The Trudeau government is extending its testing requirements for visitors arriving in Canada from China and Hong Kong. Ottawa last night (Feb. 2) put out the following statement: In response to the increasing spread of COVID-19 and its variants in the People’s Republic of China and limited epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data available on these cases, the Government of Canada announced temporary pre-boarding test requirements and arrival screening effective January 5, 2023, for most travellers arriving on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao. On February 4, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. EST, we are Read more
Canada
A new era has launched for Porter Airlines, and for Canadian travellers. Toronto-based Porter on Wednesday (Feb. 1) began flying jets for the first time as part of a massive expansion effort that threatens to shake up the industry. Porter on Wednesday flew its new Embraer E195-E2 jets from Toronto Pearson Airport to Montreal Trudeau and Ottawa International, its first ever jet flights. Until this week, Porter had flown exclusively out of the Toronto Island/City Centre Airport using De Havilland propeller planes. Service on the Toronto Pearson-Ottawa route has four daily, non-stop return flights. Porter is offering three daily, non-stop Read more
The federal government admits it spent nearly $400 million of taxpayer dollars over on its designated COVID-19 quarantine facilities during the pandemic. Figures supplied to the media by the Public Health Agency of Canada state that the government spent more than $388 million to run 38 designated quarantine sites across the country between March 2020 and September 2022. The facilities were consistently criticized as overpriced and badly managed, with people complaining bitterly about poor food, cold meals and crowded lobbies with would-be quarantine passengers mingling together. “DQF’s (Designated Quarantine Facilities) and alternate sites were active in a total of 14 Read more
Ontarians love to travel, but with costs rising due to inflation, it has become more important than ever to find ways to save money, while still crossing off destinations on your bucket list. Here are some good travel tips from the Canadian Automobile Association South Central Association. “This year, more and more people across the province are eager to embark on their next adventure, whether that means disconnecting in a tropical paradise or exploring the history of an ancient city,” says Susan Postma, regional manager, CAA Club Group. “While we are seeing a renewed interest in travel, we know the Read more
From Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island, and Niagara to to the Yukon, here are 10 great places in Canada for a fine, romantic Valentine’s Day date. WHISTLER. B.C. An afternoon at the luscious Scandinave Spa is a great way to spend time with your honey. It’s super romantic to sit in a warm/hot outdoor pool and watch the snowflakes fall all around you. Take a walk through the pedestrian-friendly village and find that perfect spot for a quiet dinner. Top hotels include the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the Four Seasons. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE Heart-shaped tubs are fine. Ditto for overstuffed furniture and Read more
