Overview
- The signs were unveiled Tuesday by Premier David Eby at a Victoria press conference and will be installed at B.C. crossings with Washington State.
- One welcome sign reads “Strong, proud, and will NEVER be the 51st state. Sorry!” and other versions include metric conversions, a ‘Watch for Moose’ warning and the phrase “Kindness ≠ Weakness.”
- The rollout coincided with Canada’s dollar‑for‑dollar counter‑tariffs on roughly $20–28 billion of U.S. goods coming into force and follows U.S. expedited duties on Canadian exports.
- Eby publicly called President Donald Trump’s recent memes “clearly unhinged,” warned of likely job losses and business closures, and said the province will boost its Buy BC effort while working with Ottawa on supports.
- Analysts and officials warn the dispute could dent growth and cost jobs if it continues, and the U.S. has already taken additional steps such as restricting some Canadian goods from U.S. government contracts.