As the border slowdown between B.C. and Bellingham continues, the City of Bellingham has penned a letter to Canadians revealing exactly what’s at stake.
Bellingham and British Columbia share a border that has a rich history regarding the travel and flow of residents between the two regions.
It’s clear that the economy for both regions receives a big boost from this travel, and a recent letter from the City of Bellingham to Canadian and B.C. cities is another likely indicator that Washington’s economy is suffering.
The letter, signed by the Bellingham City Council and Mayor Kim Lund, addresses the shared history of both regions and the challenges they face in light of current geopolitical tensions.
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According to the letter, Bellingham is adding its voice to Washington State’s House Resolution No. 2025-4659. The resolution includes an abundance of information on how the current political challenges — which have led to a decline in travel between the two nations — could impact the region’s economy.
We’ve heard directly from Washington businesses about how a drop in travel is impacting the bottom line.
“Commerce with the people of British Columbia maintains a deeply integrated trade relationship, with billions of dollars in goods and services exchanged annually, providing a critical market for exports and ensuring an efficient supply chain for key industries,” the resolution states.
The hope of the resolution is for the House of Representatives to “reaffirm” the State’s commitment to collaboration between the two nations, “fostering consistent, open dialogue between public and private sectors, and strengthening the bonds we have shared with the people of Canada for over 150 years.”
The resolution calls for unity in addressing “common challenges.” It also mentions Point Roberts.
“Point Roberts, Washington, exemplifies the deep interconnection between the people of Washington state and British Columbia, depending on cross-border access to essential resources.”
The resolution says the relationship between B.C. and Washington serves as a model for regional collaboration. The Bellingham council’s letter also addresses the history between the two nations.
“We believe that a peaceful partnership that has lasted for nearly two centuries can endure. We believe that we can continue to forge a thriving future together as neighbours.”
The letter made its way to the Bellingham subreddit, leading to a peaceful discussion and understanding by both sides.
What residents are saying
Comment
byu/oldeastvan from discussion
inBellingham
Someone from B.C. shared a post about the letter on Reddit, telling Bellingham residents, “We aren’t really mad at any of you.”
“A lot of us are simply scared of your border guards and ICE agents. There is nothing that a city or even a state can do to control them. So until that changes, a lot of us just won’t visit, which is a damn shame,” they added.
In response, Bellingham residents expressed understanding, not blaming any B.C. residents for taking a pause from travelling south across the border.
The top comment stated, “I feel the same way about heading north. Our federal government is trying to isolate us from the rest of the world. It totally sucks, but long before he started picking fights with other countries, he’s been attacking Democrats and marginalized groups here in the U.S.”
Another U.S. resident said they’re no longer visiting their family in B.C. at all.
“It’s just impossible to be hopeful or optimistic about 2025 or this country at all right now,” another Redditor said.
Despite the political realities between the two regions, we’ve heard from some B.C. residents that they’re planning on heading down to the new Trader Joe’s in Bellingham, which opens tomorrow.
Has anything changed for you regarding travel to the States since the political tensions began? Let us know in the comments or email us at vancouver@dailyhive.com.
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