Canada
About Canada
| Currency | Canadian dollar (CAD) |
| Language | English and French |
| Capital | Ottawa |
Canada occupies most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and north to the Arctic Ocean. Canada is the world’s second-largest country by total area and shares a common border in the south and northwest with the United States. The population is about 34,000,000.
Canada’s government is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. A prime minister is the head of government.
Canada is one of the world’s highly developed countries and has a diversified economy that relies on rich natural resources and trade in commodities.
This country is noted for its geography, ranging from the Rocky Mountains in the west, huge glaciers in the north, to oceans on the east and west coasts. Wildlife are common to this country with grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions, moose, polar bears, and humpback whales. Activities, such as hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, or snowboarding, are popular and are available in areas that are short distances from major cities.
Recommended Vaccinations For Canada
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a low risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, however, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a low risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, however, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months travelling internationally.
Rabies Vaccine
Travellers involved in outdoor and other activities that might bring them into direct contact with dogs, bats and other mammals (such as campers, hikers, adventure travellers and cavers), as well as travellers with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wild life professionals and researchers), and long-term travellers and expatriates should be vaccinated.
Recommended Medications For Canada
There are no recommendations for Canada at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Canada
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B
There is a high rate of hepatitis B in the Inuit population in far northern Canada.
Hepatitis A
There a low risk for hepatitis A.
For Some Travellers
Rabies
Rabies may occur in wild mammals.
West Nile Fever
Sporadic cases and small outbreaks of West Nile virus occur in the summer months in Canada.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Canada. The highest risk occurs from exposure to ticks during camping and hiking in forested areas.
Safety & Security in Canada
Personal Safety
Canada maintains low crime levels compared to many countries. The Crime Severity Index decreased 4 percent in 2024 after three consecutive years of increases. In 2024, police recorded 788 homicides, with a rate of 1.94 per 100,000 population. The rate of police-reported crime stands at 5,672 incidents per 100,000 population. You face higher crime rates in western provinces, particularly Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where Crime Severity Index scores exceed national averages. Property crimes like fraud, shoplifting, and motor vehicle theft have been rising, though breaking and entering rates declined 11 percent in 2024. Hate crimes targeting race, ethnicity, and religion increased by 169 percent from 2018 to 2024, though sexual orientation-based hate crimes dropped 26 percent in 2024. Most violent crime occurs in urban centers. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal experience concentrated incidents in specific neighborhoods, but overall crime rates remain well below major US cities. Major cities saw mixed trends in 2024, with Toronto recording 84 homicides compared to 73 in 2023, while highway deaths in Ontario reached 411, the highest in 15 years. Northern and remote communities experience elevated crime rates due to socioeconomic factors and limited policing resources.
Extreme Violence
Mass shootings remain rare in Canada compared to the United States. The April 2020 Nova Scotia shooting that killed 22 people stands as the deadliest mass shooting in modern Canadian history. Police-reported firearm-related violent crime declined 1.7 percent in 2023 after reaching a 14-year high in 2022. Shooting deaths accounted for 38 percent of all homicides in 2023, with handguns used in 56 percent of shooting homicides. Gang-related homicides represented 19 percent of all homicides in 2024, with 79 percent involving firearms. The government banned over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms in 2020 and implemented a national handgun freeze in 2022. Firearm-related violent crime remains concentrated in urban southern areas, though rates per capita are highest in northern territories. The rate of firearm-related violent crime decreased 6.5 percent in urban southern regions but increased 19 percent in rural southern areas from 2022 to 2023. Terrorism incidents remain exceptionally low. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service has warned of threats to 2SLGBTQI community organizations, though actual incidents of organized terrorism targeting civilians are minimal.
Political Unrest
Canada experienced significant political upheaval in late 2024 and early 2025 following Prime Minister Trudeau’s resignation announcement in January 2025. Mark Carney assumed office as Prime Minister in March 2025 after winning the Liberal Party leadership. The country faces economic pressures related to trade tensions with the United States under the second Trump administration. Protests occur regularly in major cities but typically remain peaceful. The 2022 convoy protests in Ottawa prompted the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time, though courts later ruled this unconstitutional. Since 2023, demonstrations have focused on climate policy, Indigenous rights, Palestinian solidarity, and opposition to perceived government overreach on various issues. Campus protests related to Middle East conflicts occurred at several universities in 2024. Anti-immigrant protests drew counter-protests in Toronto in 2025, with counter-protesters significantly outnumbering those opposed to immigration. Indigenous communities continue protests against pipeline construction and resource extraction projects on unceded territories. Labor strikes occur periodically but rarely affect travelers beyond potential service disruptions. Demonstrations in September 2025 against the Carney government’s budget priorities drew thousands in Toronto and other cities, with two arrests for mischief in Ottawa. Political discourse has grown more polarized, but violence at protests remains uncommon.
Areas To Avoid
Specific neighborhoods in major cities experience elevated crime rates. In Vancouver, the Downtown Eastside faces challenges with homelessness, drug use, and property crime. Mount Pleasant sees high bicycle theft rates. In Toronto, Parma Court, Crescent Town, and Flemingdon Park record violent crime rates 40 to 54 percent higher than city averages. Scarborough neighborhoods including Hillside and Oakridge experience above-average crime. Surrey, British Columbia consistently ranks as Canada’s most dangerous city with a Crime Index of 64.7 in 2025, driven by gang activity and property crimes. Kelowna ranks second with a Crime Index of 62.3, fueled by drug-related offenses and theft in tourist areas. Winnipeg maintains high rates of violent crime, particularly in North End neighborhoods. Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan face elevated assault and robbery rates linked to gang activity. Prince George in British Columbia records crime rates over 100 percent above the national average. Red Deer, Alberta experiences high rates of both violent and property crime. Downtown cores of major cities typically see more incidents after dark, though most remain safe with basic precautions. Remote and northern communities face unique challenges including limited law enforcement presence and higher per-capita crime rates, though travelers rarely visit these areas.
