Fewer trips from eastern Ontario to New York State this spring, data shows

Eastern Ontarians are making fewer trips to the U.S., data shows. CTV’s Stefan Keyes reports.

Fewer people crossed the Canada-U.S. border from eastern Ontario into New York State in April, as Canadians continue to make fewer trips to the United States.

Newly released statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection show there were 25,000 fewer crossings at the three border points in eastern Ontario in April, after nearly 23,000 fewer crossings in March.

The data shows there were 38,600 conveyances entering the United States at the Alexandria Bay, New York point of entry from Lansdowne in April, down from 53,500 trips during the same month last year. The number of visitors dropped from 101,000 people in April 2024 to 68,500 in April 2025.

At the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge, there were 15,200 trips into Ogdensburg, New York in April, down from 21,100 in April 2024. Statistics show 26,000 people entered the U.S. at Ogdensburg from Ontario last month.

There was a total of 67,200 trips across the U.S.-Canada land border from Cornwall and Akwesasne to Massena, New York in April, down from 71,300 trips in 2024.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were 2.9 million travellers crossing the land border from Canada to the United States in April, down from 3.9 million during the same month in 2024. The U.S. statistics showed 3.2 million trips from Canada to the U.S. in March, down from 4.1 million in March 2024.

Statistics Canada released new statistics on Monday showing the number of return trips by Canadians to the United States continues to fall.

Return trips by Canadians flying to the United States dropped by 19.9 per cent in April, while trips across land borders dropped 35.2 per cent last month compared to April 2024.

The highest number of returning trips by Canadians from the United States was on Easter Monday, with 72,900 trips.

The drop in visitors comes amid the tariff war between Canada and the United States, the low Canadian dollar, and anger over U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about Canada becoming the 51st state.