For the fourth consecutive month, Canadians are increasingly turning away from the United States as a travel destination, a trend that experts say could have significant economic and political consequences. According to preliminary figures from Statistics Canada, Canadian-resident return trips from the U.S. by automobile plunged 35.2 percent in April compared to the same month last year, marking the steepest decline yet in 2025. Overall, cross-border travel by Canadians through air and land saw a 15.2 percent drop from April 2024, continuing a downturn fueled by political tensions and economic concerns.
Aaron Ettinger, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University, views the data as a reflection of the growing Canadian movement to boycott American goods and tourism in protest of the Trump administration’s confrontational stance towards Canada. Speaking to CTV News, Ettinger noted that what began as symbolic gestures earlier in the year is now showing up in travel statistics, which he believes could eventually pressure U.S. policymakers to reconsider their approach. He also suggested the impact might ripple into the 2026 U.S. midterm elections if American voters feel the economic pinch.
While some Canadians are standing firm in their refusal to visit the U.S., others remain divided. Montreal resident Lisa King canceled her planned visit to Boston, citing Trump’s calls to annex Canada as a personal tipping point. However, her husband, Fred Saikaly, remains open to traveling south despite the political climate, though he admitted the weak Canadian dollar makes the trip less appealing. This sentiment highlights that alongside political protest, financial factors are also discouraging Canadians from visiting their southern neighbor.
Experts like Ron Stagg, professor emeritus at Toronto Metropolitan University, agree that Canadians are sending a strong message, choosing to spend their tourism dollars elsewhere as an act of defiance. Stagg, who himself canceled a Florida trip, expressed dismay at the shift in cross-border relations, recalling a time when travel between the two countries was seamless and friendly. He worries that stricter border checks and a sense of being unwelcome are further fueling the decline in Canadian visits.
Advocacy groups such as the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) also predict the downturn could deepen, especially with summer travel season approaching and snowbirds planning for winter. Anthony Quinn, CARP’s chief operating officer, said many of their members are opting to vacation in Canada or other countries, seeing it as their only leverage against what they perceive as disrespect from the U.S. administration. Quinn believes the current data may only represent the beginning of a broader boycott movement that could intensify if political rhetoric escalates.
