Neighbourly affection between Ontario’s Niagara Region and the city of Buffalo, N.Y., is once again on display amid the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war.
And once again, sports are a playing a big role.
Niagara Falls Tourism has placed an open letter in today’s edition of the Buffalo News, inviting Americans across the border to visit on Saturday as a fireworks display will light up the sky over Niagara Falls red, white and blue — the colours of the Buffalo Bills football team.
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The letter thanks Buffalo for “being a neighbour,” saying the two regions have shared the river for a long time and highlighting recent moments of camaraderie.
It says many in Buffalo stood up and sang O Canada during the Bills’ home opener on Sept. 17, and Canadians sang along, “from the stadium, in sports bars, and on couches across the country.”
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Later, the letter reads, Buffalo took out billboards across southern Ontario, referencing O Canada with the note, “We’re still singing it.”
“Well, we want to return the feeling,” the letter says.
A similar dynamic played out this spring during the NHL playoffs, with many hockey fans in the Niagara Region cheering for the Buffalo Sabres.
At the time, St. Catharines city Coun. Kevin Townsend said there is a “lifelong friendship” between Upstate New Yorkers and Niagara Region residents, even amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
I think this is garbage. The Bills / Sabres owner Pegula is a massive Trump supporter and MAGA .
Even the PR from the Bills said ” it’s about business”. Don’t get suckered in whining MAGA corporations, there’s zero sincerity in it.
If it was a spontaneous American ppl saying ” we are wrong” it would be different.
It’s a MAGA run corporation ( Pegula owns the Sabres too) crying because they want CDN’s money. I won’t say what I want to now …
Yes, a long history and an understanding of the current situation.
Bills have not been pursuing much of Ontario for decades Sean. It started 13 months ago with an agreement between MLSE and Pegula.
Now we see their mascot in Toronto events. GTFO here!
If it wasn’t for Pegula buying the Bills they very well could have been bought by a Canadian group and moved north. Yet now he wants our Fandom.
Sean sounds like you remember the four superbowl losses in a row.
The comments section shows that cranky people will not encourage, acknowledge or support goodwill between people. Yeah, much of Ontario has been part of the market for the Buffalo Bills for decades now. I remember when Global TV would try to work with the NFL and Bills on marketing for ticket sales so the games wouldn’t be in black out.
People have been hopping back and forth across the border each direction for shopping, sports, concerts and stuff for a very long time. As a kid we would go across for short single day visits and we didn’t even need a passport. Before MAGA I drove to Buffalo from Hamilton all of the time for Buffalo Bisons games. It was easier than going to Toronto. It was so common to go to the Tim Hortons in Buffalo and run into my neighbours.
The U.S. administration is something “special”. The good feelings of people in border towns remains pretty good in many areas. Let the cranks eat dust.
Ray they sang the anthem because some of the people at the games themselves are Canadians. They didn’t do it as Americans for Canadians. Buffalo is a small market town. The Sabres would not survive without the financial support from Ontario fans. Pegula saw that and is trying to do the same because he owns both teams. I don’t care for it. I don’t care for their mascot at Raptor and Blue Jay games. Their team is their team. We can make our own choices. Niagara region should not assume otherwise.
Guest
You might not be Bill’s fan I am not Bill’s fan either but lots of Canadians are
All started singing O Cananada at the Bill’s opening game to appreciate Canadian fans
From some of the comments here I can see why this quote is applicable:
“If people can not write well, they can not think well, and if they can not think well, then others will do their thinking for them. (George Orwell)
garbage news story. good old Onterrible. Forcing this onto the people.
i hope to see a pile of people there protesting this.
that is what you liberals do, isnt it? not go and do something good with protesting for a change.
No Ray. Its the region of Niagara Falls doing this act, not the other way around. They don’t speak for all of us. We are not all Bills fans.
Guest
I know that
They are showing appreciation to Canadian fans and there are many!
Ray there 32 NFL teams. Buffalo is not our team by default.
Lots of Canadians might not like Americans but they are only friends we have.
If you think Europeans or. Chinese Mexicans Indians or any other country cares about Canada try sell our stuff to them!
Well done Niagara and Buffalo.
Buffalo is not Canada. The Bills are not our team to root for by default. If you want to root for them then go ahead. But don’t assume that you can speak for me or the rest of your neighbours.