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.<\/p>\n
Winter here means one thing: snowbird season.<\/p>\n
This is normally a time when Canadians take a break from the cold and spend their time \u2014 and money \u2014 here in the desert for some sunshine. But this year, we have plenty of sunshine but a lack of Canadians.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
Now, Arizona, and the rest of the United States, is feeling the economic blow of not having as many reliable snowbirds from Canada.<\/p>\n
This week on\u00a0The Gaggle<\/a>, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com,\u00a0host\u00a0Ron Hansen<\/a>\u00a0is joined by two experts to discuss the impact a lack of Canadian visitors is having on Arizona.<\/p>\n First, consumer travel reporter for the Republic, Michael Salerno<\/a>, joins The Gaggle to break down the difference in Canadian tourism this year.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Listen to the episode<\/p>\n The best way to listen is to subscribe to The Gaggle in your favorite podcast app, but you can also stream the full episode below.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0The Gaggle is intended to be heard. But we also offer\u00a0a transcript\u00a0of the episode<\/a>.\u00a0There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.<\/p>\n Listen to The Gaggle : Apple Podcasts<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Spotify<\/a>\u00a0 | \u00a0Stitcher <\/a> <\/p>\n Have a question or comment about Arizona politics?<\/p>\n You can share your thoughts with us by calling 602-444-0804 or\u00a0emailing us<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reach producer Amanda Luberto at amanda.luberto@arizonarepublic.com<\/a>. Follow her on X @amandaluberto<\/a>.<\/p>\n Catch up on previous Gaggle episodes here:<\/p>\n