Would you consider Canada a dangerous place to vacation?
You might if you read an Australian tourism website, which is advising its citizens to "exercise caution" when travelling to the Great White North. Among the possible dangers, as listed by the country's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, terrorism, heavy snow, forest fires and avalanches.
"We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Canada because of the risk of terrorist attack," the site reads. "Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks."
Canada is grouped with countries in the Smart Traveller site's second-safest category, and nations considered safer include Chile, South Korea and Latvia.
Alberta and British Columbia were singled out as potentially dangerous parts of the country to visit, due to the perceived risk of avalanches and earthquakes.
"The province of British Columbia in western Canada is in an active earthquake zone," the site reads.
"Alberta and British Columbia are also subject to avalanches. Tornadoes can occur in some areas of Canada between May and September."
Forest fires were also listed as a possible hazard. When asked, individuals on the streets of Toronto listed what they'd recommend to tourists about this country.
"Well, the snow comes and goes. That's just part of living in Canada," said Shabbir Gokl. "It's a change of scenery, which is nice. It's better than sweating it out in some hot country. And the forest fires are not a big problem. Australia probably has a lot of forest fires (itself)."
Another man added, "This place is beautiful. How do you beat this weather?"
"Everything's good about Canada," Don Gemmell enthused. "Hockey, weather, people."
Damn there goes those carefully thought out travel plans...
Come to Australia, we got spiders & snakes & Crocidiles in the north & the sun will give you skin cancer in a second. Come to our friendly beaches & get sucked out to sea in a rip. Don't worry you can get rescued by some of the best surf lifesavers in the world... :)