From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Canada Consular Information Sheet 07/27/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1999 17:50:40 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2302 Path: world!root Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199907281807.NAA54592@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 178 Canada - Consular Information Sheet July 27, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Canada is a highly developed, stable democracy. Tourist facilities are widely available, except in northern and wilderness areas, where they are less developed and can be vast distances apart. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: When entering from the U.S., a U.S. passport, or other proof of U.S. citizenship and photo ID, is required. U.S. citizens entering Canada from a third country must have a valid passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens entering from the U.S. for a stay up to 180 days. Anyone with a criminal record (including a DWI charge) should contact the Canadian Embassy or nearest Canadian consulate before travel. For further information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Canada at 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20001, tel. (202) 682-1740, Internet address: http://www.cdnemb-washdc.org; or the Canadian consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Juan or Seattle. Due to international concern over child abduction, single parents, grandparents or guardians traveling with children often need proof of custody or notarized letters from the other parent authorizing travel. Anyone under age 18 and traveling alone should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip. CRIME INFORMATION: Although criminal activity is more common in urban areas, violent crimes such as murder, armed robbery, and rape are infrequent throughout the country. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. MEDICAL FACILITIES: Good medical care is widely available. Health care professionals in the Province of Quebec may only speak French. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State9s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, 3Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,2 available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1- 877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Canada is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Excellent Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Excellent Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good Availability of Roadside Assistance: Good U.S. driver's licenses are valid in Canada. Proof of auto insurance is required. Driving under the influence of alcohol (DWI) is a serious offense. Penalties are heavy, and any prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the infraction) is grounds for exclusion from Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be obtained from Canadian consulates in the United States, but requires several weeks. It is illegal to take automobile radar detectors into Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba or the Yukon and Northwest territories. Police may confiscate radar detectors, whether in use or not, and impose fines up to $1,000. Winter travel can be dangerous due to heavy snowfalls that make road conditions difficult. Holiday periods can also be dangerous because of increased traffic. Travelers should be cautious of deer, elk, and moose when driving at night in rural areas. All forms of public transportation in Canada are generally excellent. AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Canada9s Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Canada9s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at tel. 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA9s Internet website at http://cas.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the Department of Defense policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at tel. 1-703-697-7288. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Canada9s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Canada are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Firearms are strictly controlled. In general, handguns, pepper spray, and mace are not permitted. Anyone wishing to bring hunting rifles should contact a Canadian embassy or consulate in advance for detailed information and instructions. In all cases, travelers must declare to Canadian Customs authorities any firearms in their possession when entering Canada. If a traveler is denied permission to bring in the firearm, there are often facilities near border crossings where firearms may be stored, pending the traveler's return to the U.S. Canadian law requires that officials confiscate guns from those crossing the border who deny having guns in their possession. Confiscated guns are never returned. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Please monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for updates on Y2K issues at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html. CHILDREN9S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children9s_issues.html or telephone (202) 736- 7000. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY AND CONSULATE LOCATIONS: Americans living in or visiting Canada may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Canada and obtain updated information on travel and security within Canada. The U.S. Embassy is in Ottawa, Ontario at 100 Wellington Street, tel. (613) 238-5335, fax (613) 238-5720. The U.S. Embassy website is www.usembassy-canada.gov. U.S. Consulates are located at: Calgary, Alberta, at Suite 1050, 615 Macleod Trail S.E., tel. (403) 266- 8962; emergency-after hours tel. (403) 228-8900; fax (403) 264-6630; Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Suite 910, Cogswell Tower, Scotia Square, tel. (902) 429-2480; emergency-after hours tel. (902) 429-2485; (902) 423- 6861; Montreal, Quebec, at 1155 St. Alexander Street, tel. (514) 398-9695; emergency-after hours tel. (514) 981-5059; fax (514) 398-0702; Quebec City, Quebec, at 2 Place Terrasse Dufferin, tel. (418) 692-2095; emergency-after hours tel. (418) 692-2096; fax (418) 692-4640; Toronto, Ontario, at 360 University Avenue, tel. (416) 595-1700; emergency-after hours tel. (416) 201-4100; fax (416) 595-5466; Vancouver, British Columbia, at 1095 West Pender Street, tel. (604) 685- 4311; fax (604) 685-7175. * * * * This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 28, 1998, to update the sections on Medical Facilities, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Registration/Embassy and Consulate Location. It adds sections on Medical Insurance, Criminal Penalties, Y2K Information and Children9s Issues.