Edmonton schools halt all international trips for next year
Superintendent Ron Thompson cites security concerns, military conflicts, and fuel shortages after violent incident on recent European exchange.
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Edmonton Public Schools is pausing all international trips and student exchanges for the 2026-27 school year, a move the superintendent says reflects growing global safety risks.
Superintendent Ron Thompson made the decision "out of an abundance of caution" after weighing benefits against mounting concerns: global fuel shortages, health issues, ongoing military conflicts, and troubling incidents on recent trips.
The catalyst came weeks ago when students on a European exchange witnessed what appeared to be a violent protest outside their hotel. The principal on that trip asked the hotel to lock doors and secure the students in a safe location—a situation Thompson said he would not have anticipated in a country the division considered safe.
"That was in a country that I would not have thought this would be an issue, but it was," Thompson told trustees Tuesday.
The moratorium affects previously approved trips to the UK, Portugal, France, and Thailand. Schools that had booked trips are contacting families about refunds and alternatives. Thompson expressed hope that staff will pursue Canadian travel options instead.
Edmonton Catholic School Division reviews international travel on a case-by-case basis and continues monitoring global conditions. St. Albert Public Schools maintains travel restrictions for the US and consults Canadian travel advisories for other destinations, though a spokesperson noted the division is "carefully watching the world situation."
Trustee Nickela Anderson raised concerns about communication timing, noting some families learned of the decision through media coverage before official school contact. The decision takes effect immediately to give families certainty before the new school year.