Cornwall, Ont. preparing for drop in cross-border traffic if Trump imposes tariffs

The Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge on Jan. 13, 2024. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

The mayor of Cornwall, Ont. says he’s preparing for a possible drop in traffic at the Canada-U.S. border if incoming president Donald Trump follows through with a threat to impose heavy tariffs on Canadian goods.

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Mayor Justin Towndale is among the officials and residents along the border who say the levy could have severe social and economic impacts for both countries.

Trump has vowed to place 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico when he takes office next week. He has recently referred to Canada as the “51st state,” a notion many initially played off as a joke but now appear to be taking more seriously.

“Nobody’s looking to join the United States here,” Towndale said. “Nobody is looking to change our allegiance or put a different flag up or anything like that. The history that is present in this region is very old and very proud.”

Towndale say the city is preparing for a drop in cross-border traffic if Trump imposes the tariffs, likely hitting businesses on both sides of the border.

“I think it’s something we’ll likely see once the tariffs are in place. I think it’s too early to really see that right now, but it’s something that we anticipate happening,” he said.

Many residents along the border say they are deeply concerned and upset about the recent threats from Trump.

“I’m just happier to stay here in Canada. Honestly,” said Jon Lavelle, a dual citizen who now lives in Prescott, Ont. after moving from Buffalo, N.Y.

“I’m highly embarrassed by it and I’m very much on the side of Canada. I love Canada, the people are very polite, and I unfortunately see Canada as being corrupted by a lot of the ugly parts of the United States, including this – hateful and bellicose rhetoric from Donald Trump,” he said.

It’s an opinion shared by many on both sides of the border. For Johnstown resident Jim Devenny, the solution is simple.

“He’s just an idiot. Nobody takes him seriously and it’s just like a bully at school. They say something and everybody dances around but it’s just nonsense. If people just ignore him, he’d go away,” he said.

Many say Trump’s words are just political theatre.

“Oh, it’s just rhetoric. It’s political jockeying. It means very little,” said Sean Lucey, another dual citizen living in Prescott.

But while some may dismiss the comments, others say it is affecting their decision to travel south of the border.

“Why would I? Even if I had money to go travel, I wouldn’t travel in the States,” said one Prescott resident.

With Trump’s inauguration just one week away, many border residents are wondering if the easy relationship they once knew could be in jeopardy.

“Everyone I know loves and respects Canada,” Lavelle said.

“And we always, in a sense, I have to be honest, we looked up to Canada and the Canadian people, in many ways.”