Safety concerns in France prompt urgent warning for Canadian travellers
If you’re planning to travel to France, there’s a new warning from the Canadian government that you should know about before you go.
On Wednesday, Canada updated its travel advisory for France, warning travellers of possible safety and security risks due to upcoming nationwide demonstrations. The country has already seen several large-scale demonstrations in different cities since September. Now, the Government of Canada states that further demonstrations are planned in several cities on Saturday, Oct. 31 and Thursday, Nov. 5.
“Security measures, including partial or localized curfews, may be imposed at short notice,” reads the statement. “Security forces may use crowd-control measures, including tear gas, to disperse crowds.”
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These demonstrations could lead to major disruptions to public services and transportation before, during, and after they take place. And it’s important to stay vigilant as “even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time.”
As a result, the government is urging travellers to avoid areas where these planned demonstrations are taking place and to monitor local news for the latest information. It’s also important to follow instructions of local authorities, including curfew orders. Travellers can also expect to see more police presence and heightened security measures.
According to the advisory, demonstrations happen often and are usually planned and approved by authorities, but spontaneous and unauthorized ones can occur.
“Radical activists and vandals have a history of using aggressive and violent tactics during demonstrations in order to cause damage and provoke a strong response from the police,” reads the notice. “They sometimes throw stones, smoke grenades, bottles, and other debris at rallies. The police normally respond with tear gas to disperse the crowds.”
If you’re travelling internationally, make sure to sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA), a free and confidential service that notifies Canadian citizens outside the country of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home.