The short answer is yes, but it depends on the country. Canadians can use their valid accessible parking permits in any country that is a member of the International Transport Forum (ITF).

Member countries include the U.S., Canada, Mexico and all of Europe. A list of ITF members can be found here.

There is also helpful information on the Canadian government website for snowbirds about traveling with disabilities, which you can find here. 

You should remove all the license plate renewal stickers on your Ontario license plate, as they are no longer required, which should solve the problem.

However, snowbirds should always renew their driver’s licenses and car registration before departing for the winter if they are going to expire before you get back. You can renew your license plate online or in person at a Service Ontario centre.

When you renew, make sure you get a copy of your receipt and keep it with you to show in case you get pulled over while in the U.S.

You are correct that some new ID requirements will be introduced for flying domestically in the U.S., however, these changes will not impact Canadians.

Beginning on May 3, 2023, the TSA will require individuals who plan to use their state-issued ID or driver’s license as identification to fly within the U.S. to ensure they are REAL ID compliant.

This change is primarily intended for U.S. citizens and residents who use their state-issued IDs to fly domestically.

Canadians can simply present their Canadian passports or NEXUS cards instead.

You can find details about which types of ID the TSA will accept for air travel here.

It is true that many tolls have gone cashless and the pandemic has accelerated this trend.  But if you are driving to Florida from Eastern Canada then it is worth getting an E-ZPass.  The E-ZPass Program is the largest toll collection program in the world with toll agencies in 19 states.  It is also useful while you are in Florida for toll roads and bridges there.

Once you set up an E-ZPass prepaid account, you will receive a small electronic transponder that attaches to the inside of the windshield.  You deposit money in your E-ZPass account which is debited each time you use a toll.

For more information: https://www.e-zpassiag.com/

While not all states currently accept the pass, E-ZPass can be used in many states from Minnesota in the West to Maine in the East along many of the popular routes through states on the way to Florida, including Florida itself.  For a map of states accepting E-ZPass, click here:

https://www.e-zpassiag.com/about-e-zpass/where-can-i-use-it

Canadians can get reliable health and safety travel information on the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisory Website designed specifically for travellers.

The website provided information about:

• Local safety and security conditions and areas to avoid
• Possible health hazards and restrictions
• Natural hazards and climate
• Entry and exit requirements
• Local laws and culture
• Where to find help while you are travelling abroad

We also recommend that Canadian snowbirds register with Canadian Consular Services when they are travelling. You can learn more about why we recommend registering with Canadian Consular Services here.

You can register online or in-person at a Canadian consulate office. 

While LGBTQ snowbirds share the same needs and concerns as all snowbirds, many seek out winter destinations that are LGBTQ friendly where they can feel safe and find a like-minded community.

Some favourites that are particularly welcoming to LGBTQ snowbirds include several destinations in Florida like Key West, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Petersburg and South Beach.

And if you’re looking beyond Florida, take a look at Palm Springs, California; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Honolulu, Hawaii, as they also make the list.

You can find more information about winter destinations for LGBTQ snowbirds here.

You are not alone – a growing number of snowbirds are exploring destinations outside the U.S. for their winter getaways. And depending on where you go, some of these destinations can be more affordable than spending your winter in the United States.

Some of the most popular non-U.S. snowbird destinations are the Puerto Vallarta and Bay of Banderas region of Mexico, the Northwest coast of Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama. In Europe, snowbirds are increasingly heading to Southern Portugal and Spain. And if you want to go further, the Gold Coast of Australia also attracts Canadian snowbirds.

First of all, your pet must be healthy, look healthy and be well groomed or it can be turned away.  

It is required that all pets are up to date with rabies shots and other vaccinations and you should carry a document from your veterinarian certifying general good health and vaccination records. It is also required for coming back to Canada.

Before you travel, be sure to look at the websites of the departments that oversee the importation of pets (even though you are not importing your pet, you are subject to the same health requirements).

In the United States, this is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). You can find regulations for importing pets on the USDA website. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) website also has requirements for importing pets, including rabies vaccinations.

It is also highly recommended that your dog be micro-chipped for identification purposes should he or she escape during travel or during your stay in the United States.  

You can find more tips for Canadian snowbirds travelling with pets here.

Yes, there is a workaround you can use the often works:

When asked for your zip code, simply enter the three numbers of the Canadian postal code for the billing address associated with your credit card, followed by two zeros.

For example, if the postal code for your credit card’s billing address is F1F 2F3, you would enter 12300 as your zip code.

NOTE: We have been receiving word from some members who were able to use this workaround in the past that it no longer works for them. However, it still seems to be working most of the time in most regions of the U.S.

We are happy to report that the planned construction over the past two years in the southbound lanes of I-75 in Michigan is now completed.