Tips when travelling to Canada

Whilst the number of British nationals that choose to visit Canada each year is not huge, it’s important for those that do visit the country to understand the very necessary security arrangements and have some knowledge of the social guidelines. Being adjacent to the United States, the country’s security precautions and passport requirements remain at an all time high.

While threats of terrorism are merely underlying, and are not nearly as significant as they are in the United States, it is important to be aware that attacks could happen, and that foreign visitors are almost prejudged to be possible perpetrators of these acts. While this security does not reflect on your personal character, make certain to be aware of this social climate, and behave accordingly. Jokes or flippant comments about terrorism are not well accepted in the United States and Canada.

Socially, there is little to worry about when travelling to Canada. For all intents and purposes, Canadian culture is similar enough to British culture that there will be little misunderstanding or misinterpretation of action. Local laws on the other hand differ a bit, and should be researched beforehand. Most notably, you should not attempt to carry meat, animal, or dairy products into Canada. In addition, the UK legal plant Qat is illegal in Canada, and should not be brought into the country.

Additional information about travelling to Canada is openly available through the Foreign And Commonwealth Office, and should be read before travelling abroad.