Canadians Are Traveling Less to the U.S.—and It’s Starting to Show

Canadians have long been the top international travellers to the United States. But now, many are choosing to stay home.

The shift began after former President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canada. In response, then–Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encouraged Canadians to vacation domestically and explore their own country instead. The message resonated.

According to preliminary data from Statistics Canada, Canadian residents made 13% fewer air trips to the U.S. in February than last year. Land-border crossings decreased even more sharply—down 23% year over year.

The trend isn't limited to Canada. Other countries have also updated their travel advisories in light of recent U.S. policies and detentions.

Germany has updated its travel guidance for the U.S., warning that violations of entry rules could now lead to denial of entry and arrest or detention.

At least three German citizens—including one who holds a U.S. green card—have reportedly been detained for extended periods despite a lack of clear violations of visa or immigration rules.

One such incident took place at Boston’s Logan Airport.

The UK Foreign Office has also strengthened its advice. British traveller Becky Burke, a tourist from Wales, was held for three weeks after being stopped at the U.S.–Canada border while backpacking across America.

Last week, members of the UK Subs, a British punk band, were refused entry and detained at Los Angeles International Airport.

Even before these incidents, tourism forecasts for the U.S. had been downgraded.

Tourism Economics, an industry analytics firm, revised its 2024 forecast from a projected 5% increase to a 9% decrease in international visits.

The group cited “polarising policies and rhetoric of the Trump administration,” particularly regarding tariffs, as key factors.

The climate of concern deepened recently when Denmark and Finland issued travel advisories for transgender travellers.

These advisories followed changes in U.S. State Department rules aligned with a Trump administration policy recognising only two genders.

Denmark advised travellers with passports marked with an “X” gender designation to consult the U.S. embassy before travelling.

Finland warned that travellers whose gender identity has changed might not be permitted entry.

Canadians express that it’s not only the tariffs but also the rhetoric that concerns them.

Trump’s previous comments about annexation have alarmed and offended many, reinforcing their choice to steer clear of the U.S. altogether.

Reports of prolonged detentions of tourists and even green card holders have further strengthened that resolve.

The impact of this informal boycott could be significant. In 2024, Canadians made approximately 20.2 million trips to the U.S.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, a 10% decline in Canadian travel could cost the U.S. economy $2 billion and result in 14,000 job losses.

The 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assessed fourth—and eighth-graders' mathematics and science proficiency across 70 education systems worldwide. The results, released on December 4, 2024, reveal significant insights into global educational standings.

Top Performers:

• Singapore: Consistently leading in education, Singapore's students achieved the highest scores in both mathematics and science at the fourth and eighth-grade levels.This marks the third consecutive TIMSS cycle where Singapore has topped all categories.

• East Asian Regions: Following Singapore, regions such as Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan also demonstrated strong performances, particularly in mathematics. For instance, 92% of Japanese eighth-graders reached proficiency in United States:

American students experienced a decline in mathematics scores, with eighth graders ranking 24th out of 45 education systems. This downturn is partly attributed to extended school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted learning more severely in the U.S. compared to countries with shorter closures.

Australia:

Australian fourth graders achieved their highest mathematics scores since TIMSS began, with 72% meeting the proficiency standard. However, 9% of these students still needed help with basic calculations. In science, Australian students performed slightly better than peers from the U.S. and other countries.

Spain:

Spanish students showed a decline in mathematics and science, with a notable widening of the gender gap in math performance. Regions like Castilla y León and Asturias led in these subjects, while the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands lagged.

United Kingdom (England):

In England, fourth-grade students maintained high mathematics scores and improved in science, ranking ninth and fifth, respectively. Eighth graders also showed significant improvements, placing sixth in mathematics and fifth in science.

Key Observations:

• Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic's disruption had varied effects globally. Countries with prolonged school closures, like the U.S., faced sharper declines in performance. In contrast, nations with shorter disruptions managed to maintain or improve their standings.

• Gender Disparities: Some countries, including Spain, reported an increasing gender gap in mathematics achievement, with boys outperforming girls.

• Regional Variations: Significant disparities were observed among different regions within countries, highlighting the influence of local educational policies and resources.