20 million Canadians spend $19 billion in the U.S. each year. This year many say they’re staying home

Typically, over 20 million Canadians travel south of the border each year, spending about $19 billion. CTV’S Pat Foran reports for Consumer Alert.

According to Statistics Canada, over 20 million Canadians travel to the United States each year spending about $19 billion in tourism dollars.

But now that the U.S. could impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian products, more people say they’ll avoid travelling to the country this year - even if they’ve already purchased tickets to U.S. destinations.

While they would like refunds or travel credits, some told CTV News Toronto that even if they lose money they still wouldn’t cross the border.

“Every January and February we go for a vacation to escape the cold,” said Karen Heifa of Toronto.

Heifa said she and her husband have travelled to Florida annually for decades and they were supposed to leave next week for their vacation.

But now that the U.S. is threatening 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, they plan to stay home.

“My husband and I said we do not want to go anymore, and he said he is willing to take a chance to lose the money just based on principal,” said Heifa.

Rey of Toronto, who asked us to use only his first name, said he and his partner have a two-week vacation planned to go to California this year.

They’re unable to cancel the trip to get a refund and while they’re unsure if they will proceed with the vacation, they hope the U.S. backs off its threat to force tariffs on its closest trading partner.

“If they go through with the tariffs I can’t accept going there and spending our hard earned money,” said Rey.

“I’m hoping that President Trump would cancel the whole thing altogether. Canada has and continues to be a great neighbour to the U.S. and we have been there through thick and thin.”

Travel expert Loren Christie is currently in Palm Springs, California and said that many Canadians are reassessing their travel plans to the U.S. even if it means they could lose money.

“People in California where I am are not happy with what’s happening,” said Christie. “If Canadians feel they are not as welcome as they would like and they don’t feel comfortable, I can kind of understand that.”

Heifa said she hopes the trade situation with the U.S. can be resolved.

“Even though I spent a lot of time planning the road trip in detail, I don’t want to spend any money in the U.S until this is over,” said Heifa.

Now that the tariffs are on hold for 30 days, some Canadians who travel to the U.S. say they’ll be watching the situation closely and adjusting their travel plans accordingly.