Trade war concerns Alberta small businesses heading into tourism season

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says 64 per cent of Canadians decided on their summer travel plans will stay in the country and only 17 per cent are going abroad. (Pexels/Gibrán Riojas)

Many small businesses in Alberta are worried about the impact of the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war on their revenue, new data says.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) released a poll Wednesday that found 44 per cent of small business owners in the province are worried about disruptions because of the ongoing dispute.

“There is still widespread uncertainty regarding the Canada-U.S. travel outlook, and that’s worrying businesses in Alberta who rely on a regular influx of visitors during the summer season,” said Kayode Southwood, CFIB’s senior policy analyst for Alberta, in a news release.

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The poll, conducted by CFIB with members of the Angus Reid forum, also found 30 per cent of Albertans cancelled their business travel plans to the U.S. and 37 per cent cancelled personal travel.

For those who’ve finalized their summer travel plans, 64 per cent say they will travel within Canada, 43 per cent will stay in Alberta and 17 per cent are considering other international destinations.

Just 16 per cent are traveling or considering traveling to the U.S. this summer, the CFIB said.

The organization is looking to all three levels of government to reduce permit and licencing requirements and actively promote local businesses and travel options within Canada.

“As Albertans shift their travel plans away from the U.S., there’s a unique opportunity to support small businesses in the province, and across Canada by keeping their loonies local,” Southwood said.

“Every time Canadians choose to shop at a local small business, 66 cents of every dollar stays in the local economy.”