On Thursday, November 5, there was a large turnout at the Canada-Florida Chamber of Commerce (CCCF) season-opening cocktail reception, hosted by Desjardins Bank in Hallandale Beach. As CCCF President Louis Olivier Guay noted while thanking everyone who attended: “It’s always a pleasure to meet Canadian entrepreneurs, investors, and expats living in Florida.”
Guests greatly enjoyed the evening’s festive and friendly atmosphere while taking advantage of a valuable networking opportunity.
And the Canadian business community is thriving in Florida! Mr. Guay told Soleil de la Floride, which was among the guests, that Canadian entrepreneurs continue to invest in Florida, and that recently, “a lot of people from Toronto have been calling us, one after another, because they’re looking to move to Florida.” He anticipates a return to something closer to normal and believes the business climate will become more stable, which is encouraging. But for some snowbirds, the high cost of living and the weak Canadian dollar could be factors discouraging them from moving to Florida.
Catherine Cano, Louis Olivier Guay, Renée-Claude Legault
Canadians are expected to arrive in large numbers
It’s the talk of the town: Will Canadians return to the United States in droves this year? Renée-Claude Legault, President and CEO of Desjardins Bank, told us that the season is looking promising, pointing to a strong 2026–2027 season. Sonia Bolduc, Vice President of Business Development at Desjardins Bank, added that while people tried other destinations last year—such as Portugal or Mexico—Florida’s appeal, the sense of security, and the fact that it’s close to home remain compelling factors. From what she’s seen, it’s easier to travel to Florida than to keep going back and forth. Not to mention that traffic has already picked up at Desjardins branches and there are mortgage inquiries, even though some people are selling their homes.
Russell Miller, a real estate agent and property management and supervision contractor, told us that his many clients are all arriving at roughly the same time right now, and that they’re all coming back. Adam Veilleux, also a real estate agent, reported that a large-scale luxury real estate project—which began taking shape three years ago and is currently being completed—has been purchased overwhelmingly by Quebecers, and none of them have put their properties up for sale. As for Majorie Laflamme, an events specialist, she feels that the 2026–2027 season will be better than last year.
Next CCCF Event
The next CCCF event is the end-of-year party on Wednesday, December 9: https://www.cfccflorida.com
Hollywood Proclaims “Snowbird Recognition Day” for Quebecers
On the same day as the CCCF event presented by Desjardins Bank, the city of Hollywood Beach presented the Quebec delegation in Miami with a proclamation officially designating November 5 as “Snowbird Recognition Day” to highlight the presence of « generations of Québécois residents who have established lasting connections to our neighborhoods, businesses, places of worship, and community organizations; » and […] that « more than one million snowbirds choose Florida as their second home each year, contributing to the state’s economic vitality and strengthening Canadian international visitor market that represents approximately one quarter of Florida’s international tourism. »
Quebec’s delegate in Miami, Catherine Cano, told us that last spring, Hollywood Mayor Josh Levy had expressed concern about a potential decline in the number of Quebecers returning to Florida for the 2026–2027 season. Wondering what to do to ensure that the snowbirds would return to Hollywood Beach, the mayor and city commissioners decided to draft a sort of declaration of love to the snowbirds, in the form of an official proclamation.
During the presentation of the Proclamation to Ms. Cano in Hollywood Beach, she stated: « We are proud to celebrate a milestone as the City of Hollywood officially proclaims November 5 as Snowbird Appreciation Day, in honour of the thousands of seasonal residents who have helped forge lasting ties between Quebec and South Florida. » Ms. Cano concluded her speech by saying: « The story of Québec snowbirds in Hollywood is not just a story about sunshine and winter escapes. It is a story about friendship, community, and a relationship that has enriched both our societies for generations. »
Interview on the Canadiens’ Upcoming Visit to the United States
On Friday, November 6, Le Soleil de la Floride was invited to discuss the Canadiens’ upcoming visit to the United States on QUB Radio Montreal • TV • Podcast • Video, in an interview with Mario Dumont:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO2kO7g9L1E
Article translated by DeepL.