Statistics Canada’s latest international-travel bulletin, released November 14, shows a dramatic 30.5 % year-over-year decline in October auto trips by Canadians returning from the United States, while air travel fell 24 %. The agency links the slump to continuing economic and political friction—including U.S. tariff threats and a weak Canadian dollar—as well as a consumer pivot toward domestic leisure options.
For mobility budgets, the trend has dual effects. On the one hand, fewer leisure travellers ease pressure on land borders and airports, potentially reducing wait times for corporate road warriors. On the other, airlines may trim trans-border capacity this winter, which could lift fares on remaining routes and complicate last-minute bookings.
![Canadian Cross-Border Travel to U.S. Drops for 10th Straight Month, StatsCan Reports]()
Travel-policy analysts also point to reputational spill-over: companies offering U.S. assignments may need to sweeten relocation packages as Canadian employees perceive greater hassles—from higher costs to harsher rhetoric—when crossing south. Some firms are diverting conferences to Canadian venues or Mexico to maintain attendance levels.
The sustained decline underscores the importance of monitoring macro travel data when forecasting 2026 mobility spend. HR leaders should review whether per-diem rates, temporary-housing budgets and vehicle allowances for U.S. postings remain competitive amid changing exchange rates and travel patterns.
For mobility budgets, the trend has dual effects. On the one hand, fewer leisure travellers ease pressure on land borders and airports, potentially reducing wait times for corporate road warriors. On the other, airlines may trim trans-border capacity this winter, which could lift fares on remaining routes and complicate last-minute bookings.
Travel-policy analysts also point to reputational spill-over: companies offering U.S. assignments may need to sweeten relocation packages as Canadian employees perceive greater hassles—from higher costs to harsher rhetoric—when crossing south. Some firms are diverting conferences to Canadian venues or Mexico to maintain attendance levels.
The sustained decline underscores the importance of monitoring macro travel data when forecasting 2026 mobility spend. HR leaders should review whether per-diem rates, temporary-housing budgets and vehicle allowances for U.S. postings remain competitive amid changing exchange rates and travel patterns.
