Traveler Toolkit
Canada Country Security Report
Canada Country Security Report
Published: June 4, 2026
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Canada Travel Advisory and Canada International Travel Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
490 Sussex Drive Ottawa, ON K1N 1G8.
Tel: +1 (613) 688-5335.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (613) 688-3111.
Hours: 0830-1700 Monday-Friday.
The Ottawa consular district includes the counties of Kingston, Lanark, Leeds, Prescott, Refrew, Russell, and Stormont in Eastern Ontario, and those parts of the Québec regions of Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue near Ottawa.
1134 Rue Ste- Catherine West, Montréal, Quebec H3B 1H4.
Tel: +1 (514) 398-9695.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (416) 645-9124.
The Montreal consular district includes Greater Montreal and the regions of Southern Quebec Province (Laurentides, Lanaudiere, Laval, Montreal, Montregie, Estrie, and the southern parts of Centre-du-Quebec), including Joliete, Drummondville, and Sherbrooke.
360 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1S4.
Tel: +1 (416) 595-1700.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (416) 595-6506.
The consular district includes the province of Ontario except for the counties of Kingston, Lanark, Leeds, Prescott, Refrew, Russell, and Stormont, which are served by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa.
1075 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2M6.
Tel: +1 (604) 685-4311.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (604) 685-4311.
The consular district includes British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.
Purdy's Wharf Tower II, 1969 Upper Water Street, Suite 904, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3R7.
Tel: +1 (902) 429-2480.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (902) 429-2480.
The Halifax consular district includes New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
201 Portage Avenue, Suite 860, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3K6.
Tel: +1 (204) 940-1800.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (403) 266-8962.
The Consulate in Winnipeg provides only emergency services for U.S. citizens. Routine services such as visas, passports and notarials are handled at other U.S. Consulates General, primarily in Calgary.
2, rue de la Terrasse Dufferin (Vieux Quebec, behind Chateau Frontenac), Quebec, Quebec G1R 4T9.
Tel: +1 (418) 692-2095.
After-Hours Emergency: +1 (418) 692-2096.
The consular district includes Quebec City and those regions of Quebec Province to the North and East of the Montreal and Ottawa Districts (indicated above) – to include the area around Saguenay/Lac Saint-Jean, Rimouski and the Gaspé Peninsula – as well as the Territory of Nunavut.
615 MacLeod Trail SE, Rocky Mountain Plaza Building, Suite 1000, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4T8
Tel: +1 (403) 266-8962.
The consular district includes Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Currently Canada has a single unified chapter that regularly hosts events across Canada.
Contact OSAC’s Americas team with any questions.
Canada Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions when traveling to Canada.
Crime
Like all major cities in the U.S., crime does exist throughout Canda. The U.S. Department of State has assessed Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg as being LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada.
The crime emergency line in Canada is 911. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
Violent crime rates in Canada are lower than global averages, but petty theft and property crime are common. Metropolitan areas, like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, see higher rates of violent crimes than suburban or rural areas. Common crime prevention techniques used when traveling in the United States, like remaining aware of your surroundings and avoiding carrying valuables, are also recommended in Canada.
Police-reported crime in Canada is measured by the Crime Severity Index (CSI), a measurement used to gauge the volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada. The CSI dropped 4% in the last available data from 2024—from 81.20% in 2023 to 77.89% in 2023. This marked the first annual drop in reported crime since 2020. The Violent Crime CSI fell slightly in 2024 but remained close to its highest point since 2007 at 99.87. The Non-violent CSI fell 5% and remained lower than before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The change reflected a drop in sexual assault, extortion, and property crimes like robbery.
Police reported 788 homicides nationwide in 2024, 8 less than the year before. Thunder Bay had the highest homicide rate in the country in 2024. Level 1 (no weapon or bodily harm) sexual assaults, which account for approximately 98% of incidents, fell slightly to a rate of 87.08 per 100,000.
Fraud rates increased dramatically since 2013. 178,532 incidents of fraud were reported by police in 2024, resulting in a rate of 432.4 per 100,000 population. The Canadian Anti-fraud Centre (CAFC) has recently highlighted the prevalence of certain types of fraud, which include telephone and text message scams, such as the “Canada Revenue Agency scam” and pre-paid gift card scams.
Canadian security services have made progress in combatting auto theft since 2023 when rates were among the highest in the world, but rates of theft remain elevated with 47,000 reported in 2025 resulting in $900 million in losses. Electronic auto theft for shipment overseas is the preferred tactic by thieves. Car thieves clone the radio frequency identification (RFI) from a key fob and use the clone to steal a motor vehicle. Once stolen, motor vehicles are placed either in container ships. Ontario continues to record the highest reported number of thefts, at 19,319, with Alberta second at 8,980. The most stolen motor vehicles are the Toyota RAV4, and the Dodge Ram. Honda CR-V, and Ford F150 are also frequently targeted.
Canadian law prohibits trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including those that may be legal to possess under the law of certain states. Even though Canada legalized the personal consumption of recreational cannabis in 2018, Canadian law prohibits taking cannabis across Canada’s national borders, whether you are entering or leaving Canada. Smugglers risk substantial fines, a permanent bar from Canada, and imprisonment.
Canada also sees a high number of opioid related offenses and deaths; about 40,000 over a seven-year period from 2016 to 2023, with fentanyl playing an increasing role.
Methamphetamine addiction is also a serious issue and may contribute to overall crime rates.
Crime: Areas of Concern
Vancouver: While most visitors do not encounter issues when traveling to Vancouver, they are encouraged to use extreme caution in the Downtown East Side (DTES) in the vicinity of Main Street and East Hastings St, and in the adjacent Gastown and Chinatown neighborhoods. Public drug use and increased criminal activity are common in this area, including violent crimes. Visitors should exercise caution transiting through, or visiting, the DTES and limit foot or bicycle traffic in the adjacent neighborhoods to daylight hours only. Check bus routes to see if they transit along East Hastings S. If so, use the SkyTrain as an alternative when possible. If it becomes necessary to visit or transit the DTES, personnel should do so during the day, if possible, and by vehicle. Remain alert to the surroundings and limit the time in the area.
Toronto: There is no evidence that criminals specifically target U.S. citizens — most victims are targets of opportunity. The most common crimes affecting visitors are robbery, fraud, purse snatching, and vehicle theft. Avoid displays of wealth. Expensive jewelry, watches, headphones, and large amounts of cash can attract unwanted attention. Carry only essential personal belongings. Men should keep wallets in a front pocket; women should exercise extra caution with purses and handbags. Given the current threat environment, all personnel must take personal responsibility for their safety by following these practices: remain aware of your surroundings, maintain situational awareness, watch for suspicious activity, and vary your routes and departure times. Homelessness is prevalent in downtown Toronto. Remain alert to your surroundings when walking in the downtown area.
Be especially cautious in the Jane and Finch area in northwestern Toronto, as well as the Regent Park and Rexdale neighborhoods. These areas have significant gang activity and crime. If travel through these areas is unavoidable, exercise extreme caution, travel during daylight hours, and minimize your time there.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada.
Kidnapping for ransom is rare. However, dozens of international parental child abductions occur each year between the United States and Canada, with courts in both countries applying the Hague Abduction Convention. All provinces have their own central authority, which have strong relationships with the United States. The National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains is a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) unit that maintains a national database for finding missing people and identifying human remains that links investigators nationwide when their cases match.
Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg as being LOW-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada. Review the latest State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Canada.
Despite relatively low rates of terrorist activity on the national level, Canada designated several new groups as terrorist entities in 2024. The Bishnoi Gang, a group Canada alleges was involved in the 2022 murder of Sikh-Separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was added for continued activates targeting South Asian diaspora communities across the country. Canada also designated seven Latin American criminal organizations as terrorist entities, including the Sinaloa Cartel and La Nueva Familia Michoacana. The designations give law enforcement additional powers to seize property and freeze funds associated with these groups.
On March 10, 2026, two shooters fired multiple shots towards the U.S. Consulate Toronto compound. The shooting occurred at 4:30 am and the building experienced minimal damage to the entrance door. Throughout late February and early March 2026, there were several similar incidents at synagogues across Toronto. All attacks occurred late at night or early in the morning, resulting in no injuries. The Toronto police increased their presence around Jewish communities and places of worship. It is unclear if these incidents were related.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg as being LOW-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Elections were held on April 28, 2025, without significant incident. The Liberal party won a fourth consecutive term under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Prime Minister Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau as leader of the liberal party after Mr. Trudeau resigned in January of the same year.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations and protests in Canada occur regularly, are mostly non-violent and orderly, and usually involve social activists, specific ethnic or national groups, or student associations. Authorities require permits for demonstrations. Municipal/federal law enforcement authorities are usually present at events to ensure public order. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the right to protest, as well as the rights of freedom of conscience and religion, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Travelers should avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S. sentiment usually manifests itself based on political differences or trade disputes, in which Canada believes that the terms are more favorable to the United States. There were multiple incidents where motor vehicles displaying U.S. license plates were vandalized. Canadian citizens that resided in the United States when returning to Canada would display signs in their motor vehicle identifying themselves as “Canadian citizens” in an attempt to prevent their motor vehicles from being vandalized. U.S. diplomatic facilities in Canada are the targets of hundreds of demonstrations each year, ranging in size and topic. Most are peaceful.
Law Enforcement
Canada has multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Each agency has their own individual non-emergency contact numbers. Like the U.S., Canada uses 911 across the country for emergencies and life threating matters.
Law enforcement officers in Canada are professionally trained and accredited. Canadian law enforcement agencies routinely receive training from U.S. law enforcement agencies and work together on cross-border crimes and assistance.
There are three tiers of policing in Canada:
Federal Police: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety. RCMP is unique in that it is a national, federal, provincial, and municipal policing body. RCMP provides a federal policing service to all Canadians and policing services under contract to the three territories, eight provinces (all except Ontario and Quebec), more than 190 municipalities, 184 Aboriginal communities, and three international airports.
Provincial Police: The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas lacking local police forces. It also provides specialized support to smaller municipal police forces, investigates province-wide and cross-jurisdictional crimes, patrols provincial highways, and is responsible for many of the waterways.
Local Police: Many of the larger cities or a conglomerate of cities have established their own independent law enforcement agencies responsible for enforcing local laws within their jurisdiction.
Police Response
The capabilities of federal, provincial, and city law enforcement agencies alike are on par with their U.S. counterparts. Except for minor non-violent crimes and incidents (e.g., larceny from vehicles, traffic accidents without injuries), police respond to the scene of crimes in a timely manner. Police agencies have similar capabilities as U.S. emergency services.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Driving conditions are very similar to the U.S., but severe winter weather conditions may make traveling by road dangerous. Due to harsh winters with snow and ice, in addition to road treatments, public roads are often in a state of constant repair/maintenance. Consider carrying roadside emergency kits, especially in inclement weather. Quebec and British Columbia require snow tires in the winter. Winter conditions and wildfires may prompt the sudden closure of highways. Provincial ministries of transport typically post closures and other alerts about road conditions on their websites. Provincial ministries of transport typically post closures and other alerts about road conditions on their websites.
Road safety and road conditions signage may be bilingual (English/French). Speeds are in kilometers per hour. Drivers should be cautious of deer, elk, and moose while driving at night in rural areas. Police routinely conduct vehicle checkpoints on main roads/highways to interdict impaired drivers; they also routinely station plain-clothes officers to observe and ticket vehicle operators using electronic devices without hands-free attachments.
All provinces except Ontario require drivers to keep vehicle headlights on during the day. All provinces have some form of cell phone/distracted driving legislation in place. Motorcycles cannot share a lane, and safety helmets for motorcycle riders and passengers are mandatory. Running a red light is a serious concern throughout Canada. Pause before proceeding when a light turns green. It is illegal to take automobile radar detectors into Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon, or the Northwest Territories, regardless of whether they are in use. Police there may confiscate radar detectors, operational or not, and impose substantial fines.
Do not leave valuables in the car. If you must leave items in the car, keep them locked in the trunk. Never pick up hitchhikers.
Alcohol and cannabis related driving offenses, such as driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while ability-impaired, and driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or cannabis, are criminal offenses in Canada. Penalties are heavy, and any prior conviction (no matter how old or how minor the infraction), is grounds for exclusion from Canada. U.S. citizens with a DWI record in the United States must seek approval for rehabilitation from Canadian authorities before travel to Canada, which can take weeks or months to process.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
Many Canadian cities offer public transportation options such as subways, streetcars, and buses. All are safe to use, though riders should always take care to guard personal possessions against theft on busy modes of public transport.
Aviation Concerns
Severe winter weather conditions may make air travel difficult at times. Harsh winter weather can delay, cancel, or re-route flights. Remain updated on current weather conditions and the status of individual flights when traveling during the winter and be prepared for itinerary changes and delays.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Canada’s Civil Aviation Authority as compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Canada’s air carrier operations. Security measures are commensurate with U.S. airports, and security personnel are well trained and effective.
The United States conducts preclearance operations at eight airports across Canada, more than in any other country. This is available at airports in Calgary (YYZ), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax-Stanfield (YHZ), Montréal-Trudeau (YUL), Ottawa-Macdonald-Cartier (YOW), Toronto City Airport (YTZ), Toronto-Pearson (YYZ), Toronto City Billy Bishop (YTZ), Vancouver (YVR), and Winnipeg-Richardson (YWG). Canada is the only country in the world with which the United States has signed a new preclearance agreement that covers all modes of transportation across the shared border.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights
Maritime Security
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is a special operating agency within Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The CCG works to ensure the safety of mariners in Canadian waters and protect Canada’s marine environment. RCMP, Provincial Police, and some local police services also have marine units that support the CCG Mission and enforce jurisdictional waterway laws.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Canada, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada.
The Canadian government adheres to the Rule of Law. Arbitrary detentions do not occur in Canada. Canada works diligently to demonstrate transparency. Issues of corruption are feasible but investigated. The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements the law effectively.
Health Concerns
The national emergency number is 911.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada, indicating that health risks are not present. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters
Medical Care in Remote Areas: A high level of medical care is available throughout the country. However, medical care in remote areas may be inadequate or limited. Medical care in remote areas should be sufficient for most routine or minor medical situations, or to stabilize an individual before evacuating a remote location.
Canada has vast, remote areas where cell phone coverage may be intermittent or nonexistent and sophisticated medical care may be several hours away by road or air. In these remote areas, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. The safest option for travelers to these destinations, particularly in the northern Arctic territories, is to travel with a group and hire the services of an experienced guide, reputable outfitter, or tour company that is familiar with local conditions and prepared for emergency situations specific to the location.
Hospital Payment: Hospitals generally require up-front payment by cash or credit card, up to the total of all anticipated charges, from foreigners prior to services or treatment. Hospitals may waive up-front payment of other than a modest deposit if they have existing cashless agreements with at least some major international insurance providers. All hospitals provide some services free to Canadian citizens. All hospitals are required to provide emergency stabilization without regard to ability to pay.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disaster Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Canada.
Wildfires: Because of a large amount of vast, unpopulated forest area, Canada experiences higher than average rates of annual wildfires. Wildfire season can extend from April to August each year. Those traveling to Canada during this time should prepare for wildfires to develop rapidly in any woodland areas and for wildfire smoke to affect air quality in all regions. When visiting a wooded area, have an evacuation plan in place at all times.
Monitor for active wildfires and forecasts on the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, as well as wildfire smoke and air quality on the Government of Canada’s website.
Review OSAC’s report Wildfires: Risks and Mitigation Measures
Cybersecurity
Individuals in Canada continue to fall victim to online fraud schemes. Cybercrime will almost certainly continue to be the cyber threat that individuals in Canada are most likely to encounter. Cyber threat actors have improved their ability to keep scams relevant and appealing by associating their cyber fraud operations with current events. Elections, tax season, and trending news stories have all been used as a backdrop for cybercrime.
Cybercrime remains the most common threat faced by organizations of all sizes. However, other cyber threat activity, such as cyber espionage, can have a greater impact. Information stolen by cyber threat actors can be held for ransom, sold, or used to gain an unfair competitive advantage.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
Canada is a NATO and Five Eyes nation. As such, the greatest threat is state-sponsored actors.
There is relatively low risk to privacy concerns in Canada. Canada has two federal privacy laws:
The Privacy Act governs the personal information handling practices on some 250 federal institutions. It limits the collection, use, sharing, and disclosure of individuals' personal information. It also gives individuals the right to access and request correction of personal information about themselves held by the federal government.
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) applies to the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information (e.g. age, name, ID numbers, and ethnic origin) in the course of commercial activity. Organizations and businesses must obtain an individual's consent before collection, and individuals have the right to access and challenge the accuracy of their personal information held by an organization. PIPEDA is exempt in provinces that have privacy legislations similar to it; Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta have adopted private-sector legislation deemed substantially similar to the federal law. Oversight of both federal Acts rests with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, who receives and investigates complaints.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) crime – copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting – is a growing international phenomenon that generates huge losses for legitimate industry, the economy, and the Government of Canada. According to INTERPOL, this type of crime has confirmed links to organized crime and terrorism.
Import/Export Restrictions
A country-specific listing of items goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website. There are no restrictions on the importation and usage of satellite phones. A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
The importation of personal weapons into Canada is highly regulated and weapons permits are required to possess firearms. Illegal weapons possession may result in felony prosecution and jail time.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.