May 31, 2012 - The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), today urged Canadians to be well prepared when travelling internationally during hurricane season. The season starts at the beginning of June and lasts until late November.
“The safety and well-being of Canadians travelling or living abroad is very important to our government,” said Minister Ablonczy. “Canadians should visit travel.gc.ca to read up about the risks of travelling to areas affected by hurricanes.”
Hurricane season affects the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and the East and Gulf coasts of the United States—in particular Florida, Louisiana and Texas.
In the event of a hurricane, Canadian travellers may find themselves stranded for days waiting for power to return, roads to reopen and flights to resume, and with no access to telecommunications. The Government of Canada’s ability to assist affected Canadians may be limited in these circumstances.
Canadians should observe the 3 Rs of travel:
- Read up on Canada’s Travel Reports and Warnings before leaving. They provide up-to-date, essential advice on about 200 destinations, including contact details for the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. For further information, visit Hurricane Season. Follow @DFAIT_MAECI on Twitter to keep informed of changes to travel reports during hurricane season, or Subscribe to daily travel updates by email.
- Register online with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that government officials can contact and assist travellers in an emergency.
- Reach us in case of an emergency. Canadian citizens should contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. Alternatively, they may contact our Emergency Watch and Response Centre, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and accepts collect calls (where available) from Canadians requiring assistance abroad. The Centre may be reached by telephone at 613-996-8885 or by email at sos@international.gc.ca.
Also, confirm travel arrangements before departure and obtain comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers trip cancellation or interruption in the event of a hurricane.
While abroad, Canadians should keep an eye on local news and weather reports, and follow the advice of local authorities and tour operators. Get the latest weather forecasts for the region, and visit Storm Preparedness: Taking Action Against Hurricane Hazards.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has released the 2011-2012 edition of Bon Voyage, But… Essential Information for Canadian Travellers, and new versions of Travelling with Children and the Traveller’s Checklist are now also available.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
John Babcock
Senior Communications Adviser
Office of the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs)
613-944-1291
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
Follow us on Twitter: @DFAIT_MAECI
