Canadian snowbirds are getting caught in the crosshairs of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive orders. For one Manitoban, it’s one step too far.
Since 2019, Leslie MacCallum has been trading in Manitoba winters for a sun-soaked paradise in Brownsville, Texas.
Weather aside, the current climate in the U.S. has MacCallum rethinking the winter getaways.
“I think everybody is rethinking. I’m not sure I’ll be back next year. I’ve already been exploring situations in Mexico,” she told CTV News.
That’s because Canadian snowbirds like MacCallum have been caught up in an executive order coming out of the Oval Office.
That includes Canadians.
Guidelines for Canadians ‘not that clear,’ advisor says
“There is a lot of concern amongst Canadian snowbirds right now, because this is something that’s new that they’ve never really had to deal with before,” said Stephen Fine, the president of Snowbird Advisor.
Fine said the registration required under the order is called an I-94. Most Canadians are automatically issued the registration if they fly into the U.S.—but not if they drive.
To complicate matters, Fine said travellers generally don’t even know if they’ve been issued an I-94, as it’s all done behind the scenes. Canadians can check the status of their registration on the U.S. Government website.
Failing to register could lead to criminal or civil penalties.
Canadians currently in the U.S. are told to register for the form on an online portal that has yet to be set up.
“Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of direction around how exactly you would do that right now,” Fine said, adding there are still a lot of questions unanswered.
“The guidelines are not that clear right now. We do understand that further guidelines and rules will be coming out shortly.”
‘I’m horrified’: Snowbirds looking to migrate out of the states
Fine said since this executive order, he’s been fielding dozens of emails every day from Canadians concerned about Trump’s latest move.
“We’ve definitely heard some feedback from our members who are unhappy with the way that Canada is being treated,” he said. “With the tariffs being implemented and talk of Canada becoming the 51st state.”
He said some have talked about finding other destinations—outside the U.S.—to spend their winters.
“We won’t know the full effects of this until next season, when snowbirds choose where they’re going to go.”
With the trade war raging on, Trump’s rhetoric around taking over Canada, and now this executive order, MacCallum said she is hesitant about returning to the U.S. next winter.
“I’m horrified about what’s happening. It brings tears to my eyes,” she said.
