Key Takeaways
- Canadians took 23.6% fewer trips to the United States in November 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.
- The number of return trips to the US by Canadians has been declining since the election of Donald Trump, but the rate of decline is becoming less pronounced.
- Canadians are increasingly traveling overseas, with a 14.1% increase in return trips from overseas in November 2025.
- The trade war and tensions between Canada and the US have led to a decline in trust between the two countries, with 60% of Canadians saying they could never trust Americans the same way again.
- Canadians are showing a preference for buying Canadian products and avoiding American alternatives, with 56% of respondents saying they recently bought Canadian products or investments.
Introduction to the Decline in Canadian Travel to the US
The latest travel data report from Statistics Canada has revealed that Canadians continued to take fewer trips to the United States in November 2025, amid the ongoing trade war. The data shows that Canadian resident return trips to the US fell by 23.6% compared to the same month in 2024. This decline is part of a larger trend, with the number of return trips to the US by Canadians decreasing since the election of Donald Trump. In total, approximately 2.2 million return trips were taken by Canadians to the US in November, with 1.5 million of those by automobile and 68.5% being same-day trips.
Trends in Canadian Travel to the US
The decline in Canadian travel to the US is not a new phenomenon, with the number of return trips falling by 26.3% in October and 30.9% in September. However, the rate of decline is becoming less pronounced as new numbers are compared to the first few months of Canadians’ turning away from the US. The data suggests that Canadians are still traveling, but are increasingly choosing to go elsewhere. The number of return trips to the US by air was 721,600 in November, which is a significant decrease from previous years.
Increase in Overseas Travel
While Canadians may be taking fewer trips to the US, they are still traveling overseas, and the number of return trips from overseas is actually increasing. In November 2025, Canadian residents returned from 1.1 million trips overseas, which is a 14.1% increase from the same month in 2024. This trend is likely due to the fact that Canadians are seeking alternative destinations for their travel, and are increasingly looking beyond the US.
The Impact of the Trade War
The trade war between Canada and the US has had a significant impact on the relationship between the two countries, with Canadians viewing the US less favorably. A Global News exclusive Ipsos poll released in September 2025 found that six in 10 Canadians said they could never trust Americans the same way again, and 71% said tensions between Canada and the US will likely continue for several years. The trade war has also led to a decline in trust between the two countries, with Canadians increasingly seeking to support Canadian products and avoid American alternatives.
Recent Developments and Tensions
Recent comments by Donald Trump have also contributed to the tensions between Canada and the US. In a speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump said that Canada "should be grateful" to the US, and singled out Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney responded by saying that "Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian." The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the two countries, and the fact that Canadians are increasingly asserting their independence and seeking to support Canadian products and interests.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In conclusion, the decline in Canadian travel to the US is a trend that is likely to continue, as Canadians seek alternative destinations for their travel and increasingly support Canadian products and interests. The trade war and tensions between Canada and the US have had a significant impact on the relationship between the two countries, and it remains to be seen how this will play out in the future. One thing is certain, however, and that is that Canadians are becoming increasingly confident in their own identity and are seeking to assert their independence on the world stage.