Ambassador Message to Canadians in Germany

Dear Canadians in Germany,

We are all living in a period of exceptional stress and uncertainty, amplified by the distance from our country. Our work, our studies and those of our children, our holidays, our travel plans and our finances, all turned upside down. We are concerned for the health of our family, loved ones, in addition to our own. We have to plan for what we will need to feed and house ourselves, for an undefined period, or take urgent measures to return to Canada.

In total, there are approximately 45,000 Canadians in Germany. Many of us are in need of assistance during these difficult times, and some of us naturally turn to our embassy in Berlin, our consulates in Düsseldorf and Munich, as well as our Honorary Consul in Stuttgart. I wanted to write to you to tell you this: your consular staff are there for you, dear Canadians, especially during times like these.

Your consular teams are fully mobilized to respond as quickly and as comprehensively as possible to the countless emails and telephone calls that this pandemic is inciting. For them, it is a duty but also an honour to do all in their power to help those in difficulty. They cannot do the impossible but strive to do so, with, believe me, admirable dedication, despite the exceptional constraints to which they have been able to adapt. They have adjusted their modes of operation, in particular to limit physical contact with the public, needed to adhere to the strict health measures; I am sure you understand.

If need be, never hesitate to contact the Consular section of the office closest to you by telephone or email:

• Berlin: +49 (30) 20312 0, brlin-cs@international.gc.ca
• Düsseldorf: +49 (211) 17 21 70, ddorf@international.gc.ca
• Munich: +49 (89) 21 99 57 0, munic@international.gc.ca
• Stuttgart: +49 (711) 22 39 67 8, stuttgart@international.gc.ca

One thing is certain and I am sure you are well aware of this: we all face the risk of being infected with coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, and so we must scrupulously respect the health rules, imposed by the German authorities, including physical distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. It is our health that is at stake, that of our loved ones, as well as that of the vulnerable people around us.

I encourage you, if you have not already done so, to register with Registration of Canadians Abroad so that you may receive important updates from the Government of Canada.

Better times will come. But until then, let us remain physically distant, but morally united!

Your Ambassador,
Stéphane Dion