Travel to Canada (Tariff Tensions)

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mountainsoft

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We love to travel to Canada, especially British Columbia since it's near us. Beautiful scenery and really nice people. We visited Victoria last year and I was thinking of making a return trip this summer.

However, with all the tensions surrounding tariffs, it doesn't feel like a good time to go. I'm sure 99% of Canadians would be awesome as usual, but there's always the small outliers who might lash out at us just because we're from the US. It's certainly not just Canadians, I've seen several stories of America's yelling things like "Canadians go home" to snowbird travelers. So sad. These are our friends and neighbors. I have no involvement in the political tariff wars, but I don't want to bear the fallout of those tensions either.

What are your feelings on traveling to Canada right now? If you're from Canada, how do you feel about traveling to the US?

As for us, we're taking a couple other vacations this year, so the Canada trip probably wouldn't work out anyway. But if the government affects my maple syrup I'm not gonna be happy! :)
 
We love BC and Victoria (and rest of Vancouver Island) is a favorite spot. I would not be deterred by recent politics. Plenty of US maple syrup.
 
I don’t plan to change my travel plans to Canada. I go to BC a few times a year, usually Vancouver and Whistler.

I came back from Europe recently and not a big deal either. Most people can distinguish people from politics. Plus, I avoid talking about politics. Life is easier that way.
 
mountainsoft said:
We love to travel to Canada, especially British Columbia since it's near us. Beautiful scenery and really nice people. We visited Victoria last year and I was thinking of making a return trip this summer.

However, with all the tensions surrounding tariffs, it doesn't feel like a good time to go. I'm sure 99% of Canadians would be awesome as usual, but there's always the small outliers who might lash out at us just because we're from the US. It's certainly not just Canadians, I've seen several stories of America's yelling things like "Canadians go home" to snowbird travelers. So sad. These are our friends and neighbors. I have no involvement in the political tariff wars, but I don't want to bear the fallout of those tensions either.

What are your feelings on traveling to Canada right now? If you're from Canada, how do you feel about traveling to the US?

As for us, we're taking a couple other vacations this year, so the Canada trip probably wouldn't work out anyway. But if the government affects my maple syrup I'm not gonna be happy! :)
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Extremely unlikely IMO.

I love traveling to western Canada and would have no hesitation visiting this year.
 
Besides Canada, it's the rest of the world, if one looked at political news.

But really avg folks in most countries really just want tourists to come spend money.

There is always nuts in every country (even here) when traveling, but usually they are few and far between and mostly operate from 11 pm to 5am when I'm sleeping.
 
Somehow I just don't see Canadians crowding around your car and tipping it over. More likely they would pick up the wallet you dropped, return it to you and apologize for getting fingerprints on it.
 
I have not been to Canada for 35 years, but I remember it fondly, and I'm sure that the people are as nice as they ever were and probably always will be.
 
I visit Canada often, and surprise! they're just like everyone else.
No worries about us visiting them, or them visiting us.
Ignore the extremism the media promotes -- it's just to build circulation.
 
On the contrary, Canadians would probably welcome you for rising above the political fray, for recognizing that despite all the hullabaloo, their country remains a desirable place to visit.
 
I would not hesitate to go to Canada now. I was in Panama last month and everything was fine. Lots of hullabaloo over nothing. I think the Canadian folks selling their snowbird homes in the US is unwarranted as well.
 
I've been to Canada, many, many times for both work and pleasure. The people are great and I've always been welcome.
 
HarveyS said:
I would not hesitate to go to Canada now. I was in Panama last month and everything was fine. Lots of hullabaloo over nothing. I think the Canadian folks selling their snowbird homes in the US is unwarranted as well.
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For some of them, the large rise in value, in US snowbird homes, coupled with the change in the exchange rate making USD worth more, means keeping a snowbird home is more expensive and the profit from selling has risen dramatically.

Some are selling just for the money.

That's not even counting, some are getting older, and the trek back and forth does get tiring as a person gets older.
 
Thanks for the feedback. That's kind of what I figured, based on past personal experience as well. But the media tends to get people all upset, so you never know.

I would probably still do the trip to Victoria, but we've already made other vacation plans this year so I don't think we can fit in another trip this summer. If not, maybe we can go next year. We were just there 8 months ago, so it's not like we're missing out. :)
 
MichaelB said:
I think both traditional media and social media vastly over sensationalize actions, reactions and behaviors of people on both sides.
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And there it is folks! The youbet official Understatement of the Day Award!
 
My local fishing group has skipped our annual pilgrimage to northern Ontario for the past couple of years, mostly due to geezerhood related issues. But yesterday I received a letter and brochure from the camp we used to go to ensuring us they were hoping for our return this year.

I don't know if the owners are Americans, Canadians or dual. I do know their winter address is in Florida.
 
I'm on my way back from Canada as I write this. Canadians are quite upset but not on an individual basis. I wouldn't be worried about visiting; just be kind, polite and friendly and you'll be fine. Unfortunately, this isn't going to just blow over. TBH, my close Canadian friends feel a sense of betrayal but they would be unlikely to let that slip to a random visitor. The new Prime Minister has ordered a reconsideration of the F-35 order that was in the works so there's a real potential for hurt on Lockheed. I understand Portugal is in the same boat.
 
<mod note> Let’s please stick to the question asked in the OP. There’s no need to discuss the policy or politics that may have prompted it, it’s a rabbit hole we neither want nor need to visit.
 
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One of my sisters and her family recently returned from visiting relatives in Canada (Montreal area). All they said they got were a few jokes about the situation, including positive ones for the U.S. (do not assume all Canadians are happy with their government) and friendliness. I would not be concerned.
 
How about wearing one of those Canada flag pins? That's what I would do if going there.

1742166905609.png
 
Actually we were thinking of going to Quebec this year and will probably wait until next year for now.
 
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