|
|
FR
| EN
N° 8 – December 2020
Your Consulate for the provinces of:
Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New-Brunswick,
Prince
Edward Island, Nova Scotia,
Newfoundland and Labrador;
the territory of Nunavut
as well as the Bahamas |
|
|
|
|
Dear readers, dear compatriots, As we reach the end of a particularly challenging year, I would like to take this opportunity to convey my admiration for your outstanding resilience. I refer to those who have carved home office space in a corner of their living room, to those who continue to care for their children between virtual meetings and to those who strive to nurture relationships with family and friends with the use of screened devices. I also refer to those who have lost loved ones over the past several months and to whom I extend my deepest condolences. Last but not least, I refer to those who have worked countless hours in hospital settings and to those who have provided other essential services. To all who have had to reinvent themselves, on a small or large scale: I congratulate you. May the creativity you have developed give you confidence in the future, a future with promise , especially for our youngsters who have reached the important milestone of becoming adults during this unusual year and to whom I remind to register independently with their Consulate. We look to an innovative future and applaud the impressive Ceneri Base Tunnel, a recently inaugurated jewel of Swiss engineering. We look forward to a future, when finally, travelling to visit our beautiful homeland will be made easier. While we await better times, this newsletter will guide you with travel related questions under the current circumstances. My team and I look forward to seeing you in 2021, with a heart full of hope and a mind full of ideas. Concepts, for example, to tackle climate change by taking action, such as the Swiss and Canadian Olympic Committees, both recognized by this year's Carbon Action Award of the IOC and DOW. This joint distinction highlights the common values of our two countries for sustainable development and innovation, the road is paved for further successful bilateral achievements in these fields. I conclude by wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful, safe and happy holiday season. May this magical interlude bring you a few "Mailänderli" but above all, may this holiday season bring you the relief you deserve.
Sincerely,
Line Marie Leon-Pernet
Consul General and
Permanent Representative of Switzerland at ICAO
|
|
|
| Travelling to Switzerland: Key information |
| © 2020 Switzerland Tourism |
|
Due to COVID-19, the Swiss government has established entry restrictions for travellers from several countries and territories. Note that it is recommended to avoid non-essential travel. See the travel advisories:
Switzerland / Canada / Bahamas
Restrictions? Exemption? Quarantine?Until further notice, travellers from Canada or the Commonwealth of the Bahamas are not permitted to enter Switzerland unless one of the following conditions is met:
- Swiss citizens with a valid Swiss passport.
- EU/EFTA and UK citizens with a valid passport.
- Exemptions may be provided for Canadian or Bahamian citizens or residents for documented essential purposes only. They may be obtained from this Consulate General.
Currently, travellers entering Switzerland from Canada or the Commonwealth of the Bahamas who are permitted to enter Switzerland are not required to go into quarantine. We invite you to visit our regularly updated website for further information. |
|
|
| IMPORTANT |
| Please note that the airlines themselves decide on the conditions by which they carry passengers. The Swiss authorities have no influence over their decision. We therefore recommend that you contact the concerned airline about the conditions they apply before booking your flight. |
|
|
|
| Are you carrying a valid Swiss passport? |
Despite the current circumstances, a Swiss citizen may enter Switzerland from any country providing he or she has a valid Swiss travel document. Planning a trip to Switzerland? Remember to submit your passport application within at least 1 month prior to your departure.
|
|
|
| Travelling to Canada: New requirement |
For those eligible to travel to Canada
Since November 21st 2020, air travellers whose final destination is Canada are required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight. The ArriveCAN app is available for download on Android or iPhone. Travellers may also submit their information by signing in online.
For information on Canadian measures regarding the conditions of entry and stays in Canada, please visit: Government of Canada. We point out that the practical aspects of the implementation of these measures fall within the competence of Canadian authorities.
|
|
|
| Answers to COVID-19-related questions |
Last
November 30th, the three Swiss representations in Canada answered questions submitted
in connection with COVID-19 as part of a virtual "Town Hall" meeting.
Did you miss the appointment? Find
answers to your questions by watching the video here.
Have other questions? Visit our
website to find current information. |
|
|
| Did you turn 18 this year? |
On the occasion of their 18th birthday, young Swiss nationals registered in their parents' file received a letter at the start of 2020 containing, among other things, a personal summary of their administrative data.
The Consulate points out that dossiers of young Swiss nationals who have not yet replied to the said letter with a duly completed, dated and signed form accompanied by a copy of their valid Swiss or foreign identity document by the end of this year will be deactivated and archived. This noncompliance may cause delays in ordering Swiss identity documents or updating any changes in civil status, as proper reregistration is required prior to the execution of any other consular service.
|
|
|
| Popular vote of November 29th 2020 |
With a participation rate of approximately 46%, Swiss citizens expressed themselves on the following 2 themes last November 29th:
-
The popular initiative "Responsible companies - to protect individuals and the environment". Ten years in the making, a proposal to hold Swiss companies legally accountable for their actions abroad was rejected in a nationwide vote despite it winning majority popular support. The majority of Switzerland's 26 cantons rejected the initiative. However, the initiative succeeded in capturing 50.7% of the popular vote.
-
The popular initiative "For a ban on financing producers of war material". 57.5% of the voters have rejected a proposal aimed at banning investments in weapon manufacturers. Final results show just over 42% approving the initiative in a nationwide ballot. Only four of the country's 26 cantons have come out in favour of the left-wing proposal.
Find detailed voting results on Swissinfo. Do not hesitate to download the VoteInfo application ( FR/ DE/ IT) in order to follow voting results in the future.
The next popular vote will take place on March 7 th 2021, find out which topics will be addressed here.
|
|
|
| REMINDER |
| All Swiss citizens over the age of 18, domiciled and registered with a Swiss representation abroad may, in principle, participate in federal elections and elections within the National Council. From abroad, it is possible to exercise one's political rights by registering in advance via the competent Swiss representation. |
|
|
|
| Renewal: Council of the Swiss abroad |
Next year, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad OSA will renew its Council (CSA) for the 2021-2025 period. The latter represents the interests of all Swiss living abroad vis-à-vis the authorities and the public in Switzerland. General information about the upcoming election is available here. The CSA counts 140 members: 120 delegates from Swiss communities abroad and 20 representatives based in Switzerland. The distribution of seats is based on the size of the Swiss community living in a country or on a continent. Canada currently has five representatives, three of whom are positioned in our consular district. The next election will be managed by our Swiss Clubs and Associations. Details will be sent to you through this Consulate General in the first half of 2021, stay tuned.
|
|
|
| Inauguration of the Ceneri base tunnel |
The President of the Confederation, Simonetta Sommaruga, officially inaugurated the 15.4km long Ceneri base tunnel, last September 4 th.
The key link of the most important European freight corridor which connects the economic centers of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to those of Italy, it is the last labor of the new rail line across the Alps (NLFA ). Ms. Sommaruga stated that "the NLFA is at the origin of an intelligent transfer policy of which we may still be proud of today" and thanked those whose "yes to the NLFA" in 1992 made it possible not only to achieve the innovative masterpiece of the century, but also to finance the project. “This decision was courageous, and it was visionary: for our country as well as for the protection of the Alps. The Ceneri gives additional impetus to our transfer policy ”.
An ambitious national accomplishment which marks contemporary history in Switzerland. Read the press release.
|
|
|
| Feeling Homesick? "Mailänderli" might help! |
| © 2020 Switzerland Tourism |
|
Mailänderli are among Switzerland’s best-loved Christmas cookies. They became popular approximately 6 centuries ago when a delegation from the Swiss Confederation travelled to Lombardy and offered the Duke of Milan some sweet biscuits as a gift. Years later, in Florence, Catherine de’ Medici also discovered the Swiss delicacy before she became queen of France. Ever since, several have enjoyed the biscuits known as Mailänderli, Milanais or Milanesini – “Little Milanese”. Has your mouth started watering yet? See the recipe here, enjoy!
|
|
|
| Opening hours during the Holidays |
| The Consulate will be closed to the public from December 24th 2020 11:30am, to January 3rd 2021. |
|
|
| IMPORTANT |
| We remind you that due to COVID-19, the access to public remains restricted, consular services are available by appointment only and are limited to urgent and essential cases. Please make sure to book an appointment by email prior to visiting the Consulate General. |
|
|
|
| Check out our Advent Calendar on Facebook |
Don't miss our posts during the Advent period!
Find daily interesting, surprising and enriching postings on our Facebook page from December 1st to 24th — don't miss out, make sure to follow us and spread the word to your friends!
|
|
|
|
