From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL ADVISORY -- Canada
Date: 10 Apr 92 08:41:08 GMT
Article-I.D.: CompuSer.920410151712_76702.1202_EHB44-1
Organization: CS Dept, University of Texas at Austin
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - Canada
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CANADA - NOTICE
 April 9, 1992

"Rendezvous 92" in Western Canada:  1992 marks the 50th anniversary 
of the building of the Alcan Highway, now known as the Alaska 
Highway.  The Yukon territory is commemorating the event with a 
series of highly publicized celebrations throughout the year as part 
of its "Rendezvous 92" celebration.  U.S. travelers to "Rendezvous 
92" should be aware of the need for advance planning to make their 
trip to the Far North a success. 

The Yukon:  The Yukon may be considered frontier territory in many 
areas.  Facilities for car repair, while generally adequate, may 
sometimes be limited outside the larger communities.  Because of the 
distances from major population centers, the cost of food, gasoline, 
and lodging often runs higher than in the continental United States.

The Highway:  The 1500 mile Alaska (formerly the Alcan) highway 
starts in Dawson Creek, British Colombia, and runs north and west 
through Fort St. John and Fort Nelson to the Yukon Territory towns 
of Watson Lake, the capital city of Whitehorse and onward into 
Fairbanks, Alaska.  For most of its length, it is a two or four lane 
divided highway.  Most of it is in good condition and previously 
rough sections have been repaired for the celebrations.  The highway 
runs through some spectacularly beautiful areas, but much of the 
area is sparsely inhabited.  Gas stations are spaced an average of 
60 miles apart.

Lodging:  A full range of camping and motel lodging can be found in 
the Yukon.  Further away from population centers, however, travelers 
can expect facilities to be basic.  Several new motels and 
campgrounds are opening this year, but travelers are advised to have 
reservations -- particularly during the peak month of July.  It 
might be wise to plan travel either a little earlier or a little 
later than peak season, e.g., late May or early September.

Medical Care:  The longest stretch between medical facilities is 
approximately 150 miles.  As with car repair, medical facilities are 
limited outside of population centers.  As in many foreign 
countries, most hospitals and clinics will insist on payment before 
discharge.  While some (but not all) now accept Visa or Mastercard, 
most will not wait for payment from insurance companies.  


Problems with collecting bills from Americans have made medical 
institutions increasingly cautious.

Insurance:  Travelers should check to make sure their medical and 
auto insurance covers them while in Canada.  In many instances a 
supplemental policy is required.

Firearms:  While not limited to the Yukon, all travelers to Canada 
should keep in mind Canada's extremely strict laws regarding 
firearms.  In general, handguns are not permitted in Canada.  
Canadian law requires that officials must confiscate guns from 
anyone crossing the border who denies having a gun in his/her 
possession.  The confiscated guns are never returned.  It is 
possible to take hunting rifles into Canada under certain 
circumstances.  Anyone considering it should contact the nearest 
Canadian consulate in advance for detailed information and 
instruction.  In all cases, travelers should declare any firearms in 
their possession to Canadian customs authorities when entering 
Canada.  If the traveler is denied permission to bring the firearm 
into Canada, in many cases there are facilities near the border 
crossing where firearms could be surrendered and stored pending the 
traveler's return to the U.S.

Information:  For further information/assistance, U.S. citizens 
traveling to "Rendezvous 92" may contact the Consular Section of the 
U.S. Consulate General at 1095 West Pender St., Vancouver, Canada 
V6E 2M6 at tel: 604-685-4311.

 No. 92-74

This advisory replaces the advisory dated February 13, 1992, to 
rescind the section on Meningitis in Eastern Canada per the Centers 
for Disease Control's Advisory Memorandum No. 100.