A Brief Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper
Posted February 8th, 2025 on Niagara At Large
A file photo of the Peace Bridge crossing between Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, New York – typically one of the busiest border crossings between Canada and the United States. Thanks to Trump and company, it may not be very busy any more
Typically, on a Saturday morning at the Peace Bridge – even on the coldest of winter days – there are hundreds of vehicles from Canada at any one time, lined up to enter the U.S.A.
But on this February 8th Saturday morning, I clicked on the online camera on the American side of the bridge several times between 9 and 11 a.m. and there was barely a trickle of cars and trucks heading in to Trump’s America.
Here is a representative still of what that bridge camera was showing –
On a Saturday morning, you would usually see vehicles in six or more lines, backed up to near the bottom of this screen waiting to cross.
It was a sight to be behold that appears to be confirming numerous reports in the media and a lot of conversations I’ve been having with my fellow Canadians that with Trump declaring a trade war against our country, and with him making continuous comments about wanting to turn our country into a “51st state” of his America, they no longer want to cross the border.
Trump threatens takeover of Canada
On radio phone-in programs and other venues, many have said they are now afraid to cross the border with all of the ugly talk and behaviour over there.
That is too bad for stores and restaurants in the Western New York area that enjoy our business. But if they don’t like it – if they are feeling a bit of pain in the pocket book- let them go and complain the the orange monster in the White House.
Meanwhile, let’s keep standing up together for Canada by shopping local and buying as much Made in Canada goods as possible and by Boycotting Made in the U.S.A.
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
Niagara At Large 
Many thanks for this, Doug! I’ve noticed how Niagara residents have been asking for Canadian products in grocery stores these days. It’s a shame it took this threat from Trump to bring us to the realization that supporting our own businesses and products makes for a stronger country…but a lot of us seem to be learning the lesson. As for those, like our premier, who share many of Trump’s views — well, maybe they are living in the wrong country. There are thousands of Americans who want to live here. Maybe we could arrange an exchange at the border…?
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Good work, Doug. You’re always up to the minute; your vigilance is appreciated. Not that I was there but the situation reminds me of the War years when everyone had to do their bit. It’s certainly a war; we are definitely under attack!
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I, too, am sorry that businesses on the Trump side of the border will suffer. I read a report earlier today about parking lots at Costco and other stores in Bellingham Washington are also reporting few Canadian cars in their parking lots. Hopefully, Americans will get the message that we are not interested in becoming their 51st state. Amazon, too, needs to get the message. They are showing “Canada the 51st state” flags and lots of crapolla.
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