As it happens5:26The owner of the without rights stores says that business suffers as Canadians prevent the United States
If business do not pick up soon in their store, AndRic Lapointe says he will have to leave people.
« Today I had three clients, » the shop owner said As it happens It welcomes Nil Kӧksal on Friday afternoon. « It is a fraction of what we usually have at this time of year. »
Lapointe says that business has dropped 60 percent in the same period last year at the Beauce’s boutique hors tax, near the Quebec border with Maine.
It’s not alone. The shops free of rights across the country, which are still recovering from pandemic travel restrictions, are reporting massive business falls in recent months, as Canadians are increasingly traveling to travel to the United States.
Degree from the Canada Border Services Agency At 52 Canada border and international border airports, service-free shops sell products, including taxless drinks, for cross-border travelers and legally cannot be set up in online deliveries or sales.
« If we don’t have anyone traveling to the United States, we don’t have customers, » said Lapointe.
Less trips to the south
Sales in the shops free of functions have fallen between 40 and 50 percent throughout the country since the end of January, with some remote steps that reported up to 80 percent, according to the Frontier Duty Free association, which represents 32 stores.
« He has just left the Penya -Suit, » said Barbara Barrett, executive director of the association. « It’s very faint. »
The number of return trips between the Canadians traveling to the United States in March fell compared to the previous yearAccording to Statistics Canada. Air trips fell 13.5 percent, while ground trips fell by 32 percent.
The drop matches a Pivot to domestic tourism As the President of the United States, Donald Trump, launches a trade war with Canada and other countries and makes repeated threats for the sovereignty of Canada.
Several Canadians also told CBC that they have canceled travel because They fear that US border guards have increased scrutinysomething Canadian government has warned travelers.
Canadian Jasmine Mooney was recently enclosed in a US arrest facility for 11 days Above difficulties with his application for the renewal of United States visa and since then he has described himself in unpleasant conditions. Two German tourists and A Welsh backpack They have also been detained in recent months.
In addition, the immersion in cross -border travels of the Earth goes in both ways. Vehicle visits from American residents dropped 11 percent last month compared to a year earlier, the second consecutive month of year-on-year decrease.
« It’s as if Americans are shy to come to Canada, » said Philippe Bachand, who runs a store without duty to the south of Montreal, pointing to The boos that have received the North -American sports teams in Canada. « It’s not cozy. »
Call help
As stores free of duty are trapped in the cross games of a trade war and geopolitical tensions outside its control, the border -free association calls on the federal government to offer support in the form of subsidies or loans to overcome the interruption.
Many of these stores, according to the association, are still recovering from the pandemic losses.
« I just woke up from my Covid hangover, and I have a tariff nightmare, » John Slipk said while leading to the Free Dam Duty to Woodstock, NB, which his father founded in 1985.
A owner of the non -duty shops, Osoyoos, BC, second generation, said he struggles to maintain his business in the midst of the Trump trade war with Canada. With cross -border traffic, Cameron Bissonnette said he does not know how long he can pay his staff.
Cameron Bissonnette is afraid that he will be forced to close his free rights store in Osoyoos, BC, who has been to his family since the 80’s and had tried to pass to his children.
During a recent interview with CBC News, He broke with tears as he discussed the future of his family business, which he has already dropped from 15 employees to only three.
« It is reaching a point where you have to have a real time to count, » he said.
The Mayor of Osoyoos, Sue McKortoff, told CBC that if the store closes, it would also affect the community.
« Free service is one of the best businesses in the city, » he said. « They have been very supportive of the city. They have hired people in the city. »
Lapointe, meanwhile, says that if sales are not collected at Easter weekend, usually bullical, they will have no choice but to leave the workers.
He says he does not want to lose his business, he is loved for his heart.
« I started working here in 1990 as a student, then I became the Deputy Director, then in the manager for 20 years and bought the store three years ago, » he said.
« So for me this store is my home. »
With files from the Canadian press and the CBC BC interview with Eric Lapointe produced by Leit Ahouuman.
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