Canada Country Travel Advice Report
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Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Travel Advice Report
Canada
Overall Risk Rating: Negligible - Low | 1.75
Drum Cussac Group Limited Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Contents
Country Risk Rating Breakdown ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Country Overview ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Security
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Political
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Infrastructural
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Environmental
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Medical
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Fact Box ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Travel Risk Advice ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Threat Scale Reference ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Drum Cussac Group Limited 2 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Country Risk Rating Breakdown
Country Overall Risk Rating Negligible - Low | 1.75
Security Environmental Infrastructural Political Medical
Negligible - Low | 1.75 Low - Moderate | 2.50 Negligible - Low | 1.50 Negligible | 1.25 Moderate | 3.00
Drum Cussac Group Limited 3 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services Country Overview Negligible - Low | 1.75 Canada, a North American member of the Commonwealth, ranks among the most developed economies in the world. Although it is often overshadowed in the region by the US, its neighbor to the south, the country is known for its vast natural resources and relatively lower crime rates. The country also differs from the US in its inherently bilingual character, as French-speaking Quebec is one of its most sizable provinces. Canadian politics has historically been heavily been influenced by the Quebec question, although secession and independence have gradually lost traction as flashpoint or electoral issues since the turn of this century. The biggest threat for those visiting Canada will often stem from inclement weather, as winter months between December and March can be extremely harsh. There is also a risk of opportunistic crime in the major cities. Security Negligible - Low | 1.75 Overview There is no notable conflict threat to Canada, although it has at times been involved in conflicts abroad. Crime levels in Canada compare favorably against those of the United States and even against Western European averages. Both transnational and domestic terrorism are minor yet real concerns for the country and are unlikely to recede for the foreseeable future. Protests occur occasionally in major cities and near natural resource exploitation sites, but are nearly always non-violent. Political Negligible | 1.25 Overview Corruption in Canada is considered to be extremely low, as anti-corruption measures and enforcement are strong. Rule of law is also considered strong. Canada's system of governance is extremely stable. Infrastructural Negligible - Low | 1.50 Overview Air travel is considered safe for travel to and from Canada. The country is vulnerable to cyber attacks, and financial institutions, government and large private sector corporations have all been targeted. The Canadian road network in the southern provinces is vast and incredibly comprehensive but becomes sparse in the northern territories. Basic services such as water, electricity and fuel availability are extremely reliable in Canada. Environmental Low - Moderate | 2.50 Overview Canada's climate is known for frigid winter temperatures. Because of the country's relatively strict environmental codes and enforcement, pollution is not generally a problem. Canada's West Coast lies along an active seismic zone, and mild-to-moderate quakes are sometimes felt; eastern regions also experience mild quakes. Storm systems are an annual issue for the country, generally in terms of blizzards but also some tropical systems. The hurricane season generally lasts from June through November, with activity peaking by September. During the summer dangerous wildfires can occur in Ontario and the central Prairie provinces, like the fire that destroyed the Albertan town of Fort McMurray in 2016. Medical Moderate | 3.00 Overview Drum Cussac Group Limited 4 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services Canada has eradicated nearly all major global diseases from its soil. Healthcare facilities are considered excellent, but may be inaccessible for those in more remote areas. All major medications can be obtained in some form in Canada. Tap water is considered safe for drinking unless otherwise specified. Drum Cussac Group Limited 5 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services
Fact Box
Government
Federal Parliamentary Democracy
Type
Population 35,851,774 (2015)
Currency Canadian Dollar
English (official) 59%, French (official) 22%, Other, including Punjabi, Italian, Spanish,
Languages
German, Cantonese, Tagalog, Arabic, other 19%
Time Zone UTC-5
Catholic 39%, Protestant 20%, Other, including Orthodox, other Christian, Muslim, Hindu,
Religions
Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, none 41%
Traffic Drives on the right
Plug Types Type A, Type B
Canadian 32%, English 20%, French 16%, Scottish 14%, Irish 14%, German 10%, Other,
Ethnicities including Italian, Chinese, North American Indian, other 50%. NB: Percentages sum greater
than 100 because some respondents gave more than one answer.
Drinking
Safe to Drink
Water
Significant Dates:
Additional
January 1 - New Year’s Day April 10 - Good Friday May 18 - Victoria Day July 1 - Canada
Information
Day September 7 - Labour Day October 12 - Thanksgiving Day November 11 -
Remembrance Day December 25 - Christmas Day December 26 - Boxing Day
International
Country +1
Code
Drum Cussac Group Limited 6 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Travel Risk Advice
Vaccinations and Key Health Risks
You should visit a health care professional at least four to six weeks prior to the trip. Travellers should ensure that they have routine vaccination
courses and boosters. Routine vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and
annual flu vaccine.
Dependent on work, reason for travel, or underlying health conditions, some travellers visiting may require vaccines from:
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Rabies
Pre-departure
Travellers should provide friends and family a copy of travel itinerary, and make a copy of important travel and identification documents.
On Arrival
There are no significant measures to undertake on arrival into Canada.
In Transit
Public transport is generally safe, and self driving may be conducted, although during winter months vehicles should have emergency
equipment appropriate to the local geography and climatic conditions. Fuel levels in the vehicles should be at least half-full.
At Your Hotel
There are no significant measures to undertake at your hotel in Canada.
In the Street
Petty crime poses the most significant threat to travellers in Canada. Travellers should avoid overt displays of wealth, which is especially
important in more crowded areas.
Travellers should use only small denominations of currency, and keep large amounts of cash and cards in a separate place on your person.
Reduce the contents of your wallet or purse contents, particularly cards which may denote affiliations, memberships and accounts. Do not
use credit or debit cards unless absolutely necessary and then only at respected, well-known retail and service establishments
Travellers should ensure that their mobile phone is carried with sufficient battery life and programmed with appropriate emergency numbers.
Travellers should also carry an ID card or passport and emergency medical information.
Travellers should be aware of their location and surroundings. Avoid high-crime areas and of walking through dimly lit streets after dark.
Travellers should know routes and carry a map if necessary, but keep it concealed.
In crowded situations, travellers should be aware of jostling as this may be a ploy for pick-pockets. Travellers should also be aware of people
loitering, and also that attackers may first pass their victim to attack from behind.
Travellers should ignore verbal ‘bait’ from passers-by, do not get into an argument and avoid eye contact with strangers.
LGBT+ travellers are on average unlikely to encounter any significant problems in Canada, as the country has been at the forefront of LGBT+
legal protections both in the Americas and globally. Indeed, Canada was the first country in the Americas to nationally recognise same-sex
marriages. Anti-discrimination protections are generally strong, though specific attitudes concerning LGBT+ issues will vary according to
region, with the more insular and remote regions of the country retaining more conservative attitudes. Regardless, the laws that exist at all
levels of government are well enforced, and LGBT+ events occur regularly in both large and small cities.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 7 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services COVID-19 Information Total Cases (ECDC) (Updated on Monday): 1,427,342 Weekly percentage increase in cases:0.27% Travel Restrictions: Internal Restrictions Authorities in provinces and territories across Canada are enforcing various COVID-19-related restrictions within their jurisdictions as of July 16. The following measures are in place: Alberta The province is in Stage 3 (the final stage) of its reopening plan, under which there is no limit on how many people can gather indoors or outdoors or attend funeral services and wedding ceremonies. Retail stores, places of worship, and indoor recreation centers, such as cinemas, theaters, and museums, can open at full capacity. Working from home remains recommended but is not mandatory. Wearing a facemask is no longer mandatory in most public settings, except in healthcare facilities and on public transit. British Columbia The province is in Step 3 of its reopening plan, under which there is no limit on how many people may attend indoor and outdoor personal gatherings. Indoor organized seated gatherings with up to 50 people or 50 percent of the venue's capacity are allowed, while outdoor organized gatherings may have up to 5,000 people or 50 percent of the venue's capacity, whichever is greater. There is no limit on religious gatherings or on how many patrons restaurants and bars may accommodate at a given time. Gaming centers may operate at 50 percent capacity. Indoor and outdoor training sessions and sports are allowed, and gyms and indoor fitness sessions may operate at full capacity. Recreational travel to locations across Canada is permitted from the province. The use of facemasks is no longer mandatory. Step 4 will begin Sept. 7 at the earliest. Manitoba Authorities allow outdoor public gatherings of up to 25 people; gatherings of up to five people are permitted indoors. No private, indoor gatherings are allowed at residences. Wedding and funerals may have 25 people outdoors or 10 people indoors. Masks remain mandatory in public indoor spaces. Companies must allow employees to work from home as much as possible. Retail businesses may open at 25 percent capacity with a maximum of 250 customers. Gyms and fitness centers may operate at 25 percent capacity with 3 meters (10 feet) of space between individuals. Cinemas remain closed. Authorities are restricting travel to Northern Manitoba and remote municipalities. Travelers entering from another province must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Manitoba; fully vaccinated persons are exempt from this self-isolation requirement. These measures will remain in place until at least Aug. 2. New Brunswick The province is at Phase 2 of its reopening plan, under which travelers entering from the Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are not required to quarantine or take a pre-travel test. Canadian residents with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine are also able to enter New Brunswick without a pre-travel test or the need to undergo a quarantine period. Unvaccinated travelers from outside the Atlantic provinces may enter New Brunswick but are required to self-isolate and receive a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken five to seven days after arriving before ending isolation. Additionally, restaurants and other nonessential businesses may operate without specific capacity limits, and organized sport activity is permitted. Facemasks are required in indoor spaces when distancing is not possible. Newfoundland and Labrador All travelers from within Canada are permitted entry to Newfoundland and Labrador. Unvaccinated travelers are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival and are subject to COVID-19 testing during their isolation period. Arrivals who are partially vaccinated are required to present a negative result from a COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours before arrival or take a COVID-19 test upon arrival and self-isolate until receiving a negative test result. Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to be tested for COVID-19 or self- isolate. The province is at Step 1 of its three-step reopening plan. Up to 250 people may attend outdoor gatherings, while indoor gatherings may have up to 200 people or 75 percent of the venue's capacity, whichever is smaller. Personal gatherings may have up to 50 people outdoors and 20 people indoors. Retail stores have no limit on capacity. Restaurants and bars may operate at up to 75 percent capacity. Facemasks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces. Authorities plan to move to Step 2 by Aug. 15 at the earliest. Northwest Territories Only residents and those traveling for essential reasons can enter the province; some exceptions are made for those traveling from Nunavut. Travelers entering from other regions of Canada must self-isolate for 14 days. Individuals may complete self-isolation only in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Hay River, Fort Smith, Norman Wells, or Fort Simpson. Some travel restrictions will likely be eased by early July. Indoor and outdoor events can allow up to 200 people. Individuals may invite up to five people to their homes, with no more than 10 people permitted within a household at the same time. Most businesses can resume operations at near-full capacity. Authorities plan to allow businesses to resume operations without capacity limits in early July. Nova Scotia The province moved to Phase 4 of its reopening plan July 14. Restaurants and bars may operate without capacity limits, as long as they maintain social distancing measures, and no longer have time operating limits. Retail stores, gyms and fitness centers, and museums and libraries may open at maximum capacity, maintaining social distancing measures. Festivals, special and cultural events, and meetings, weddings, funerals, and faith gatherings may occur at 50 percent of the venue’s capacity, with a maximum of 150 people indoors and 250 people outdoors. Informal social gatherings may occur with up to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Arrival from other provinces is permitted. Travelers Drum Cussac Group Limited 8 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services are required to complete a check-in form upon arrival. Travelers who are fully vaccinated are not required to self-isolate. Partially vaccinated arrivals are required to self-isolate for seven days, and travelers who are not vaccinated must self-isolate for 14 days. Nunavut The state of public health emergency is in effect through at least July 2. Fully vaccinated travelers may now enter Nunavut without the need to self-quarantine, but they must obtain permission from authorities before traveling. Those traveling with unvaccinated children must still self-quarantine for 14 days. Nonresident unvaccinated individuals must still require permission from regional authorities to enter and must self- quarantine. Outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people are allowed and most businesses can open at 50 percent capacity. Ontario The province moved to Step 3 of its reopening plan July 16, in which social gatherings and organized events can have up to 25 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Restaurants and bars must enforce social distancing measures but no longer have a limit on the number of people allowed per table. Retail stores and religious services must ensure social distancing measures but do not have specific capacity limits. Personal care services may open for all services, and gyms and fitness centers may open at 50 percent capacity. Sport, recreational and cultural facilities, including cinemas, as well as meeting venues, may open at 50 percent capacity or a maximum of 1,000 people indoors; outdoor facilities are limited to the lesser of 75 percent capacity or 5,000 people for venues without fixed seating, or 15,000 for venues with fixed seating. Prince Edward Island The province moved to Step 2 of its reopening plan June 27. Personal gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed. Organized gatherings can have up to 200 people, and weddings and funerals up to 150 people. Restaurants may allow up to 20 people at tables. Fully vaccinated travelers arriving in Prince Edward Island from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Magdalen Islands are not required to self-isolate, provided they can present a COVID-19 self-declaration form (PEI Pass). Those traveling from other regions of Canada may enter Prince Edward Island starting July 18 if they are fully vaccinated and are tested for COVID-19 upon arrival. Unvaccinated travelers will be allowed to enter if they submit to testing upon arrival, complete the self-isolation declaration, quarantine for eight days, and are tested again on day eight. Quebec Restrictions were further eased July 12. All regions remain at Level 1-Vigilance (green) of the province's alert map system. The distance required between individuals from different households has been reduced from 2 meters (6.5 feet) to 1 meter (3 feet). Retail stores no longer have capacity limits and amateur events can have up to 50 spectators indoors and 100 outdoors, as long as they remain seated. Private gatherings can have up to 10 people from three different households indoors or 20 people outdoors; restaurants may seat up to 10 people from three different households at the same table. Weddings and funerals are limited to 250 people, and places of worship can allow up to 250 people. Bars must operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity, end alcohol sales at midnight, and close nightly by 02:00. Maximum capacity for cinemas and auditoriums is capped at 250 people, or up to 3,500 people if divided in sections of up to 250 people each while enforcing social distancing measures. The use of facemasks remains mandatory in public areas. Saskatchewan The province moved to Step 3 of its reopening plan on July 11, lifting all remaining restrictions. The use of facemasks is no longer mandatory; however, businesses and organizations may continue to require them. Yukon Travel is allowed from other provinces but travelers must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, except for essential workers, those entering from border areas from British Columbia, and those who are fully vaccinated. Most businesses can open. Private gatherings of up to six people are permitted. Organized gatherings of up to 10 people indoors and 20 people outdoors are permitted with social distancing measures in place. Individuals must wear facemasks in public spaces. Bars and restaurants can open without capacity limits. International Travel Restrictions Authorities in Canada have issued orders to reopen the country's borders to fully vaccinated US citizens and residents traveling from the US effective Aug. 9 as part of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new directives, fully vaccinated US citizens and residents will be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary reasons without needing to quarantine upon arrival or take additional COVID-19 tests following their arrival unless randomly selected to take a COVID-19 test. Canadian authorities consider fully vaccinated individuals to be those who have received all doses of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to their travel. Unvaccinated individuals under the age of 12 will also be allowed to enter Canada from the US without needing to undergo quarantine if accompanied by fully vaccinated parents or legal guardians. All travelers will be required to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test and must show proof of vaccination. Additionally, officials have announced that Canada's borders will reopen for fully vaccinated individuals from all other countries for discretionary purposes effective Sept. 7. A ban on travel from India has been extended through at least Aug. 21. Travelers who take indirect flights from India to Canada must show a negative result from a COVID-19 molecular test taken within a third country no more than 72 hours before the last direct flight to Canada. Also effective Aug. 9, international flights will be allowed to arrive at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG), and Edmonton International Airport (YEG), as well as at the four airports that are currently accepting international flights: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and Calgary International Airport (YYC). Other travel restrictions remain unchanged. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, their immediate family members, and certain nonresident foreign nationals, including temporary workers and international students, are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival if they have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their travel to Canada and they are not displaying COVID-19 symptoms. These travelers are required to Drum Cussac Group Limited 9 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services provide proof of vaccination via the ArriveCAN app and must follow all other requirements, including pre-travel testing. However, such travelers must also have a 14-day quarantine plan, in case government officials determine upon arrival that they need to self-isolate; these fully vaccinated travelers arriving via air are no longer required to stay for the first three nights at a government-approved hotel if instructed to quarantine. Unvaccinated children arriving with fully vaccinated family members are also not required to quarantine in a government-approved hotel, but are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival at least until restrictions change Aug. 9. Restrictions for unvaccinated adults and for other nonresident foreign nationals will likely remain unchanged until at least Sept. 7. Most nonresident foreign nationals remain banned from entering Canada; those allowed to enter are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival unless they have been fully vaccinated. Nonresident foreign nationals allowed to enter must be traveling for essential reasons or be exempt from the entry restrictions by virtue of being temporary workers, international students, diplomats, aircrew members, or French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. People working in commerce, those who cross the border regularly, government officials, and persons employed in critical manufacturing may be exempt from the 14-day self-quarantine requirement, provided they do not display any COVID-19 symptoms. Requirements on Entry All authorized travelers arriving by land or air are required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival, while unvaccinated individuals must also take a test on day eight of their 14-day quarantine period. Additionally, travelers arriving by land or air must electronically submit their travel information, including a suitable quarantine plan, prior to entry. Land ports of entry with on-site testing include Queenston- Lewiston Bridge, Ambassador Bridge, Fort Erie (Peace Bridge), Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, Sarnia (Blue Water Bridge), Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge, and Lansdowne (Thousand Islands Bridge) in Ontario; Saint Bernard de Lacolle (Highway 15), Saint-Armand/Philipsburg, and Stanstead in Quebec; Douglas, Pacific Highway, and Huntingdon in British Columbia; and Coutts (Alberta), Saint Stephen 3rd Bridge (New Brunswick), and Emerson (Manitoba). Officials require all unvaccinated international air travelers to stay at a government-authorized hotel for up to three nights at their own expense while awaiting the results of their on-arrival COVID-19 test. Travelers must reserve their three-night stay prior to departing for Canada. Hotel bookings are available online. Pre-Travel Requirements All airline passengers aged five years or older who are traveling to Canada, including fully vaccinated individuals, must provide the airline with a negative result from an accepted molecular COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departing for Canada. Travelers arriving via the land border must also present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arriving at the border. Canadian citizens or permanent residents who do not produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test are allowed to enter but are subject to significant monetary penalties. All air passengers must wear protective face coverings. Persons exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are generally not allowed to board planes to Canada. Canadian authorities are also banning individuals displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 from domestic air and train travel. Travelers who are denied boarding are also barred from air or train travel for at least 14 days unless they can produce a medical certificate confirming that any symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19. Until at least Aug. 9, foreign nationals traveling by land to Alaska from the US Lower 48 may only enter Canada through one of five border crossings: Abbotsford-Huntington, Kingsgate, or Osoyoos in British Columbia; North Portal, Saskatchewan; or Coutts, Alberta. Travelers who attempt to enter Canada northbound through any other border crossing will be denied entry and rerouted to an approved crossing. Persons entering Canada from Alaska may use any border crossing. The regulations specify that travelers must take the most direct route through Canada and avoid stopping at leisure sites or national parks, and have proof of residence or employment in Alaska if going north, or in the lower 48 states if going south. Violators could face fines. A ban on pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and a ban on cruise vessels in all Canadian waters remains in place through Nov. 1, 2021. Pleasure craft used by local Arctic residents are exempt. Additional Information: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice. html Drum Cussac Group Limited 10 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)
Intelligence and Analysis Services
Threat Scale Reference
Threat Rating Implication
The operating environment is benign and there are only isolated threats to business
1 - Negligible
and/or travel.
The operating environment is generally permissive, although there are a limited
2 – Low
number of threats to business and/or travel that requires basic mitigations.
The operating environment is challenging and there are serious threats to business
3 – Moderate
and/or travel that requires some mitigations.
The operating environment is hostile and there are significant threats to business,
4 – High
personal safety and/or travel, requiring comprehensive mitigations and planning.
The operating environment is characterised by pervasive direct threats to business,
5 – Extreme
personal safety and/or travel, requiring strict risk management procedures.
Drum Cussac Group Limited 11 Last Updated: 4 Aug 2021, 21:09 (UTC)Intelligence and Analysis Services
Disclaimer
Drum Cussac Group Ltd makes no representation, warranties or assurance against risk with respect to the contents or use of this document, and
specifically disclaims any express or implied warranties or usefulness for any particular purpose of this publication. Recommendations made are based on
information available at the time of writing. No express or implied warranty is given in respect of any judgment made or to changes, or any unforeseen
escalation of any factors affecting any such judgment.
Copyright
Copyright 2016 Drum Cussac Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express prior consent of Drum
Cussac Group Ltd.
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challenging and demanding situations.
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