Border Basics
There’s no place like home
By Renee Conte
No matter where your travels may take you, it’s always a good idea to keep in mind where you might find Canadian consular services should the need arise.
may find yourself unprepared for the differences in living, health and safety conditions. Laws and customs differ dramatically between countries and can leave you unsure of how to proceed in certain circumstances. And occasionally Mother Nature can throw a curve ball at you, placing you in the middle of a natural disaster on your vacation. You’re not in Canada anymore, so what can you do when emergencies arise? Canadian Consulates are available to help in these situations. Each year, For- eign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada assists thousands of Canadians in trouble abroad, often for reasons be- yond their control, but frequently be- cause of circumstances that could be
Y 64 • Spring 2016
ou’ve decided to set out upon the world to find experiences that are different than those of home. In some cases you
avoided by knowing the risks and taking a few preventive steps. What are Canadian consular services? With more than 260 points of service in 150 countries worldwide, Foreign Af- fairs, Trade and Development Canada is ready to assist Canadians travelling, working, studying or living abroad. Be- fore you leave Canada, it is important to know which services consulates do and do not provide and to realize that not all Canadian government offices abroad provide the same services. Te following list includes some examples of consular services. Note that you may have to pay costs associated with some of these ser- vices. Services offered by consular officials In emergencies: • Help in a medical emergency by pro- viding you with a list of local doctors and hospitals.
• Help arrange for a medical evacua-
tion if a necessary treatment is not avail- able locally. • Provide advice and contact informa-
tion on local police and medical services to victims of robbery, sexual assault or other violence. • Provide assistance in cases of miss- ing persons or the abduction of a child to another country. When legal issues arise: • Provide you with a list of local law-
yers. • Provide you with sources of informa-
tion about local laws and regulations. • Seek to ensure you are treated fairly under a country’s laws if you are arrested or detained (see the publication A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.) • Notarize certain documents.
The Hub
Photo by Eric Weaver.
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