Canadian Snowbirds Gradually Return to US Despite Ongoing Trade Tensions

Some Canadian snowbirds are gradually returning to the United States for winter getaways despite ongoing political and trade tensions between the two countries, with new figures suggesting a recovery in cross-border travel.

For Toronto resident and realtor Richard Chin, the political disagreement has not changed his plans to spend time in Florida during the colder months.

Chin, who has travelled between Canada and Florida for about five years, recently sold his Florida home and purchased a condominium further south. He hopes to eventually spend four to five months each winter in the warmer climate.

Speaking to CTV News, Chin said he prefers to keep politics separate from his travel decisions, although he acknowledged that some Canadians remain strongly opposed to visiting the United States.

Trade Tensions Affected Winter Travel Plans

After the United States imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods in 2025, tensions between the neighbouring countries fuelled calls for Canadians to buy local products and boycott travel to the US.

The movement also affected winter travel plans among snowbirds, many of whom traditionally spend several months in warmer American states such as Florida, Arizona and California.

An October 2025 survey by Snowbird Advisor, involving more than 4,000 members, found that 82 per cent had spent the 2024-2025 winter in the United States before the trade dispute. However, the proportion intending to spend the following winter there dropped to 70 per cent.

Cross-Border Travel Shows Signs of Recovery

Despite the earlier decline in travel intentions, preliminary Statistics Canada figures show that Canadian residents made approximately 1.9 million return trips from the United States by air and automobile in September 2026.

This represents a 6.8 per cent increase compared with September 2025 and marks the sixth consecutive month of year-over-year growth.

Stephen Fine of SnowbirdAdvisor.ca said most Canadian snowbirds still choose the United States for their winter stays.

He explained that many have established connections with their destinations through property ownership, personal vehicles and long-standing relationships within local communities.

According to Fine, these connections make it difficult for some snowbirds to replace their usual American destinations, particularly when they have spent several winters building friendships and becoming part of the local community.

Cost Influences Destination Choices

Toronto travel expert Barry Choi believes some Canadian travellers are returning to Florida because choosing another destination could mean paying for accommodation elsewhere while continuing to maintain property in the United States.

He also noted that driving to Florida remains an option for some travellers, while flights from Canada to the state can be considerably cheaper than travelling to Europe.

However, Fine cautioned that affordability should not be determined by exchange rates alone. He said destinations such as Mexico may offer lower daily living costs, while accommodation in southern Spain and Portugal can sometimes be more affordable than comparable options in the United States.

He stressed that accommodation prices and everyday expenses should also be considered when comparing winter destinations.

Uncertainty Remains Over Winter Travel Trends

Fine said it was still too early to determine how many Canadian snowbirds would travel to the United States this winter, as some were already leaving while others were still making plans.

Snowbird Advisor expects its next survey, scheduled for late November or early December, to provide a clearer picture of travel intentions.

For Chin, however, the decision to continue visiting Florida has already been made. His position reflects a wider mix of opinions among Canadian travellers, as some maintain their traditional winter routines while others continue to reconsider travel to the United States amid political tensions.

CTV News