Bon Voyage, But...
Information for the Canadian Traveller
2005/2006

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Canadians love to travel. Each year we make millions of trips worldwide for both business and pleasure.  

To maximize your chances of enjoying a hassle-free journey abroad, get informed before you go—preparation is the key to a successful trip.  

To help you plan ahead, Foreign Affairs Canada has developed this handy reference booklet. It contains a list of the consular services we offer abroad, travel advice and important contact information.  

What Are Canadian Consular Services?

The Consular Affairs Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada has over 270 points of service worldwide where consular officials are ready to assist Canadians travelling, working or living abroad. Being informed about the services we do and do not provide will help make your stay abroad a more pleasant one.  

Consular Officials Provide the Following Services:
(Services are free unless otherwise indicated.)

In emergencies

• Assist in arranging evacuation in the event of war, civil unrest or a natural disaster.
• Arrange help in a medical emergency by providing you with a list of local doctors and hospitals.
• Arrange for your medical evacuation should a required treatment not be available locally (fees apply).
• Comfort and assist victims of robbery or other violence.
• Help find missing persons and abducted children.

• Provide you with a list of local lawyers.
• Provide you with sources of information about local laws and regulations.
• Seek to ensure that you are treated fairly under the country’s laws if you are arrested or detained (see our publication A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad).
• Provide assistance if your child has been abducted and taken to another country (see our publication International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents).
• Notarize documents (fees apply).

• Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or expired passport (fees apply).
• Extend the period of validity in a limited-validity passport (fees apply).
• Add a married or conjugal name to a passport (fees apply).
• Issue certificates in lieu of a birth certificate, record of civil status or record of family civil status (fees apply).
• Issue a statement in lieu of a certificate of non-impediment to marriage abroad (fees apply).
• Provide an emergency loan (fees apply, and this service is offered only as a last resort and is subject to strict rules).
• Transfer funds (fees apply).
• Provide translation services (fees apply).
• Contact relatives or friends and ask them to send you money or airline tickets.
• Contact your next of kin, with your authorization, if you’ve had an accident or are detained by police.
• Accept citizenship applications.
• Provide advice about burying a Canadian abroad or repatriating the remains to Canada.
• Contact your next of kin in case of death.
• Request that local authorities investigate suspicious circumstances in the event of an alleged or apparent crime or death.

When legal issues arise

• Intervene in private legal matters.
• Provide legal advice.
• Obtain a criminal record check on your behalf.
• Post bail, pay fines or legal fees.
• Get you out of prison.
• Take possession of an abducted child.
• Enforce a Canadian custody agreement overseas or compel a country to decide a custody case.
• Investigate a crime or death.
• Ask local authorities to give preferential treatment to Canadians.

• Make travel arrangements.
• Compensate or reimburse you for delayed or cancelled travel.
• Pay your hotel, medical, travel or other expenses.
• Store personal effects or search for lost items.
• Acquire local permits or licences on your behalf, including foreign visas or work permits.
• Assist with job hunting.
• Help you find accommodation.
• Accept mail on your behalf.
• Issue pension or social security benefits.
• Perform marriage ceremonies.
• Pay the burial, cremation or repatriation costs of a deceased Canadian.

Emergency Consular Services

Canadian government offices abroad offer 24-hour assistance, seven days a week. Outside of office hours, your telephone call will automatically be transferred to a consular officer in Ottawa or you will be asked to leave a message for a return call. In either case, there will be a prompt response. If you leave a recorded message, make sure that it is clear and that you leave a complete telephone number or contact address.  

From some countries, you can use a toll-free number to speak to a consular officer in Ottawa. In addition, you can make a collect call (where available) to Foreign Affairs Canada in Ottawa at (613) 996-8885.

In some locations where Canada does not have a local office, the Australian or the British mission will provide you with emergency services. These and possibly other missions can also contact the nearest Canadian office on your behalf.  

Check the List of Canadian Government Offices Abroad section for information on how to contact the Canadian office(s) in the country you plan to visit.  

Before You Go

Get Informed

Take time to learn about the political, cultural and economic environment of your destination. Learn at least a few key phrases in the country’s language. Even a modest command of the local language will go a long way.  

Some countries experience ongoing wars, insurgencies or sporadic unrest. Find out if your destination is known to be dangerous. Consult the Country Travel Reports and the Current Issues section of our Web site for up-to-date information on safety and security conditions, health issues, and entry and visa requirements for over 200 travel destinations.  

Find out before you go where the nearest Canadian government office is located. Contact information for these offices is provided in our list of Canadian Government Offices Abroad.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home so they can contact you in case of an emergency.

Register with a Canadian Government Office Abroad

If you expect to stay in a country for more than three months, or plan to visit areas or countries with a potential for problems, it is recommended that you register with the nearest Canadian government office abroad to help us contact you in case of an emergency.  

Registration is voluntary, and the information you provide is protected and used in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act. Under the Privacy Act, personal information may be disclosed in certain circumstances: a few examples include where disclosure would clearly benefit the client, where the public interest in disclosure clearly outweighs any invasion of privacy or pursuant to a court order. You can register on-line.

In countries where Canada has no direct representation, there may be arrangements in place for you to register with another country’s embassy or consulate. For example, Canada has such an arrangement with Australia. Consult the Country Travel Reports on our Web site for country-specific information.  

Your Passport

Your passport is the only proof of your Canadian citizenship and identity that is accepted in all countries. You and all family members should have a valid passport if you plan to travel outside Canada. Passport applications are available at the Passport Canada Web site, at Passport Canada offices and postal outlets in Canada, and at Canadian government offices abroad.

A Passport for Everyone

Canadian children must have their own passport. The practice of adding a child’s name to a parent’s passport is no longer permitted.  

Before you leave on your trip, be sure to complete the “In case of accident or death notify” section (page 4) in your passport. This will help us quickly notify your family or friends if an emergency arises.  

Processing Time

The processing period for in-person applications in Canada is 10 working days. The processing of mail-in applications takes a minimum of 20 working days. So plan to apply well before your departure.  

Keep It Safe!

Make photocopies of your passport’s identification page and of your identification cards and keep the copies separate from the original when you travel. For added security, leave a copy with a friend or relative at home. We also recommend that you carry a birth or citizenship certificate in addition to your Canadian passport. These simple steps may speed the replacement process if you lose your passport.    

Expiration Date

If your passport is due to expire within six months of your scheduled return to Canada, check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate in Canada for its rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiration. Some countries will not let you enter if your passport is due to expire within six months of entry.  

If you have any questions about passports, contact Passport Canada.

Travel to the United States and Mexico Canadians should carry a valid Canadian passport for all visits to the United States and Mexico.   For detailed information about travel in the United States and Mexico, refer to our booklets U.S.A. Bound and México: ¿Qué pasa? and our Travel Reports on these countries.

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Do You Need a Visa?

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You need a visa to enter certain countries. Your travel agent or the country’s embassy or consulate in Canada can advise you of the requirements. You can also check our Country Travel Reports and the Visas section on our Web site. Apply for visas well in advance of your trip.  

Some countries will allow you to enter only if you can prove you will be leaving and have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Be prepared to show your return or onward ticket, bank statement or any visas that demonstrate you plan to visit another country.  

Travel with or by Children

If a person younger than 18 is travelling alone or with only one parent or another adult, we recommend that a consent letter proving that the trip is permitted by the custodial parent (or both parents or the legal guardian, as the case may be) be carried. For an example of a consent letter, refer to Frequently Asked Questions in the Before You Go section of our Web site.  

Make sure you and/or the children carry the proper identification. This includes birth certificates, baptismal certificates, passports, citizenship cards, records of landing and certificates of Indian status. Proper identification could also include any documents, such as divorce papers or custody court orders, that might be required by the country you intend to visit. These documents will help prove your citizenship, residency and custodial rights when you return to Canada.

If you or your partner are travelling to another country with your child and there is a possibility that a custody dispute might develop, you should talk to a lawyer before the child leaves home. Our publication International Child Abductions: A Manual for Parents contains further information.  

Your child custody arrangements in Canada may not be recognized in another country. In extreme cases, you or your child may not be allowed to leave that country. Check your status with that country’s embassy or consulate in Canada before you travel. If you have custody questions, contact Foreign Affairs Canada’s Consular Case Management Division at 1 800 387-3124 (in Canada) or (613) 943-1055.  

Travel with same-sex married spouse

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, they are not recognized in many countries. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. Consult the Travel Reports for country specific information.

Dual Citizenship

Canadian law permits a Canadian to have more than one nationality. However, your Canadian citizenship may not be recognized in the country of your other citizenship, and the authorities of that country may prevent Canada from providing you with consular assistance. This is especially true if you did not use your Canadian passport when entering that country.  

If you are considered a national of another country, you may be compelled to do military service or pay special taxes.  

To avoid unpleasant surprises, find out whether you, your spouse or any other family member is a citizen of another country.

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Where permitted by the laws of the country in question, the Government of Canada encourages Canadians to use their Canadian passport when travelling abroad and to present themselves as Canadians to foreign authorities.  

If you have questions or concerns regarding dual citizenship, contact the nearest Canadian government office or refer to our booklet Dual Citizenship.

Persons with a Disability

Many countries do not provide access for people in wheelchairs or make allowances for those with special hearing, sight or other physical requirements. For more information, refer to the Canadian Transportation Agency Web site and the Government of Canada Web site “Persons with Disabilities Online”. 

Getting Medical Advice
(Provided by The Public Health Agency of Canada)

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or your physician six to eight weeks before departure to determine your need for vaccinations, preventive medication and advice on what precautions to take to avoid disease while travelling.  

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Vaccinations and Preventive Medication

Based on your current health status, immunization history and anticipated itinerary, a health care provider can assess your vaccination requirements and your need for preventive medications (e.g. for malaria). International travel can expose you to infectious diseases such as measles that aren’t frequently seen in Canada. Ensure that your routine immunizations—tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis), polio, measles, mumps and rubella—are up-to-date. Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required to enter some countries. Seek a risk assessment well in advance of your departure, as you may need to start receiving vaccinations or taking preventive medication a month or two beforehand.  

If you are travelling with infants or small children, you may need to arrange an alternative or accelerated childhood immunization schedule for them.  

AIDS

Some countries require proof of HIV testing. Have the test conducted and obtain the results before your trip.  

Medication

If you take medication, be sure to pack an extra supply in case you are away for longer than expected. Carrying a duplicate of your original prescription that lists both the generic and trade names of the drug is recommended in case your medication is lost or stolen. This is also a good idea if you wear glasses or contact lenses—having the prescription makes it easier to replace them.  

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Do not try to save luggage space by combining medications into a single container. Keep all medications in the original, labelled container to avoid customs problems.

Some medications that are sold over the counter in Canada are illegal or require a prescription in other countries. Find out whether your medication is legally available in the country you plan to visit. For travel to some countries, obtaining a note from your doctor that states the medical reasons for your prescription and the recommended dosage is also encouraged.  

If you need syringes for a medical condition such as diabetes, it is very important that you take along an appropriate supply. As well, you should carry a medical certificate that shows they are for medical use.   

Supplemental Health Insurance

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Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while you are abroad. At best, your health plan will cover only a portion of the bill. It is your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary travel insurance policies.  

Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage. Some companies require an additional premium to include travel coverage. Others require that you pay for your travel arrangements using that specific card. Verify the conditions, limitations and requirements before departure.  

Be sure to ask whether your policy:

• Has an in-house worldwide emergency hotline you can call if you are in trouble. Find out whether it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week; if the operators are multilingual; and whether nurses or physicians are on staff.
• Pays foreign hospital and related medical costs and, if so, whether it pays up front or expects you to pay and be reimbursed later.
• Provides for your medical evacuation to the nearest place with proper medical care or to Canada.
• Pays for any required medical escort (doctor or nurse) to accompany you during evacuation. This can cost as much as $100,000 without insurance.
• Excludes pre-existing medical conditions. If such conditions exist, notify your insurance company and get an agreement in writing that you are covered for these conditions. Otherwise, you could find your claim “null and void” under a pre-existing condition clause.
• Covers premature births and related neonatal care.
• Allows for cash advances if a hospital accepts only such payment.
• Pays for the preparation and return to Canada of your remains should you die while travelling. This can cost as much as $10,000 without insurance.

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Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or a relative at home and your travelling companion how to contact your insurer.  

Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you leave the country. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get the proper paperwork from thousands of kilometres away. Remember always to submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions you received while travelling abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. Keep a copy of the submitted documents for your files.

Extended Stay Abroad

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Your provincial government health insurance plan cannot be maintained after you have lived outside the province for a period of time. This period varies by province. Individual personal medical insurance is available for those working, studying or living outside Canada for an extended period. Coverage is available for both the contracted person and dependants. These plans consist of full accident and sickness coverage, including emergency medical evacuation and war risk. Many companies have changed their terms and conditions related to terrorist acts, war and civil unrest. Check with your insurance company before you leave.  

Other Insurance

You may also want to purchase a travel insurance package that includes flight cancellation, trip interruption and/or lost luggage coverage. Doing so can avoid major disruptions and additional costs. Again, check the terms and conditions of these policies.

Travelling by Car?

Keep in mind that each country has its own driving regulations. You may be required to obtain an international driving permit and/or additional insurance to drive a vehicle in the destination country. For further information, consult our Country Travel Reports or the Canadian Automobile Association. In some countries, the driver may be detained and questioned by police even though only a minor accident has occurred.    

Money Matters

Canadian currency and traveller’s cheques are not always accepted. Before you leave, consult a bank or foreign currency agent to find out the most appropriate currency to carry.  

It’s always a good idea to have a small amount of the local currency on hand when you first arrive, unless the importation of local currency is a crime. There may be restrictions on the amount of money that you can take into or out of the country. Check with the foreign embassy or consulate in Canada or with your travel agent about currency regulations in the country you plan to visit.

Be aware that your debit card or credit card will not necessarily be usable abroad. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries.  

Before you leave Canada, make arrangements for how you'll get additional funds if needed. Foreign travel is often more expensive than people plan for. 

Canadian Taxation Status

If you are living or travelling abroad but maintain residential ties in Canada, you are usually considered a factual resident of Canada for taxation purposes. However, there may be other factors involved, so review your situation with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) before you leave in order to avoid surprises. The CRA publication Canadian Residents Abroad provides excellent information.  

Avoiding Customs Difficulties

Before travelling abroad with valuable items, you can take advantage of a free identification procedure at any Canadian customs office. 

Transport of Dangerous Goods and Aviation Security

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Passengers are not permitted to transport dangerous goods on board an aircraft in carry-on or checked baggage, or on their person. Consult the airline or Transport Canada’s Web site to find out what you can and cannot take with you.  

Women Travelling Solo Our booklet Her Own Way: Advice for the Woman Traveller provides information specifically for women travellers.  

Traveller's Checklist

Country Travel Report for your destination country Itinerary and budget Health and travel insurance Passport: check expiry date, make copies Entry visas and departure tax Documentation for children (consent letter) Yes No Vaccinations, medication, prescriptions, medical certificate, supplies, extra pair of glasses International driver's licence (if needed) Flight preparation Registration with a Canadian government office abroad (on-line) Dual citizenship: is it an issue? Money: local currency, traveller's cheques, etc. Bringing back goods: receipts for purchases, special arrangements for food, animals, plants, etc. Don't forget to pack the booklet Bon Voyage But... in your luggage. It is an invaluable source of contact information and advice. Tel.: 1 800 267-6788 (in Canada and the USA) or (613) 944-6788 E-mail: voyage@international.gc.ca

On the Road

Taking Precautions

The same rules apply abroad as at home, only more so. Foreigners are usually at greater risk than locals. In many countries, foreigners are specifically targeted. Don’t wander into unknown areas—find out how safe they are first. Don’t pick up hitchhikers or cross borders with people you have just met. Watch your luggage and make sure it’s locked. Never take anything, even an envelope, across a border for someone else.  

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Do not display large amounts of money or expensive jewellery in public. Use a money belt or a case with concealed sections for valuables. 

Don’t forget to telephone home, particularly if you have promised family members or friends that you would do so. We receive thousands of calls every year from worried family members or friends who have not received a promised call.  

Keep a separate record of your traveller’s cheques and credit cards. Never carry your passport, travel tickets, identification documents, cash, credit cards and insurance papers together. If you do so, you risk being left with no identification or funds in case of theft or loss.  

Use the safety deposit box at your hotel. Never leave valuables in your room. 

Foreign Laws and Customs

When you are travelling in a foreign country, familiarize yourself with the way of life there. Respect that country’s laws, religions, culture, class structure and economic conditions. Although you may not agree with some of the country’s beliefs, remember that you are a visitor.  

Homosexual activity is a criminal offence in some countries. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

In many countries, appropriate attire for both sexes is very important and may even be legislated. Penalties for disobeying local laws can be quite severe. 

Be especially respectful of temples, mosques, churches, synagogues and other religious sites. Many of these areas are off limits to foreigners or people who are not members of that faith. Ask permission before taking photographs of religious artifacts, buildings or local people.  

Never take photographs of military facilities, a harbour where naval vessels are docked or industrial installations such as oil refineries. You may lose your film and your camera, and you could even come under suspicion of espionage.  

Illegal Drugs

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Drug use and trafficking are prohibited in all countries, even though drugs are readily available and openly used in some places. Most countries impose heavy fines and long prison sentences for possession and trafficking. In some countries, possession of even small amounts of drugs carries a prison sentence.  Never take any parcel that is not yours across a border.  

Choose your travelling companions wisely. Never cross a border with a hitchhiker or as a hitchhiker. Although you may not be carrying anything illegal, your companions may be. For details, consult the Drugs and Travel section of our Web site and our publication Drugs and Travel: Why They Don’t Mix.  

Crime and Punishment

Thousands of Canadians are currently imprisoned outside Canada for various offences. The laws and customs of countries around the world can be very different from those in Canada. Ignorance of those laws is no defence.  

While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and regulations. Your Canadian citizenship offers no immunity.

If you find yourself in trouble, Canadian consular staff abroad can provide a list of lawyers who have the required expertise, contact your family and friends, and ensure that you receive fair treatment according to the standards of that country. They cannot, however, wield any influence to reduce your sentence or fine.  

Judicial Process

Never assume that the legal system of the country you are visiting is the same as at home. “Innocent until proven guilty” is not a universally recognized concept. In some countries, you may not even have the right to legal representation or a trial in your own language.  

Some countries do not recognize or respect religious freedom; freedom of association, speech or the press; or equality of the sexes. For instance, guilt by association is presumed in some countries. This means that you may be charged simply for being in the company of a person suspected or found guilty of a crime.

Even if you are an innocent bystander at a demonstration or riot, you may be considered a participant and be rounded up with those involved.

If you do find yourself in legal trouble, contact the nearest Canadian government office immediately. If you cannot do so yourself, have someone else do it for you.  

When You Return

Departure Tax

Some countries impose a departure tax or service fee at the airport or point of departure. Before leaving, make sure you set aside enough money, in local funds, to pay this tax. Consult our Country Travel Reports for more information. 

Canadian Customs and Import Controls

If you have been away from Canada for 24 hours or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$50 without paying duties or taxes. This does not include alcohol and tobacco products.  

If you have been away from Canada for 48 hours or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$200 without paying duties or taxes. These goods can include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products as follows: up to 1.14 litres (40 oz.) of liquor or 1.5 litres (53 oz.) of wine, or a case of 24 bottles or cans of beer or ale, each containing 355 ml (12 oz.). As for tobacco, you may bring back up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos, 200 tobacco sticks and 200 grams (7 oz.) of manufactured tobacco.

If you have been away from Canada for seven days or more, you may bring back goods worth up to C$750 without paying duties or taxes. These goods can include alcoholic beverages and tobacco products as described above. Note that provincial age restrictions apply to liquor and tobacco products.  

When calculating the number of days you are absent, do not include the date you leave Canada, but do include the date you return. 

Note: Tobacco products included in a personal exemption are still subject to a minimum duty unless they are marked “Canada-Duty Paid—Droit acquitté”. 

Be Aware and Declare

You must declare everything you have purchased and acquired abroad, whether the items are for yourself or intended as gifts, as well as goods bought at a Canadian or foreign duty-free store. Keep your original receipts for possible inspection.  

The booklet I Declare (RC4044), published by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), describes what you can and cannot bring back to Canada if you have been away for less than a year. After a stay abroad of more than a year, there are special import provisions for household items and personal belongings. Information is contained in the CBSA brochure Moving Back to Canada (RC4105).

For information on importing a vehicle, contact the Canada Border Services Agency.

Illegal Souvenirs

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There are restrictions on bringing certain goods into Canada. If you are considering importing meat, eggs, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, animals or products made from their skins or feathers, contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency beforehand for guidance—it could save you a lot of trouble.  

For information on importing weapons, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre.

There are more than 30,000 species of wild animals and plants regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). A violation of CITES could lead to seizure of your purchase, as well as a fine and/or prison term. Contact Environment Canada for details. 

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Also, be aware that it may be illegal to bring home cultural property whose sale or export is banned or controlled by its country of origin. Strict penalties may be imposed, and the cultural property may be confiscated and returned to the country of origin. For more information, contact Canadian Heritage or the embassy of the country you are visiting.  

If you have any questions about what you can bring home, contact the Canada Border Services Agency’s Automated Customs Information Service. 

Health Concerns

If you become sick or feel unwell after returning to Canada, you should see your doctor. Inform the doctor, without being asked, that you have been travelling or living outside Canada, and where you have been. If you were ill while travelling, see your doctor on your return and explain your travel history and any treatment you received.  

Our Partners

Foreign Affairs Canada is proud to have the support of the following companies and organizations, which have contributed to the production and distribution of Bon Voyage, But... to help Canadians prepare for travelling abroad.

Canada Direct is a trademark of Teleglobe Bermuda Ltd., a leading provider of international voice, wireless roaming and data/IP services. Teleglobe owns and operates one of the world’s most extensive telecommunications networks. A carrier’s carrier, Teleglobe has a solid portfolio of international telecommunications services and a network that is consistently ranked among the most robust and reliable. Visit www.infocanadadirect.com.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is a Crown corporation that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Transport. It began operations on April 1, 2002. CATSA is responsible for the screening of passengers and their belongings at airports across the country. Call 1 888 294-2202 or visit www.catsa.gc.ca.

The Canadian Snowbird Association is a national not-for-profit advocacy organization dedicated to actively defending and improving the rights and privileges of travelling Canadians. Call 1 800 734-7147 or visit www.snowbirds.org for more information. Medipac (www.medipac.com) is Canada’s leading travel medical insurance provider and the only one exclusively endorsed by the CSA. Call 1 888 MEDIPAC (633-4722) for rates and information.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that makes decisions on federally regulated transportation matters. If you have unresolved complaints with your air carrier about your travel experience, the Canadian Transportation Agency can help. Call 1 888 222-2592 (TTY: 1 800 669-5575) or visit www.cta.gc.ca.

The Department of Canadian Heritage helps protect and promote the world’s heritage through its policies and legislation. It aims to ensure that Canadians travelling abroad are aware of the rules that may govern the purchase and export of significant cultural objects they acquire as souvenirs. Visit www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/travel for more information.

The Drugs and Travel Information Program is managed by Foreign Affairs Canada. Its goal is to create greater awareness about the consequences of getting involved with drugs while abroad and to discourage Canadian travellers from taking such risks. Visit www.voyage.gc.ca/main/drugs_menu-en.asp and learn how to plan a safe and enjoyable trip.

Environment Canada administers the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Environment Canada’s role is to ensure that international trade in regulated live animals and plants, including their products and derivatives, does not threaten the survival of the species through over-exploitation and to safeguard these resources for the future through sustainable use. Visit www.cites.ec.gc.ca.

Young people are a Government of Canada priority. Foreign Affairs Canada’s International Youth Mobility Programs encourage young Canadians to learn new skills that will help them compete in Canada and in the global economy. Whether you are interested in travelling or working in a foreign country, Canada offers various youth programs. For more information, visit www.canada123go.ca or call 1 877 GO123GO.

Pardon Services Canada is a national legal services company helping Canadians with past convictions remove their criminal records. If you have a criminal record, visiting a foreign country can result in property or vehicle seizure, forfeiture of travel arrangements, detention and deportation. For a free information booklet, call 1-8- NOW-PARDON (1 866 972-7366) or visit www.pardonservicescanada.com.

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program assesses the public health risk for Canadians travelling to, or residing in, other countries. It provides information for both the public and health care providers to promote the health of travellers at their travel destination and to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases into Canada on their return. Visit www.travelhealth.gc.ca.

Sanofi Pasteur Limited (formerly known as Aventis Pasteur Limited) is Canada’s premier vaccine company, manufacturing or distributing 30 vaccines and immunotherapeutic products, which protect against 17 infectious diseases and common illnesses. Sanofi Pasteur wishes you a safe and healthy trip, and encourages travellers to consult a physician or local travel clinic for vaccination and overall health care advice before departure. Visit www.travelvacs.ca.

Telfer International Consultants is a leader in the insurance business. For over 30 years it has specialized in offering complete coverage to Canadians working abroad, including coverage for any special needs posed by a high-risk country of posting or occupation. Call (514) 284-2002, e-mail info@telferinsurance.com or visit www.telferinc.com.

At Transport Canada, the Dangerous Goods Standards Division of Commercial and Business Aviation is responsible for providing technical advice on the maintenance and development of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations as they pertain to the transport of dangerous goods by air. Visit www.tc.gc.ca for more information

Consular Services

Canadian government offices abroad
www.voyage.gc.ca/alt/canoffices.asp

• Users exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced;
• Foreign Affairs Canada be identified as the source department; and
• the reproduction not be represented as an official version of the materials reproduced, nor as having been made in affiliation with or with the endorsement of Foreign Affairs Canada.

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