The majority of Canadians plan to travel across their home country and support local businesses this summer, according to a new survey by TD Bank Group. The survey, which was conducted by The Harris Poll Canada in May, found that 89 per cent of Canadians feel it’s important to support small businesses this summer. Sixty-four per cent of survey respondents plan to travel within Canada in the coming months. “It’s particularly welcome news, as many of our small business customers have been concerned about consumer spending slowing down,” said Julia Kelly, vice president of small business banking at TD, in a news release. Kelly also noted that 96 per cent of Atlantic Canadians say its important to support local businesses this summer. Mark Smith, co-owner of Made in the Maritimes in Halifax, said sales are up nearly 20 per cent from previous years, which he attributes to locals support the business. “The more you spend here, the more money stays in this economy,” Smith said. “The money is not coming here and then going to another country to buy products. It’s staying right here to support ourselves and in the long run has a significant benefit on what happens in the Maritime provinces.” The survey says 63 per cent of Canadians will research shops, restaurants and attractions at their destinations before going there. “Canadians spend about $22 billion travelling to the U.S every year so even if a small percentage of those stay in Canada, that’s billions of dollars for the Canadian economy overall,” says Lorn Sheehan, professor of strategy and tourism at Dalhousie University. “In economic times as we are in right now, it just makes more sense to spend their money here, Especially given the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S dollar.” Trips to cottages seem to be on the upswing as 46 per cent of Gen Z and 42 per cent of Millennials planning on visiting cottage country this summer. The survey randomly selected 1,531 adults. -With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Emma Convey
