Sick of Trump, U.S. city temporarily renames street after Canada
A U.S. city that’s had enough of Trump’s rhetoric about tariffs and the 51st state is showing its support for Canada by naming a street after their northern neighbour.
Church Street is a popular pedestrian street in Burlington, Vermont, home to the Church Street Marketplace and lined with a variety of shops and restaurants. However, local councillors recently voted to rename Church Street to Canada Street, at least until Labour Day, September 1.
Angry Canadians have cancelled thousands of dollars’ worth of vacations to the U.S. in protest, while others have expressed anxiety about heightened security at the border.
In an email to Daily Hive, Burlington City Councillor Becca Brown McKnight stated that a significant drop in border crossings has negatively impacted the city’s economy, as 15 per cent of downtown business revenue is derived from Canadian tourism. She added that each year, 750,000 Canadians visit Vermont, far more than the state’s population of nearly 650,000.
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“Vermonters overall, and Burlingtonians in particular, including myself, are downright fed up with Donald Trump’s damaging policy choices and negative rhetoric,” said McKnight.
She said that renaming Church Street to Canada Street/Rue du Canada is a way to counter Trump’s policies and send a symbolic message to Canadians.
“We want to tell our Canadian friends, ‘We value our longstanding relationship. You are welcome here. And we will fight alongside you — in spirit, if not in person — against the federal administration’s actions. And we will keep visiting Canada, too!” she stated.
According to McKnight, the resolution to rename Church Street passed unanimously, and the city plans to hold an unveiling ceremony this July. To celebrate the street name change, businesses will offer special attractions and promotions just for Canadians.
The street will be named Canada Street throughout the summer, as that’s when the city sees the highest number of Canadian tourists.
Burlington City Councillor Becca Brown McKnight (@beccaforbtv/Instagram) | Supplied
“We have received an outpouring of support and camaraderie from Canadians,” said McKnight. “It has been quite moving and has shown the power that regular people acting out of kindness and friendship can have, despite what might go on at the presidential level.”
Burlington isn’t the only place trying to woo Canadian tourists back.
In April, California Governor Gavin Newsom shared a video on social media, inviting Canadians to visit, stating that the state was launching a tourism campaign.
“Sure, you-know-who’s trying to stir things up in D.C.,” he said. “But don’t let that ruin your beach plans. California, it’s the ultimate playground — 2,000 miles from Washington and a world away in mindset.”
Non-profit organization Visit California teamed up with Expedia to offer Canadians discounts on hotels and adventures.
McKnight added, “We also want Canadians to know that we denounce Trump’s policies, whether those are destructive tariffs, insults to Canada’s sovereignty, or immigration policy designed to sow fear and create divides between us.”