25: Canada

25 Years ago (September 11, 2001) during the Terrorist Attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in the Field in Pennsylvania Canada stood with the United States in many ways.

(Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada with 38 Airliners, totaling 6,122 Passengers and 473 Crew, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon on 9-11-01.)

Not only did the Canadian Military help protect American Airspace under NORAD, but Canadian Airports took in Hundreds of Planes with Tens of Thousands of Passengers including Thousands of Americans that were headed towards the United States from Europe and Asia.

It was called Operation Yellow Ribbon (French: Opération ruban jaune.)

After the US FAA closed all of American Airspace at 9:45 Eastern Time Transport Canada enacted Operation Yellow Ribbon under SitCen.

The SitCen is Transport Canada's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC.)

As Personnel staffed the SitCen, key Organizations such as Nav Canada, the Department of National Defence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) were also involved in SitCen Operations.

After learning that the FAA had closed down U.S. Airspace, David Collenette, the Canadian Transport Minister, gave orders that Canadian Airports be open only for outgoing Police, Military, and Humanitarian Flights, and incoming U.S. Bound International Flights that were passed the “point of no return” over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  

This was the first unplanned closure of Canadian Airspace.

SitCen focused on keeping in contact with every plane (to make sure there were no more Hijacked Planes), where to land all the Aircraft and how to deplane, screen and clear Tens of Thousands of Passengers through Canadian Immigration and Customs.

Planes were entering Canadian Airspace at a rate of 2 Planes every Minute.

238 Planes with 45,000 Passengers and Crew en-route to the United States were re-routed to 17 Canadian Airports.

Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada is the first North American Airport on the Transatlantic Flight Route.

Gander Airport took in 38 Wide-Body Airplanes with 6,122 Passengers and Crew.

The Total Population of Gander at the time was 9,000 People and there were only 500 Hotel Rooms in the City.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien stated that in the span of a few hours the Population of Gander jumped by more than 50%.

The People of Gander opened Schools, Community Centers and their Own Homes to house these Stranded People (including American.)

The People of Gander also donated Food, Clothes, Bedding, etc, to them.

Here are the other Canadian Airports that also took in American-Bound Airplanes:

Halifax International Airport in Nova Scotia handled 45 Flights

St. John's International Airport in Newfoundland handled 27 Flights

Winnipeg International Airport in Manitoba handled 15 Flights

Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario handled 14 Flights

Calgary International Airport in Alberta handled 13 Flights

Greater Moncton International Airport in New Brunswick handled 10 Flights

Montréal–Mirabel International Airport in Quebec handled 10 Flights

Stephenville International Airport in Newfoundland handled 13 Flights

Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay in Newfoundland handled 7 Flights

Montréal-Dorval International Airport in Quebec handled 7 Flights

Edmonton International Airport in Alberta handled 6 Flights

Hamilton International Airport in Ontario handled 4 Flights

Whitehorse International Airport in Yukon handled 2 Flights

Deer Lake Airport in Newfoundland handled 1 Flight

Yellowknife Airport in the Northwest Territories handled 2 Flights

Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia (the only major Canadian Airport on the West Coast capable of handling the large Aircraft used for Transpacific Flights took in 34 Planes with 8,500 Passengers and Crew.

After the Planes were diverted and landed and the Passengers and Crew were deplaned and went through Canadian Immigration and Customs the Canadians then had to house and feed all 45,000 Men, Women and Children.

Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Local Canadian Governments worked with Canadian Citizens to feed and house all 45,000 People for 5  days until they could go into the United States,

Operation Yellow Ribbon was the largest Emergency Operation in Civilian Aircraft History.

Canada did not have to endanger their own Citizens by allowing these Planes and People into their Country on 9-11.

They did it because they are a good, kind and caring People.

25 years later we should remember what the Canadians did for us Americans.

Welland Canal

The Welland Canal

The Welland Canal is a Ship Canal in Ontario, Canada, and part of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes Waterway.

The Canal was opened in 1829 and was last reconstructed in 1932 to allow for larger Cargo Ships to pass through it.

The Canal goes through the Niagara Peninsula and was built because the Niagara River (the only natural waterway connecting the Lakes) is unnavigable due to Niagara Falls.

The Canal goes from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie.

3,000 Ships (carrying 40 Million Tons or 88 Billion Pounds) pass through the Welland Canal every year.

The Canal allowed goods from American Ports in the Great Lakes (Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago) to travel to the Port of Montreal where they were loaded onto Ocean-Going Ships to go across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

Lake Ontario (one of the 5 Great Lakes and named after the Iroquoian Native Tribe living in the area since 1639) was renamed to Lake America by US President Trump in August 2026.

Canada continues to only recognize the name it has used for 387 years: Lake Ontario.

Canada holds the cards in this dispute because they are refusing to allow any Cargo Ship (American, Canadian or Foreign) that uses the unrecognized name “Lake America” on their International Cargo Shipping Documents to use the Welland Canal.

That means American Shipping  - especially items and products that go through the Mid-West - is being stopped which means even more higher prices for Ordinary Americans (on top of the higher prices we pay in the form of Tariffs on Canadian Goods also recently imposed by President Trump.)

57 Years Late

From CNN:

“French has become a sticking point in the Canada-US trade dispute. Here’s why”

As a trade war between the United States and Canada looms following the collapse of talks last week, a key issue has emerged that’s further inflamed tensions between the longtime allies: French language laws.

Canada is a bilingual country and has laws protecting both of its official languages: English and French, the first language spoken for roughly one fifth of the population, including nearly 85% of primarily Francophone province of Quebec. Among the laws, product labels must be displayed in both English and French, and US streaming platforms must support and promote Canadian content (including Indigenous and French Canadian content) to audiences north of the border.

Canada’s language requirements have long been viewed by the US as a trade barrier but are generally a red line for Ottawa — which Prime Minister Mark Carney enforced by walking away from a deal which he said included “threats to French language and culture.” On Monday, Carney said Canada “could not accept” the proposed deal that would have weakened French language protections, telling reporters that his government “will not give (the US) what they have asked.” Many in Canada have rallied behind Carney’s decision — and particularly his comments about protecting French culture, a core part of Canada’s national identity.

After US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer called Ottawa’s concerns about French a “funny, fake story” on Monday, the Canadian leader denied the issue was a laughing matter, saying there is an “enormous gap between our perspective and the US perspective.” “For Americans, French language, Francophone culture, Canadian culture, these are irritants,” Carney said in French at a news conference in Lévis, Quebec. “Here in Quebec, here in Canada, these are rights,” he said, as a group of reporters applauded.

On Tuesday, Donald Trump denied that the US wanted to interfere with Canada’s French language laws, while also calling the Canadian prime minister “weak and ineffective” in a Truth Social post. “I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French! In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec,” the US president posted.

Since negotiations stalled Friday, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Carney initially pledged to match the tariffs “dollar-for-dollar,” but on Monday said his government may consider a more targeted approach to maximize effect, given the size of the American economy. “Everything is on the table,” he said in French. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and three other Cabinet ministers are set to announce Canada’s response to the tariffs on Tuesday, including measures to protect and support Canadian workers and businesses, according to a government statement. CNN has reached out to Carney’s office for more details.

Language rights vital part of Canadian identity Language rights have been entrenched in Canada’s constitution for decades and are particularly important to Quebec, which has fought to protect its distinct linguistic and cultural identity in an English-dominated North America. This pursuit has at times put the province at odds with the rest of Canada. Quebec has twice held a referendum on whether to secede from the rest of the country, most recently in a 1995 vote where the “no” side won by a razor-thin margin of just 1.16%.

Language laws include everything from the right for Canadians to access official services in both languages to the requirement that hair care companies display the French “shampooing” alongside English text on their bottles. For US companies looking to do business in Canada, this means added barriers as they must redesign packaging and pay extra production costs.

Stewart Prest, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, said asking Canada to bend these rules is “not a reasonable request of the Canadian government in a trade negotiation,” and one Canada has “no choice but to say no to.” “People in Canada speak French. It’s not a country where everybody speaks English, and some people like to dabble in French,” he said. “It is not so different than asking France to relax its requirement that packaging must include French.” It’s common for service workers in Montreal to greet customers with “Bonjour-Hi.”

Under any circumstance, it would be incredibly detrimental to Carney, who has built a global profile for standing up to Trump, to bow on an issue so central to Canadian identity, said Stéphanie Chouinard, associate professor of political studies at Royal Military College and Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. But the matter is particularly acute with Quebec just weeks away from a provincial election where the separatist Parti Québécois is surging in the polls, she said. The party’s leader recently said he would delay a possible independence referendum until Trump’s term ends — but any concession on language laws could “stoke secessionist sentiment” in the province where independence talk has been on the back burner, Chouinard said.

At odds with Washington Quebec has implemented strict nationalist policies in recent years to reinforce French as the province’s sole language, including through the controversial language law Bill 96, which includes stricter requirements for French on products, appliances, packaging and signage. The legislation was included on the 2025 list of global trade barriers compiled annually by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The US has also expressed concerns about Canada’s Online Streaming Act, which requires online video and music services like Netflix and Spotify to invest in and promote Canadian content. Washington also opposed another streaming regulation, known as Bill 109, passed in Quebec last December, which compels streaming platforms to prioritize French-language content. In March, the US listed the measure as a potential trade barrier in its trade estimate report.

Greer, in an interview with CNBC Monday, said the US does not have an issue with the French language but rather what he called a “discriminatory tax on American companies.” “I like the Quebecois, and I like that they speak French. What we don’t like is a situation where Canada’s federal government forces American tech companies to take their earnings and give a percentage to their competitors,” he said. For many in Canada, the dispute raises concerns about American interference with Canada’s national identity.

Quebec’s Premier Christine Fréchette said Carney made the right decision to walk away from the negotiating table. “Our culture, our language, is central to our identity, and it is important to exclude that from the negotiation table,” said Fréchette in a news conference, according to CNN newsgathering partner CBC News. “Even though we are threatened with different tariffs, it won’t change. We will stay the way we are.”

^ Canada has officially been a Bilingual Country since 1969.

That is 57 years of having to use French and English on Products and in Service including on American Imported Products.

If this is just now being a problem for some Americans then they are 57 years too late. ^

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/french-has-become-a-sticking-point-in-the-canada-us-trade-dispute-here-s-why/ar-AA2aQRnU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=EDBBAN&cvid=6a8dd87170fa4e459f1f1f9e12a79e43&ei=9

Dog School

 

81: The End

 

81 years ago today (August 15, 1945) World War 2 ended with Victory Over Japan Day (V-J Day.)

 

75 Million Men, Women and Children died during World War 2 (1939-1945.)

55 Million of that Number were Civilians.

 

Canada:

In 1939 Canada had a Population of: 11,267,000

42,000 Canadian Soldiers died during the War.

1,600 Canadian Civilians died during the War.

53,174 Canadian Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

 

The United Kingdom:

In 1939 the United Kingdom had a Population of: 47,760,000 (not including British Colonies.)

383,700 British Soldiers died during the War.

67,200 British Civilians died during the War.

376,239 British Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

 

The United States of America:

In 1939 the United States had a Population of: 131,028,000 (not including American Territories of Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, etc.)

407,300  American Soldiers died during the War.

12,100 American Civilians died during the War.

671,801 American Soldiers were Wounded during the War.

Off The Path

Off The Path

I have always been one who likes to travel off the beaten path.

I don’t go on Group Tours (unless they are 1 Day ones) and I don’t like travelling by myself.

I have used all sorts of different traveling methods: an Old Soviet Train with Uncomfortable Wooden Benches in Russia; Over-Crowded Ferries; a Plane that was held together with Duct Tape; High Speed Trains; a 3 Seater Arctic Hydro-Plane; Limousines; First Class Planes; Private Taxis; Public Taxis; a Private Jet; a Hired Car with a Private Driver; a Snowmobile; a Gondola in Venice; a Monorail; a Speed Boat; in a Hot Air Balloon; an Over-Crowded Plane with no Class Sections and random Animals on it (Not Service Animals); a Paddle Boat; a Helicopter;  a Bike; a Funicular in Ukraine; a Canoe and a Dog Sled.

I have stayed in all sorts of different places: in a Hostel that was a Former Jail in Canada; in the back of a Pick-Up Truck; at a 6 Star Resort; at a Haunted Motel; at a Soviet Khrushchevka in Ukraine;  at All-Inclusive Resorts; at a Hotel that was constantly bombed during the 30 years of The Troubles; in the Back Seat of my Car;  at a French Castle; at a Closed Rest Area with no Visitor’s Center during a snowstorm; in an Ice Fishing Hut; in a Wilderness Emergency Cabin; on the Beach; in a Tent; on the Bare Ground; on a Bench during the Russian Winter; in a Cave; on a Houseboat; on a Barn; in a Tree House and at an Irish Castle.

I have done many fun and exciting things: gone Sky-Diving; gone Bungee Jumping; gone Para-Gliding; jumped out of a Helicopter into the Mediterranean Sea; gone Skinny Dipping; went to the Blue Grotto in Malta; swam in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland; went to German, Croatian, French, Dutch, British and Austrian Christmas Markets; went Rock Climbing off a Scottish Castle on Loch Lomond; skied in the Austrian and German Alps; swam with Dolphins in the Bahamas; spent the night at Frankenstein’s Castle in Darmstadt, Germany; went to Raves; went to Euro Disney in Paris; went to Disney World in Florida; went to Lego Land;  went to the Cliffs of Mohr in Ireland; walked on an Alaskan Glacier; went to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland; went to the Munich Oktoberfest; went to the Gullfoss in Iceland (where the European and Atlantic Tectonic Plates meet); went to the Gaeltacht (Irish-Speaking Area of Ireland); sat on the Throne at the Winter Palace/The Hermitage in Saint Petersburg; saw the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels); saw the Crown Jewels of England; went into the World Trade Center many times over the years when my Mom worked there; went to the Pentagon several times when my Dad worked there, went to the Rosh Hanikra Caves in Israel; saw the Canadian Maple Crown; went inside Lenin’s Mausoleum on Moscow; went to Stonehenge; went to the Masada Fortress in Israel; went to Sherwood Forrest;  went to Peterhof Castle in Saint Petersburg; flew a small plane from West Germany to England; fed Shamu at Sea World in San Antonio; reenacted in a Revolutionary War Battle at Saratoga; went to the Prime Minister’s Question Time in Canada; went to the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica; went up Magnetic Hill in Canada; took a tour of the White House; had a Colonial-Themed Meal at Colonial Williamsburg; swam in the Dead Sea; went to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem; visited the Oldest City in the World – Jericho and rode a Horse in the Rain Forrest in Costa Rica.

 I have travelled to many places most Americans haven’t: Several Hours North of the Arctic Circle in Alaska, Russia (living there 2 times and visiting there 3 times); Montenegro; Croatia; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Cyprus; the West Bank Palestinian Territories; Iceland; West Germany; Campobello Island, Canada; Poland; the Isle of Skye, Scotland; the United Arab Emirates; Northern Ireland; Malta; Kuwait; Greece; Israel and Ukraine.

I have been very lucky and have gotten to do so many fun and interesting things in so many fun and interesting places.

I don't take any of that lightly.

For the past 17 years I have lived off-the-beaten path on my Mountain here in New England where the Arctic Circle gets more Visitors every year then we do

100 Wildfires

 

Canada And France

 

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger

( J.J. Belanger at age 17 as a Member of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in June 1940.)

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger was born on January 24, 1925 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

He enlisted in the Military at 17 years old during the Second World War.

He served first in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps from 1940-1942 and then as a Wireless Air Gunner in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942-1944.

He flew in Lancaster Bombers on Raids over German-Occupied Europe.

During one Mission in mid-1944, Enemy Fire hit JJ’s plane and he was wounded by shrapnel.

The Crew had to bail out along the coast of France where JJ spent three days in a small dingy before being rescued.

Only three of the Plane’s eight Crew Members survived.

One of the dead was the Bomber Pilot, an Australian named Gordon and JJ.’s Lover.

They had met at the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan base in Winnipeg earlier in the War and had spent much time together.

This tragic loss was very hard for JJ and was made even worse because their love had to be hidden from the wider world.

Grieving the death of his Partner too openly would have caused problems, so he couldn’t express the full depth of his sorrow.

During the War, JJ came out to his Family and to Gordon’s Parent - who lived in England.

He believed that if he were to die in the War he should at least be true to himself even though being Homosexual was illegal in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States.

He was awarded a Defense Medal, Canadian Voluntary Service Medal, and War Medal for his Service.

After the War, he returned to Civilian Life and moved to the West Coast.

As a Researcher JJ helped Dr. Alfred Kinsey who expanded the field of Sexuality during that Era.

JJ served in the US Air Force – joining in 1954.

He served for five years, earning numerous Commendations including the Aviation Badge, Good Conduct Medal and Outstanding Airman of the 26th Air Refueling Squadron.

Joseph John “J.J.” Belanger died on January 26, 1993, two days after his 70th Birthday. 

In 2014, Photographs of JJ were found.

It is of JJ and Robert Block kissing in a Photo Booth at the Playland Amusement Park in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada in 1953.

JJ lived as openly as a Gay Man in the 1940s-1960s.

(A photo booth picture taken in Vancouver in 1953 of J. J. Belanger (left) and Robert Block.)

Being Gay was Illegal in Canada until 1969 and was considered a Mental Illness until 1973,

Gays couldn’t openly serve in the Canadian Military until 1992 and Gays couldn’t marry throughout Canada until 2005.

That means that JJ would have been imprisoned for being openly Gay, could have been put into a Mental institution and would have been thrown out of the Canadian Military (even during Wartime) and was never allowed to marry in Canada.

Being Gay was illegal in the United States until 2003 (Nationwide and was considered a Mental Illness until 1973.

Gays couldn’t openly serve in the American Military until 2011 and couldn’t marry until 2015 (Nationwide – except for some Indian Reservations and in American Samoa.)

That means that JJ would have been imprisoned for being openly Gay, could have been put into a Mental Institution and would have been thrown out of the American Military and was never allowed to marry in the United States.

JJ was forced to live a Double-Life where on the one-hand he risked his life protecting Canadians and Americans while serving in the Canadian and American Militaries while on the other-hand having to hide the fact that he was Gay.

EES

 

The EES (Entry-Exit System) started in the Schengen Area on October 12, 2025.

On April 10, 2026 it became Mandatory at every Border Checkpoint (Airport, Land Border and Sea Border) in all 29 Countries of the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark (not including Greenland or the Faroe Islands), Estonia, Finland, France (not including Overseas Territories), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands (not including the Caribbean Netherlands), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and hundreds of other Non-Schengen Members have to use the EES to both enter the Schengen and to leave the Schengen.

There have been hours-long waits for Hundreds of Passengers at many European Airports and Border Checkpoints because of EES.

Airline Passengers who arrived at the Airport 3 hours before their flight missed their flight because of EES (they couldn’t arrive any earlier as the Airline Check-In Counters didn’t open earlier.

It’s not the Airlines fault, but The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) and the Officials running the EES inside the 29 Member Country Schengen Area.

The System started in October 2025, but became Mandatory 4 days ago and yet the problems with the EES continue.

The EES needs to be fixed and fixed soon otherwise it will make the busy Summer Travel Season hard for thousands of People.

Note 1: You will no longer receive an Immigration Stamp in your Passport.

Note 2: Starting at the end of 2026 Americans and other Non-EU Citizens will also need to get Electronic Authorization to travel to the Schengen Area before they travel under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS.)

Systemic Failure

From MSN:

“‘A systemic failure’: How the new Entry/Exit System (EES) brought chaos to EU border control”

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) brought travel “chaos” to airport border control over the weekend, with queues of up to three hours and reports of stranded passengers missing flights.

Following a series of delays and phased preparations, the biometric border control system was officially introduced across the Schengen area on Friday 10 April, and is now in place across 29 European countries.

Applying to non-EU travellers entering any of the Schengen states for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, the system replaces manual passport stamping with digital records of entries, exits and refusals of entry, while also collecting biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints alongside passport details.

Travellers have been advised to arrive at airports with plenty of time to spare ahead of their journeys. Even so, Friday’s first day of full operations was “marked by passenger disruptions, delays and missed flights”, according to a joint statement issued by ACI EUROPE and Airlines for Europe (A4E). For weeks, the two groups have “cautioned” about the EES “operational rollout challenges” and say that the “major concerns” are “now a reality”. They have called on the European Commission and EU Member States to “immediately introduce additional flexibility” in the operation of the new system.

In a separate statement issued on Monday, A4E was even more scathing, saying that three hours queuing at border control is not an EES “teething issue”, it is a “systemic failure”. “Airlines are working tirelessly to get flights to their destination on time – a top priority for passengers and airlines,” A4E said. “But the EES rollout this weekend told a different story: disruption and excessive waiting time – all outside airlines’ control, leading to delays and missed flights."

The group added that while European airlines are supportive of the overall objective of the EES to strengthen border security, “it must not mean persistent and recurring travel disruptions”. A4E called for greater flexibility in the rollout as essential for operations to run smoothly. “The only feasible solution is for the European Commission to allow for the full and partial suspension of EES until the end of summer, where necessary,” it said.

Passengers left behind in Milan

There were many incidents of travel chaos following the full EES launch. At Milan's Linate airport on Sunday, there were meant to be 156 passengers booked on an Easyjet flight to Manchester in the UK. After facing hours-long queues, only 34 passengers boarded the aircraft, leaving 122 behind in Italy, who “watched their plane depart without them”, said The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder. In order to get home, one family spent more than £1,600 (€1,838) to take a connecting flight via Luxembourg, which would get them home 24 hours late.

A spokesman for Easyjet told the BBC that the border delays caused by the implementation of EES were “unacceptable”. “We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while the European Entry/Exit System is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers,” the statement said. “While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-systemic-failure-how-the-new-entryexit-system-ees-brought-chaos-to-eu-border-control/ar-AA20QMwI

Terry Fox

 

46 years ago today (April 12, 1980) Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope across Canada.

Terrance Stanley Fox (July 28, 1958 – June 28, 1981) was a Canadian Athlete, Humanitarian, and Cancer Research Activist.

In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to Cancer, he embarked on an east-to-west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research.

Although the spread of his Cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometers (3,339 miles) – running through Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario, and ultimately cost him his life, his efforts resulted in a lasting, worldwide legacy.

The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of Participants in over 60 Countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for Cancer Research; over C$850 million has been raised in his name as of September 2022.

Full EES

 

The EES (Entry-Exit System) started in the Schengen Area on October 12, 2025.

On April 10, 2026 it will be Mandatory at every Border Checkpoint (Airport, Land Border and Sea Border) in all 29 Countries of the Schengen Area.

Americans and other Non-EU Citizens (Canadians, Brits, etc.) are included in the Countries that have to do EES.

The Schengen Area includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark (not including Greenland or the Faroe Islands), Estonia, Finland, France (not including Overseas Territories), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands (not including the Caribbean Netherlands), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The US has a similar Program for Foreigners (called US-VISIT and has been around since 2004) when entering the US (there is no Exit Immigration in the US.)

Note 1: You will no longer receive an Immigration Stamp in your Passport.

Note 2: Starting at the end of 2026 Americans and other Non-EU Citizens will also need to get Electronic Authorization to travel to the Schengen Area before they travel under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS.)

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

Pysanka

Pysanka

(Ukrainian: Писанка) are eggs decorated using the wax-resist method (resist dyeing).

The Pysanka, like the egg in general, symbolizes the beginning, the birth of life.

Many legends, beliefs, traditions, customs, traditions, ceremonies are associated with Pysanky which arose in the Pagan Era, were modified, and with the adoption of Christianity acquired a new quality — associated with the Consecration of Easter during the most important Christian holiday - and the symbolism of Christ's Resurrection with the future resurrection of the dead.

Hence their generic name — "Easter Eggs."

The Worlds Largest Pysanka Easter Egg is in Vegreville, Alberta, Canada (64 miles east of the Provincial Capital pf Edmonton) - pictured.

Canada Has the Largest Ukrainian Population in the World Outside of Russia & Ukraine. In Alberta, 10% of the population has Ukrainian heritage.

Millions Stranded

Due to the US/Israeli War With Iran Millions of People (Not from the Middle East) are stranded in the Warzones:

30,000 Germans

400,000 French

76,000 Brits

2,000 Canadians

9.6 Million Indians

115,000 Australians

Thousands of Americans (for some reason no number is given)

At first the United States abandoned Americans needing to flee the death and violence, but now the US is working to help American Citizens to leave the Middle East.

Le Jour Du Drapeau

Le Jour Du Drapeau

Did you know - National Flag of Canada

National Flag of Canada Day was officially proclaimed on February 15, 1996.

Canada is the only country with a maple leaf on its flag.

The maple leaf has been used historically as a decorative and ornamental symbol in Canadian art, medals, badges and coat of arms. It has often served to distinguish Canadians abroad.

The stylized maple leaf on the flag has eleven points.

Red and white were proclaimed Canada's official colours in the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada in 1921 by King George V.

The Canadian flag is twice as long as it is wide. The white square and its maple leaf make up half the surface of the flag equal to the two red bars combined.

Vexillologists (flag experts) often cite the National Flag of Canada as one of the world's most beautiful based on its compelling design and measured use of colour.

Every province and territory in Canada has its own flag. The one symbol that represents us all at home and abroad is the red and white National Flag of Canada.

In 1982, Canadian mountaineer Laurie Skreslet brought the national flag with him to the highest point in the world, Mount Everest.

In 1984, the Canadian flag reached new heights when it was launched into space on the flight along with the first Canadian astronaut on the NASA space shuttle Challenger.

The role of flag-bearer for Canadian teams attending international sporting events is a special honour for those like Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir who proudly represented Canada at the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2018.

When the National Flag flies along with the flags of the 10 provinces and three territories, the flags of the provinces and territories follow in the order that they entered Confederation. For those years when multiple provinces entered Confederation, their flags are arranged by size of population at time of entry. The order of precedence is therefore as follows: Ontario (1867), Quebec (1867), Nova Scotia (1867), New Brunswick (1867), Manitoba (1870), British Columbia (1871), Prince Edward Island (1873), Saskatchewan (1905), Alberta (1905), Newfoundland and Labrador (1949), Northwest Territories (1870), Yukon (1898) and Nunavut (1999).

 

 À propos du drapeau national du Canada

Le Jour du drapeau national du Canada a été proclamé officiellement le 15 février 1996.

Le Canada est le seul pays dont le drapeau affiche la feuille d’érable.

Traditionnellement, la feuille d'érable était utilisée comme un symbole décoratif et ornemental dans les œuvres d’art, les médailles, les insignes et les armoiries du Canada. Elle a souvent servi sur les distinctions remises à des Canadiens à l’étranger.

La feuille d’érable stylisée sur le drapeau compte onze pointes.

Le rouge et le blanc ont été désignés comme couleurs officielles du Canada à la proclamation des armoiries royales du Canada par le roi George V, en 1921.

Le drapeau du Canada est deux fois plus long que large. Le carré blanc et la feuille d'érable comptent pour la moitié de la surface du drapeau, et les deux bandes rouges combinées comptent pour l’autre moitié.

Les vexillologues (spécialistes des drapeaux) mentionnent souvent le drapeau national du Canada comme l'un des plus beaux drapeaux du monde en raison de son dessin puissant et de l’utilisation mesurée des couleurs.

Chaque province et territoire du Canada possède son propre drapeau. Le symbole par excellence qui nous représente tous ici et à l'étranger est le drapeau national du Canada rouge et blanc.

En 1982, l’alpiniste canadien, Laurie Skreslet, a apporté le drapeau canadien sur le point le plus culminant du monde, le mont Everest.

En 1984, le drapeau canadien a atteint de nouveaux sommets lorsqu’il a été lancé dans l’espace lors d’une mission de vol à bord de la navette spatiale Challenger de la NASA dans laquelle se trouvait le premier astronaute canadien.

Agir à titre de porte-drapeau des équipes canadiennes lors d’événements sportifs internationaux ravit l’honneur des personnes, comme Tessa Virtue et Scott Moir, qui ont représenté avec fierté le Canada aux Jeux olympiques et paralympiques de PyeongChang en 2018.

 Lorsque le drapeau canadien flotte avec les drapeaux des 10 provinces et trois territoires, les drapeaux des provinces et des territoires sont placés dans l’ordre de leur entrée dans la Confédération .Les drapeaux sont placés en fonction de la taille de la population lors de l'année d'adhésion de chaque province à la Confédération. L'ordre de préséance est donc le suivant : Ontario (1867), Québec (1867), Nouvelle-Écosse (1867), Nouveau-Brunswick (1867), Manitoba (1870), Colombie-Britannique (1871), Île-du-Prince-Édouard (1873), Saskatchewan (1905), Alberta (1905), Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (1949), Territoires du Nord-Ouest (1870), Yukon (1898) et Nunavut (1999)

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/national-flag-canada-day/about/did-you-know.html

https://www.canada.ca/fr/patrimoine-canadien/campagnes/jour-drapeau-national-canada/a-propos/saviez-vous-que.html

ETA Increase

Starting February 25, 2026 the price of The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will increase from £16 to £20 ($27 American Dollars) per Traveler.

ETA is mandatory for Citizens of the following Countries:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, The European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United States, Uruguay and Vatican City.

The United States has:

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

In September 2025 the price rose from $21 to $40 per Traveler from the following Countries:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel,  Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

 

Canada has:

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

It costs $7 Canadian Dollars ($5 American Dollars) per Traveler from the following Countries:

Foreign Visitors who can travel to Canada Visa-Free when coming by Air: Andorra, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, British Citizens, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen, (re-admissible to the United Kingdom), British Overseas Territory Citizens with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British Overseas Territories of: Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Island, Saint Helena, the Turks and Caicos Islands, British Subjects with a right of abode in the United Kingdom, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR., Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, (must have a national Israeli Passport), Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania (Electronic Passport Holders only), Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (must have an Ordinary Passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the Personal Identification Number), the United Arab Emirates and Vatican City.

Foreign Visitors who Need a Canadian Visa except when coming by Air: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay.

 

Israel has:

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL)

It costs 25 Israeli Shekels ($7 US Dollars) per Traveler from the following Countries:

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, The European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden),  Fiji,  Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Kosovo,  Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Macau,  Malawi, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

South Korea has:

The Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA)

It costs 10,000 South Korean Won ($7 US Dollars) per Traveler from the following Countries:

For 6 Months of Travel: Canada

For 90 Days Of Travel: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador. El Salvador, The European Union (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti. Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Macao. Morocco, Nicaragua. Norway, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

For 3 Months Of Travel: Belgium, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Suriname and Switzerland.

For 60 Days Of Travel: Lesotho and Russia

For 30 Days Of Travel: Albania, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Cyprus, Eswatini, Fiji, Guyana, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Caledonia, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu and Vatican City.

 

New Zealand has:

The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

It costs $17 New Zealander Dollars ($10 US Dollars) for the NZeTA on the App or $23 New Zealander Dollars ($14 US Dollars) on the Website and an additional $35 New Zealander Dollars ($21 US Dollars) for IVL Tax per Traveler from the following Countries:

Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, The European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, South Korea,  Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macao,  Malaysia, Mauritius,  Mexico, Monaco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore,  Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Uruguay and Vatican City.

 

Australia Has:

The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

It costs $20 Australian Dollars ($15 American Dollars) per Traveler from the following Countries:

Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong,  Japan,  Malaysia,  Singapore,  South Korea, Taiwan, the United States.

 

The European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) will have the:

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) starting at the end of 2026.

It will cost €20  ($24 American Dollars) per Traveler from the following Countries:

Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados,  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macau, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and  Venezuela.

 

Japan will have the:

The Japanese Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) starting in 2028.

It will cost per Traveler from the following Countries:

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, The European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden),  Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Laos, Lesotho. Liechtenstein, Malaysia, the Maldives, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Suriname, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan. Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vatican City and Vietnam.

2026 Winter Olympics

 

The 2026 Winter Olympics (Italian: Olimpiadi invernali del 2026), officially the XXV Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 6-22, 2026 across northern Italy (Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.)

The Opening Ceremony will be held on February 6, 2026 at Stadio San Siro (Milan), entitled "Armonia" (Harmony). The Opening Ceremony will also feature a special performances from American singer Mariah Carey and Italian artists Laura Pausini and Andrea Bocelli.

The Closing Ceremony will be held at the Verona Arena on February 22, 2026, entitled "Beauty in Action".  Along the cultural segments the ceremony will feature the closing remarks, and the formal handover to the French Alps as the host region of the 2030 Winter Olympics.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to feature 116 Medal Events in 16 Disciplines, an increase of 7 events and one Discipline over Beijing 2022.

There will be 92 National Olympic Committees and the Independent Olympic Athletes competing.

Here are some of the Countries participating:

Australia: 54 Participants

Canada: 207 Participants

Cyprus: 2 Participants

France: 155 Participants

Germany: 184 Participants

Great Britain: 84 Participants

Individual Neutral Athletes: 20 Participants

Israel: 9 Participants

Italy: 196 Participants

Kazakhstan: 36 Participants

Latvia: 67 Participants

Malta: 1 Participant

The Netherlands: 39 Participants

New Zealand: 17 Participants

Poland: 59 Participants

Puerto Rico: 1 Participant

Spain: 20 Participants

Ukraine: 45 Participants

The United States: 255 Participants

Note: Russia remains banned from participating in the Olympics because of its War in Ukraine.

Social Media Entry

From the BBC:

“US could ask foreign tourists for five-year social media history before entry”

Tourists from dozens of countries including the UK could be asked to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry to the United States, under a new proposal unveiled by American officials. The new condition would affect people from dozens of countries who are eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa, as long as they have filled out an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.

Since returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump has moved to toughen US borders more generally - citing national security as a reason. Analysts say the new plan could pose an obstacle to potential visitors, or harm their digital rights. Asked whether the proposal could lead to a steep drop-off in tourism to the US, Trump said he was not concerned. "No. We're doing so well," the president said on Wednesday. "We just want people to come over here, and safe. We want safety. We want security. "We want to make sure we're not letting the wrong people come enter our country."

The US expects a major influx of foreign tourists next year, as it hosts the men's football World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, and for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The proposal document was filed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its component agency Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It was published in the Federal Register, the official journal of the US government. The proposal says "the data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last 5 years", without giving further details of which specific information will be required.

The existing ESTA requires a comparatively limited amount of information from travellers, as well as a one-off payment of $40 (£30). It is accessible to citizens of about 40 countries - including the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and Japan - and allows them to visit the US multiple times during a two-year period.

As well as the collection of social media information, the new document proposes the gathering of an applicant's telephone numbers and email addresses used over the last five and 10 years respectively, and more information about their family members. The text cites an executive order from Trump in January, titled "Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats". The new proposal regarding ESTA data collection for tourists invites views from the public for 60 days. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," a spokesperson for CBP said in a statement. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the American people safe."

Sophia Cope, of digital rights organisation the Electronic Frontier Foundation, criticised the plan, telling the New York Times it could "exacerbate civil liberties harms". Meanwhile, immigration law practice Fragomen suggested there could be practical impacts as applicants could face longer waits for ESTA approvals. The plan would affect people from countries including the UK, which can fill out an ESTA form in lieu of a visa The Trump administration previously announced it would examine social media accounts when vetting foreign nationals who apply for student visas or H-1B visas for skilled workers.

The state department said it would conduct "online presence" reviews for applicants and their dependants, and that privacy settings on all social media profiles must be made "public" so this screening can take place. An announcement on the website for the US Embassy and Consulate in Mexico states certain visa applicants must list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used in the last five years. It warns that if any social media information is not listed, it could lead to both current and future visas being denied. A senior state department official said of the student visa policy: "It is an expectation from American citizens that their government will make every effort to make our country safer, and that is exactly what the Trump Administration is doing every single day." Officers were instructed to screen for those "who advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to national security; or who perpetrate unlawful anti-Semitic harassment or violence". As part of the administration's broader effort to toughen borders, officials recently said an existing travel ban - affecting 19 countries in Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean - could soon be expanded. That move was announced in the wake of a shooting of two National Guard members in Washington DC, in which an Afghan man is accused. Experts have previously suggested the changes to travel policies introduced under Trump have had an impact on the American tourism industry.

Earlier this year, the World Travel & Tourism Council said the US was the only one of 184 economies that it analysed that was expected to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025. Other Trump administration policies have also appeared to affect tourism to the country, such as many Canadians boycotting US travel as a form of protest against Trump's tariffs. October marked the 10th straight month of decline in the number of Canadian travellers to the US. In the past, Canadians have made up about a quarter of all international visitors to the US, spending more than $20bn a year, according to the US Travel Association.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dz0g2ykpeo

PEI Bridge

 

This is Confederation Bridge that connects the Province of Prince Edward Island to the rest of Canada (via the Province of New Brunswick.)

It was built in 1997 and is 8 miles long.

It is Canada's Longest Bridge and the World's Longest Bridge Over Iced Water.

Entry into PEI is free, but you have to pay $50 Canadian Dollars ($36 American Dollars to leave - whether you go over the Bridge or the Ferry.)

My Mom and I entered PEI on the Confederation Bridge and left via Ferry to Nova Scotia in July 2012.