New Statistics Canada frontier-counts data analysed by travel intelligence firm Skift show Canadian trips to the United States rose modestly in June—the fourth sequential monthly increase—but volumes remain 28.7 percent below pre-boycott 2024 benchmarks. The uptick is driven mainly by leisure road travellers in Ontario and Quebec and by corporate travellers reconnecting U.S. and Canadian supply chains ahead of the Gordie Howe Bridge opening. The data arrive 18 months after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged citizens to avoid U.S. visits in response to protectionist tariffs and heated political rhetoric from the Trump administration. While the informal boycott slashed cross-border spending by an estimated CAD 5.2 billion in 2025, consumer fatigue and a strong Canadian dollar are gradually eroding its impact. Air-ticketing platforms paint a mixed picture. FlightHub reports a 21 percent jump in round-trip bookings to U.S. hubs, albeit from a depressed base, whereas corporate agency HRG says managed-travel tickets are still off 35 percent as many companies adopted virtual meetings during the boycott. For mobility managers, the trend suggests resumed demand for L-1 and B-1/B-2 facilitation, particularly around Detroit, Seattle and New York corridors. Employers should continue to monitor shifting wait times at U.S. consulates—Toronto visa appointments remain above 45 days, though Ottawa and Calgary have dropped under 30. If political tensions ease after U.S. mid-term elections this November, analysts expect a sharper rebound in 2027. However, any escalation—such as new tariffs or border staffing cuts—could quickly stall progress, underscoring the need for flexible travel policies and alternate routing options.
Source: Skift
