered as an overcharge and the supplier will be obligated to credit the Identified User for the overcharge immediately.
(b) Weekly and Monthly Rates
Weekly rates are calculated on a 7 day period. Monthly rates are
calculated on the basis of the first day to the last day of the
month.
(c) Non-commissionable Rates
The rates quoted are non-commissionable. Rates are free of the
normal commission paid to travel agents for booking reservations.
Any other fees or costs incurred by the establishment pertaining
to such reservations are outside the terms of this Standing
Offer.
(a) Canadian properties have quoted rates in Canadian dollars.
(b) American properties have quoted rates in American dollars.
(a) For properties in countries other than Canada and the USA, rates have either been quoted in American dollars or in the local currency.
Some Offerors have agreed to extend their government rates to cost reimbursable contractors, consultants or advisors working under contract to an Identified User and traveling on official government business in performance of that contract. Identified users are advised to provide cost reimbursable contractors, consultants or advisors with a letter, specifying the duration of their contract or specifying that they are on travel status on behalf of the government and their destination. Unless such identification is provided, such travelers may not be eligible to receive government rates listed in the Directory. Establishments that have agreed to extend their rates to cost reimbursable contractors, consultants or advisors will have this information displayed in the Directory above the "Services Offered".
(a) For Canadian properties, the rates include all taxes except PST, GST and HST. The Municipal Room Tax is also excluded from the rate although it is usually amalgamated to the PST. Occupancy taxes or Destination Marketing Fees, charged in various tourist regions, are also excluded from the rates. Federal Government employees are required to pay these taxes for meals and accommodation directly to the suppliers of such services. Provincial sales tax exemption numbers should not be quoted for these purchases.
(b) For American properties, the rates include all taxes except State Sales Taxes and Occupancy taxes, if applicable.
(c) For properties in countries other than Canada and the USA, taxes and service fees may or may not be included in the rates quoted.