A new report and survey have painted a bleak picture of the extent to which the continued decline in Canadian visitors is affecting businesses in Whatcom County, including Bellingham, Blaine and Ferndale.
The report and survey were released by the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University, in partnership with the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The food and beverage sector is affected the most by fewer visitors, with 91 per cent saying the decline is damaging and 64 per cent are concerned about survival.
Eighty-five per cent of retail businesses say the decline is damaging and 60 per cent are concerned about survival.
Sixty-seven per cent of tourism and visitor services say the decline is damaging and 70 per cent of other community services say the decline is damaging for them.
According to Cascade Gateway Border Data Warehouse, which tracks vehicle crossings at the Canada-U.S. border, B.C. vehicles crossing southbound at border checkpoints has declined steadily from 2024 to 2026, with some exceptions.
Get daily National news
Crossings were up between 2025 and 2026 in April, May and June, but then declined again in July.
-
![]()
Trump says trade deal with Canada will likely come ‘soon’ -
![]()
Saudi Arabia shuts oil pipeline after drone attack from Iraqi territory near Iran border -
![]()
Will counter-tariffs push food prices higher? -
![]()
‘Egregious behavior:’ Brampton mayor, auto workers outraged as Stellantis decides to sell Brampton assembly plant
When asked if Canadian visitors affect their Bellingham business, 63 per cent said they strongly agree and 26 per cent said agree. Only 1.5 per cent said they strongly disagree.
Fifty-seven per cent of businesses overall said the drop in Canadian visitors is damaging to their business and 37 per cent said they have made changes to their business in response to declining visits.
Seventy-three per cent of those changes were long-term or permanent.
For businesses that have been open for less than 10 years, 67 per cent responded that they are worried about survival.
Corus should just close this operation down. Global news it’s a disgrace.
Nobody cares Any kunt. Just more distractions from the useless media about what’s really going on in this unaffordable country. I hope you’re part of the corus layoffs.
Americans don’t care nor do they notice the trade situation. Canada is irrelevant.
Don’t have sympathy for these people. Americans are not our friends. Don’t fool yourself.
The survey actually covered businesses all over Whatcom County, not just Bellingham. And the report was issued by the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University working in partnership with the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce to spread the word about the survey, not just the Chamber itself.
BPRI’s involvement, and the county-wide aspect, give this survey a bit more heft than if it was just a Bellingham Chamber talking about only Bellingham businesses.
But the effect is real, and has increased over the past year. It’s sad for everyone.
I’m kidding about England. That was an acid trip. With my McJob I can barely afford to pay my parents rent. Luckily I make some extra cash sucking co ck at the chucg reserve near Capilano bridge.
It’s nice that traffic has slowed at the border as I still go down for packages at Blaine and other things in Bellingham and beyond. The “Elbows Up” morons can stay home. The hilarious thing is, Washington is a Blue state, so you’re only hurting like-minded liberal loosers like yourselves.
I hope these business owners vote blue in the midterms because only blue will ensure canadians return. The republican party has changed dramatically under Trump and has gone very backwards, racist and archaic. Canada is a diverse country and heading down to the states is now unsafe and potentially dangerous to be flagged and arrested and thrown into ICE prisons. This is not the USA any of us remember or feel comfortable supporting with our dollars. Trump is using the USA and its rule of law as his personal vendetta against anyone who doesnt like him and its affecting everyone in a negative way. I wish Americans would see the detriment of having a narcissistic president in charge and never vote for such a horrible personality again, whether blue or red. Vote for integrity, not a color.
Dave, you really are FKed in the head. Go back and suck trumps coc some more. Prk
They know who to blame. I used to zip across the border to shop or just to sightsee, but no more. I won’t be crossing the border as long as the bloated buffoon is in office — and maybe not after either.
“Dave
August 18, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Some Canadians no longer visit because Canada’s economy is in the toilet and they cant afford to
The others are just childish fools who think they are sticking it to Trump somehow”
That’s weird. I just came back from England and the ticket was a couple grand. Way more than a visit to Bellingham. Sorry you can’t afford anything. Maybe you should go get a job and then you can afford to drive down to Bellingham
Get used to it! It ain’t never gonna change. We dont need the US
Some Canadians no longer visit because Canada’s economy is in the toilet and they cant afford to
The others are just childish fools who think they are sticking it to Trump somehow
Hahahaha yessss