‘Point Roberts, Wash. Supports Canada’: Small B.C. border town calls for action as economy sinks

As British Columbians avoid travel to the U.S., a small border community is struggling.

The trade war between the United States and Canada has left a small Washington-B.C. border town struggling to keep its economy from sinking.

The economy of Point Roberts, Wash., relies on nearby Canadians making a trip across the border to grab lunch or groceries, but since U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening tariffs on Canadian goods, many British Columbians have stayed home.

On Tuesday, two businesses in the community of just over 1,200 people told CTV News that revenue had plummeted to levels not seen since the pandemic, when the border was shut down.

“I just did my numbers for February, and I’m down 55 per cent,” said Tamra Hansen, the owner of Saltwater Café.

“I thought (it would be) 30 or 40 (per cent). I was trying to be optimistic, but it is a little more devastating than I thought.”

Hansen, who is also on the local Chamber of Commerce board of directors, explained that time is running out on Point Roberts businesses and support from all levels of government is needed to avoid sweeping closures.

She says the chamber will be speaking to the governor’s office in Olympia, Wash., Tuesday night to discuss possible solutions and exemptions to help alleviate some of the pain being caused by the loss of Canadian traffic.

“We can’t afford any lip service here. We need action,” said Hansen.

The largest employer in Point Roberts is the International Marketplace, which has 19 employees.

According to Dave Duncan, the manager, the grocery store is down more than 20 per cent year over year, with last year also having revenue challenges.

Duncan says it’s a combination of issues plaguing the store: The weak Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar, weather, and now a trade war have all led to a dwindling number of customers.

“I’m doing my best to keep all the staff here because when we do get busy again, we’re grateful to have everybody we have,” said Duncan.

“I’m running out of things to clean, running out of little side projects to keep everybody gainfully employed, including myself.”

He is hopeful with spring break arriving for students on both sides of the border and summer approaching, the business will pick up, but without a constant flow, the store could be in trouble.

The past president of the Chamber of Commerce, Brian Calder, explained that Canadians generate 90 per cent of the economic activity in Point Roberts.

In recent weeks, Calder has taken it upon himself to create bumper stickers that read “Point Roberts, Wash., supports Canada” as a way to create unity and send a message to all levels of government that residents want a resolution to cross-border conflict.

He says no one wins in this trade war and is hopeful a deal can be made before the community vanishes.