'We deserve all the sass': Bellinghamsters approve of B.C.'s new border signs
Premier David Eby recently announced a brand new welcome sign for travellers coming across the B.C. border from the U.S.
It says: “Welcome to British Columbia, Canada. Strong, proud, and will NEVER be the 51st state. Sorry!”
He said earlier this week that these signs “carry a message that reflects the spirit of this moment.”
“This is a uniquely Canadian message. It’s confidence, good humour, and it’s unmistakably clear: British Columbia is part of Canada, and Canada is not for sale.”
I just LOVE this. ššØš¦
Welcome to my province, beautiful British Columbia.
To our American friends: you are ALWAYS welcome here. Come visit, enjoy the mountains, meet some great Canadians and spend some money. š
Just remember one little thing before you arrive:
We love beingā¦ pic.twitter.com/bQWttxgLWGā guyfelicellašØš¦š (@guyfelicella) September 8, 2026
Eby made this announcement on the same day that Canada enacted counter-tariffs on the U.S. It also followed a weekend in which U.S. President Donald Trump posted a series of memes on social media, including a map of North America with the U.S. flag imposed on Canada and Mexico.
“The president is clearly unhinged,” Eby said. “Those memes are bizarre. They are disturbing. They are not befitting the leader of the world’s largest economy. The world’s largest army.”
In the Bellingham subreddit, one Bellinghamster agreed with Eby’s characterization of Trump.
“Rock on, Canada! I’m American and wearing a red plaid jacket today in solidarity with Canada,” they wrote. “Trump is as unhinged as a wrecking ball on a snapped chain, and is wreaking just as much damage.”
Daily Hive has previously reported on the relationship between Bellingham and B.C., including the support that Bellinghamsters have shown us amid Trump’s tariffs ā even when the drop in Canadian tourists has damaged their local economy.
So, it comes as no surprise to us that many Bellinghamsters approve of this new border sign.
“Good for them, we deserve all the sass and more as a country. Reminds me that I should probably travel up to White Rock this weekend for lunch,” wrote one person.
Another person said they cross the B.C. border daily, and they are “excited to try and take a selfie near one of them. I hope this bit of theater gives people a good chuckle.”
However, one Redditor offered an interesting counterpoint, noting that it is targeting people who are simply visiting the country for vacation and to “enjoy everything Canada has to offer.”
“I get the sentiment, but this seems to be appealing to the wrong crowd. I don’t go to Canada secretly plotting how to make it the 51st state. I go up there because I love how B.C. treats its Provincial Parks, I go up there because it’s close enough but slightly different than America. I go there to escape stupid American shit and not to mention the differences in dollars.”
Further, many Bellinghamsters emphasized that they disagree with Trump’s “51st state” rhetoric.
“The sane people of America don’t want Canada to be the 51st state. Our idiot in chief destroyed the goodwill between our countries and acts like a petulant child posting memes and saying ridiculous things about Canada. It’s embarrassing and I hope one day (when our administration changes) we can get our crap together, apologize, and restore our relationships with our allies,” wrote a Redditor.