Brian Calder’s life and family have always straddled the 49th Parallel — the line on the map that divides much of the United States from Canada. A dual citizen, he was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has lived most of his 84 years a few miles south in Point Roberts, Washington. The fact that Point Roberts dangles off the edge of British Columbia, relies almost entirely on Canada for its utilities and has no land connection to the rest of the US has largely not been an issue, until now. “Half our families are on either side of the border and so we have a very strong — probably the strongest of any place in North America —bond between Canada and the USA,” Calder said. “That’s grossly threatened now by the disowning (of) Canada economically, and therefore emotionally, and it’s soul-crushing,” he said. Tariffs, reports of detentions and President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for annexing Canada as the 51st state are driving a wedge between the nations, and even relatives. Calder’s family has been in Point Roberts for generations, first arriving in 1895, he explained. The economy of the town relies largely on traffic coming in from Canada, which includes the roughly 40 family members he estimated being on the Canadian side. But the once sure-footed dynamic has given way to some second guessing their relationship with the American exclave, even for family. “They just feel more alienated from here because of what’s happening,” Calder said from the American side of the international line. “It’s all driven, in my opinion, by the threat on the Canadian sovereignty,” he told CNN. If it had been the Canadian prime minister talking about absorbing the US, “there’d be tanks on the border within an hour,” he added. He questioned if Trump’s tactics were helping anyone. “Both economies get negatively impacted – people are now mad at each other because of that goofy statement.” Bill Calder, his cousin, is one of those people. He lives in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, just a five-minute drive from the border and Point Roberts. The 85-year-old Canadian was also born in Vancouver and remembers spending “every summer in Point Roberts.” Up until recently he would go down once or twice a week, sometimes just for leisurely visits if the weather was nice. Now, he “would rather not.” Generations of history in Point Roberts are up against months of a new Trump administration. “I’m not too happy about Mr. Trump,” he told CNN. “The interest is not there to go down right now.” “It’s too bad, it’s sad,” he continued. “It used to be a wonderful place to go, it just doesn’t seem to be as nice anymore” he said of the neighboring US town, adding his feelings had “something to do with Mr. Trump being charge of it.” “It’s him,” he emphasized. Bill Calder’s Canadian daughter fondly remembers spending summers in Point Roberts, and while she hasn’t cut herself off from visiting, there is still “quite a bit of hesitation to go down,” said Maggie Mori. The 50-year-old Mori lives in the Vancouver-area but owns a summer home in Point Roberts with her husband, where she’s continued the generational tradition of bringing their kids to the Point. She’s aware of the general animosity in Canada toward some of Trump’s rhetoric. But her hesitation is more to do with her personal safety. “There is some fear there still about being detained at the border,” she said, adding it is “nerve-wracking.” “I’d like to think Point Roberts is different, but it’s not. It’s still part of the United States,” she said, alluding to other incidents of tourists being detained at US borders. “It’s difficult to feel like that about Point Roberts,” she explained. “For me, personally, it’s just somewhere I love,” but even still, “I am angry at America.” The Canadian government recently warned Canadians to “expect scrutiny” when crossing the border and said US border officials have the authority to search travelers’ electronic devices – including phones, laptops, and tablets – without providing a reason. That said, the Canadian government still rates the risk of travel to the United States as low and to take normal security precautions. ‘It’s a lot quieter’ The change in attitude has also had a real effect on business in a town where 70% of homes are owned by Canadians, as long-time real estate agent Hugh Wilson explained. “It’s the day trippers that aren’t coming down here,” he told CNN. “It’s a lot quieter during the week,” he added, “that’s what’s affecting the retail businesses.” Brian Calder, also former president of Point Roberts’ chamber of commerce, estimated foot traffic has shrunk “right down to probably 70% of what it was.” Border crossing data reflects much of that reality. In the months leading up to Trump’s inauguration, traveler crossings were up at the Point Roberts point of entry as compared to the same time period the previous year. But in February there was a roughly 13% drop compared with February 2024. March then saw a 25% drop and April continued the spiral with a nearly 30% decrease in travelers compared to the same month last year, according to data from United States Customs and Border Protection, in line with the 25% year over year drop in crossings along the length of the US-Canada border in April. Dave Duncan, the manager at the town’s only grocery store, told CNN in early April he estimated sales were down about 20% or 30% while Tamra Hansen, manager at the nearby Saltwater Café told CNN affiliate KOMO her sales were down 55% in February. Her café proudly declares “Point Roberts residents support Canada.” For Wilson, the real estate agent, the future is still unknowable. “This summer will definitely be the best indication,” he said, as to what the long-term effect may be for this town that relies on Canadian traffic to keep it alive. The only other time community members recall anything like the same disruption was during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the border was essentially shut down at points. But Mori draws a crucial distinction from that time. “Covid was out of our control,” she explained. “This is within somebody’s control.” “Everything can be amicable again, so it’s really hard to reconcile why this is happening,” she continued. Trump’s heightened rhetoric is widely credited with giving rise to Canada’s newest Prime Minister Mark Carney. Mori was encouraged by Carney’s first meeting with Trump in early May. “It seems like the last meeting between Trump and our prime minister went OK,” she said. But Carney has also previously said, “The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over.” Since Carney’s meeting with Trump, he has unveiled a new cabinet “with a strong mandate to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States,” his office said in a statement. But what will it take to bring people like Bill Calder back to his usual visits from Canada to the US? “I don’t know, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” Calder told CNN. He still plans to go for his kids this summer but he definitely “won’t stay down there.” Down there, his cousin Brian told CNN he was feeling the absences on a personal level. “It’s very emotional,” he said. “This is unnecessary,” he said of the new politically driven wedge between his two countries. “There are no winners here, none. This is being run like a bad movie. I can’t believe it.”
A family divide shows how the ‘strongest bond’ between US and Canada is being broken
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Political Tensions Strain Longstanding US-Canada Family Bonds"
CNN
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Brian Calder, a dual citizen born in Vancouver, has spent most of his 84 years in Point Roberts, Washington, a unique American exclave that heavily relies on Canada for utilities and access. This geographical and cultural connection has fostered a strong bond between families divided by the 49th Parallel, yet recent political tensions, particularly those stemming from the Trump administration, have begun to erode this long-standing relationship. Calder expresses deep concern over tariffs, detentions, and inflammatory remarks about Canada, which he believes threaten not only the economic fabric of the community but also the emotional ties that have historically united families across the border. The town of Point Roberts, where about 70% of homes are owned by Canadians, has seen a significant drop in Canadian visitors, impacting local businesses that rely on cross-border traffic. As Calder points out, many family members are now feeling alienated due to the heightened political rhetoric and the fear of border detentions, which complicates their once seamless interactions and visits.
The sentiment is echoed by Bill Calder, Brian's cousin living in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, who reflects on the nostalgia of his frequent visits to Point Roberts, now overshadowed by a reluctance to cross the border. His daughter, Maggie Mori, who owns a summer home in Point Roberts, also experiences hesitation stemming from fears of being detained at the border, despite her love for the area. The Canadian government has warned its citizens to expect increased scrutiny when traveling to the U.S. Amidst these changes, local businesses in Point Roberts report significant declines in sales, and residents are left wondering how the strained relationship between the two nations will evolve. The recent political climate has fostered a feeling of uncertainty and sadness among families that once thrived on their cross-border connections, leaving them to grapple with the emotional and economic ramifications of a relationship that is being tested like never before.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a poignant perspective on the evolving relationship between the United States and Canada through the eyes of Brian Calder, a dual citizen living in Point Roberts, Washington. This community, which is geographically isolated from the rest of the U.S. and heavily reliant on Canadian resources, serves as a microcosm of the larger socio-economic dynamics at play between the two nations. The sentiments expressed highlight the emotional and economic strain that current political rhetoric and policies, particularly from former President Donald Trump, have placed on cross-border familial and community ties.
Community Impact and Emotional Bonds
Calder's reflections on the deep-rooted connections within families that straddle the border illustrate how political discourse can fracture long-standing relationships. The article emphasizes the emotional repercussions of economic policies, suggesting that tariffs and threats to Canadian sovereignty lead to alienation, even among relatives. This personal narrative serves to humanize the broader implications of policy changes, making the political personal and relatable.
Underlying Tensions and Economic Concerns
The mention of tariffs, detentions, and calls for annexation of Canada resonates strongly with readers, as it underscores a growing divide that threatens the economic stability of communities like Point Roberts. Calder's assertion that both economies suffer from these tensions hints at a need for cooperation rather than division, which could resonate with a diverse audience concerned about economic well-being.
Potential Manipulation and Media Framing
While the article aims to inform readers about a specific issue, it also has the potential to manipulate emotions by framing the narrative in a way that emphasizes fear and loss of connection. The choice of language surrounding “soul-crushing” experiences and “disowning” highlights a more dramatic interpretation of the consequences of political decisions, which might lead readers to react strongly against the current political climate. This emotional appeal may serve to rally support for a more collaborative relationship between the two nations.
National and International Implications
The implications of this article extend beyond individual stories, touching on national and international relations. The tension between the U.S. and Canada, as illustrated through Point Roberts, may influence broader economic policies and diplomatic relations. The sentiments expressed could mobilize public opinion, potentially leading to a call for policy changes that favor unity over division.
Audience Engagement and Target Demographics
This article likely resonates more with communities that have cross-border ties, particularly those in regions near the U.S.-Canada border. It targets individuals who value familial connections and economic cooperation, drawing in readers who might feel similarly threatened by current political rhetoric.
Market Reactions and Economic Outlook
The discussion surrounding economic impact could influence market perceptions, particularly for businesses operating in border regions. Stocks related to industries that depend on cross-border trade might see fluctuations based on public sentiment regarding U.S.-Canada relations.
Global Power Dynamics
This article touches on broader themes of sovereignty and national identity, relevant in today's geopolitical landscape. The narrative reflects ongoing discussions about national boundaries and the implications of economic policies on international relations, making it a timely piece that fits within current global discourse.
The article appears to be a reliable representation of the sentiments held by individuals in affected communities, although it does lean towards a more emotive and potentially manipulative framing. The emphasis on personal stories and the impact of political decisions on these lives adds depth to the discussion while also serving a persuasive function.