Canada Travel Safety
Travel Safety in Canada
Country
Canada
Updates
Updated: 30 Nov -0001 • Still current at: 30 Nov -0001
Status
LEVEL 1 - Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour. Monitor the media and other sources for changes to local travelling conditions, safety and security concerns. Laws and social customs could differ significantly. You could face terrorist attacks, civil unrest, violent crime, or unique health threats - but overall, the risks are not great.
Safety and Security Tips
Road safety
Roads and public transportation are excellent. Traffic rules are mandatory to follow.
Identification
Carry adequate identification at all times, such as a passport or residence permit, as police have the right to ask to see it. Keep a photocopy of your passport, in case it is lost or seized.
Public transportation
Public transport service is widely available and reliable.
Women's safety
Canada has a reputation of safe destination for women traveller, however women should be carefull in night visiting outside downtown areas. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise common precautions throughout your travel. Simply use the same common sense as you would at home. In bars and nightclubs, solo women are likely to attract a lot of attention.
Crime
Although Canada generally has a lower crime rate than the United States, violent crimes do occur throughout the country, especially in urban areas. Visitors to large cities and popular tourist destinations should be aware that parked cars are regularly targeted for opportunistic smash-and-grab thefts, and they are cautioned to avoid leaving any unattended possessions in a vehicle, even in the trunk. Due to the high incidence of such crimes, motorists in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and some other jurisdictions can be fined for leaving their car doors unlocked or for leaving valuables in view. Visitors should exercise precaution to safeguard their property.
Update 1 November 2020Emergency Calls
- Police911
- Fire911
- Ambulance911
Embassy of us
American Embassy in Ottawa
Address490 Sussex Drive
Local Law and Culture
LGBT
Canada is considered one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, being ranked number one on the Gay Travel Index chart for many years. Its largest cities featuring their own gay areas and communities such as Toronto's Church and Wellesley neighbourhood, Montreal's Gay Village commercial district, Vancouver's Davie Village and Ottawa's Bank Street Gay Village.
Illegal drugs
Canadian law prohibits trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including those which may be legal to possess under the law of certain states.
Driving
An International Driving Permit is recommended.
Update 1 November 2020Vaccinations and Medications
A doctor's consultation is required prior to any vaccinations being administered. This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Please contact your doctor for complete information on this subject.
Stay Healthy and Safe
Act in advance of to prevent. Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least 4-8 weeks before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need.
All travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Canada.
Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Reduce your exposure to germs
Some travelers
Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.
Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.
It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Eat and drink safely
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.
Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Avoid sharing body fluids
- Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment
Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.
The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
- Get vaccinated
- Keep away from animals
We have made every effort to ensure that the information presented reliably reflects the general safety situation in a given place. However, the data is provided for informational purposes only and we do not take responsibility for any damages or losses resulting from incorrect risk assessment. Before each trip, we recommend checking the current situation in the country of destination on the websites of the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
United States