Canadian snowbirds cancel Florida trips over Trump’s threats

Bob Bloomer, a retiree from Cobourg, Ontario, has always looked forward to his annual trip to Florida. Each year in March, he and his wife make the pilgrimage to Orlando, where a third of the cars in their resort’s lot are adorned with Ontario license plates. For the past 20 years, this trip has been a cherished family tradition, filled with sunshine, golf, and reunions with familiar faces.

However, this year, Bloomer made the difficult decision to cancel their trip. The reason? President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric towards Canada. Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada or impose punishing tariffs on Canadian goods. As a result, many Canadian snowbirds, including Bloomer, have been left feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

The implications of this boycott are concerning for Florida hoteliers, realtors, and organizations that cater to snowbirds. Richard Clavet, the owner of Richard’s Motel in Hollywood, Florida, is one such individual who has seen a noticeable decline in Canadian bookings. Clavet, a Trump supporter, is perplexed by the cancellations, describing them as “craziness.” He emphasizes that Florida is a home away from home for many Canadians, especially those from Quebec who frequent his properties.

Despite the warm weather and inviting atmosphere of Florida, some Canadian guests have opted to cancel their reservations and explore other vacation destinations. Clavet recalls a customer who chose to go to Cuba instead, as a form of boycotting Trump. This shift in travel plans has left hoteliers like Clavet concerned about the future of Canadian tourism in the state.

Rudy Buttignol, the president of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons, has been hearing from his organization’s members about their hesitations regarding travel to the U.S. Many snowbirds are reconsidering their plans for next season, given the political climate and uncertainty surrounding Trump’s threats towards Canada.

For Canadians who own property in Florida, the decision to sell has become increasingly common. Rising costs, a weak loonie, and political tensions have made Florida a less desirable option for some snowbirds. Real estate agent Alexandra DuPont in Fort Lauderdale reports an influx of Canadian-owned properties on the market, with very few Canadian buyers in sight.

Johanne Ouellette, a snowbird from Ottawa, is one individual contemplating the future of her winter stays in the U.S. She acknowledges that the decision to continue vacationing in Florida is a significant one, as it has become a way of life for her and her husband.

As for Bob Bloomer, he has chosen to explore other vacation options this year, opting for a trip to the Dominican Republic instead. Until the political tensions between the U.S. and Canada are resolved, he is hesitant to return to Florida. The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policies has left many Canadian snowbirds questioning the future of their winter getaways.