Mourning or Sadness Remains Unattended in the U.S.

Summer Disappointments: Quebecers Forgo US Trips Over Trump's Policies

Mourning or Sadness Remains Unattended in the U.S.

Summertime in Quebec is typically marked with trips to the United States, but this year, many locals are swapping the sunny beaches of Maine for the peaceful landscapes of their own province. The presiding reason? A commercial war waged by President Donald Trump.

For decades, Anne Sainte-Marie has holidayed in a Maine cottage every summer with her family. An unwavering tradition until the new administration took office last year. Instead, she and her family are opting for a lakefront retreat near the Portneuf wildlife reserve in the Capitale-Nationale region.

"When I hear 'vacation,' Maine comes to mind instantly," shares Mrs. Sainte-Marie. Abandoning her beloved Maine getaway was a tough call, she reveals, having made marvelous hikes through the state in the past. "It was tough because, for me, genuine vacations are only in Maine."

France Guertin, another Quebecer, also opted not to travel south due to Trump. "Since the '70s, we've gone camping in Maine every summer, except during the pandemic," she shares. This time, however, she chose to boycott the region, missing the scenic beaches once shared with her partner. "It was our romantic getaway," she says with a reminiscent smile, remembering the quintessential Maine restaurants infamous for their seafood, particularly lobster.

Estrangement from the United States isn't the only challenge for Quebecers; it's the hefty tariffs imposed on Canada that is deterring many from crossing the border. "We won't go abroad as long as there are unacceptable tariffs," Lorraine Leduc declares, having traversed the US about 30 times in the past few decades.

Maryse Gilbert and friends have swapped bustling American cities like New York and Boston for the small coastal town of Tadoussac. "We're quite flexible with our vacation plans, so it wasn't too difficult to change direction and holiday here," says Mrs. Gilbert, exploring uncharted territories within Quebec this summer.

Lynn Larose had become accustomed to cycling around the islands of Lake Champlain during the summer. Sadly, this year, she's disappointed at the prospect of not returning to cycle in the region. "We got electric bikes last year and planned to head back there this summer to cycle. But now, we're really disappointed," she sighs, feeling insecure about crossing the American border.

Indefinite Absence

Quebecers like Sainte-Marie, Guertin, Leduc, Gilbert, and Larose aren't certain when - or if - they'll return to the United States for their summer holidays. They acknowledge that predicting when the political relations between Canada and its southern neighbor will ease is a difficult task.

"Will I go in four years? Will common sense return [to the US]? It's hard to say," Anne Sainte-Marie confides. Lorraine Leduc adds, "We won't go back until political things return to normal and duty-free shopping continues."

For several Quebecers, boycotting the United States means severing ties with relatives living across the border. "My wife has family in Chicago and New York. I have family in Chicago and Washington," confesses Jean-Marie Ménager. The decision to cease traveling to these cities wasn't easy for him, but he sold all his American dollars in anticipation of a prolonged separation.

Maryse Gilbert rationalizes her decision to holiday within Quebec as a temporary move, "If I never went there again in my life, it would be a loss. But for now, we say, we'll see each other when we can, and in the meantime, we see beautiful things here too."

Lise Messier is also undecided about returning to the United States when the current political turmoil subsides, choosing instead to protest Donald Trump's administration from her home province. "We want to contest his way of governing. It doesn't make sense."

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Under Trump's presidency, there were increased travel restrictions and bans targeting specific countries. Although these bans did not directly affect Canadian or Quebec nationals, they contributed to a climate of uncertainty and possibly more stringent border controls. The broader Canada-U.S. relationship, including Quebecers traveling to the U.S., was marked by ongoing engagement, but the administration was also known for protectionist tendencies and occasionally contentious trade and diplomatic stances that could indirectly influence cross-border travel sentiment and practical arrangements. Quebecers traveling to the U.S. in summer may have faced increased scrutiny at the border due to enhanced security measures, political rhetoric, and potential changes in visa policies or travel documentation requirements.

1. Trump's policies have led to a significant change in vacation plans for many Quebecers, with a shift away from trips to the United States.
2. For some Quebecers, their summer vacation in Maine has become a tradition that stretches back decades.
3. The peaceful landscapes of Quebec's Capitale-Nationale region are now the preferred destination for families like Anne Sainte-Marie's.
4. Abandoning her beloved Maine getaway was a difficult decision for Mrs. Sainte-Marie, who cherishes the hikes she's taken through the state.
5. France Guertin, another Quebecer, has also chosen to boycott Maine, trading scenic beaches for a lakefront retreat near the Portneau wildlife reserve.
6. Lorraine Leduc, who has traversed the US about 30 times in the past few decades, is also avoiding American vacations due to Trump's tariffs.
7. Maryse Gilbert and her friends have opted for a smaller coastal town within Quebec, Tadoussac, instead of bustling American cities.
8. Lynn Larose, who enjoyed cycling around the islands of Lake Champlain, is disappointed at not being able to return this summer.
9. The ongoing political relations between Canada and the United States make it difficult for Quebecers to predict when they might return to the US for their summer holidays.
10. For several Quebecers, boycotting the United States means severing ties with relatives living on that side of the border.
11. Jean-Marie Ménager has sold all his American dollars in anticipation of a prolonged separation from his US-based relatives.
12. Maryse Gilbert views her decision to holiday within Quebec as a temporary move, focusing on making the most of beautiful places within the province.
13. Lise Messier is protesting Trump's administration by staying in Quebec, reflecting a desire to contest his way of governing.
14. Travel restrictions and bans under Trump's presidency have created a climate of uncertainty and potentially stricter border controls, impacting the experiences of Quebecers traveling to the US.
15. The Canada-US relationship under Trump's administration was marked by ongoing engagement, but also by protectionist tendencies and sometimes contentious trade and diplomatic stances.
16. Quebecers traveling to the US in summer may have faced increased scrutiny at the border due to enhanced security measures, political rhetoric, and potential changes in visa policies or travel documentation requirements.
17. In addition to the current political situation, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, accidents, fires, sports-related events, golf tournaments, European leagues, basketball games, American sports like MLB and NHL, racing events like premier-league and grand-prix, horse-racing, weather updates, tennis matches, sports analysis, weather-forecasting, auto-racing, and mixed-martial-arts are among the general news topics that capture public interest.

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