Another month brings new data on how British Columbians continue to ditch travel to the U.S. amid icy tensions and a trade war imposed by the Americans.
The latest numbers from the Whatcom Council of Governments show a 38 per cent decline in B.C. plates heading into Washington state in December.
After compiling data from four border crossings — Peace Arch, Lynden, Sumas and Pacific Highway — the council says there was a 36 per cent drop in British Columbians heading south in 2025.
(Courtesy Whatcom Council of Governments)
The total volume, meaning any Canadian licence plates, from 2024 to 2025 also saw a stark decrease.
(Courtesy Whatcom Council of Governments)
April saw the steepest decline at 51 per cent. July only dropped 28 per cent.
The drop-off started last February, within weeks of U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, when he began threatening to annex Canada, referring to it as the “51st state.”
Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that every person travelling to the country will be photographed before entering or leaving, per a new regulation that started on Boxing Day.
In some cases, U.S. customs officials will also be able to take fingerprints, and the rules apply to all non-U.S. citizens, including Canadian travellers and diplomats.
The DHS previously said it has been collecting biometric data from certain travellers entering the U.S. since 2004, but indicated there was no system in place to record this information when people left the country. The department will retain the personal data for up to 75 years.
Cross-border trips fell off the radar at a time domestic travel soared last year as more Canadians chose to spend their money in this country, rather than visiting the U.S.
Last year, 1130 NewsRadio reported on figures from Flight Centre, which found a 20 per cent increase in the cancellation of flights from Canada to the U.S. between November 2024 and February 2025. It also noted a 40 per cent drop in bookings to the U.S. that month.
~With files from The Canadian Press