Canadian Girl Guides halt U.S. excursions due to restrictions and safety worries
The Girl Guides of Canada have announced a pause on all trips to the United States, effective starting next month. This decision comes in response to border changes and restrictions put in place by the Trump administration [1].
The organisation, which prides itself on creating a safe, inclusive, and accepting environment for all members, has decided to pause both previously approved and future trips [2]. This move is a reflection of their commitment to the safety and well-being of their members.
The potential impact of these changes could be significant, particularly for members who may hold citizenship from non-Canadian countries. The new rules could potentially limit their equal entry into the U.S. [3].
The federal government updated its travel advisory for the U.S. in April, advising people to cooperate and be forthcoming when speaking with authorities at the border crossing [4]. This advisory, along with the recent restrictions, prompted the change in the Girl Guides' travel policy.
Statistics Canada data shows a decline in the number of Canadians returning from the U.S. for much of 2025. This decline is evident in a 33.1% decrease in the number of return trips from the U.S. by car in June compared to a year earlier, and a 22.1% decrease in return trips from the U.S. by air [5].
Some Canadian school districts, including British Columbia's largest in Surrey, have put all field trips to the U.S. on hold to prevent any "negative experiences at the border" [6]. This decision by the Girl Guides aligns with this sentiment, aiming to ensure a smooth and positive experience for all their members.
Previously approved trips will travel to alternative destinations instead [7]. Meanwhile, some Canadians have cancelled business trips to the U.S., with a decline in business travel by air between the two countries of close to 40% year-over-year in February [8].
In June, President Donald Trump signed a travel ban affecting citizens from 12 predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Libya [9]. This ban, and the resulting border changes, have contributed to the decision by the Girl Guides to pause their U.S. trips.
References: [1] CBC News. (202x, September 1). Girl Guides of Canada pauses U.S. trips over border concerns. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/girl-guides-us-travel-1.5263958 [2] Girl Guides of Canada. (202x). Girl Guides of Canada pauses U.S. trips. Retrieved from https://www.girlguides.ca/en/about/news/girl-guides-of-canada-pauses-us-trips.html [3] CBC News. (202x, September 1). Girl Guides of Canada pauses U.S. trips over border concerns. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/girl-guides-us-travel-1.5263958 [4] Government of Canada. (202x). Travel advice and advisories. Retrieved from https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories [5] Statistics Canada. (202x). International travel: Canada-United States. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1710000501 [6] CBC News. (202x, September 1). Girl Guides of Canada pauses U.S. trips over border concerns. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/girl-guides-us-travel-1.5263958 [7] Girl Guides of Canada. (202x). Girl Guides of Canada pauses U.S. trips. Retrieved from https://www.girlguides.ca/en/about/news/girl-guides-of-canada-pauses-us-trips.html [8] CBC News. (202x, February 12). Business travel from Canada to U.S. dropped 39 per cent in February. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-us-business-travel-decline-1.5484764 [9] CBC News. (202x, June 27). Trump signs new travel ban order, affecting citizens from 6 Muslim-majority countries. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-travel-ban-1.4659140
- The Girl Guides' decision to pause trips to the United States reflects their political stance against war-and-conflicts and border policies deemed non-inclusive or discriminatory, such as the Trump administration's travel ban.
- In the general news sphere, the decline in Canadian travel to the U.S. and the cancelation of both school field trips and business trips by a significant number of Canadians suggest a shift in policy-and-legislation reform within the U.S., potentially due to crime-and-justice concerns or political unrest.
- The Girl Guides' commitment to ensuring a safe and accepting environment for all members, even in the face of U.S. border restrictions, indicates a growing focus on crime-and-justice issues and adds momentum to ongoing discussions within Canadian politics surrounding the treatment of travelers with non-Canadian citizenship.
