dailynewsnblog
The Government of Canada continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and takes the safety and security of Canadians and our own personnel abroad very seriously. Our focus remains on helping Canadians make informed decisions and obtain any consular assistance they may require.
Departure Assistance
As commercial flights continue to gradually resume, more than 20,000 Canadians have already returned to Canada in the past month.
Canadians still in the region are urged to leave by available commercial means if they can do so safely. If the situation deteriorates further, it could impact Canadians’ ability to leave the country and the Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular services.
The Government of Canada organized assisted-departure bus services from Israel to Egypt for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their eligible family members. Between March 25 and March 30, three road movements from Tel Aviv (Israel) to Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) were completed, transporting a total of 41 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members. These 3 departure options were offered to the nearly 6,000 ROCA registrants in Israel.
Travellers were accompanied by Embassy staff, met by Canadian officials on the Egyptian side of the border crossing, and provided with onward travel to Sharm El-Sheikh.
Travellers were responsible for booking and paying their own onward air transportation from Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as any applicable border fees.
Registration of Canadians Abroad and Consular Assistance
Offices in the region continue to process urgent consular requests from Canadians.
At any time, Canadians abroad in need of emergency consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre by:
- Telephone: +1 613 996 8885 (collect calls accepted where available)
- Email: me-mo.sos@international.gc.ca
- SMS: +1 613 686 3658
- WhatsApp: +1 613 909 8881
- Signal: +1-613-909-8087
As of March 30, more than 109,900 Canadians are registered in our voluntary Registration of Canadians Abroad system. Registration numbers do not accurately represent the actual number of Canadians in a country or their desire to leave, as it includes only those who opt to register and may include individuals who have already departed without updating their profiles.
Since February 28, more than 22,000 Canadians and permanent residents have returned to Canada through direct and indirect routes from the Middle East.
The Government of Canada has facilitated the departure of more than 1,270 Canadians and permanent Residents from the region to a safe third country.
Travel advice to Canadians
- Canadians in the Middle East should:
- Leave at the earliest opportunity if and while commercial options remain available, and if they assess that it is safe to do so.
- Stay alert to changing security conditions
- Register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad to receive alerts
- Check Travel Advice and Advisories often
- Reach out for emergency assistance outside Canada
- Ensure that your travel documents and those of your loved ones are up to date.
To get up to date information on the latest advice, Canadians can also follow Global Affairs Canada on X (formerly Twitter) @TravelGoC and @CanadaFP or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/travelGoC or subscribe to the daily travel updates email.
Our advice includes information about safety and security conditions abroad to enable travelers to make their own informed decisions regarding destinations. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the individual.
