62 h. ago 20 countries the Canadian government really doesn't want you to travel to

If you're considering travelling internationally, it's essential to consult the latest Canada travel advisory before planning your trip.Currently, Canada has a travel advisory in place for almost two dozen countries, urging travellers to "avoid all travel." These high-level warnings shouldn't be ignored, as travelling to these countries could put your life at risk."You should not travel to this country, territory or region," reads the government's advisories website. "Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so."Reasons for these warnings vary from arbitrary arrests, armed conflict, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks. It's also important to note that your travel insurance could be affected if a travel advisory has been issued for your destination.Below is the full list of countries currently under Canada's highest travel advisory.Afghani...

Politics

3 d. ago AI used to speed up Canadian immigration draws warning from experts

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has adopted technology to speed up application processing, but experts warn it may be creating more problems than it solves.Mario Bellissimo, an immigration lawyer and founder of Bellissimo Law Group PC, described the IRCC's use of AI as an "inevitable" and "commendable development.""The principal advantage lies in efficiency. Processing times have been reduced, routine cases are triaged more effectively, and officers are able to concentrate their efforts on more complex matters," he said. "For example, automation in spousal sponsorships and temporary resident visa applications has significantly decreased assessment times."But although automation has helped reduce processing times, these gains raise issues about fairness and potential bias in decision-making.Efficiency vs. fairnessHowever, Bellissimo points to some serious issues, such as an over-reliance on technology.&quo...

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3 d. ago Canadians warned of travel delays at some airports as border agency reports second outage in a week

'The outage has been resolved. Travellers may continue to experience delays in the short term as we resume normal processing operations,' CBSA said

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4 d. ago U.S. travel just got much more expensive for some Canadians thanks to new fee

For some people in Canada, travelling to the U.S. has become significantly more expensive as the new Visa Integrity Fee takes effect this month.On Oct. 1, the U.S. government introduced the Visa Integrity Fee, which affects non-citizens in Canada who require a visa to travel to the U.S. Under President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law. Non-immigrants travelling to the U.S. will have to pay a fee of US$250 or C$348.40. However, it's up to the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the final amount.In July, we contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the fee."President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill provides the necessary policies and resources to restore integrity in our nation's immigration system," a spokesperson stated in an email. "The Visa Integrity Fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation."We have reached out to DHS to confirm the final amount.Permane...

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1 week ago Canada Looks to Ease Tensions With India and China as Foreign Minister Plans Visit

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will travel to China and India in the coming weeks as her country looks to improve its strained ties with two major Asian economies.

Politics

1 week ago Canadian travel to U.S. declines for 7th consecutive month amid trade war

In July, the number of Canadian residents returning from the United States was down to 2.6 million, marking a 32.4 per cent decrease compared with July 2024

Economics

1 week ago Canadian government issues serious travel warning for these destinations in Asia

A tropical cyclone, Typhoon Ragasa, has prompted the Government of Canada to issue a serious warning for travellers headed to Asia.The Japan Meteorological Agency describes Typhoon Ragasa as a "large" and "violent" storm, with a maximum wind gust speed of up to 288 km/h. The storm has prompted mass evacuations and widespread flight cancellations. If you're travelling to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macao, make sure to read the latest travel advisory, as the government is urging Canadians to exercise caution while abroad."Travel Advice and Advisories give you official Government of Canada information and advice on situations that may affect your safety and well-being when you are travelling or living outside Canada," reads the website. The government adds that it regularly monitors incidents and world events that may affect Canadians travelling or living abroad.According to the National Oceanic a...

Politics

2 w. ago Canadian business travel to the U.S. remained resilient in the first half of the year

Canadians might be shunning leisurely visits to the U.S., but new data shows corporate travel appears to be business as usual. Despite political tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, economic uncertainty stemming from tariffs and fears of treatment at the border, data from SAP Concur suggests Canadian business travel to the U.S. during the […]

Economics

2 w. ago Canada issues serious warning in updated Jamaica travel advisory

Canadians with upcoming travel plans to Jamaica may want to read up on the government's travel advisory for the popular beach destination.Ottawa updated the travel advisory for the Caribbean island nation on Monday, warning Canadians to "exercise a high degree of caution" due to the high level of violent crime."Violent crime, including armed robbery and murder, is a problem in large cities and tourist areas, including parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, despite the presence of police to counter criminal activity," reads the advisory.It says the widespread availability of firearms, which are involved in most violent drug and gang-related crimes, could put visitors at risk of being the victims of crossfire in certain areas.The advisory lists the following areas in Jamaica for having a significant gang population and high incidences of violent crime:Greater KingstonArnett GardensAugust TownBalmagieCassava PieceDelacree ParkDenham TownDrewslandFelstead PenFou...

Other

2 w. ago The Canadian Rockies just got a new luxury thermal spa and here's a peek inside

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise’s Nordic-style wellness facility has officially opened in Banff National Park

Other

3 w. ago Almost half of Canadians travel with unrestrained pets in cars: Survey

Leger/Allstate Canada survey reveals many Canadian drivers may be unknowingly putting pets at risk

Transport

3 w. ago McDonald: No place like home for Canadian tourists as U.S. suffers

Moira A. McDonald, Ann-Kathrin McLean Global attitudes towards the United States as a tourism destination are plunging. Travel pressures, exchange rate shifts and increasing economic uncertainty have all damaged the reputation of the American travel sector. Canadian travellers are increasingly turning to domestic destinations instead of heading south. In July, Canada recorded its seventh consecutive […]

Society

3 w. ago McDonald: No place like home for Canadian tourists as U.S. feels pinch

Moira A. McDonald, Ann-Kathrin McLean Global attitudes towards the United States as a tourism destination are plunging. Travel pressures, exchange rate shifts and increasing economic uncertainty have all damaged the reputation of the American travel sector. Canadian travellers are increasingly turning to domestic destinations instead of heading south. In July, Canada recorded its seventh consecutive […]

Society

3 w. ago Canada issues travel advisory for Indonesia including vacation hot spot Bali

Canada has updated its travel advisory for Indonesia, including Bali, urging Canadians to take extra precautions when travelling.If you're planning a trip to Indonesia or the popular tourist destination of Bali, it's important to stay on top of the latest travel advice from the government. On Sept. 5, the Government of Canada updated the entry and exit requirements, warning travellers of visa scams."There is an increase in visa scams in Indonesia, including in Bali," reads the statement.The government is advising travellers not to accept unsolicited offers for visa extensions. Doing so could put visitors at risk of overstaying their visa or lead to serious legal consequences, such as fines, deportation, or re-entry bans."Never hand over your passport to individuals or agencies claiming to offer visa services," the advisory warns. "Use official government channels to manage or renew visas and ensure your information and documents remain secure.&q...

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