Global Affairs Canada: Winter travel advice for Canadians

The Voice of Canada :

With the arrival of colder winter weather, many Canadians are planning their escape to warmer destinations. The Government of Canada is taking this opportunity to remind Canadians of the information and advice available to them on Travel.gc.ca to help them plan a safe and successful trip, including the following:

• Read Canada’s destination-specific Travel Advice and Advisories, which has information on risk levels, security conditions, entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, and more
• Register with the free Registration of Canadians Abroad service, which sends Canadian travellers the latest updates in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home
• Reach us for consular serviceby keeping contact information for Government of Canada offices abroad close at hand

Canadians should also keep the following advice in mind when planning a trip and while they’re away:

• Get travel insurance; carefully research options and verify the terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and requirements of the insurance policy before leaving Canada
• Prepare for a healthy trip by visiting their doctor, getting any recommended or required vaccinations, and respecting the health guidance of their destination
• Ensure all travel documents, including passports and visas, are valid and kept safe
• Ensure that children travelling alone, with only 1 parent or guardian, with friends or relatives, or with a group have a consent letter and any other appropriate documentation
• Be aware of the laws of the destination country
• Check their bags before departure to avoid accidentally bringing cannabis across the border, in any form, or items like electronic cigarettes/vaping devices to places where they are illegal
• Before returning to Canada, submit their customs and immigration declaration in advance to save time on arrival; the advance declaration option is available at 10 major Canadian airports

Throughout the holiday period, Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance can call the closest Government of Canada office abroad. Help is also available 24/7 through Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa:

• by phone at +1 613-996-8885
• by text message at +1 613-686-3658
• via Signal at +1 613-909-8087
• via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad
• via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881
• by email at sos@international.gc.ca

Quick facts

• The number of Canadians requiring urgent consular assistance is usually highest during the winter months. Some of the more common types of consular cases are accidents and medical assistance, as well as arrests and those where a Canadian was a victim of crime.
• The Government of Canada provides 24/7 emergency consular assistance to Canadians abroad should they need it.  Outside regular working hours, calls to our offices abroad are automatically redirected to Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre.
• Travel.gc.ca has up-to-date Travel Advice and Advisories for more than 230 destinations worldwide, and they are a key reference for Canadians and the travel industry.