Elected officials from Bellingham, Washington, made a special trip to Langley on Friday, where the two cities joined forces to plant a symbolic tree signifying the strong bond between their nations.
The ceremonial tree, now standing tall in the heart of downtown Langley City, marks over a century of peace and camaraderie between the United States and Canada.
Amidst the current trade tensions with the U.S., many residents of British Columbia have chosen to forgo their usual trips south of the border. This shift in travel patterns has had a noticeable economic impact on American cities that heavily rely on Canadian tourism.
Bellingham’s Mayor Kim Lund expressed how her city has been affected by the absence of Canadian visitors. She emphasized the importance of their cross-border connections, stating, “It’s just not the same when we’re apart. We truly miss that connection right now.”
Despite Mayor Lund’s invitation for Canadians to visit Bellingham, the latest data from Statistics Canada reveals a significant 40% decline in cross-border travel by Canadians between February and April of this year.
Acknowledging the reasons behind the reduced border crossings, Mayor Lund also expressed her frustration with her government’s handling of the situation.
Nevertheless, the symbolic tree-planting in Langley is meant to reaffirm the enduring relationship between the two nations. Mayor Lund reassured, “When the time is right, we will be here with open arms, eager to welcome back our neighbors from the North.”
Keyphrase: US-Canada relations