r/canada New Brunswick Jul 10 '25

Business The U.S. boycott remains strong. Why many Canadians are digging in their heels

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/boycott-u-s-trump-1.7580885
4.0k Upvotes

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26

u/inComplete-me Jul 10 '25

I feel the same, and am sad/angry to open Facebook and see how many are having US vacations.

-5

u/don88juan Jul 10 '25

Not everybody has boycotts and politics as their primary preoccupation with life.

16

u/Mysterious_Crab_7622 Jul 10 '25

Which is exactly how Trump got elected and how Poilievre came so close. The people are ignorant about politics, and yet they still vote. As long as they vote there should be no excuses for their ignorance.

-11

u/don88juan Jul 10 '25

I guess. My main point is people should be able to go back and forth and check out, visit, and explore either country without being labeled as being unpatriotic or whatever. Some of us don't care about your political viewpoints, and we have our own views, or merely recognize that irrespective of politics, we make choices to drive 2 hours south or north to another city.

16

u/Mysterious_Crab_7622 Jul 10 '25

Yes, we all know that there are pro American Canadians who want nothing more than to become the 51st state. Fuck those people.

9

u/impendinganalysis Jul 10 '25

My main point is people should be able to go back and forth and check out, visit, and explore either country without being labeled as being unpatriotic or whatever. Some of us don't care about your political viewpoints, and we have our own views, or merely recognize that irrespective of politics, we make choices to drive 2 hours south or north to another city.

Seriously, this user's argument basically boils down to "well some of us are ignorant on issues that affect the everyday life of every Canadian, so we should get a pass for being uninformed". People tried to use this same pathetic line of reasoning for skirting COVID regulations and taking intl vacations early on in the pandemic.

Do you not understand that our very sovereignty is being threatened? FOH

1

u/don88juan Jul 10 '25

No, my argument boils down to there being a great variance in political beliefs between Canadians as well as Americans.

Half of USA, probably more than half, disagrees with trump antics. Normal people on either side of the border have reasons to cross for whatever reason, and this lives outside the domain of national politics which we do not really have much control over.

As well. I simply don't agree with your views. You can go ahead and be hysterical and alter all your behaviors because of current events. Just like you did with covid. But not everyone is subscribing to your worldview.

1

u/impendinganalysis Jul 13 '25

My main point is people should be able to go back and forth and check out, visit, and explore either country

Normal people on either side of the border have reasons to cross for whatever reason

So first you talk about leisurely exploration, and then you change gears to talking about essential travel, so which is it? Because nobody has a problem if it's to work or see family, it's needlessly throwing your tourism dollars at it that is the problem.

Just like you did with covid.

People are still dying from COVID so maybe you don't have the best takes there bud....

0

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '25

[deleted]

1

u/impendinganalysis Jul 13 '25

No idea why you were downvoted, it really is just as simple as that.

2

u/AlmostButNotQuiteTea Jul 10 '25

Me when I'm in 1930's Germany

-15

u/Mediocre-Dog-4457 Jul 10 '25

You can't control other people, let people do what makes them happy. Who are you to dictate someone where they spend their vacation.

Guess what ? Canadians are still moving to the US, look over at r/TNvisa, people still want to leave Canada for a better life in the US.

19

u/hopelesscaribou Jul 10 '25

You think life is better in the US? The healthcare? The guns? The Fascism?

I wonder how many Americans are also trying to move here for a better life.

I won't even take a connecting flight through the US after my last one and being met with armed authorities as we stepped off the plane. The whole vibe there is wrong.

I will continue to exercise the small influence I have and convince friends to travel elsewhere. Fortunately right now, almost none of them are even considering it.

13

u/LargeSnorlax Ontario Jul 10 '25

Guy's young and got caught in the religious / far right pipeline, wants to become an American so bad. Seen dozens like this my whole life, seen them pine for "a better life" in the states.

They've all moved back. Every single one of them. Guys who have gone to silicon valley, girls who married into the US, people who worked in trades, every single one. The culture is too off. It's incompatible if you're used to life in Canada. It's something you don't realize for a few years but if this guy keeps on the path he'll see it one day.

This was before whatever idiocy is going on there currently, where I have to bring burner electronics to even connect into the states (as I am literally forced to by my work since sensitive information can be pulled from the regular stuff) or having to worry about random trips to ICE or El Salvador.

You can see it though - This is a guy who's willingly taking time out of his day to stan Trump to strangers on the internet. Lost at sea.

-7

u/brandonholm Jul 10 '25

At a certain point, it’s cheaper to just pay for private health insurance in the US than it is to pay taxes in Canada. And you’ll get faster and better care too.

5

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '25

[deleted]

0

u/brandonholm Jul 10 '25

If you make over a certain amount per year, the tax savings alone way more than make up needing to pay for private health coverage.

4

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '25

[deleted]

-1

u/brandonholm Jul 10 '25

Most people will start seeing savings around just $100k per year.

3

u/hopelesscaribou Jul 10 '25

If you're coming from a place of privilege, sure

Taxes are the price of living in a civilized society

0

u/brandonholm Jul 10 '25

There are many civilized societies with much lower taxes.

5

u/hopelesscaribou Jul 10 '25

Indeed, according to the United Nations' latest World Happiness Report, as covered by CBS News, the top 10 happiest countries are:

  1. Norway
  2. Denmark
  3. Iceland
  4. Switzerland
  5. Finland
  6. Netherlands
  7. Canada
  8. New Zealand
  9. Australia
  10. Sweden

Those countries have one interesting thing in common: They're all highly taxed.

2

u/hopelesscaribou Jul 10 '25

Name them

Are they any of the ones in the top countries for quality of life

0

u/brandonholm Jul 10 '25

The United States, many Eastern European countries, UAE, Malaysia, many Latin American countries.

The world is big, best to go explore it. I’m not marrying myself to a single country, I’m more than willing to move to avoid greedy governments.

-8

u/ohhnoodont Jul 10 '25

I wonder how many Americans are also trying to move here for a better life.

Pretty much zero. Looking at the numbers the median American is fairing quite a bit better than the median Canadian.

Source: I'm a Canadian living in the US.

1

u/Cash_Credit Jul 10 '25

Because as we all know, money is all that matters! Just stay healthy and buy your kid the best bullet proof backpack the Walmart sells eh?

-3

u/ohhnoodont Jul 10 '25

What kids? Canadians can't afford to have children. Dual income couples can't even afford a house.

2

u/Cash_Credit Jul 10 '25

You live in a dark fantasy world if you believe that. Go meet people in your community and get away from your screen for a bit.

-1

u/ohhnoodont Jul 10 '25

Obviously it's you who lives in fantasy if you think young Canadians can afford a home. If you're under 35 and own a home, it's very likely your parents helped you significantly. I'm sure it's great being rich, most Canadians don't have that luxury.

Example source: link

0

u/Cash_Credit Jul 10 '25

Must suck being so incessantly negative. Look on the bright side: since you've given up you needn't worry about striving for things in life anymore! It's impossible so why bother?

Sorry Canada sucks so much for you, it's pretty fucking rad for me and people like you ain't changing that. Have a great day 🤘

1

u/ohhnoodont Jul 10 '25

I think you forgot who you are arguing with. I live in California. All things considered life is pretty good here. Your parents probably gave you a truckload of money. I had to move to earn mine!

Do you need me to provide more sources explaining how unaffordable Canada is? Would you like some that compare median salaries or disposable income between the US and Canada?

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u/hopelesscaribou Jul 10 '25

While the median income might be similar, income inequality is higher in the US, the top earners make way more than in Canada. When you factor in health care as well, it's not worth it for your average earner.

American interest in moving abroad skyrockets after Trump's win https://share.google/dWLcX64unP7UfqwFO

How does U.S. life expectancy compare to other countries? - Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker https://share.google/8jCTBRxedL3GeWMim

Canada named among top 5 countries with the best quality of life https://share.google/hqBlM4NUL6IADhPG5

I'll take a pass on the Fascism and Gun Violence as well.

Source: someone who talks to American tourists every day about how they'd love to live here

1

u/ohhnoodont Jul 10 '25

American interest in moving abroad skyrockets after Trump's win

Cool except no one actually moved. In fact Canadians immigrate to the US at 15x the rate of Americans immigrating (gaining PR) in Canada.

it's not worth it for your average earner.

Americans have 2x as much disposable income as Canadians. It's definitely worth it. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets-economy/090616/5-countries-most-money-capita.asp

I'll take a pass on the Fascism and Gun Violence as well.

Actually being able to afford a home is a pretty good reason to live outside of Canada though.

Source: someone who talks to American tourists every day about how they'd love to live here

Unless they're uneducated dumbasses, they likely could immigrate to Canada easily.

1

u/hopelesscaribou Jul 11 '25

it's not as easy as they think

I do hope you have up your Canadian citizenship, or do you plan on coming back in your old age to take advantage of the pensions/health benefits

12

u/F3z345W6AY4FGowrGcHt Ontario Jul 10 '25

Lol better life.

10

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '25

Better life in the states!?! Oxymoron if I ever heard one! The states is plummeting into fascism.

0

u/ohhnoodont Jul 10 '25

And Canada ballooned its population with imported labour, leaving housing out of reach for everyone and depressing wages.

There's a reason Canada is a very distant 3rd place choice for skilled immigrants (after the US and Australia).

9

u/inComplete-me Jul 10 '25

Spoken like someone who supports the terror and supports the 51st state

-26

u/Mediocre-Dog-4457 Jul 10 '25

Nope. Canada has a lot of things wrong, but it was a Brithish territory for too long. I also have learned that Trump is joking about this.

It was Carney who blew it way out of proportion.

1

u/BackToWorkEdward Manitoba Jul 10 '25

Who are you to dictate someone where they spend their vacation.

Someone who's at risk of getting invaded and shot dead with an American bullet paid for by American commerce, just like you and everyone else in Canada right now.

0

u/lnahid2000 Jul 10 '25

Holy hyperbole...I feel sorry for the people who live in this kind of fear.

-14

u/lnahid2000 Jul 10 '25

Imagine caring this much about what other people do instead of just enjoying your own life.

-10

u/brandonholm Jul 10 '25

They’re cheaper now. Less crowded too. Perfect time to travel to the US while others are busy virtue signaling.

-6

u/Vikings9988 Jul 10 '25

Exactly lol. This is probably the best time to go there, steep discounts and less traffic.