Canada fights travel warning

Toronto is suffering as a result of the travel warning, Chretien says

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has thrown his weight behind efforts to get a World Health Organization travel warning withdrawn.

Mr Chretien told journalists the WHO had come to the "wrong conclusion" when it advised travellers to avoid Toronto, Canada's largest city.

He insisted the city was safe and announced the cabinet would meet there on Tuesday - rather than in the capital, Ottawa - "to demonstrate in a very public way our commitment to the people of Toronto."

Under intense pressure from Canada, the WHO has been standing firm and refusing to lift its advisory so far.

But according to Canadian officials, the Geneva-based body has agreed to review the situation next week.

Friday saw three more deaths from Sars in Toronto, bringing the total there to 19. There are more than 250 probable or suspected cases of the viruses.

'Contained'

Mr Chretien said he had talked to WHO chief Gro Harlem Brundtland on Friday.

He was speaking after he flying back from a week's holiday, amid domestic criticism for being away during the crisis and failing to prevent the WHO warning.

"The city of Toronto is suffering today... We believe that Toronto is a good place to visit and it is a safe city," adding that the outbreak "seems to be quite contained".

We were quite frankly sandbagged by the WHO

Ontario Premier Ernie Eves

In further efforts to reassure people that the city is safe, he promised to spend a night in a hotel there and that he and his wife would fly to Toronto with national carrier Air Canada later this week for a dinner.

He promised that the government would contribute towards a marketing campaign for Toronto, but he did not mention any further economic aid for the city.

Economic ills

Canada has criticised the WHO, saying it imposed the travel warning on Wednesday for political reasons, and insisted the Sars outbreak was coming under control.

Canadian experts argued that the number of confirmed and suspected cases was far lower than in China and Hong Kong.

"They're scaring the world more than they scare Toronto."
Erin Green, Toronto

In pictures

Toronto is fighting for its reputation and its economic health after the WHO warning put the city virtually off limits for many travellers.

The number of visitors to Toronto has plummeted. Several conventions have been cancelled and hotels and restaurants are suffering.

"We were quite frankly sandbagged by the WHO," said Ontario Premier Ernie Eves.

Toronto officials said that while new cases were reported last weekend among health workers, the illness was not spreading to the broader community.

"The outbreak will be over when 20 days have elapsed with no new cases," said Sheela Basrur, Toronto's medical officer.

"It's been about a week so far, at least, since we've had a new case in the community. So in my view the clock is already ticking on the 20 days."