The holiday travel season is officially underway, but before you embark on your highly anticipated trip, it’s important to take note of travel advisories issued by the Canadian government.
Global Affairs Canada says it analyzes trends and incidents affecting international travellers, monitors world events and collects updated reports from different sources to come up with its travel advice and advisories. They are available online at travel.gc.ca.
Patricia Marques, a travel industry expert and managing director of retail and travel call centres for CAA North & East Ontario, said she always recommends that people visit the website before they book a trip.
“The Canadian government issues those travel advisories to make sure that Canadians make informed decisions so they travel safely,” Marques told CTVNews.ca in a recent interview.
The guidance warns Canadians to exercise caution in certain places due to risks like crime, the threat of terrorism and unstable political conditions and to avoid some places altogether.
Some destinations also include regional advisories, meaning the risk level for travellers depends on a specific region of a given destination.
Currently, there are 21 destinations that are categorized as destinations where Canadians should “avoid all travel.” They include Russia, Ukraine, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Syria and Venezuela.
For example, travellers are advised to avoid all travel to Venezuela due to the “significant level of violent crime, the unstable political and economic situations and the decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, gasoline and water.”
The travel advisory also notes the security environment is “volatile” at the border between Venezuela and Guyana due to an ongoing territorial dispute over the Guayana Esequiba region. The Canadian government is recommending that people do not discuss the dispute and to monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation.
There are nine destinations where Canadians are advised to “avoid non-essential travel.” Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are some of those destinations.
In Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, for instance, officials say there are varying levels of risk depending on the region “due to the ongoing regional armed conflict and the unpredictable security situation.”
People are advised to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, avoid all travel to the parts of the Golan Heights that border Syria, east of Highway 98, and to avoid all travel within five kilometres of the border with Egypt, Lebanon and large parts of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, there are 92 destinations where Canadians are advised to “exercise a high degree of caution.” France, Egypt, China, Thailand, Brazil, Vietnam and Cuba are among those listed.
In Cuba, people are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to shortages of basic necessities including food, medicine and fuel amid the decades-long U.S. trade embargo on the Caribbean country.
In addition to minding safety risks, it’s worth noting that travel insurance will not cover you if you’re going somewhere where a travel advisory is in place, Marques said.
“It’s the most important thing that anybody can pack,” she said.
“Whether you’re doing a road trip, or flying somewhere abroad, medical insurance is just essential because the cost of medical treatment abroad is quite a lot more than what we pay of course here in our system.”
Marques recommends emergency medical travel insurance to not just those travelling abroad, but also people travelling within Canada since certain kinds of treatment may be covered in one province or territory, but not elsewhere in the country.
If you’re unclear about what measures you should be taking before going to a specific destination, she also recommends using a certified travel consultant “who really knows the ins and outs.”
Another international travel tip to keep in mind? Make sure to register with Global Affairs Canada, Marques said, even if you’re going to the United States or a Caribbean island, to let them know where you’re going to be in case of an emergency or a conflict or natural disaster breaks out.
Marques stressed the importance of putting in time and energy to be thoroughly prepared for any trip.
“There’s so many things and wonderful destinations that are out there, but be aware of where you’re travelling, do the research before you go, make sure you have travel insurance to cover you.”
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – RCMP say the body of a second person has been found inside their vehicle after a road washed away amid pouring rain on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Police say two vehicles went into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out on Saturday as an atmospheric river hammered southern B.C.
The body of the other driver was found Sunday.
More coming.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.
The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”
Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.
Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.
He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.
But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.
The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.
The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.
Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.
Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”
Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The winner will be announced in late November.
The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.
The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.
They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.
The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.
“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.
“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”
His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.
“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.
“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”
The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.
“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”
Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.
“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.
The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.
“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”
Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.
“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”
“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”
The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.
Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.
A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.
Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
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