For a lot of, wintering within the U.S. is not only a journey: it is a way of life and an funding. And Donald Trump’s commerce warfare is forcing some tough selections
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Rick, a retired accountant from Vernon, B.C., has been coming to California for 17 years.
However closing in on 80 years of age, he has been reconsidering that ritual. He doesn’t just like the political local weather in the USA and he additionally worries about how Canadians will probably be accepted.
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He would in all probability promote his place in Palm Desert if he might hire it again when he needed.
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“If I have been making a monetary resolution strictly, I might promote,” he stated. However there’s a catch. “The emotion will get into it. We love being right here, as do all of our Canadian and American associates.”
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Rick, who didn’t need his final title used over fears about repercussions travelling to the U.S., is one among about one million Canadian snowbirds who could possibly be forgiven for feeling a bit trapped as of late.
Amid boycotts and anger over the commerce warfare and U.S. President Donald Trump‘s musing about making Canada the 51st state, many are feeling pressured to decide on between their nation and their winter residences — second houses stuffed with household, associates and fond recollections.
“We struggled with it and talked about it in all probability each day for months earlier than we got here again down,” Rick stated.
Different Canadians, not tied down by the monetary and emotional attachments snowbirds face, are making the other alternative.
Statistics Canada knowledge confirmed journeys to the USA plunged 21.6 per cent yr over yr within the second quarter. In the meantime, Canadians took 99.3 million home journeys, up 8.5 per cent from the identical interval a yr earlier.
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The fourth quarter of this yr and the remainder of the winter will check Canadians’ will: there may be nowhere north of the border that may examine with American sunbelt locations corresponding to Florida, California and Arizona, the place retirees have lengthy flocked to keep away from winter.
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Stephen Nice, founding father of Snowbird Advisor and a lawyer by coaching, stated that whereas the sentiment in opposition to journey to the USA began in February, the complete influence is barely hitting now.
“That is the primary yr we will inform what is occurring,” he stated.
Snowbirds nonetheless heading south
A latest survey of Nice’s members, primarily based on 4,000 responses, discovered that final yr 82 per cent of snowbirds went to the USA, six per cent stayed dwelling, and the steadiness of 12 per cent went to worldwide locations.
We thought that extra folks is perhaps staying dwelling this yr, however that is not the case. They are going anyway
Stephen Nice, founding father of Snowbird Advisor
The identical members have been requested the place they deliberate to go this yr, and 70 per cent stated the U.S., seven per cent stated keep dwelling, and 23 per cent stated worldwide.
“We thought that extra folks is perhaps staying dwelling this yr, however that’s not the case. They’re going anyway,” stated Nice.
The distinction is being picked up by worldwide locations, with prime selections for his members are Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica and the Caribbean.
Nice stated the 15 per cent drop in U.S. journey by snowbirds is loads lower than in different journey segments, noting that within the basic inhabitants, the decline in U.S. journey is extra seemingly 25 per cent to 40 per cent.
“I believe there are a number of elements,” he stated. “The highest three elements are: Primary, folks personal property; they’re not going to depart it vacant for the winter to go some place else. That doesn’t make sense financially for lots of people.”
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However one other is that 70 per cent of snowbird residents drive to the USA, and different warm-weather locations usually are not that accessible. Driving not solely saves on airfare but in addition on automobile rental, which might value hundreds over the winter.
Nice stated the third key issue is that snowbirds are a distinct demographic.
“It’s a way of life,” he stated. “They’re going to see their associates. They’ve communities down there. They’re spending months at a time down there. And for them to select up and depart for some place else is a bit more tough. In the event you’re going away for every week or a weekend, you possibly can just about go wherever.”
Troublesome selections
Nonetheless, the choice to proceed wintering in the USA is weighing closely on Canadians, and a few are electing to hire earlier than making a significant dedication.
Kym Dias, a California realtor initially from British Columbia, stated individuals who personal are coming again down, however that’s due to the present funding.
“A few of them have even stated to me, ‘If I didn’t personal, I might be making a completely completely different resolution right here,” she stated.
Nonetheless, she is working with a vendor from Vancouver in the present day who isn’t political in any respect, however whose spouse is lamenting that none of her associates will go to her in the USA this winter.
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“Loads of their associates hire. So she has no one to hang around with. They’re not going to come back down for 4 years. She stated, ‘I’m not sitting right here whereas my husband golfs.’ Now they’re promoting,” stated Dias.
She figures as soon as a few of her older Canadian purchasers promote, many nearer to 80, they are going to be gone for good.
“They’re in all probability not going to come back again down right here and purchase one other place,” she stated. “Fairly a couple of of them are, like, ‘We’re simply going to go journey. We simply don’t wish to be locked down anymore.’ They will do one thing else.”
On the U.S. East Coast, Hollywood Seaside, 30 kilometres north of Miami, has lengthy been recognized for taking part in host to throngs of French Canadians, and the query there may be whether or not they’ll return this yr.
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Tom Vaskovic, a former Torontonian who moved to South Florida virtually 25 years in the past and now owns an ice cream stand on the seaside referred to as Surf N’ Spray, has seen tourism ebb and circulation in his time. He admits final yr enterprise did “take a bit dive,” so he’s cautious about what comes subsequent.
“There usually are not as many individuals from Quebec as there was once,” he stated, including that whereas there’s something to the boycott speak, clients who’re nonetheless coming down seem extra involved about inflation.
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“The distinction within the greenback is one factor, however the inflation down right here makes it seem to be the costs are even increased,” he stated. “I can’t blame them, however there may be additionally loads of media in opposition to the USA.”
How a lot do boycotts harm U.S. tourism?
An enormous query for boycott proponents is how a lot People actually care about Canadians travelling to the USA. Canada can not sink the American journey trade, however a boycott might harm.
The U.S. Journey Affiliation stated Canadians have been the highest guests to America in 2024, with 20.4 million journeys, producing US$20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs. A ten per cent discount in Canadian journey, which is already taking place, might imply two million fewer visits, or US$2.1 billion in misplaced spending, and 14,000 job losses.
Those self same snowbirds and Canadian consumers could have much less of an influence on a U.S. housing market that had US$2.2 trillion in present gross sales in 2024. However, Canadians have been the second largest worldwide consumers of residential actual property within the U.S. final yr at US$6.2 billion, solely barely behind the Chinese language, and in vacationer areas their absence is a minimum of being seen.
I’ll be very trustworthy with you. We used to get much more Canadians
Isabella Holguin, director of gross sales at St. Regis condominium growth
On the two-tower undertaking generally known as the St. Regis in Sunny Isles, a metropolis situated on a barrier island in northeast Miami-Dade with 62 storeys of luxurious condos that begin at US$5 million, the director of gross sales, Isabella Holguin, laments the lack of Canadians. However she doesn’t sound too anxious.
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“I simply bought to a man from Suriname. The entire twenty fourth flooring, all 4 items,” she stated.
Holguin stated the advanced’s south tower with 170 items, set to ship in 2028, is bought out, whereas its north tower has solely 150 items to accommodate consumers clamouring for greater and costlier items.
One buyer walked in from the seaside and signed all of the paperwork to purchase a unit on the advanced, which is promoting for a mean of US$2,750 per sq. foot. And in contrast to the pleasant down cost market in Toronto’s condominium scene, clients have to have 50 per cent down, a regular pushed by the 2008 housing crash, south of the border.
“We’re getting cash from loads of nations, however primarily the U.S. I’m going to be very trustworthy with you. We used to get much more Canadians,” Holguin stated.
This yr, she’s had solely three Canadians buy within the newer north tower. The unique south tower noticed 11 of its 170 items purchased by Canadians.
“A part of that is the greenback, it’s very costly for you guys,” she stated, noting that previously her group would do advertising reveals in Montreal and Toronto to promote.
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It’s the other of COVID occasions, when Canadians flocked to South Florida, pushed partially by a state that had just about no lockdowns all through the pandemic.
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“Loads of Canadians got here. All people needed to be right here. An enormous issue was that we have been open. You got here down right here, and also you didn’t even know COVID was taking place. Folks have been free right here. So that they didn’t care about whether or not it was too costly. They solely cared about their freedom,” Holguin stated.
The Canadians are gone and others have stuffed the hole.
“For me now, it’s People. We will promote to Brazilians, Mexicans,” she stated. “I can’t change tariffs; it’s what it’s.”
New necessities for snowbirds
Evan Rachkovsky, director of analysis and communications for the Canadian Snowbird Affiliation, stated 70 per cent of Canadian snowbirds go to Florida, so the state will bear the brunt of any decline.
“I believe the political discourse is having a damaging impact as a result of snowbirds have been caught up in that with this new registration requirement,” he stated, noting that guests should now verify in with the U.S. authorities for stays of 30 days or longer.
Each Rachkovsky and Nice, the snowbird adviser, counsel the brand new necessities are largely about paperwork, however they’re a brand new actuality Canadians must get used to in a lot of the world.
“Individuals are involved about it, however it’s not a very tough course of,” stated Nice, including that biometrics or fingerprinting have gotten frequent for a lot of nations.
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“I believe it simply doesn’t sit effectively with folks due to every little thing else that’s occurring. However the reality is, the U.S. isn’t distinctive in doing this, and the world is heading in that path. And we are going to in all probability do it in Canada.”
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It might be the brand new norm, however for folks like Invoice Cherniatenski, who simply retired after four-and-a-half many years working in procurement for one among Canada’s largest grocery market chains, it has him pondering twice about his subsequent transfer.
“We determined in opposition to our personal beliefs that we’re going to go down for February this yr, solely,” stated Cherniatenski, who had owned a condominium in Myrtle Seaside, South Carolina, throughout his working years however bought it through the pandemic as a result of the timing was proper and so was the worth.
He needed to research an excellent hotter local weather additional south, however the political discourse received in the way in which. Now he’s taking child steps and renting in Panama Metropolis, Florida, this yr, not removed from the state capital of Tallahassee, after a really pleasant landlord satisfied him to come back and gave him an excellent friendlier fee of US$1,700 for an oceanfront unit in a fancy with two swimming pools and scorching tubs.
“Final yr, I stated no due to the political surroundings,” stated Cherniatenski, who readily admits the weak Canadian greenback additionally stored him dwelling.
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He and his spouse, who dwell simply exterior Toronto, have been actually on the fence this yr too, however the landlord couldn’t have been extra welcoming.
The right way to deal with the elevated tensions with the U.S. was a subject of dialog amongst his neighbours, with many contemplating the commerce warfare’s influence on their retirement plans.
“I talked to different folks, they usually stated, ‘You understand, you labored 45 years for this second, why let one particular person within the States change your life?’” he stated.
His different concern was how People would deal with Canadians south of the border however a neighbour put him comfortable.
“He stated they roll out the crimson carpet for Canadians, and they’re apologetic,” he stated.
However don’t get the concept that he’s totally dedicated to the USA. Cherniatenski is a part of the brand new wave of Canadian retirees who must be gained over, as they’re now making selections that might influence their subsequent decade or two of winter travelling.
“We simply got here again from the Dominican,” he stated, noting renting in Florida lets him check out his choices.
He’s much less frightened of crossing the border and thinks the principles are just about the identical in apply.
“That is the States. Nothing’s modified on the border. Maintain your mouth shut. Solely converse when requested,” stated Cherniatenski, who admits behind his thoughts he does fear about some immigration problem.
However he has his line within the sand the place he gained’t return to America.
“In the event that they mistreat Canadians, in the event that they don’t respect us, I’d say, ‘Screw you guys.’”
• E mail: gmarr@postmedia.com
Article content material
For a lot of, wintering within the U.S. is not only a journey: it is a way of life and an funding. And Donald Trump’s commerce warfare is forcing some tough selections
Article content material
Rick, a retired accountant from Vernon, B.C., has been coming to California for 17 years.
However closing in on 80 years of age, he has been reconsidering that ritual. He doesn’t just like the political local weather in the USA and he additionally worries about how Canadians will probably be accepted.
Article content material
Article content material
He would in all probability promote his place in Palm Desert if he might hire it again when he needed.
Commercial 2
Article content material
“If I have been making a monetary resolution strictly, I might promote,” he stated. However there’s a catch. “The emotion will get into it. We love being right here, as do all of our Canadian and American associates.”
Prime Tales
Article content material
Rick, who didn’t need his final title used over fears about repercussions travelling to the U.S., is one among about one million Canadian snowbirds who could possibly be forgiven for feeling a bit trapped as of late.
Amid boycotts and anger over the commerce warfare and U.S. President Donald Trump‘s musing about making Canada the 51st state, many are feeling pressured to decide on between their nation and their winter residences — second houses stuffed with household, associates and fond recollections.
“We struggled with it and talked about it in all probability each day for months earlier than we got here again down,” Rick stated.
Different Canadians, not tied down by the monetary and emotional attachments snowbirds face, are making the other alternative.
Statistics Canada knowledge confirmed journeys to the USA plunged 21.6 per cent yr over yr within the second quarter. In the meantime, Canadians took 99.3 million home journeys, up 8.5 per cent from the identical interval a yr earlier.
Article content material
The fourth quarter of this yr and the remainder of the winter will check Canadians’ will: there may be nowhere north of the border that may examine with American sunbelt locations corresponding to Florida, California and Arizona, the place retirees have lengthy flocked to keep away from winter.
Article content material
Stephen Nice, founding father of Snowbird Advisor and a lawyer by coaching, stated that whereas the sentiment in opposition to journey to the USA began in February, the complete influence is barely hitting now.
“That is the primary yr we will inform what is occurring,” he stated.
Snowbirds nonetheless heading south
A latest survey of Nice’s members, primarily based on 4,000 responses, discovered that final yr 82 per cent of snowbirds went to the USA, six per cent stayed dwelling, and the steadiness of 12 per cent went to worldwide locations.
We thought that extra folks is perhaps staying dwelling this yr, however that is not the case. They are going anyway
Stephen Nice, founding father of Snowbird Advisor
The identical members have been requested the place they deliberate to go this yr, and 70 per cent stated the U.S., seven per cent stated keep dwelling, and 23 per cent stated worldwide.
“We thought that extra folks is perhaps staying dwelling this yr, however that’s not the case. They’re going anyway,” stated Nice.
The distinction is being picked up by worldwide locations, with prime selections for his members are Mexico, Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica and the Caribbean.
Nice stated the 15 per cent drop in U.S. journey by snowbirds is loads lower than in different journey segments, noting that within the basic inhabitants, the decline in U.S. journey is extra seemingly 25 per cent to 40 per cent.
“I believe there are a number of elements,” he stated. “The highest three elements are: Primary, folks personal property; they’re not going to depart it vacant for the winter to go some place else. That doesn’t make sense financially for lots of people.”
Article content material
However one other is that 70 per cent of snowbird residents drive to the USA, and different warm-weather locations usually are not that accessible. Driving not solely saves on airfare but in addition on automobile rental, which might value hundreds over the winter.
Nice stated the third key issue is that snowbirds are a distinct demographic.
“It’s a way of life,” he stated. “They’re going to see their associates. They’ve communities down there. They’re spending months at a time down there. And for them to select up and depart for some place else is a bit more tough. In the event you’re going away for every week or a weekend, you possibly can just about go wherever.”
Troublesome selections
Nonetheless, the choice to proceed wintering in the USA is weighing closely on Canadians, and a few are electing to hire earlier than making a significant dedication.
Kym Dias, a California realtor initially from British Columbia, stated individuals who personal are coming again down, however that’s due to the present funding.
“A few of them have even stated to me, ‘If I didn’t personal, I might be making a completely completely different resolution right here,” she stated.
Nonetheless, she is working with a vendor from Vancouver in the present day who isn’t political in any respect, however whose spouse is lamenting that none of her associates will go to her in the USA this winter.
Article content material
“Loads of their associates hire. So she has no one to hang around with. They’re not going to come back down for 4 years. She stated, ‘I’m not sitting right here whereas my husband golfs.’ Now they’re promoting,” stated Dias.
She figures as soon as a few of her older Canadian purchasers promote, many nearer to 80, they are going to be gone for good.
“They’re in all probability not going to come back again down right here and purchase one other place,” she stated. “Fairly a couple of of them are, like, ‘We’re simply going to go journey. We simply don’t wish to be locked down anymore.’ They will do one thing else.”
On the U.S. East Coast, Hollywood Seaside, 30 kilometres north of Miami, has lengthy been recognized for taking part in host to throngs of French Canadians, and the query there may be whether or not they’ll return this yr.
Article content material
Tom Vaskovic, a former Torontonian who moved to South Florida virtually 25 years in the past and now owns an ice cream stand on the seaside referred to as Surf N’ Spray, has seen tourism ebb and circulation in his time. He admits final yr enterprise did “take a bit dive,” so he’s cautious about what comes subsequent.
“There usually are not as many individuals from Quebec as there was once,” he stated, including that whereas there’s something to the boycott speak, clients who’re nonetheless coming down seem extra involved about inflation.
Article content material
“The distinction within the greenback is one factor, however the inflation down right here makes it seem to be the costs are even increased,” he stated. “I can’t blame them, however there may be additionally loads of media in opposition to the USA.”
How a lot do boycotts harm U.S. tourism?
An enormous query for boycott proponents is how a lot People actually care about Canadians travelling to the USA. Canada can not sink the American journey trade, however a boycott might harm.
The U.S. Journey Affiliation stated Canadians have been the highest guests to America in 2024, with 20.4 million journeys, producing US$20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs. A ten per cent discount in Canadian journey, which is already taking place, might imply two million fewer visits, or US$2.1 billion in misplaced spending, and 14,000 job losses.
Those self same snowbirds and Canadian consumers could have much less of an influence on a U.S. housing market that had US$2.2 trillion in present gross sales in 2024. However, Canadians have been the second largest worldwide consumers of residential actual property within the U.S. final yr at US$6.2 billion, solely barely behind the Chinese language, and in vacationer areas their absence is a minimum of being seen.
I’ll be very trustworthy with you. We used to get much more Canadians
Isabella Holguin, director of gross sales at St. Regis condominium growth
On the two-tower undertaking generally known as the St. Regis in Sunny Isles, a metropolis situated on a barrier island in northeast Miami-Dade with 62 storeys of luxurious condos that begin at US$5 million, the director of gross sales, Isabella Holguin, laments the lack of Canadians. However she doesn’t sound too anxious.
Article content material
“I simply bought to a man from Suriname. The entire twenty fourth flooring, all 4 items,” she stated.
Holguin stated the advanced’s south tower with 170 items, set to ship in 2028, is bought out, whereas its north tower has solely 150 items to accommodate consumers clamouring for greater and costlier items.
One buyer walked in from the seaside and signed all of the paperwork to purchase a unit on the advanced, which is promoting for a mean of US$2,750 per sq. foot. And in contrast to the pleasant down cost market in Toronto’s condominium scene, clients have to have 50 per cent down, a regular pushed by the 2008 housing crash, south of the border.
“We’re getting cash from loads of nations, however primarily the U.S. I’m going to be very trustworthy with you. We used to get much more Canadians,” Holguin stated.
This yr, she’s had solely three Canadians buy within the newer north tower. The unique south tower noticed 11 of its 170 items purchased by Canadians.
“A part of that is the greenback, it’s very costly for you guys,” she stated, noting that previously her group would do advertising reveals in Montreal and Toronto to promote.
Article content material
It’s the other of COVID occasions, when Canadians flocked to South Florida, pushed partially by a state that had just about no lockdowns all through the pandemic.
Article content material
“Loads of Canadians got here. All people needed to be right here. An enormous issue was that we have been open. You got here down right here, and also you didn’t even know COVID was taking place. Folks have been free right here. So that they didn’t care about whether or not it was too costly. They solely cared about their freedom,” Holguin stated.
The Canadians are gone and others have stuffed the hole.
“For me now, it’s People. We will promote to Brazilians, Mexicans,” she stated. “I can’t change tariffs; it’s what it’s.”
New necessities for snowbirds
Evan Rachkovsky, director of analysis and communications for the Canadian Snowbird Affiliation, stated 70 per cent of Canadian snowbirds go to Florida, so the state will bear the brunt of any decline.
“I believe the political discourse is having a damaging impact as a result of snowbirds have been caught up in that with this new registration requirement,” he stated, noting that guests should now verify in with the U.S. authorities for stays of 30 days or longer.
Each Rachkovsky and Nice, the snowbird adviser, counsel the brand new necessities are largely about paperwork, however they’re a brand new actuality Canadians must get used to in a lot of the world.
“Individuals are involved about it, however it’s not a very tough course of,” stated Nice, including that biometrics or fingerprinting have gotten frequent for a lot of nations.
Article content material
“I believe it simply doesn’t sit effectively with folks due to every little thing else that’s occurring. However the reality is, the U.S. isn’t distinctive in doing this, and the world is heading in that path. And we are going to in all probability do it in Canada.”
Article content material
It might be the brand new norm, however for folks like Invoice Cherniatenski, who simply retired after four-and-a-half many years working in procurement for one among Canada’s largest grocery market chains, it has him pondering twice about his subsequent transfer.
“We determined in opposition to our personal beliefs that we’re going to go down for February this yr, solely,” stated Cherniatenski, who had owned a condominium in Myrtle Seaside, South Carolina, throughout his working years however bought it through the pandemic as a result of the timing was proper and so was the worth.
He needed to research an excellent hotter local weather additional south, however the political discourse received in the way in which. Now he’s taking child steps and renting in Panama Metropolis, Florida, this yr, not removed from the state capital of Tallahassee, after a really pleasant landlord satisfied him to come back and gave him an excellent friendlier fee of US$1,700 for an oceanfront unit in a fancy with two swimming pools and scorching tubs.
“Final yr, I stated no due to the political surroundings,” stated Cherniatenski, who readily admits the weak Canadian greenback additionally stored him dwelling.
Article content material
He and his spouse, who dwell simply exterior Toronto, have been actually on the fence this yr too, however the landlord couldn’t have been extra welcoming.
The right way to deal with the elevated tensions with the U.S. was a subject of dialog amongst his neighbours, with many contemplating the commerce warfare’s influence on their retirement plans.
“I talked to different folks, they usually stated, ‘You understand, you labored 45 years for this second, why let one particular person within the States change your life?’” he stated.
His different concern was how People would deal with Canadians south of the border however a neighbour put him comfortable.
“He stated they roll out the crimson carpet for Canadians, and they’re apologetic,” he stated.
However don’t get the concept that he’s totally dedicated to the USA. Cherniatenski is a part of the brand new wave of Canadian retirees who must be gained over, as they’re now making selections that might influence their subsequent decade or two of winter travelling.
“We simply got here again from the Dominican,” he stated, noting renting in Florida lets him check out his choices.
He’s much less frightened of crossing the border and thinks the principles are just about the identical in apply.
“That is the States. Nothing’s modified on the border. Maintain your mouth shut. Solely converse when requested,” stated Cherniatenski, who admits behind his thoughts he does fear about some immigration problem.
However he has his line within the sand the place he gained’t return to America.
“In the event that they mistreat Canadians, in the event that they don’t respect us, I’d say, ‘Screw you guys.’”
• E mail: gmarr@postmedia.com
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