Canadian 'Snowbirds' Flying Back North — For Good

President Trump’s harsh words and new policies toward Canada have America’s northern neighbors changing their minds about travel to the US. That includes those who call themselves “snowbirds” and own second homes in the US. 

Some Canadians are selling those winter homes in warmer parts of the US. Real estate agents told news outlets that many Canadians are cashing out of the US.

Canadian Dale McMullen told Reuters he sold his vacation home in Arizona. He referred to President Trump. “It was time to leave. We felt we could not trust what he might do next to us." He added, "We no longer felt welcome nor safe.”    

Trump has sparked a trade war with Canada. He has placed higher import taxes on Canadian goods. He’s also threatened to turn Canada into the 51st US state. That is something the country greatly resists. 

Real estate agents said they expect the anti-US trend to last. The US has set new rules that say any Canadian staying in the US for more than 30 days must register with US immigration officials.      

Some US states could lose a lot of money as Canadians sell their US homes. Arizona’s warm weather draws 100,000 Canadians to spend their winters there. That adds $1.4 billion into that state’s economy, the Arizona Canada Business Council told Axios.    

From April 2023 to March 2024, Canadians spent $6 billion on property in the US. That's from the National Association of Realtors. Those figures made up 13% of all foreign transactions. Almost half were vacation homes in Florida, Arizona, and Hawaii.    

Reflect: How might changes in leadership or policies make someone feel differently about visiting or living in a place they once enjoyed?

Gif of Canadian flag from GIPHY.