With rising safety concerns, major academic conferences move from the U.S. to Canada, creating new opportunities and signaling changing travel trends.

Conferences on the Move: Why Canada is Becoming the Safer Choice for Global Scholars

Academic Events Recalibrate in Response to U.S. Political Climate

Amid rising safety fears and shifting geopolitics, a growing number of North American academic and professional organizations are choosing to relocate conferences from the United States to Canada. What began as a personal safety decision for some has quickly turned into a wider movement, as scholars voice concern about U.S. border policies and political unpredictability.

A Personal Risk Turns into Collective Action

For Travers, a sociologist and associate professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., crossing into the U.S. no longer feels safe. As a transgender academic and incoming president of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS), Travers decided to skip the organization’s annual conference in Seattle this fall — and soon discovered many of their Canadian colleagues shared the same concerns.

“I will not be travelling to the United States right now because it feels very dangerous to do so,” said Travers.

Faced with the possibility of a drastically under-attended event, NASSS opted for a creative compromise: a dual-location format, offering sessions both in Seattle and Vancouver, connected via video conferencing. The hybrid structure has been warmly welcomed by members who were hesitant to travel south.

A Broader Trend: Conferences Crossing the Border

NASSS isn’t alone. At least three other professional associations have recently decided to hold upcoming conferences fully or partially in Canada. One key factor is declining travel from Canada to the U.S., especially by land. According to national data, March saw a 32% drop in return trips to the U.S. by Canadian land travelers, and a 13.5% dip in air travel.

For many, the reason goes beyond economics or exchange rates.

Border Experiences Prompt Hesitation

The political atmosphere — marked by tighter immigration enforcement and high-profile incidents at border checkpoints — is shaping decisions. Canadian sociologist Nathan Kalman-Lamb, an assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick, shared his harrowing experience with U.S. Customs.

Despite holding all the necessary documentation to attend a conference in South Carolina, Kalman-Lamb was detained for three hours at Montreal’s Trudeau Airport. His personal devices were searched, his flight was missed, and no explanation was given.

“It’s frightening,” he said. “I don’t even think for research I can justify at this point taking the risk of travelling to the United States.”

He now looks forward to attending the NASSS conference in Vancouver — without the worry.

A Shift Fueled by Policy and Perception

Although U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintains that its policies are in place for national security and lawful travelers “have nothing to fear,” many organizations aren’t convinced.

Dr. Jason Karamchandani, president of the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP), says his group has opted to hold its 2026 joint conference with the American Society for Clinical Pathology in Montreal — despite the American society being six times larger.

“The political climate just makes it too risky for our members,” he noted.

From Boston to Montreal: More Organizations Follow Suit

The Work and Family Researchers Network (WFRN) also recently announced it will relocate its 2026 biennial conference from Boston to Montreal. With nearly half of its members based outside the U.S., WFRN said many attendees expressed unease about traveling to the U.S.

Similarly, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans has moved its 2025 Canadian Employee Benefits Conference from San Diego back to Canadian soil, citing concerns about attendance and accessibility.

A Boon for the Canadian Economy

This emerging trend is more than a political statement — it’s an economic opportunity. Heather Dow, a veteran non-profit conference planner based in Kingston, Ontario, estimates that even mid-sized conferences can pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into local economies.

“If conference organizers keep looking to Canada, it could be a huge win for the hospitality and tourism sectors here,” she said.

Canada Emerges as a Safer, Smarter Host

As tensions and uncertainties mount south of the border, Canada’s reputation as a safe, inclusive, and welcoming destination is becoming a drawcard for global thinkers. For academics, event organizers, and participants alike, the move north isn’t just about geography — it’s about values, safety, and accessibility.

The ripple effect of these decisions may just shape a new chapter in international academic collaboration.

B.C. Lions return to Vancouver Island with a sold-out game, inspiring young athletes and spotlighting local football talent and dreams.
Roaring Dreams: B.C. Lions Spark Football Fever on Vancouver Island

Langford Stadium Sells Out in Minutes for CFL Clash

The roar of the B.C. Lions is echoing across Vancouver Island once again — and this time, it’s louder, prouder, and more inspiring than ever. On Victoria Day, May 19, the Lions will face off against the Calgary Stampeders at Langford’s Starlight Stadium, turning the quiet suburb into B.C.’s football capital for one electric afternoon.

The anticipation? Off the charts. Tickets for the preseason showdown sold out in just 12 minutes, underlining the Island’s surging love for professional football.

A Front-Row Seat to Inspiration

While fans gear up for tackles, touchdowns, and team spirit, the game offers something far greater to Vancouver Island’s youth footballers — belief. For young players with dreams of going pro, the visit from the Lions isn’t just exciting. It’s transformational.

“When kids see pro football up close, right in front of them, it becomes real,” said Sheldon Halliman, a key figure in Westshore football as a coach with both the Rebels and Warriors. “It shows them this dream is possible.”

Hometown Hero Returns: Nathan Rourke Leads the Charge

What makes this game even more special is the return of Victoria’s own Nathan Rourke, back in orange and black after a stint with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The 26-year-old quarterback lit up the CFL in 2022 and now brings that fire home, starting for the Lions in front of his community.

“To have Nathan back, playing here where it all began, is massive,” Halliman said. “It tells our kids, ‘You can do this too.’”

Legacy in the Making: Island Football on the Rise

The Lions’ presence has already made waves. Last year’s Touchdown Pacific game in Victoria drew over 14,000 fans and inspired a surge in youth football sign-ups across the region.

“The energy around that game was unreal,” Halliman recalled. “Some of our kids still talk about it. You could see their eyes light up.”

This growing momentum is backed by a strong grassroots system. The Westshore Rebels and Westshore Warriors continue to shape future stars — including Kieran Poissant, a Rebels alumnus who suited up for the Lions in 2023.

More Than a Game: A Classroom in the Stands

For the Westshore Warriors’ junior bantam squad and many others attending, this is more than game day. It’s a real-time masterclass.

“I want our kids to watch how the pros move, how they think, how they lead,” said Halliman. “That kind of exposure sticks. It fuels goals.”

A New Era for Island Football

From the stands packed with orange jerseys to the young fans dreaming of one day taking the field themselves, the upcoming Lions-Stampeders game is more than a preseason event — it’s a landmark moment in Vancouver Island sports culture.

As the whistle blows and Rourke takes the first snap, a spark will ignite in the hearts of hundreds of young fans. And for many of them, that moment might be the beginning of a journey.

“This could be the day a kid says, ‘That’s what I want to do,’” Halliman said. “Once that fire’s lit, it can carry them a long, long way.”

South Surrey sisters Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez claim gold for Canada on the opening day of the Pan-Am Women’s Wrestling Championships.

Golden Glory: Godinez Gonzalez Sisters Strike Gold for Canada

A Double Victory for Canada and South Surrey

South Surrey’s pride soared on Friday as wrestling sisters Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez delivered back-to-back gold medal wins at the 2024 Pan-American Women’s Wrestling Championships. Their victories marked a spectacular start for Team Canada and highlighted a powerful sibling story on the international stage.

The Earl Marriott Secondary School alumni dominated their respective weight classes, securing two of Canada’s four medals on the opening day of competition.

Ana Godinez Gonzalez: A Triumphant Return

For Ana, competing in the 62-kg category, the championship marked a powerful comeback to international wrestling. She stormed through the round robin with decisive wins — 11-0 over Mexico’s Melanie Jimenez and 10-0 over Ecuador’s Leonela Gruezo.

In the semifinal, Ana pinned American Savannah Cosme to advance to the final, where she claimed gold with another fall over Venezuela’s Astrid Montero.

“It felt great to just get back on the mats,” Ana said, celebrating her third Pan-Am gold. “Winning on the same day as Karla was also great. I knew she would win!”

Karla Godinez Gonzalez: Perfect Performance in 55 kg

Karla matched her sister’s momentum in the 55-kg weight class, starting strong with a 10-0 win over Mexico’s Andrea Avelino. She followed it up with an 11-0 triumph against Brazil’s Geisa Raphael.

Facing American Louisa Schwab in the final — the only other unbeaten competitor — Karla was unstoppable, not conceding a single point as she secured a 10-0 victory and the gold.

“I felt that I did what I had been working on, so I am proud of that,” said Karla. “But I was even more nervous watching Ana. When she won, I was so happy because it meant we both won gold.”

Sisters in Strength: A Shared Legacy

Both sisters train out of Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club and have competed extensively on the global stage. Their shared Pan-Am victories not only showcase their individual talent but also reinforce the strength of Canada’s wrestling program.

The championships continue with the remaining women’s matches and the start of the men’s freestyle bouts.

Sibling Power Propels Canada Forward

Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzalez have proven that family, focus, and fierce determination can lead to golden outcomes. As Canada continues its journey through the Pan-Am Wrestling Championships, their wins set the tone for national pride and global recognition.

Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, deep hostilities and new-age warfare keep India-Pakistan conflict on edge. Fragile peace raises global concern.

South Asia’s nuclear-armed neighbours, India and Pakistan, have once again stepped back from the brink. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between the two has taken hold — but just barely.

Announced on Saturday, the truce followed four days of intense cross-border military action in the Kashmir region. Yet, mere hours after it began, explosions and air raid sirens shattered the calm, casting doubt on the ceasefire’s durability.

A Shaky Start: Rhetoric and Retaliation

India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri vowed a strong response to violations, while Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry warned of equal retaliation — all while claiming commitment to peace.

At the heart of the recent escalation lies a deadly militant attack in which 25 Hindu tourists and a guide were killed. India accused Pakistan of harbouring the attackers — a charge Islamabad strongly denies.

The ceasefire may have paused open fighting, but the bitterness remains barely contained.

Modern Warfare Escalates Risks

This was not just another border skirmish — it was the most technologically advanced military standoff between the two countries to date.

• Weaponized drones breached airspace on both sides.
• Loitering munitions, laser-guided missiles, and night-time artillery fire intensified the conflict.
• Disinformation and social media chaos blurred the reality of ground situations.

Experts fear the use of such advanced technologies has raised the stakes dangerously high, making escalation easier and resolution harder.

Non-Military Moves Stir Further Alarm

Even beyond the battlefield, actions off the field have contributed to the rising hostility. India’s suspension of a decades-old water-sharing treaty with Pakistan — a vital resource agreement — was seen in Islamabad as nothing short of an “act of war.”

Pakistan relies on the shared water for over 80% of its agricultural needs and a third of its hydropower. The treaty had withstood prior conflicts — but this time, diplomacy gave way to pressure tactics.

Kashmir: The Enduring Faultline

The conflict over Kashmir, a region claimed in full by both nations but controlled in parts, remains the core flashpoint.

• India and Pakistan have fought two wars and one major conflict over Kashmir.
• The Line of Control (LoC) continues to be one of the world’s most heavily militarized borders.
• Analysts warn that nuclear deterrence may no longer suffice as escalation control in the age of drones and instant misinformation.

Global Reactions: Diplomacy on the Edge

Despite initial indifference, the United States intervened amid fears of nuclear escalation. While Vice-President JD Vance initially dismissed the conflict as “none of our business,” the situation quickly escalated beyond diplomatic comfort zones.

Behind the scenes, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice-President Vance engaged with Indian and Pakistani leadership, including Pakistan’s army chief Gen. Asim Munir, to stabilize the situation.

Analysts like Ayesha Siddiqa of King’s College London criticized the initial U.S. passivity, noting that absence of global mediation nearly allowed tensions to spiral unchecked.

What Lies Ahead

While missiles are no longer flying and artillery has quieted for now, the underlying hostility remains unresolved. The suspension of cooperative treaties, aggressive military posturing, and the introduction of next-gen warfare continue to make South Asia a geopolitical powder keg.

Experts warn that unless deep-rooted mistrust and unresolved territorial issues are addressed, the current calm is just a prelude to future conflict.

Stay with Maple News Wire for continuing coverage on South Asian geopolitics and international peace efforts.