B.C. small businesses worry U.S.-Canada trade dispute could hurt summer season

Many small businesses in British Columbia are concerned the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade dispute could disrupt their operations this summer, according to data from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).

A CFIB poll found 47 per cent of B.C. small business owners said they rely on summer tourism for at least some of their revenue, and 57 per cent expressed concern the dispute with the United States could affect their operations.

“Tourists travelling within B.C. or Canada this summer could be a lifeline for many small businesses,” said Ryan Mitton, CFIB’s director of legislative affairs for British Columbia. “Even a modest dip in bookings or visitor spending can hit hard when costs and debt are already high.”

The small business lobby group said 58 per cent of businesses polled across the country reported growing interest from Canadian travellers.

Meanwhile, a public opinion poll conducted by CFIB in partnership with the Angus Reid Institute found 67 per cent of British Columbians planning vacations this year intend to stay within the province, while 39 per cent are travelling elsewhere in Canada.

Only eight per cent said they plan to travel to the U.S. this year, and nearly half of respondents reported cancelling vacations south of the border.

Many Canadian airlines have already slashed routes to U.S. destinations. A March report by travel data firm OAG said bookings on Canada–U.S. routes were down 70 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Data from AirDNA in March also showed a 12 per cent decline in the number of Canadians booking Airbnb stays in the U.S., compared to the previous year.

Kalith Nanayakkara, CFIB’s senior policy analyst for B.C., said more people vacationing on home soil could benefit small businesses in the province. However, he said governments should do more to reduce permitting and licensing requirements and increase support for tourism and shop-local campaigns across Canada.