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Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
Americans are now visiting Canada more than Canadians visit the U.S. – here's why
For the first time in at least five years, more U.S. travellers are visiting Canada than Canadians visiting the United States. The new data reveals a rare travel shift: in July, more Americans drove into Canada than Canadians drove into the United States — a first in years. According to a report by Statistics Canada, 1.8 million U.S. trips to Canada versus 1.7 million Canadian return trips south. This marks the first July since before the pandemic where Canadian visits to the U.S. didn't outnumber U.S. visits to Canada. Travel in both directions fell year over year, with U.S. visits down 7.4% and Canadian return trips down 36.9%, marking six and seven consecutive monthly declines, respectively. A variety of factors have contributed to this serious shift, including the new travel warning recently issued to U.S. citizens travelling to Canada, Canadians who just got slapped with a visa integrity fee to enter the U.S., the updated U.S. travel rules and safety advisories for Canadians travellers and (last but not least) anxiety around the border crossing. Statistics Canada data from earlier this summer indicates a shift in Canadians' travel patterns toward the United States in early 2025, though it remains uncertain whether this trend is temporary or long-term. The Girl Guides of Canada recently suspended trips to the U.S. for an indefinite period, citing U.S. President Donald Trump's tightened border control policies. The organization said the move was made to ensure inclusivity and the safety of all members, noting that recent restrictions on equal entry could affect participants who hold citizenship from countries other than Canada. When it comes to air travel, Canada has seen an increase in visitors, with 1.4 million non-residents arriving this July, up just over three per cent from the same time in 2024. While most of this growth came from overseas travellers, U.S. visitors by air also increased 0.7 per cent. Overall, international arrivals to Canada are down 15.6 per cent from the same time last year, according to StatCan.
Global News
07-08-2025
- Global News
Girl Guides of Canada suspends U.S. trips over restrictions, safety concerns
Girl Guides of Canada says it is pausing all trips to the U.S. starting next month over concerns some members could be impacted by border changes put in place by the Trump administration. In an email to Global News, the organization said it had made the decision to pause U.S.-bound trips as of Sept. 1 'after careful consideration.' 'This decision is rooted in our commitment to inclusivity and the safety of all our members,' Girl Guides wrote. 'At Girl Guides of Canada, we prioritize creating a safe, inclusive and accepting environment for all members. These values extend to the travel experiences we offer.' The organization did not say how long the pause will last, but said it affects both previously approved and future trips. Previously-approved trips are not cancelled, the group said, and will instead travel to alternative destinations. Story continues below advertisement Girl Guides says recent restrictions 'put on equal entry' into the U.S. prompted the change, saying some members who may hold citizenship from non-Canadian countries could be impacted by the Trump administration's new rules. The federal government in April updated its travel advisory for the U.S., advising people to co-operate and be 'forthcoming' when speaking with authorities at the border crossing, adding they could face detention if denied entry. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Canadians were told to 'expect scrutiny' when crossing ports of entry and to expect questioning and potential search of their electronic devices. 'Comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities,' the advisory read. 'If you are denied entry, you could be detained while awaiting deportation.' President Donald Trump also signed a travel ban in June, which was placed on citizens from 12 predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan and Libya. 0:42 Trump's travel ban on 12 countries takes effect The Girl Guides aren't the first organization to cancel trips as tensions between Canada and the U.S. continue amid Trump's ongoing trade war. Story continues below advertisement In April, some Canadian school districts, including British Columbia's largest in Surrey, put all field trips down south on hold to prevent any 'negative experiences at the border.' Some Canadians have also cancelled business trips to the U.S., with Flight Centre Travel Group Canada reporting business travel by air between the two countries declined by close to 40 per cent year-over-year in February. Academics in Canada have also been advised to avoid non-essential travel to the U.S., with an advocacy group in April cautioning university and college professors about the 'evolving political landscape.' The group said some academics in certain categories should 'exercise particular caution,' including those who are also from a country identified as likely to be subject to a travel ban, and people who have expressed negative opinions about the Trump administration or its policies. There has been a decrease in the number of Canadians heading to the U.S. for much of 2025, with Statistics Canada data showing the number of return trips from the U.S. by car having declined by 33.1 per cent in June compared to a year earlier. Return trips from the U.S. by air also dropped by 22.1 per cent compared to the same month in 2024.
Toronto Sun
28-04-2025
- Toronto Sun
Georgina Girl Guide leader accused of 1998 sex assaults
Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox Karen Spence is charged with an alleged historic sex assault. Photo by YRP A 64-year-old Georgina woman who was a Girl Guides of Canada leader has been arrested and charged with an alleged historic sexual assault. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Cops say that Karen Spence had senior roles in the scouting organization between 1995 and 2001 as a Sparks leader and a Pathfinders leader. In addition, York Regional Police stated that Spence served as a youth hockey coach and referee. The alleged assaults date back to 1998, but the investigation didn't begin until March of this year when a person came forward to report details of alleged sexual abuse by their Pathfinder leader between January 1998 and September 2002. At the time, the alleged victim was under 16 years old and Spence was 38. Spence is charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of sexual exploitation of a young person. Karen Spence is charged with an alleged historic sex assault. A local time hockey player and coach, Spence is listed as timekeeper for the Georgina Ice of the Provincial Junior Hockey League. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Detectives said there may be additional alleged victims and have released Spence's photo in the hopes that others who may have been affected come forward. A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature. There is no statute of limitations for sexual offences, and offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Special Victims Unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7075, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If someone is not ready to report but is seeking support, police advise to contact York Region Victim Services at the Cedar Centre or the Women's Support Network bhunter@ @HunterTOSun Celebrity World Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Canada
