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More Canadians may be thinking of a staycation this summer. But has domestic travel become unaffordable?
Whether you're camping under the stars, jumping off the dock at a lakeside cottage, strolling the coast or exploring a new city, there's arguably nothing better than a summer vacation in Canada. Assuming, of course, you can afford it. From accommodations to flights, Canadians may be noticing higher prices on domestic travel this season. And that's in part because of increased demand, say industry experts who note more Canadians are opting for summer trips at home instead of travelling to the U.S. (new window) Canadians are increasingly travelling within Canada, said Frédéric Dimanche, a professor in the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. And given that the industry is still recovering from losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with inflation, the increased cost of operations, and now, increased demand, this translates into higher prices for consumers — especially in urban centres, Dimanche told CBC News. Airlines do this all the time. Hoteliers do this all the time. If there is increased demand, prices are likely to go up. Enlarge image (new window) Natasha Beitman Brener is a lawyer in Kingston, Ont. Brener was hoping to take a five-day road trip with her mother this summer but was shocked by the price of accommodations. Photo: Natasha Beitman Brener For some would-be travellers, the cost is prohibitive or simply too high to justify. Natasha Beitman Brener, a 33-year-old lawyer in Kingston, Ont., says she was hoping to take a five-day road trip with her mother this summer after getting some unexpected and rare time off between trials. They looked at locations such as Ottawa, Quebec City and Manitoulin Island, but every single option would have cost between $3,000 and $5,000 for five days once you tack on expenses, Brener said. The Airbnb or hotel alone would have cost $2,000 anywhere, she added. So, they're not going. It's not even about being able to afford it, although that's true, too. But it just seems so crazy when we used to go to Europe for two months in the summer for $15,000, Brener said. We're the folks buying Canadian, or not American, in the grocery stores and we won't travel to the States, but we also can't justify $300 per night for a studio Airbnb. 'Not typical for Canadians' Canada's tourism sector is seeing strong interest from domestic travellers this summer, partially as a show of support for local communities, Amy Butcher, vice-president of public affairs at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, told CBC News in a statement. Tourism is one of Canada's strongest economic engines, said Butcher, noting that it delivered $130 billion in economic activity in 2024 — 75 per cent of which was from Canadian domestic travel. Canadians are indeed opting to skip the U.S. so far this summer. The number of Canadians returning from trips to the U.S. (new window) by air fell 22.1 per cent in June compared to a year ago, according to Statistics Canada, and Canadian return trips by automobile dropped by 33.1 per cent. It's too soon to have much summer domestic travel data, but Statistics Canada noted in June (new window) that tourism spending in Canada by Canadian residents was up 0.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, driven by accommodation spending. And Anusha Arif, an economist with TD Economics, predicted solid gains in Canadian domestic travel in a recent report (new window) , while also noting an increase in domestic travel at major Canadian airports. In March, Airbnb reported (new window) a 20 per cent increase in searches for domestic stays. Flight Centre Canada told CBC News its seen an uncharacteristic five per cent bump in its domestic travel this summer, which may not seem high until you consider that, typically, they say 80 per cent of travel booked by Canadians over the summer is to international locations. This is not typical for Canadians, Amra Durakovic, head of public relations and communications for the Flight Centre Travel Group Canada, told CBC News. We're thinking that five per cent is coming from less new bookings to the U.S. That Canadians, instead of travelling to their favourite U.S. destinations, they're opting to stay. WATCH | The top 10 Canadian locations to visit: This summer surge is driving perception of a price boost, Durakovic added. Still, it's not necessarily that Canada is dramatically more expensive, but that demand is high and flexible inventory is tight — especially if you're booking something close to your departure date, Durakovic said. She gave the example of a colleague working with a family of three hoping to book a trip from Toronto to Halifax next month for five days. It was going to cost them around $6,000, she said. They're reconsidering their trip, she said. Sticker shock does impact Canadians ... but I do want to clarify that timing really matters. Enlarge image (new window) Tourists check out Peggy's Cove, N.S., on Sept. 1, 2016. A few days in Halifax at peak season can get quite expensive. Photo: The Canadian Press / Andrew Vaughan Hotel prices going up The average daily rate for a hotel room in Canada this June increased three per cent (or about ($7 per night) compared to June last year, according to industry data provided by Costar, a global provider of real estate data, analytics and news. That's based on a sample of 63 per cent of hotel rooms in Canada. Enlarge image (new window) Source: CoStar Photo: CBC As an extremely unscientific gauge of the cost of booking last-minute accommodations, CBC looked up various options for a family of four around the same week in mid-August using a variety of online booking sites, while keeping in mind that booking earlier in the year would have likely yielded lower prices and more availability. Still, you're unlikely to get a week-long August cottage rental in southern Ontario for less than $2,000 (but the average is more like $3,000, according to Airbnb). Four nights in a Halifax hotel is going to cost you between $1,200 and $2,300 according to Travelocity, depending on how central you want to be. Enlarge image (new window) Muskoka chairs sit on a dock looking over Boshkung Lake, in Algonquin Highlands, Ont., on Oct. 5, 2020. A week-long cottage rental on VRBO will likely cost several thousand dollars this summer. Photo: The Canadian Press / Giordano Ciampini A single weekend in Vancouver hotel right in the heart of downtown will cost at minimum $1,200, according to Expedia, and that's similar for a weekend in the Rockies, according to Flight Centre Canada. The few beachfront homes still available to rent in P.E.I. will cost around $4,000 per week on VRBO. And while camping is a less expensive option (assuming you already own the equipment), some campsites near popular tourist destinations have been known to sell out almost immediately (new window) , and officials often recommend booking four or five months in advance (new window) in order to nab a spot. For instance, there were zero tent sites available for any weekend stay in August at Sandbanks Provincial Park in Picton, Ont., and exactly one poor quality site left for a mid-week stay as of Tuesday. There was not a single site available at Porteau Cove Provincial Park near Vancouver for any night in August. Enlarge image (new window) Tourists gaze across Burrard Inlet while on a cruise ship near downtown Vancouver, B.C., on July 25, 2024. Photo: CBC / Ben Nelms 'It's just crazy' Last month, Canadian Culture and Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the federal government's new Canada Strong Pass (new window) that makes Canada's historic sites and parks free to visit and rail travel less expensive for young people. The aim is to promote domestic tourism. WATCH | Canadians react to free national park entry this summer: But what the Canada Strong Pass doesn't change is the price of hotels and domestic flights. Brener, in Kingston, said she's disappointed she won't be taking the trip with her mother, since it's rare for them to have time to travel together. But even local options were shockingly expensive, she said. So instead, they might take a day trip to nearby Prince Edward County. She is also hoping to visit Halifax with her husband soon, but will be waiting until mid-October for the off season. That's the only way to keep a five-day trip under $6,000 with flights. It's just crazy. Natalie Stechyson (new window) · CBC News · Senior Writer & Editor Natalie Stechyson has been a writer and editor at CBC News since 2021. She covers stories on social trends, families, gender, human interest, as well as general news. She's worked as a journalist since 2009, with stints at the Globe and Mail and Postmedia News, among others. Before joining CBC News, she was the parents editor at HuffPost Canada, where she won a silver Canadian Online Publishing Award for her work on pregnancy loss. You can reach her at X (new window) Instagram (new window)
Economic Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Canada student job crisis explodes as unemployment hits highest level since 2009, triggering fears of looming recession
TIL Creatives Canada's student job market collapses as youth unemployment surges amid economic uncertainty and rising US trade tensions Canada's student unemployment rate has jumped to 17.4 percent, the highest it's been in a non-pandemic year since 2009, raising concerns among economists that it could signal a slowdown, or even a coming recession. The number, released in Statistics Canada's June Labour Force Survey, refers specifically to 'returning students,' full-time students aged 15 to 24 who intend to resume studies in the fall. It's a significant jump from 15.8 percent in June 2024, and even further above the 11.9 percent recorded in 2023. 'That's really concerning to me,' said Viet Vu, economic researcher at Toronto Metropolitan University. 'Youth unemployment is a leading indicator of what could be a recession.'The data reflects a labor market that, while posting headline job gains, 83,000 new positions in June, according to Statistics Canada, remains uneven beneath the surface. The national unemployment rate stands at 6.9 percent, unchanged from the previous month, and long-term joblessness remains a concern. The broader youth unemployment rate, which includes all 15- to 24-year-olds (not just students), was 14.2 percent in June. That's well above the pre-pandemic average of 10.8 percent (2017–2019), suggesting younger Canadians are disproportionately affected by current economic pressures. Students typically rely on summer jobs for income, experience, and savings to support their education. But this year, those positions are vanishing.'This has been a brutal summer for students to look for a job,' said Jim Stanford, director at the Centre for Future Work. 'The openings are just not there.' Economists cite multiple contributing factors: Trade uncertainty: Companies are wary of expanding payrolls amid economic instability, particularly as US tariffs on Canadian exports fluctuate. Many are choosing not to hire seasonal or junior workers this year. Companies are wary of expanding payrolls amid economic instability, particularly as US tariffs on Canadian exports fluctuate. Many are choosing not to hire seasonal or junior workers this year. Cost management: With economic forecasts showing slow growth and cautious consumer spending, firms are prioritizing cost-saving measures, starting with entry-level roles. 'When companies squeeze their budget, the first positions to go tend to be the most junior,' said Vu. 'Which tells you that these companies aren't doing well because they can't afford to hire a summer student.'The student job crisis is more acute in some regions. In Windsor, Ontario, overall unemployment was 11.2 percent, the highest in the country. Other areas, such as British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, also reported higher-than-average youth jobless rates. In response to the situation, the federal government has expanded the Canada Summer Jobs Program, adding 6,000 additional wage-subsidized jobs to the existing 70,000 placements. But experts say that may not be enough to address the depth of the issue. 'There's been some caution that employers have undertaken because the situation could go in multiple directions,' said Brendon Bernard, senior economist at analysts warn that if youth joblessness persists into the fall, it could start dragging down broader economic indicators, particularly consumer demand and future workforce development.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Canada student job crisis explodes as unemployment hits highest level since 2009, triggering fears of looming recession
Canada's student unemployment rate has jumped to 17.4 percent, the highest it's been in a non-pandemic year since 2009, raising concerns among economists that it could signal a slowdown, or even a coming recession. The number, released in Statistics Canada 's June Labour Force Survey, refers specifically to 'returning students,' full-time students aged 15 to 24 who intend to resume studies in the fall. It's a significant jump from 15.8 percent in June 2024, and even further above the 11.9 percent recorded in 2023. 'That's really concerning to me,' said Viet Vu, economic researcher at Toronto Metropolitan University . 'Youth unemployment is a leading indicator of what could be a recession.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo The data reflects a labor market that, while posting headline job gains, 83,000 new positions in June, according to Statistics Canada, remains uneven beneath the surface. The national unemployment rate stands at 6.9 percent, unchanged from the previous month, and long-term joblessness remains a concern. Youth and students hit hardest Live Events The broader youth unemployment rate , which includes all 15- to 24-year-olds (not just students), was 14.2 percent in June. That's well above the pre-pandemic average of 10.8 percent (2017–2019), suggesting younger Canadians are disproportionately affected by current economic pressures. Students typically rely on summer jobs for income, experience, and savings to support their education. But this year, those positions are vanishing. 'This has been a brutal summer for students to look for a job,' said Jim Stanford, director at the Centre for Future Work. 'The openings are just not there.' What's causing the drop? Economists cite multiple contributing factors: Trade uncertainty: Companies are wary of expanding payrolls amid economic instability, particularly as US tariffs on Canadian exports fluctuate. Many are choosing not to hire seasonal or junior workers this year. Cost management: With economic forecasts showing slow growth and cautious consumer spending, firms are prioritizing cost-saving measures, starting with entry-level roles. 'When companies squeeze their budget, the first positions to go tend to be the most junior,' said Vu. 'Which tells you that these companies aren't doing well because they can't afford to hire a summer student.' Regional disparities The student job crisis is more acute in some regions. In Windsor, Ontario, overall unemployment was 11.2 percent, the highest in the country. Other areas, such as British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, also reported higher-than-average youth jobless rates. In response to the situation, the federal government has expanded the Canada Summer Jobs Program , adding 6,000 additional wage-subsidized jobs to the existing 70,000 placements. But experts say that may not be enough to address the depth of the issue. 'There's been some caution that employers have undertaken because the situation could go in multiple directions,' said Brendon Bernard, senior economist at Indeed. Some analysts warn that if youth joblessness persists into the fall, it could start dragging down broader economic indicators, particularly consumer demand and future workforce development.
CTV News
13-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Why student unemployment is rising and what it could signal about a looming recession
The unemployment rate for students looking for summer jobs is the highest it's been in a non-pandemic year since 2009, when Canada was going through a recession — and some economists worry that the latest numbers could signal another one is just around the corner. 'That's really concerning to me,' said Viet Vu, economic researcher at Toronto Metropolitan University. 'Oftentimes, youth unemployment is a leading indicator to what could be a recession.' Statistics Canada's latest Labour Force Survey showed June's data for 'returning students,' which it defines as full-time students in March who intend to return to school full time in the fall, was 17.4 per cent. That's up from 15.8 per cent in June of last year. The agency defines 'returning students' as those aged 15 to 24. While the first year of the pandemic saw a 33.1 per cent 'returning student' jobless rate, last month's figure marks the highest since June 2009, when the rate was also 17.4 per cent. 'The reason why this is bad is when you look at how an economy is doing, you look at how many people are getting fired and how many people are getting hired -- and oftentimes, when companies squeeze their budget ... the first positions to go tend to be the most junior,' added Vu. 'Which tells you that these companies aren't doing well because they can't afford to hire a summer student.' Meanwhile, Statistics Canada's unemployment rate for the broader 'youth' category — which includes all 15- to 24-year-olds, not just students — stood at 14.2 per cent in June. That's up 0.7 percentage points from last year, and well above the pre-pandemic average of 10.8 per cent between 2017 and 2019. 'This has been a brutal summer for students to look for a job... the openings are just not there,' said Jim Stanford, director and economists at the Centre for Future Work in a Zoom interview with CTV News Saturday. Trade war to blame, economists say Economists say the U.S. trade war is playing a significant role in the growing student unemployment rate. Many companies are choosing not to take on new hires because of the amount of uncertainty that comes with constantly changing U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports to America. 'I think the blame for the high student unemployment rate rests solely at Donald Trump's doorstep,' said Stanford. 'In the last few months, companies have had no idea where the economy is going. The last thing they're going to want to do is take on a few extra heads for the summer. The border city of Windsor, Ont., saw the highest unemployment rate among all demographics in June with 11.2 per cent, indicating the tariffs have had a major impact on Canadian industries. Stanford isn't ready to say a recession is guaranteed to happen just yet. 'We've all been watching for signs that the toll of the Trump tariffs could push Canada into a recession — and if he goes ahead with the 35 per cent tariffs, we could have a recession. Not yet, though," he said. Brendon Bernard, senior economist at job search site Indeed, said there is a silver lining: the year-over-year increase in the student unemployment rate has narrowed compared to previous years. The rate jumped from 11.9 per cent in 2023 to 15.8 per cent in 2024, but climbed more modestly this year to 17.4 per cent. 'There's been some caution that employers have undertaken because the situation could go in multiple directions,' Bernard said.
Toronto Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Simu Liu, Jeremy Lin headline celebrity basketball game at ARC World in Toronto
ARC World may be a celebration of Asian culture, but organizer Clement Chu hopes that people from all backgrounds come and enjoy the one-day festival in downtown Toronto. Food, shops, music and speakers will all be featured at Toronto Metropolitan University's Kerr Hall on Saturday, with a celebrity basketball game including actor Simu Liu and former Toronto Raptors star Jeremy Lin the day's finale. Chu said that there will be something for everyone, whether they have ties to Asia or not.
