{
  "id": 4833354,
  "title": "‘Evolving global context’: School boards across Canada cancel, tweak field trips",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/evolving-global-context-school-boards-across-canada-cancel-tweak-4833354",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T08:00:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/09/01/evolving-global-context-school-boards-across-canada-cancel-tweak-field-trips/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As the global context continues to evolve, school boards across Canada are taking action to either cancel or modify field trip plans for the upcoming school year. Zoe Cogger, a 16-year-old high school student in Edmonton, was set to attend the National High School Dance Festival in Pittsburgh and the Bloomsday Run in Spokane, but those trips have been cancelled. Edmonton Public Schools have opted to cancel all international excursions for the year, including trips to Thailand, France, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, and Portugal. Superintendent Rob Thompson cited civil unrest, fuel shortages, public health concerns, and ongoing military conflict as reasons for the cancellations. He emphasized that the board will reassess its decision before the 2027-28 school year.\n\nVancouver School Board and Calgary Catholic School District have decided to approve field trips on a case-by-case basis, taking into account various factors in their review processes. Last year, the Calgary Board of Education cancelled all international trips and has since resumed them. Winnipeg's Louis Riel School Board has cancelled trips to the United States since last October due to a travel advisory issued by Ottawa. Meanwhile, schools in Toronto and Saskatoon have not cancelled any trips.\n\nExperts acknowledge the complexity of the situation, with Maren Aukerman, an education professor at the University of Calgary, stating that international trips are inherently complex and that virtual field trips cannot fully replace real-world experiences. Wayne Smith, a hospitality and tourism professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, noted that the rising cost of living and increased paperwork requirements have contributed to the difficulty of planning trips. However, some schools are choosing to plan Canadian-based trips instead. Nyla Ahmadzai, an Edmonton high school student, expressed frustration at not being able to go on international trips, but is pleased with the alternative plans her school has arranged, such as a run in Jasper National Park.",
  "summary": "EDMONTON — Zoe Cogger says two trips to the United States were going to be the highlight of her senior year in high school.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}