Bundling up to go outside and brave the cold is generally the main indicator that winter is here. But for Arizonans, busier highways, longer waits at restaurants and international license plates are prime indicators.
Winter here means one thing: snowbird season.
This is normally a time when Canadians take a break from the cold and spend their time — and money — here in the desert for some sunshine. But this year, we have plenty of sunshine but a lack of Canadians.
The friendly neighbors to the north are feeling insulted and economically punished by President Donald Trump. He implemented and raised tariffs on Canadian goods and has stated that he would like to see it become the 51st state in the union.
“What I’d like to see Canada become our 51st state. We give them protection, military protection. (…) We don’t need for anything,” the President said in February 2025.
Now, Arizona, and the rest of the United States, is feeling the economic blow of not having as many reliable snowbirds from Canada.
This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, host Ron Hansen is joined by two experts to discuss the impact a lack of Canadian visitors is having on Arizona.
First, consumer travel reporter for the Republic, Michael Salerno, joins The Gaggle to break down the difference in Canadian tourism this year.
Then we are joined by Miles Zimbaluk, the founder and CEO at Canada to USA Inc., an Arizona-based company that offers cross-border services for Canadians traveling to the United States.
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Note: The Gaggle is intended to be heard. But we also offer a transcript of the episode. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.
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Reach producer Amanda Luberto at amanda.luberto@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X @amandaluberto.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: It’s snowbird season, but fewer Canadians are flocking to Arizona