Safety in Canada: what overland travellers should know
Our summary of the country advice published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Viaggiare Sicuri) on 3 June 2026.
Safety
- Crime — Violent incidents, firearms included, and petty crime are both growing steadily, mainly in the large cities. Take the usual precautions against theft.
- Terrorism — Canada is rated at medium risk of terrorist acts, partly because of its role in countering international terrorism. Attacks have happened, among them the Quebec City mosque shooting and the two Edmonton attacks in 2017.
- Wildfires — Fire risk is particularly high in the prairies and forests of western Canada over the summer months, and in 2023 major fires also burned in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Follow the dedicated channels, such as the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System for active fires and forecasts, and do exactly what local authorities say.
- Storms and earthquakes — The eastern coast, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, can be hit by hurricanes tracking up from the United States, and severe winter weather is a risk in itself for anyone in the affected areas. The west coast, British Columbia, is a highly seismic zone.
- Snowmobiles and ice — Snowmobile accidents are numerous in winter and many are serious or fatal, so get professional support and check beforehand that the rental company's insurance covers every driver. Make sure your own policy, or the operator's, does not exclude snowmobiling or similar motor and snow sports, and the same goes for dog sledding and for routes that pass close to frozen lakes.
Before you rely on this
This is our summary of advice written by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Italian travellers, published on 3 June 2026. We summarise in good faith, but we cannot guarantee it is accurate, current or complete, and we take no responsibility for decisions made on the basis of it. Rules change without notice and are applied by officials at the border, not by websites. Always read the original source and the travel advice your own government publishes for Canada before you travel. GuideMeet has no way of checking whether an individual guide meets any standard mentioned here — ask them directly.
Source: Viaggiare Sicuri — Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated 3 June 2026. Last checked by GuideMeet on 2026-09-20.