Today, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Toronto during the G-20 Summit scheduled for June 26-27, 2010. Please read the alert in its entirety below, or by clicking on this link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5070.html
Sincerely,
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Consulate General Toronto
360 University Avenue
Toronto, Canada M5G 1S4
Travel Alert
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Canada
June 17, 2010
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in
Toronto, Canada to the potential for large-scale demonstrations in
downtown Toronto before and during the G-20 Summit scheduled for June
26-27, 2010. This Travel Alert expires on June 28, 2010.
The G-20 Summit, which heads of state and government will attend, will
take place June 26-27, 2010, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in
downtown Toronto. Previous G-20 summits have drawn large numbers of
protesters and activists, and a number of groups have announced plans to
demonstrate throughout downtown Toronto. Protesters are expected to
gather in Toronto in the days leading up to the Summit and access to
parts of the downtown area will be restricted due to security
requirements. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can
become violent and unpredictable. You should avoid them if at all
possible. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to
what the local news media has to say.
The Canadian government is constructing a temporary fence in the
vicinity of the Convention Centre to create a security zone for the G-20
Summit. As a result, significant traffic disruption in the downtown
core is anticipated. Public transportation may also be restricted.
U.S. citizens should avoid traveling in or through downtown Toronto
during the Summit, if possible. The City of Toronto's website,
available at www.toronto.ca, includes updated information on traffic and
security for residents and visitors during the Summit.
Prior to the G-20 Summit, the Canadian government will host the G-8
Summit in Huntsville, Ontario, on June 25 and 26. Because of limited
hotel space and Huntsville's location three hours away from Toronto, the
Department does not expect significant protest activity in the
Huntsville area. However, U.S. citizens should expect increased
security in the area before and during the Summit. The Department does
not expect disruptions related to the G-8/G-20 Summits in other areas of
Canada.
To enhance security measures already in place for the two Summits, the
Canadian Government will likely increase passport and security checks at
its land borders. All U.S. citizens traveling to Canada at any time
must carry valid travel documents. For details, please refer to the
country specific information for Canada.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to consult the Department of State's
Consular Information Sheet for Canada and the Worldwide Caution Travel
Alert, located at http://travel.state.gov. For further information,
U.S. citizens may also contact the Department of State toll-free from
within the United States and Canada at 1-888-407-4747.
The U.S. Consulate General in Toronto is located at 360 University
Avenue; Tel (416) 495-1700. The public entrance is located at 225
Simcoe Street. For further information, please visit the Consulate's
website at http://toronto.usconsulate.gov
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa is located at 490 Sussex Drive; Tel (613)
688-3082. For further information, please visit the Embassy's website at
http://canada.usembassy.gov/
