CBC News · Posted: Jul 27, 2020   
      
   Nervous about driving a U.S.-registered car in B.C.? Change your plates or   
   take transit, premier advises   
      
      
   Premier John Horgan had some blunt advice Monday for those drivers in B.C.   
   with American licence plates who are nervous about being judged by B.C.   
   residents.   
      
   "With respect to those who have offshore plates and are feeling harassed, I   
   would suggest perhaps public transit. I would suggest that they get their   
   plates changed. I would suggest that they ride a bike," the premier said at a   
   news conference Monday    
   morning.   
      
   But Horgan also had words for those who were keen to judge.   
      
   "We don't know why they would continue to have plates that are not consistent   
   with British Columbia and we should act accordingly," Horgan said.   
      
   "If you believe that someone is a threat to you, you should keep your   
   distance. If you can't, wear a mask and be civil and respectful. Be calm. Be   
   kind. And we'll be safe."   
      
   The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated tensions in general, but particularly   
   between Canadians and Americans due to the vastly different approach and   
   outcomes to the crisis on either side of the border.   
      
   The U.S. has the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the world.    
   In contrast, B.C. has been seen as a coronavirus success story, having   
   flattened its curve relatively early.   
      
   The U.S.-Canada border has been shut down to non-essential travel since March   
   21.  Earlier this month, that agreement was extended into August.   
      
   But even though traffic at the border is substantially down, anecdotes of   
   American travellers using the so-called Alaska loophole to vacation in B.C.   
   instead of travelling directly to the northern state persist.   
      
   "There's a high degree of certainty in British Columbia that we want to keep   
   our borders closed until neighbouring jurisdictions get a better handle on   
   COVID-19.   
   I think that those who are overtly declaring by their licence plates that   
   they've come from somewhere else should be mindful of that and act   
   accordingly," said Horgan.   
      
      
   Legitimate reasons   
      
   People driving cars with U.S. plates say they've endured vandalism and   
   harassment from Canadians convinced that they're Americans illegally in Canada   
   who might potentially spread the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.   
      
   There are several legitimate reasons why drivers of cars with U.S. plates   
   could be in Canada: they could be essential workers, have immediate family in   
   Canada, or be Canadian citizens — all of whom are legally allowed to be here.   
      
    When pressed on the measures he was asking these particular drivers to take,   
   Horgan said while it was best not to judge people by their plates, he stood   
   firm on his solution.   
      
   "If you feel [anxious] travelling with your plates, identifying yourself as   
   someone from away, at a time of heightened anxiety, I think it's incumbent on   
   those individuals to take steps to reduce that anxiety," he said.   
      
   "Doesn't seem jaw-dropping to me."   
      
                                                            (ò_óˇ)ᕤ   
      
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