NEWS RELEASES

August 29, 2006 (9:45 a.m. EDT)
No. 95

MINISTER MACKAY WARNS CANADIAN TRAVELLERS DURING HURRICANE SEASON

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today urged Canadians to review their travel plans and take any necessary precautions when visiting regions forecasted to be affected by hurricanes.

“As the effects of Ernesto continue to be felt, I would like to take this opportunity to remind Canadians of the importance of taking charge of their own safety when travelling abroad and preparing accordingly using up-to-date information, such as that found at http://www.voyage.gc.ca,” said Minister MacKay. “Our goal is to encourage safe and hassle-free travel abroad by urging Canadians to take a precautionary approach.”

Canadians who choose to travel to hurricane-prone regions during the annual June-November tropical storm season are advised to:

•         Confirm travel arrangements prior to departure and ensure that travel insurance allows for trip cancellation/interruption in the event of a hurricane.

•         Check the Consular Affairs website’s country-specific “Travel Reports” and “Current Issues” to obtain up-to-date information and advice about destinations.

•         Ensure that copies of travel documents—including the name of tour operators, flight details, hotel name and location, room number and telephone numbers, cruise ship details and itineraries—are left with family or friends in Canada.

•         Consider registering with the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) registration service at http://www.voyage.gc.ca. Registration can be done online or by calling the responsible Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate abroad to request a registration form.

•         Monitor local news broadcasts and weather reports carefully; follow the advice, including departure orders, of local authorities and/or tour operators; and know how to contact the nearest Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate.

•         Carry details on how to contact DFAIT’s Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-267-6788 (from the United States or Canada) or 613-996-8885, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and accepts emergency collect calls from Canadians requiring assistance abroad.

•         Check weather forecasts for the region from the National Hurricane Center in the United States. Environment Canada’s Canadian Hurricane Centre also provides recommendations on hurricane preparedness.

•         Contact their close friends and relatives to let them know of their well-being (in case of a major storm or incident).

“I’d also like to take this occasion to congratulate the travel industry for assisting the department by encouraging safe travel among Canadians and for alerting them to the risks of travelling during the current hurricane season,” added the Minister.

Many companies in the Canadian travel industry offer some flexibility if weather conditions are adverse before and during travel. In the event of a hurricane, some tour operators and airlines will make an assessment on a case-by-case basis of the category and severity of the storm and, if warranted, allow affected travellers to opt to travel as planned or to change travel dates and/or destinations.

Tropical depressions and storms that may develop into hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic and Northeast Pacific oceans. The east and Gulf coasts of the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean are the most threatened areas.

During last year’s hurricane season, catastrophic storms caused damage to infrastructure and cut off transportation, communication and emergency services, including medical care, as well as access to water and food supplies. In past storms, thousands of travellers have been stranded for days as a result of airport closures and damage to roads and runways. Travellers have been forced to evacuate hotels and move to temporary emergency shelters established by local authorities. In such conditions, it is difficult for DFAIT consular officials to provide a full range of assistance.

Anyone in Canada seeking information about Canadian relatives or friends in the affected areas should contact DFAIT at 1-800-387-3124. As well, please visit http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/caw/da_disaster_help-en.aspx to find out how you can help.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca