Travel documents

If you’re studying in Canada, you’re allowed to travel outside the country, but you need to make sure you have a valid study permit or approval for one or a permit extension. You also need to have a few things in order, like a valid passport or travel document, your attending a designated learning institution (DLI), and a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Just having a visa or eTA doesn’t guarantee you entry back into Canada. You need to show the border services officer that you meet all the requirements for entering Canada before they’ll let you in. If your visitor visa has expired, is about to expire during your planned travel, or was only valid for a single entry, you’ll need to apply for a new one.

However, if you’re coming back directly from a trip to the United States, you don’t need a visitor visa as long as your study or work permit is still valid. So, make sure you have all your documents in order before traveling outside Canada.

Other entry requirements

Depending on where you travel, you may still need to show a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Canada – in some cases this could even apply to a layover of more than 24 hours. If it’s required, plan ahead to ensure you have the test results within the right time frame to be considered valid – it’s often one to two days ahead.

Health precautions

While proof of vaccinations and face masks may not be required depending on your destination, the government does recommend them as protection while you travel. If you’re sick you may have to postpone your travel dates, so make your plans are as flexible as possible. If you’ve visited a farm or wild animals on your trip, you should avoid visiting a farm back in Canada for 14 days after you return to avoid spreading foreign animal diseases.

Packing plans

It’s normal to bring items back to Canada, but double check that they can enter the country. Some goods are banned here to protect people, animals and even plants. This step is important for any food you’re bringing here. For example, don’t pack any pork products in your luggage. If the pork were infected by a pig disease called African swine fever it could bring the disease to Canada, which could put many pigs and Canadian pork farms at risk.

Be sure to declare any plant or animal products that do come back with you.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article What international students need to know before leaving Canada est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

He mentioned that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which mainly affects young children, had already peaked a few days ago, and that its circulation is decreasing. The effect of that slowdown should be reflected in pediatric care units in the coming weeks. On the other side, the influenza’s peak has still not arrived.

“It’s a virus in strong progression,” Boileau said. “All indicators of the flu season started much faster than usual. There’s high activity, and it’s on its way to even higher.”

He added that December is likely to be tough on that side, and he expects a peak by the end of 2022.

It’s a similar case for the COVID-19 situation, which is gaining momentum again in Quebec. That is largely due to the increased presence of the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 variants, which have become the dominant strains in the province.

No Measure for Now

Despite the difficult month that awaits Quebecers, Boileau confirmed he will not issue new recommendations for health measures.

He still invites all citizens to get a dose of vaccine against the various viruses, including the influenza, which was made available free of charge to the entire population a little over a week ago.

That’s particularly recommended for people aged 60 and over, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and parents of children under six months.

Among the other possible actions, Boileau noted the fact of staying at home when flu symptoms are appearing, wearing a mask in busy environments, and limiting the exposure of young children by reducing outings and visits.

As for the mask in schools, he doesn’t believe it’s necessary to force everyone to wear it. However, he recommends it for all those wishing to do so, as well as students and staff members with symptoms, such as a sore throat or cough.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Influenza and COVID-19: Possible Peak in December est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

BCF’s governing body will recommend the adoption of the agreement in principle to its members.

That same agreement is spread over a period of six years. For now, the details of the agreement will remain confidential in order to allow BCF members to conclude agreements with their respective school service centre.

“It proposes significant investments, and promotes greater stability in the school transportation sector,” said Minister of Education Jean-François Roberge by press release. “It guarantees the safety of students, and meets many expectations school carriers had.”

Several school transport contracts had expired since June 30.

“The BCF is delighted that the measures put in place by the government are making it possible to ensure a safe return to school for the students we’re transporting daily,” said President and CEO of the BCF, Luc Lafrance. (N.P.)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Agreement in Principle for School Transport est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Police officers’ role in the school is to do prevention and raise awareness, with repression having no place in the targeted approach.

“Their presence responds to a need in terms of awareness, but mainly from an interrelational point of view,” said Andrée Primeau, principal of Saint-Maxime high school. “Police officers are involved with the students, establishing unique and privileged links.”

They’re discussing various topics with them, including cybercriminality, bullying, domestic violence and more.

Police officers are also trying to identify issues and concerns affecting school life.

In that sense, they’ll try to establish action or intervention plans that can help counter some of the problems.

“Mutual trust, active listening and dialogue are essential to maintain a real and lasting sense of security,” said Pierre Brochet, director of director of Laval’s police department. “It’s essential for us to strengthen the close relationship we have with the students.”

Those same police officers also inform students and school staff on topics related to the justice system and the enforcement of laws and regulations.

Positive Impacts

The goal of the project is to develop and consolidate interventions between police officers and students by increasing police’s presence in school environments.

“That pilot project is a perfect example of a collaborative and concerted initiative looking to fight against violence,” said Yves Michel Volcy, Executive Director of the Centre de services scolaire de Laval. “ will certainly have a positive impact on all students and staff.”

The implementation of that pilot project would allow any student living a difficult situation to be guided to a socio-community agent to get support.

Together, they’ll be able to find solutions, and the students will be oriented to the relevant resources.

Laval’s police department says the collaboration with the Centre de services scolaire will help students to act more effectively, and better equip themselves. (J.B.)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Collaboration Between Saint-Maxime School and Laval’s Police Department est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.