More B.C. travellers are heading to America than in 2025, and a conversation about a Costco trip has some Bellinghamsters (Bellingham residents) feeling nostalgic about Canadian visitors.
We’ve covered the drop in cross-border land traffic between B.C. and the United States extensively in previous months.
While levels of travellers are still down hugely compared to 2024, there were actually more people travelling to the States through the primary ports of entry (Pac Highway, Lynden, Sumas and the Peace Arch), in April, May and June 2026, compared to the same months in 2025. Around 45,000 more, to be exact, according to data from the Whatcom Council of Governments.
According to a recent conversation amongst Bellinghamsters and some Canadians, some seem to be noticing another spike in traffic in recent weeks that has stirred some nostalgia, and it’s seemingly all thanks to an apology.
A Bellingham resident said they visited a Costco and heard a woman say “sOrry,” emphasizing how the Canadian shopper pronounced sorry.
“I never thought I’d be nostalgic for Canadians at Costco,” the Redditor said.
Another Redditor commented on the Canadian accent.
Comment
by
u/86753ohneigheine from discussionin
Bellingham
The post spurred some friendly back and forth with minor grievances between Washington and B.C. residents.
“One of their many blind drivers ran me off the road while biking yesterday, so I’m cursing them this week,” one Bellinghamster said, adding that they hope their “Tim Hortons be stale.”
Some Canadians who live in Washington actually agreed that driving in Vancouver is exhausting.
Another Bellingham resident said that the Trader Joe’s they visited was super crowded with Canadians and that after being briefly annoyed, they caught themselves and said, “Welcome back, my friends.”
Others joined in that sentiment, with another Bellinghamster saying, “Amen, welcome back, we can use each and every bit of help we can get!”
Some Americans shared that, considering the volatility of the relationship between Canada and the U.S., and the general vibe in the States altogether, they were grateful to be seeing any B.C. visitors at Costco or other popular destinations at all.
“I miss them too! I understand why Canada is boycotting us, but Trump doesn’t seem affected by it at all,” another Bellinghamster said.
We’ve asked you before, but over the last year, how have your sentiments about U.S. travel changed, if at all? Are you any closer to considering driving across the border for a Bellingham trip?
Let us know in the comments.