As Canada-U.S. relations sour, border towns of upstate New York fear damage will be permanent

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Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-05 08:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Trade, Economy, Tourism]

As Canada-U.S. relations sour due to ongoing tariff disputes and U.S. President Donald Trump's unilateral decision to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America," border communities in upstate New York are reporting severe economic fallout. The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority reported a 23 per cent decline in Canadian cross-border traffic volume in 2025 compared to 2024, resulting in a 35 per cent drop in toll revenue, or approximately $536,000 in lost revenue. Local tourism, small business operators, and municipal leaders in regions like Sackets Harbor, Ogdensburg, and the Thousand Islands warn that these deteriorating diplomatic and economic conditions risk causing permanent structural damage to long-standing cross-border ties.