Especially at this time of year, many Canadians travel out of country to visit family and friends, or simply to enjoy a warmer climate. The Foreign Affairs department has issued the following advice that should be heeded to help ensure safe and enjoyable holiday travels:

• Visit Travel.gc.ca before international travels: Before going abroad, Canadian travellers should visit Travel.gc.ca and enter their destination in our Travel Advice and Advisories.
• Register with our service to be easily contacted: Canadian travellers should also register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive the latest updates in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.
• Purchase travel insurance: Travellers should purchase the best travel insurance they can afford and ensure complete coverage.
• Carry specific documents when travelling with children: Children should carry a consent letter and other appropriate documentation if they are travelling abroad alone, with only one parent or guardian, with friends or relatives or with a group.
• Don’t travel with cannabis: Taking cannabis or any product containing cannabis across the Canadian border is illegal and can result in serious criminal penalties.
• Have our embassy or consulate information on hand: Before travelling, Canadians should find the contact information for the Canadian embassy or consulate closest to their destination.

Although it is listed above, I would like to emphasize “Do not travel with cannabis back or forth across the Canadian border.” The legalization of marijuana has not changed the rules at Canada’s border.  Global Affairs goes into more detail HERE.

Canadians requiring emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa at any time by calling collect 1 613 996 8885 or by sending a message to [email protected].

Quick facts:

1. 1. • Every year, Global Affairs Canada helps thousands of Canadians who run into problems while they are travelling, working, studying and living in other countries.
      • In 2017, Canadian consular officers abroad opened cases for:
        • more than 200,000 passports, including 10,052 passports reported lost or stolen; and
        • 916 cases of medical assistance for Canadians abroad, of which nearly one third occurred in the most popular sun destinations.
        • Travel.gc.ca receives more than 15 million visits annually and ranks third among the most-visited Government of Canada sites.
        • Travel.gc.ca has up-to-date Travel Advice and Advisories for more than 230 destinations worldwide, which are a key reference in travel planning for Canadians and the travel industry.

Associated links:

1. • Travel Advice and Advisories
   • Registration of Canadians Abroad
   • Children and travel
   • Travel insurance
   • Ask Travel
   • Stay connected
   • Travel Smart app
   • Embassies and consulates
   • Travel.gc.ca publications
   • About consular services
   • Travel Documents