Dave Fischl and his wife enjoy a round of golf in Arizona. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Economic unrest

Sask. snowbirds respond to tariffs and suggested travel regulations

Mar 12, 2025 | 5:22 PM

The Saskatchewan snowbirds, who fly south for the winter, have found themselves caught in the middle of a trade war and could be facing increased regulations.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the preparation of a new travel rule that would force Canadians planning to stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days to register their information with the United States government. A more recent ruling determined Canadians do not have to submit to fingerprinting, as other visitors would.

Prince Albert’s David Fischl and his wife spent their winters at an RV park in Arizona and said nobody seems to know what’s happening.

“We’ve already been down here so I’m sure how that’s gonna work. Most people think that’ll be for next year,” he said.

Every year, prior to everyone returning home, a special Canada Day celebration is held in the RV park and this year’s event was hosted by people from Alberta. Fischl, like he does back home with the Rotary Club’s Lobsterfest, was in charge of collecting prizes from local businesses. He said there was no sign of any animosity towards Canada.

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“Everybody that gave prices last year, gave a prize this year and even bigger prizes,” he said.

While noting his own wish that the two governments can work out their differences, Fischl said he is a proud Canadian and upon his return home, plans to stand up for his country. He also noted that he has already booked for his return next year, but also added that like during COVID, plans can change very quickly.

“You lose a little bit but not very much, the down payment is very little,” he said.

John Hopkins, from Regina, owns property in Arizona, and acknowledged feelings of anxiety.

“If [Trump] does kick us out, what the dickens is that gonna do? It’ll flood the market and of course, my property won’t be worth anything,” he said.

With respect to relations with his American friends, Hopkins commented he has had several people apologize for the way their government was treating Canadians. Another man said the U.S. was at war with Canada.

“At the same time another guy spoke up and said I’d really like to thank you guys for coming to the U.S. and we sure hope to see you in the fall,” he said.

Going forward, Hopkins expressed his desire to return in the Fall, and the refusal to let one man ruin his retirement dream.

Les and Gail Saelhof live in Young and spend their winters in Goodyear, AZ. They arrived a few days before the U.S. election in November.

“So you can say we have had a ringside seat to the political chaos,” Les commented, adding they travel back and forth between Phoenix and Saskatoon on at least a monthly basis to see family and do farm business.

Noting they too have developed a large group of friends from this area, both American and other snowbird Canadians, Les said have not felt anything out of the ordinary on how they have been treated by customs or border agents.

“As far as the people we encounter in our day to day activities, we have not come across anyone regardless of their political affiliation that treat us in any disrespectful way. Almost all the folks that I talk to about the tariffs and President Trump’s handling of these issues are apologetic about how Canada is being treated by this president”

As for as how the tariffs and trade war may affects his own plans for the future, Les noted a desire to wait and see what the next year brings.

“My wife and I have planned our retirement and set our goals to include spending our winters in the Phoenix area. We have made a large investment in making those goals a reality and will not be making any knee-jerk decisions based on one man’s bullying political policy.”

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social

Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story stated Canadian visitors would be subject to fingerprinting. A recent ruling determined those visitors would be exempt.