Living in Canada as an American: Thanksgiving Traditions Explained

09 October 24
Crossing the 49th Podcast

As we head into the holiday season, many of us are reflecting on our traditions, especially those of us who live between two countries. At Beacon Hill Wealth Management, we work with many Americans living in Canada, and one topic that always comes up this time of year is Thanksgiving. How does it differ between the two countries, and what should expats expect?

In a recent interview on 770 AM Calgary Radio with Sarah Crosbie from Global News, our very own Chris Stooksbury shared his unique experience as an American living in Canada. The conversation dove into everything from the dates and traditions to football and, yes, even the infamous seven-layer Jell-O!

Key Highlights from the Interview:

  • Date and Significance: While Canadian Thanksgiving happens in early October, the U.S. celebrates later in November, with a much bigger focus on travel, football, and family gatherings.
  • Cultural Differences: In the U.S., Thanksgiving is often a four-day event, with many returning home, whereas in Canada, it’s typically a single-day affair.
  • Food Traditions: Both countries have their staples—turkey, stuffing, and cranberries—but there are unique regional twists, especially for American expats who bring their holiday traditions north of the border.

You can watch the full interview below to get all the insights directly from Chris.

🎙️ Special thanks to Global News and Sarah for providing the audio of this interview. https://globalnews.ca/pages/audio-vault-chqr/

If you have any questions about this topic or need advice on other cross-border tax or investment matters, feel free to contact Phil at phil@beaconhillwm.ca.

You can also take advantage of our complimentary tax consultation by visiting: https://chat.beaconhillwm.ca/o/c0b2f5c6

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Disclaimer: The information contained in this Podcast and YouTube video is for information purposes only and should not be construed as tax or financial planning advice. Tax and financial planning rules change from year to year and the information contained within may be outdated. Ensure to engage an experienced and competent tax and financial planner to help you with your tax and financial planning needs.

Phil Hogan, CPA, CA, CPA (Colorado)

Phil Hogan is a Canadian and US CPA working with clients throughout Canada and the US. Phil advises on cross border tax and financial planning matters. Phil can be reached at phil@beaconhillwm.ca or via telephone at 778.433.1314. You can also read more about Phil at www.Beaconhillwm.ca/team/about-phil/

This commentary reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints and analyses of the Beacon Hill Wealth Management Ltd. partner providing such comments, and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Beacon Hill Wealth Management Ltd. or performance returns of any Beacon Hill Wealth Management Ltd. client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this commentary constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Beacon Hill Wealth Management Ltd. manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any discussion about taxation is for educational purposes only and should not be viewed as professional advice. Consult your tax professional for tax advice on your particular situation.