Why Canadians Should Rethink Travel to the U.S. — For Now

Despite declining numbers, far too many of us are still asking (or trying to justify): should Canadians travel to the US? I get it, I do. Old habits die hard. For decades, cross-border trips have been second nature, often feeling more familiar than travel within our own country. But when Trump started to threaten our sovereignty, hit us with tariffs, and made false claims about our border, an organic movement to avoid the US took root.

And it’s been working as a great many of us collectively agreed it was time to pump the brakes. Canadian travel to the U.S. continues to drop, and rightly so. But now, just as things are reaching peak volatility, and the squeeze is being felt, the U.S. travel industry is trying to lure us back; with “deals,” marketing blitzes, and grinning influencers pretending everything’s hunky-dory for a sponsored stay.

Some U.S. governors are practically rolling out the red carpet for Canadians, hoping we’ll forget what’s happening. But we shouldn’t. We need to give a hard no, and a very stern side-eye, to anyone who’s more interested in a cheap trip or a brand paycheque than in standing up against what’s clearly, visibly, dangerously wrong.

Ask yourself: what are we really supporting when we cross that border? And who are we leaving behind when we do?

I’ve built a career, and a life, around travel. Florida? I’ve been at least 15 times. Miami, Disney, the Keys? It’s always been an easy escape from our long Canadian winters. But not anymore. Not while the state is being run by Ron DeSantis, whose policies are just as extreme as Trump’s, and often slip under the radar because Trump can’t stand if he isn’t the headline everyday.

If you really love America, if you care about what it could be, then you’ll stay away while she works her shit out.

Should Canadians Travel To the US? No, and Here’s Why

Safety Isn’t Guaranteed — Even for Canadians

Over the past few months, alarming reports have surfaced of Canadians and other foreign travellers being held at the U.S. border for extended periods without clear cause or legal recourse. Some have been detained for days or even weeks, not for criminal activity, but for reasons as vague as suspicious travel patterns or what’s in their phones.

Then there’s the case of two women pulled over by in Ohio and asked “Which do you prefer? Canada or America?” That question wasn’t small talk. It was intimidation, a chilling reminder that power is being abused at the most local levels.

These are not isolated events. They reflect a broader cultural shift in the U.S., one that is increasingly hostile, unpredictable, and rooted in partisan extremism.

The Delusional Political Rhetoric

Let’s talk about one of the more dangerous ideas being pushed right now: Donald Trump has openly talked about annexing Canada. Not just our resources. Canada. Becoming the 51st state. It’s not satire. It’s not a fringe conspiracy. It’s a deliberate provocation coming from the highest office in the U.S.

And it doesn’t stop there. Canada is also being falsely blamed for America’s fentanyl crisis; a claim with no factual basis. But in typical MAGA fashion, it’s a distraction tactic that plays well with the “blame the outsider” crowd.

The bottom line? This is all part of Trump’s chaos strategy. He thrives on division, fear, and control. And every time we act like it’s still business as usual, every time we ponder should Canadians travel to the US like it’s a neutral question, we help him win.

If it sounds like fascism and smells like fascism, maybe stop fuelling it with your travel dollars.

Travel Is Political — Whether You Like It or Not

There’s a refusal in some circles to acknowledge that where you spend your travel dollars matters. Here’s the truth: tourism is one of the biggest economic drivers in the U.S., and every dollar you spend there supports the systems in place; including the ones working overtime to suppress women’s rights, erode LGBTQ+ protections, dismantle public education, and criminalize healthcare decisions.

And yes, we know many Americans didn’t vote for Trump. That’s exactly the point.

If you want to support them — the people fighting tooth and nail to hold onto democracy — then don’t prop up the tourism economy that funds MAGA-aligned states. So when people ask, “should Canadians travel to the US,” the answer has to be no, not while human rights are under attack. The message is clearer than ever: skip the States, at least for now.

Stop Doing Mental Gymnastics to Justify It

Let’s talk about the excuses. Because they are becoming increasingly wild.

“I’m just going to Disney, not getting involved in politics.”
Come on. Disney doesn’t get a pass. Disney owns ABC, which just fired journalist Terry Moran for criticizing Trump on social media. That’s censorship. That’s fascism. That’s not neutral. You can’t separate the mouse from the mayhem.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii.”
Of course you have. It’s on my bucket list too. But let’s be clear: travelling to Hawaii right now means double-dipping in oppression. You’re supporting a country actively sliding into authoritarianism and upholding the long-standing colonial harm done to the Hawaiian people. It’s not a harmless vacation, it’s a choice you’re making with far-reaching consequences.

If you’re twisting yourself in knots to justify a trip to the US, that’s your gut trying to tell you something. The excuses are paper thin, and no one’s buying them. And if you’re a travel influencer still playing coy with “should Canadians travel to the US” like it’s some neutral question, you’re part of the problem.

Where to Travel Instead

Canada is stunning. We’ve got world-class national parks, vibrant cities, rich Indigenous culture, coastal drives that rival any on the planet, and food that reflects the best of our multiculturalism. Want beaches? Try Prince Edward Island or Tofino. Craving culture? Head to Montreal, Québec City, or St. John’s. Need nature? British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon are calling.

There are also international destinations that align more closely with democratic values and safety for travellers — Ireland, The Islands of Tahiti, Italy, and France, to name a few.

Yes, You’re Being Judged

If you’re feeling personally called out by this, good. That’s the point.

We can’t keep shrugging off responsibility while the world burns. Americans who are fighting for democracy need you to support them, and the best way to do that right now is to withhold your travel dollars from the system they’re up against.

When this nightmare is finally over — and it will be — I can’t wait to return to the U.S. I want to shower my American friends with love, laughter, and travel dollars. But now is not that time. Right now, the most powerful thing we can do is stand with them by staying away. You’re not abandoning them, you’re helping them resist.

So no, you don’t need that cheap flight to Florida. You need a backbone.

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