How does Cuba's situation affect Canada

As you likely know, Fidel Castro temporarily handed control of Cuba over to Raul Castro while recovering from intestinal surgery.

Those in the U.S. are aware the country has an embargo against Cuba, though they may not understand the politics behind the decision. But those in the U.S. may not be aware that Canada has no such restrictions against travel and spending with Cuba.

Canada has enjoyed a number of dollars from the U.S. restrictions, from money spent in Toronto on the way to Havana to Cuban cigars purchased in Windsor. If U.S. residents no longer have restrictions on travel and spending, that will remove the uniqueness of what Canada currently offers.

For those who have never been to Windsor, as soon as you come up on the Canadian side, there are numerous shops to buy Cuban cigars, illegal in the United States. This is also true in other border cities in Canada, but Windsor seems really known for this.

We here at Canadian Corner realize that some day, Canada will lose a specialness in dealing with Cuba, but also feels that the embargo is unfair and should be lifted. There is no guarantee this will happen soon, regardless of what happens to Fidel Castro, but Fidel's illness has started the wheels in motion to how the U.S. will treat Cuba in the future.