The Nexus trusted-traveller program in Canada has experienced a sharp decline in applications since U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to office last year. According to data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), there has been a significant drop in applications, with just under 350,000 applications received in 2025 compared to nearly 700,000 the previous year.
Nexus, a program jointly operated with the U.S., allows pre-screened travelers to expedite security checks at border crossings and airports. The decrease in applications in 2025 is notable, especially when compared to the backlog experienced in 2022 and 2023 due to bilateral disputes that were resolved only in mid-2023.
While Americans also utilize the Nexus program, the majority of members are Canadian. The decline in new applicants in 2025 could be attributed to increased application fees in 2024, as well as a growing trend of Canadians distancing themselves from the U.S. during the second term of the Trump administration.
Recent data from Statistics Canada reveals a 30.9% decrease in Canadian vehicles crossing the U.S. border in 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline in cross-border travel is part of a broader trend, with a U.S. Travel Association report projecting a 3.2% reduction in international tourism spending for 2025, largely driven by fewer Canadian visitors.
Beyond travel statistics, a CBC News analysis shows that Canadians are also scaling back interactions with the U.S. in trade, shopping, and cultural exchanges. Political tensions between the two countries have heightened since Trump’s re-election, with conflicts over tariffs and negotiations contributing to strained relations.
Following a speech by Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum that diverged from Trump’s foreign policy approach, tensions escalated. Trump’s recent statements, including rescinding an invitation to Carney and threatening tariffs on Canadian goods, underscore the deteriorating relationship between the two nations.
The decline in Nexus applications has prompted Senator Paula Simons to propose a separate verified traveler program for Canadians. Currently, Nexus is the only pathway for public members to become verified travelers, relying on the U.S. system. Simons advocates for a Canadian program independent of the U.S., citing the need for a domestic alternative and addressing human rights concerns, particularly regarding gender markers on Nexus applications.