SAULT STE. MARIE — The number of Canadians coming across the border is down big time.
From President Trump’s rhetoric about turning Canada into the 51st state to his tariff policies, many Canadians are electing to just stay home.
We talked to people in our border town, Sault Ste. Marie, about the impact this is all having.
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Mayor Don Gerrie says there’s not much that can be done locally about what’s happening in Washington or Ottawa, other than letting their feelings be known.
The rhetoric he’s talking about began with President Trump saying Canada would be better off as our 51st state.
“I think 100% of it is run on, emotions and reaction to the rhetoric that some of the politicians have had and especially the news media in, both sides, I guess Ontario and U.S.,” said Gerrie
These numbers may be showing how Canadians are feeling about that assertion.
According to the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority, there has been a sharp decline in traffic compared to 2024
In June alone, there was a nearly 27 percent drop in crossings from Sault, Ontario to Sault, Michigan.
Since January, the overall number is down 23 percent.
“Canadian citizens are very patriotic, and that’s what I love about them. They love their country,” said Gerrie.
The desire to stay away may also stem from the trump administration imposing steeper tariffs on Canadian products, in an effort, they say, to make trade between the two countries fairer.
However, it’s creating uncertainty north of the border.
In a statement to 9&10 News, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said:
“The City is focused on doing what it can to address pressing issues facing Sault Ste. Marie, and the imposition of tariffs – in particular, a 50% tariff on Canadian steel – represents the most important near-term challenge. It is a serious and immediate threat to our local economy, and to the Canadian steel industry and steelworkers more broadly. I am committed to advocating for these tariffs to be lifted and for the Federal and Provincial governments to provide the necessary support to ensure our steel industry can remain competitive. A tariff of this magnitude is harmful on both sides of the border. In 2018, when similar tariffs were imposed, the U.S. steel industry gained 8,000 jobs, but U.S. manufacturers that rely on steel lost approximately 75,000 jobs – nearly 900 per cent more than the gains. Given the long history of cross-border cooperation and shared prosperity between Canada and the United States – and in particular, between the Twin Saults – it’s understandable that many in Sault Ontario are frustrated by the tariffs and threats to our sovereignty, whether serious or not, and are expressing those frustrations by not travelling to/spending money in the U.S. This is a challenging moment in the Canada–U.S. relationship. I remain committed to strengthening the local relationship between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. I am grateful to Mayor Gerrie for his continued collaboration, including our recent joint council meeting and his support at a Canadian unity event this spring. We will continue to advocate together for cooperation, understanding and shared economic success on both sides of the border.”
Rick Parissenti, who grew up in Soo, Ontario and now lives on the Michigan side, holding dual-citizenship has a different take when it comes to the slow-down in Canadians coming across the border.
“Whatever they can find on sale at Walmart and for better price on gas. That’s about it. That’s the main reason why there’s the attraction. So, if their dollar’s low, which it is now because of the way they’ve operated over the last 10 to 15 years, there’s no incentive to come here anymore because the bottom line is always the dollar period. So, if anyone saying they’re not coming here because they want to prove a point to our current leader, then it’s all about the bottom line. If that were the case, then they shouldn’t buy anything from China,” said Parissenti
Right now, a U.S. Dollar costs about $1.37 Canadian, making it less attractive for Canadians to shop across the border.
Business owners like Raymond Bell are feeling the impact of that.
“We have seen a dip because it’s more gift items, precious moments, willow tree figurines, things that you’re not going to find, hopefully at Walmart or at the big boxes that make us unique. And those sales have dipped because when they bring the item back, they’re getting off going back in for buying in the U.S., so it’s not worth their money,” said Bell.
Both U.S. and Canadian leaders are still negotiating the tariff situation after the President Trump imposed a 25% tax on Canadian steel, aluminum, cars and other products.
The Canadians retaliated with duties on many of the same U.S. products.
No matter what happens there is optimism that things will start to normalize over time.
“But I have spoken to lots of people, and they still love our community. They still love our people. And at the Bridge Walk last week, it was probably half to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario residents and they had a great time. And they loved the relationship that we as two cities like our twin city have together. So, I think that memories are short,” said Gerrie.
“Everything is going to work out. It always has. It always will. You can’t live in fear. There’s no need to fear the federal government. Hitler is not in charge. Anyone who thinks like that is, I don’t know where they’re going with that, but the United States is never going to take over Canada,” said Parissenti.