A banner in support of Canada is seen in Palm Springs, Calif., on April 11.VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images
Brianna Bell is a writer based in Guelph, Ont.
Earlier this month, the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, popped up on my social-media feed in a campaign to convince Canadians to visit the Golden State.
In an overly produced video filled with images of palm trees and ocean views, Mr. Newsom narrates: “Sure, you-know-who is trying to stir things up back in D.C., but don’t let that ruin your beach plans.” In case you weren’t sure where Mr. Newsom stands on the current White House administration, he adds that California is “2,000 miles from Washington, and a world away in mindset.”
Canadians have made it clear that we do not want to make the trip to visit our formerly friendly neighbours down south. According to Statistics Canada, tourism to the U.S. has taken a steep nosedive. In March, the number of Canadian residents returning to Canada by vehicle dropped by 32 per cent, when compared to the year before. Airline travel is even worse – during peak summer months, bookings are now around 70 per cent lower than they were one year ago, in what is being referred to as a “catastrophic” trend for the tourism industry.
It’s no wonder Palm Springs, Calif., is publicly and loudly declaring its adoration for Canadians. Photos posted online show its streets are now filled with red banners proclaiming the town’s love for Canada, complete with a heart-shaped Canadian flag. As heart-warming, and desperate, as these declarations are, the point still remains: It’s not exactly safe for Canadians to visit the United States right now.
Amid escalating tensions with the U.S., brought on by Donald Trump’s tariffs, along with the President’s incessant remarks about Canada becoming the 51st state, and safety concerns for travelers, it’s become apparent that travelling south isn’t as simple as it once was.
The Government of Canada has warned Canadian travellers that they should expect a different attitude at the border. While the travel advisory does not indicate an increased level of risk, the government advises travellers to “expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices.” The government also notes that if a Canadian is denied entry, they could be detained “while awaiting deportation.” Travellers are deleting social-media apps on their phones, or switching to burner devices in a bid to cross into the U.S. safely. On the surface, it may appear that wiping your digital footprint is going overboard, but this is advice coming from experts, including immigration lawyers.
It’s an odd juxtaposition – Mr. Newsom begging Canadians to frolic on California’s sandy beaches – while The Canadian Association of University Teachers, in just one example, is warning that it is best to avoid non-essential travel into the U.S.
While the Canadian government may not have outright said that travel to the U.S. now carries a higher risk, from my perspective, crossing the border for leisure or non-essential travel is now inherently hazardous. Anyone who questions the current U.S. administration’s actions, from its treatment of American migrants and women, to whole other countries, like Canada, should ask themselves if sipping piña coladas at a Florida resort while looking out at the Gulf (of Mexico) is really the most sensible move right now.
Not every Canadian will have the same risk level as others. Marginalized groups, including trans people and members of BIPOC communities, as well as anyone engaged in political activism, will likely face far more stringent scrutiny than others. As someone who is outspoken about Mr. Trump, I can’t simply “take a burner phone” and hope for the best.
In March, I penned a scathing opinion piece about my belief that Mr. Trump is a cult leader. In the article, I wrote: “MAGA is not just a political base, it’s an overzealous group, who are bound by loyalty tests, rigid conformity and a refusal to think critically. The MAGA cult does not examine within themselves what is right or wrong, they outsource that job to their savior.”
With that very public statement, I kissed any chance of safely going to the U.S. goodbye for now. While I am not anti-American, I am certainly anti-everything the current administration stands for. There is no part of me that would be interested in stepping foot on U.S. soil right now. So I’m sorry, Mr. Newsom – see you in four years, maybe. To the rest of Canada: I hope you’ll consider doing the same.
