The 91大黄鸭 Chamber of Commerce is sending a clear message to Americans planning a trip north this summer鈥攜ou鈥檙e welcome here.
Amid rising political tensions and cross-border chatter, the Chamber says it鈥檚 been hearing from concerned U.S. residents wondering if they鈥檇 be received warmly in Canada.
To ease those concerns, the organization has launched a simple but friendly campaign, a window decal that local businesses can display to show their openness to American visitors.
鈥淥ur phone started ringing this spring,鈥� said George Greenwood, CEO of the 91大黄鸭 Chamber. 鈥淔rom callers in the U.S. asking if it was 鈥榮afe鈥� to visit Canada or if they would be welcome given the rhetoric they were hearing and seeing in the media.鈥�
While Greenwood acknowledges the proudly 鈥渆lbows up鈥� Canadian response to recent talk of U.S. annexation, he said it鈥檚 understandable that tourists might feel unsure about heading across the border.
鈥淲hile we are proud of Canada鈥檚 response to U.S. threats of annexation, and the 鈥榚lbows up鈥� reaction, we understand it can be confusing for those who want to visit or vacation north of the border.鈥�
The Chamber designed a friendly, five-by-five-inch window sticker that reads 鈥�91大黄鸭 鈥� A Warm Canadian Welcome 鈥� We share more than just a border.鈥�
The decals are free and available to both Chamber members and non-members. Greenwood hopes to see them popping up in shop windows, office foyers, and anywhere else visitors might look for a bit of reassurance.
鈥淲e hope that lots of stores, offices, public offices, will display the signage,鈥� he said.
Decals are available at the Chamber office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday at 544 Harvey Avenue, or by calling 250-861-3627.