Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said that a
new travel advisory warning Canadians who are LGBTQ to be careful travelling in some parts of the United States is in no way politically motivated, and is meant to focus on Canadians’ safety.
On Tuesday, Global Affairs Canada updated its travel advisories website for Canadian travellers visiting the United States. It now reads: “Some states have enacted laws and policies that may affect 2SLGBTQI+ persons. Check relevant state and local laws.”
Freeland defended the advisory, which she said was initiated by the public service, when she was asked about it at a press conference in Moncton on Tuesday.
“Let Me Be Perfectly Clear….”
“…As someone who has had the real privilege of serving as Canada’s foreign minister, I know that our travel advisories are done very professionally,” she said.
“We have professionals in the government whose job is to look carefully around the world and to monitor whether there are particular dangers to particular groups of Canadians. That’s their job and it’s the right thing to do,” she added.
No states are specifically identified in Canada’s travel advisory. In recent months, some Republican state governments have advanced bills that include limits on public drag shows and prohibit permanent medical transitions for children seeking to change their gender.
On Tuesday morning, Global Affairs Canada updated its website for travellers going to the United States
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Freeland, who was foreign minister when Canada renegotiated NAFTA with the Trump administration, said she has experience dealing with American leaders of various political stripes. She dismissed suggestions that the new advisory would strain Canada’s relationship with its closest neighbour and trading partner.
Freeland however refused to tell reporters if the Liberal government had discussed the new travel advisory with the Biden administration, insisting that such decisions are made independently.
(As of this point, there is no
new travel advisory warning Canadians who are LGBTQ to be careful travelling in some parts of Canada like New Brunswick or Saskatchewan or maybe Manitoba soon?)