Growing political tensions between Canada and the United States are prompting some Canadian snowbirds to change their winter travel habits, with several saying they no longer feel welcome south of the border.
Recent remarks by Donald Trump, including references to Canada as a potential “51st state,” have unsettled some Canadians who traditionally spend their winters in warmer U.S. destinations such as Florida, Arizona, and Texas. As a result, some snowbirds are choosing to winter elsewhere—or remain in Canada year-round.
The term “snowbird” typically refers to Canadians who migrate south during winter months to escape colder weather. However, following what some describe as a shift in Canada–U.S. relations, a number of snowbirds say they are deliberately avoiding the United States this season.
CTV News spoke with several snowbirds who responded to a viewer callout about changing travel plans. While some personal accounts could not be independently verified, participants consistently cited political tensions and strained cross-border relations as influencing their decisions.
Sharel and Dan Wallis, who began snowbirding in 2018, told CTV News they have decided not to return to the U.S. at all. The couple previously travelled extensively through states such as Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, where they say they enjoyed discovering lesser-known destinations.
“We really enjoyed our time there and found some hidden gems,” Dan Wallis said. “But now, it’s a hard no for us.”
Instead, the couple is spending their winters in Mexico, explaining that they no longer feel welcome in the United States. While they say they will miss American friends, both expressed frustration over what they perceive as Canada’s treatment in recent years.
The Wallises now spend summers in Baja California, Mexico, where they say they are surrounded by other Canadians and some Americans. Although political discussions can be sensitive, Sharel Wallis said she feels conflicted watching the situation unfold.
“These are kind, generous people,” she said, referring to her American friends. “But it’s difficult to reconcile the people we know with the direction the country has taken.”
Another former snowbird, Rosie Muzechka, said she sold her Florida property after spending 15 winters there. In an interview with CTV News, she cited rising political tensions and what she described as growing hostility toward Canadians.
“Because of the political climate and how Canada is being treated, we decided it wasn’t worth it anymore,” Muzechka said.
She has since opted to vacation within Canada, spending extended time in Osoyoos, B.C., where she plans to stay for four months this year and has already rebooked for next winter.
“It’s lovely,” she said. “There’s no snow, it’s not too hot, and while it’s not Florida, it’s wonderful.”
Muzechka added that she began to feel less safe in her Florida community as relations between the two countries deteriorated, claiming some neighbours expressed negative attitudes toward Canadians.
“They didn’t like us Canadians very much,” she said, adding that she no longer felt welcome in the neighbourhood.
Ed Parg, another Canadian interviewed by CTV News, said his family had vacationed in the U.S. for decades and had even considered buying property there. He frequently travelled to the United States for work and brought his children south for March Break vacations.
“For more than 20 years, Florida was our family destination,” Parg said. “We went back year after year and seriously thought about retiring there.”
However, Parg said his perspective shifted as he travelled internationally for work and observed changing attitudes toward Americans among European clients. He noted instances where U.S. executives defended Donald Trump’s conduct in ways that, in his view, undermined the country’s global standing.
“The U.S. brand is destroyed,” Parg said, adding that he believes the impact will last for generations.
While many Canadians continue to travel to the United States, these accounts highlight how political rhetoric and diplomatic strain are influencing personal decisions for some snowbirds who once considered the U.S. a second home.