Explore Canada instead
Re More motivation than ever not to visit U.S., Opinion, June 11 My wife and I agree with Mark Bulgutch regarding travel to the U.S.
We have been married for 53 years, and have gone on vacations to the U.S. for most of these years, and in between vacations we have made many shopping trips there.
We have cancelled our reservations in Kennebunkport, Maine, this year and do not intend on travelling to the U.S. for many more years, if ever. We will explore our beautiful country instead. This summer, we are going to B.C. with our 10-year-old grandson.
Mr. Trump, we will make Canada even greater again!
Everything we buy now is made either in Canada or anywhere else in the world other than the U.S. Nicole and Pierre Pinet, Ancaster Canada should require an exit visa valid for one year attached to the passports of Canadians wishing to travel to the U.S, and charge $1,000 for it. This would not discourage people who cross the border for a living, such as truck drivers, but would deter many vacationers and day-trippers. The money would serve to compensate for the unjust American tariffs on Canadian goods. Marc Blancval, Joliette, Que. What kind of economic message could be sent if as many Canadian snowbirds as possible migrated to Mexico instead of Florida or Arizona, or even to our own Victoria? Margaret Perrault, North Bay Mark Bulgutch suggests that responding to Trump punching us in the nose and eating our lunch would be to vacation at home, to not spend our tourist dollars in the U.S. My wife and I have not travelled to the U.S. for several years.
I also buy only Ontario wine and wear Stanfield’s underwear. Local tomatoes and cucumbers are available almost year-round from Ontario and Quebec greenhouses, milk is from a Quebec co-operative and, in March, at farmers’ markets, I’ve bought local cold-frame-raised spinach. I’m now adding Ontario apple juice to my morning menu, replacing orange juice owned by a U.S. multinational soft drink company. We’d love to see other Ontarians plan to vacation in Canada this summer. Douglas Buck, Toronto Our Wisconsin family and friends spent many fine summers in the 1950s and 1960s at Rainbow Camp, Perrault Falls, Ont., and it gives us great sorrow to see Donald Trump’s hideous behaviour soil our country. We apologize whole-heartedly and look forward to, hopefully, the near future when this scourge of a human is removed from office. Until then, would it be out of the question for Canadians to boycott wintering in Florida and spend their money where they will be welcomed and respected? Kathy Dougherty Nilsson, Mountain View, Calif. When Donald Trump became president I submitted a letter to the editor recommending that all Canadians not support him by withholding all travel to the U.S. and by avoiding the purchase of any American products until he is removed from office.
I have stood by my intent and am relieved to say the movement is growing by the hour. Our efforts are not directed at the American people but at the dictator who holds the highest office in their country. D. Richard Truman, Kitchener Donald Trump won Florida by 1.2 per cent of the vote and collected all 29 electoral votes. The best way to stop Trump is for Canadian snowbirds to go elsewhere this winter. It won’t go unnoticed by Floridians, who will know why Canadians are staying away. Americans vote with their wallets and Republicans will be punished at the polls.
Trudeau can’t come out and tell Canadians not to visit the U.S. because he will start to sound like Trump. But newspapers can. If the papers band together and continually publish editorials on Canadians doing their part by spending their winter vacation dollars in Mexico and the Caribbean, it could have some effect. Michael Yaffe, Toronto I will not visit the United States. I will not spend my toonies and loonies as long as Trump continues to debase not only our country but our political leader as well with his mendacious tweets.
I urge all snowbirds and anybody else planning a winter vacation to make other arrangements than Florida, Arizona or wherever they go in the U.S. to avoid a Canadian winter. There are cheaper and better places and given the gun laws (and lawlessness) of the states, there are safer places as well. Stephen Bloom, Toronto I tell our governments and Canadians, please wake up. Treat them as they do us. Boycott their products as much as is possible, something that I have been doing for years. Buy Canadian. If you have a choice between Chilean or American blueberries, go for the tastier Chilean ones. Boycott travelling to America. There are so many other safer and more welcoming countries out there. Know that we just happen to be geographical neighbours with America, nothing more, nothing less. Aquil Ali, Toronto I fully endorse the Star’s viewpoint — stand by our Prime Minister who has shown total maturity in not retaliating tit for tat. Support the suggestion by Mark Bulgutch in persuading Canadians to “Go east. Go west. Go north. Enjoy yourself. Just don’t go south. Empty hotel rooms and campsites send a message.” Raza Kara, Richmond Hill If Canadians were to voice their concern by redirecting their tourist dollars to destinations other than the U.S., it would have a noticeable and profound effect on states that have become reliant on tourist revenue and that supported Trump. The electorate would likely have second thoughts about supporting Trump if their livelihoods were impacted and their taxes increased due to lost revenue. David V. Sells, Sarasota, Fla. Send email to lettertoed@thestar.ca; via
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