Digital Commons Network^™

The 2026 Fifa Men’S World Cup Games: Implications For Cross-Border Travel In Cascadia, Border Policy Research Institute At Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The FIFA Men’s World Cup Games are coming to North America in 2026. The games will be held in 16 cities throughout North America, with Seattle hosting 6 games and Vancouver hosting 7, and undoubtedly selling out their respective stadium capacities. With the games being held in both Seattle and Vancouver, a mere 145 miles away from each other, many fans will be crossing the border between B.C. and Washington to attend events in both places. The Games present a rare opportunity to innovate and advance the cross-border travel experience in our region and build on past successes such as …

Jay Treaty And Indigenous Student Mobility Across The Canada-U.S. Border: A Focus On The Cascadia Region, Michael O'Shea

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This Border Brief describes the latest developments in the use of the Jay Treaty for international tuition waivers at U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions. It is based on research conducted through surveys, interviews, and the author’s previous publications to illustrate opportunities for universities and policy makers to support Indigenous student mobility across the Canada-U.S. border by recognizing the sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous Nations.

Teleworking Across The Border: Insights From Cascadia, Andrzej Jakubowski

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The COVID-19 Pandemic, supported by the rapid improvements in digital communication tools, has accelerated profound changes in how work is performed as millions worldwide started working remotely. Washington State and British Columbia were among the states/provinces with the highest percentage of people teleworking in the United States and Canada, respectively, mainly due to the developed industries of high technology, including the IT sector. However, as digital solutions allow for working from anywhere, they also boosted the rise of international virtual labor migration (cross-border telework), making labor mobility an even more diverse phenomenon. What remains an open question is whether telework …

Strengthening Collaboration Between Washington State And British Columbia, Ginny Broadhurst, Laurie D. Trautman

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

There are a variety of benefits that arise from collaboration across the Canada-US border. In some sectors, the value of collaboration is measurable. For example, travel or trade volumes can be equated with specific economic benefits. This is the case with tourism and supply chain networks. There are traceable benefits associated with cross-border business integration and the development of a shared ‘innovation ecosystem’. However, how does one measure the value of having good relations with neighbors? Or the benefits that result from developing more resilient environmental and economic conditions that are created by joint responses to shared natural disasters? The …

Appeals To Transboundary Ecology: Cross-Border Advocacy At The Skagit Headwaters Donut Hole, Derek Moscato

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The Pacific Northwest’s regional news media has directed significant attention toward the Skagit River watershed since 2019 because of a controversial, long-simmering mining proposal at the international border dividing British Columbia and Washington State. At the center of this controversy sits the so-called “Donut Hole”—an area of 5,800 unprotected hectares situated between two B.C. provincial parks—Skagit Valley and Manning—located at the headwaters of the Skagit watershed.

As a result of concerns about impacts to wildlife and the surrounding North Cascades ecosystem, opposition to the project was substantial, led by environmental advocates representing a wide range of ecological, recreational, and community …

Learning From The Past: Governing Transboundary Nooksack River Flooding, Regina Jefferies, Kit Hager

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The severe flooding along the Nooksack River in November 2021 was the latest in a long history of floods in which the Nooksack’s waters flow north across the international boundary between the US and Canada.

This Border Brief sets out to identify the current barriers to effective governance of the transboundary flooding issues of the Nooksack River, and to provide recommendations to improve cross-border collaboration in the future. It draws on a broader research collaboration with the Salish Sea Institute to identify potential barriers to effective cooperation and management, while highlighting ways in which the current initiative might consider lessons …

Is There A Future For Arrivecan At The Land Border?, Andrzej Jakubowski, Laurie D. Trautman

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the introduction of a number of restrictions as governments around the world sought to implement border management tools that could protect public health. One such example was the ArriveCAN app, introduced by the Government of Canada in November 2020. This advanced data submission tool aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring arrivals were vaccinated and by facilitating contact tracing. This Border Policy Brief provides a summary of the nearly two-year use of ArriveCAN as a border management tool during the pandemic. We consider its impact on passenger flows through the …

The Impact Of Cross-Border Environmental Media And Advocacy At The Skagit River Headwaters, Derek Moscato

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The regional media of Cascadia has directed significant media attention toward the Skagit River watershed since 2018 as a result of a controversial mining proposal at the international border dividing British Columbia and Washington State. At the center of this con-troversy sits the so-called “Donut Hole” located at the headwaters of the Skagit watershed. As a result of concerns about impacts to wildlife and the surrounding North Cascades ecosystem, opposition to the project was substantial, led by environmental advocates and Indigenous community leaders. In turn, they harnessed extensive media coverage and advocacy to facilitate a larger regional dialogue about the …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Test Requirements On Cross-Border Travel: A Case Study Of Blaine, Wa, Laurie D. Trautman

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new and unprecedented requirements for cross-border travel. In Summer 2021, after more than a year of restrictions on ‘non-essential’ travel, Canada began allowing vaccinated travelers with a negative PCR test to enter and return for discretionary purposes and without quarantine. However, testing requirements for entry to Canada continue to fluctuate, with the latest change going into effect February 28th, 2022. This Border Brief uses the case study of the land border between British Columbia and Washington State to explore how different testing regimes may impact cross-border travel.

Emerging From The Pandemic: Understanding The Canada-Us Land Border Requirements, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The restrictions on ‘non-essential’ travel at land and ferry crossings enacted by Canada and the United States in March 2020 remained largely unchanged for over a year. During the first fifteen months of the restrictions, Canada implemented some exemptions for family members and compassionate reasons and changed some entry requirements, while the US restrictions remained intact. After an unprecedented period of a heavily restricted land border, Canada began to ease restrictions for fully vaccinated US travelers in August 2021, with the US following in November. However, much like the restrictions themselves, definitions and requirements vary by country (and for the …

Border Barometer, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Throughout North America, businesses are positioned to serve cross-border markets, integrated supply chains are constructed around comparative advantages driven by national differences, and people have built the most intimate parts of their lives with family, friends, and loved ones across borders. How have the COVID-19 border restrictions enacted bilaterally by the US and Canada impacted these linkages in different cross-border regions?

News Narratives And Civic Communication During The Covid-19 Pandemic: The Cross-Border Case Of Point Roberts, Derek Moscato

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

News media, as an outgrowth of civic culture and communication, can shift existing views of political, economic and ecological life, especially in cross-border contexts. In a bi-national jurisdiction such as Cascadia, which sprawls across the British Columbia/Washington border, news reporters help align prominent political and economic issues with concurrent national or international narratives (see “Reporting on Cascadia: The Evolution of a Cross-Border Media Ecosystem”1).

This is especially true when major political events with cross-border ramifications serve as a catalyst for extensive media coverage. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, the challenges facing cross-border communities along the Canada–US …

Covid-19 And The Us-Canada Border Report 3: Impacts On The Tourism Industry In Whatcom County, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This report is one in a series of briefings on the economic impacts of Canadians and the border, aimed at improving knowledge about how the COVID-19 crisis will impact economic recovery in Whatcom County.

Cross-Border Tourism In Cascadia - Perspectives From Tourism Stakeholders And Residents, Pierre-Alexandre Beylier Phd, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University, University Of Victoria

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This research project examines cross-border travel through the lens of the tourism sector, and the effects of the border and cross-border travel on borderlands communities in the Cascadia region, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. It uses a dual approach, drawing on interviews conducted with regional stakeholders in the tourism industry from September 2019 to December 2019 as well as a survey of regional residents regarding their border-crossing habits and attitudes. As a starting point, the project sought to explore two questions:

1) Does the tourism sector market the region as a cross-border region and more specifically does it capitalize on …

A Border Policy Framework For Safe Travel Between Canada And The U.S., Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic marks a pivotal moment for border operations and policy. Governments and private industry around the world are trying to develop and implement screening protocols to protect travelers and limit the spread of the virus. This Border Policy Brief explores efforts

to incorporate public health concerns into approaches to ease the border restrictions between the U.S. and Canada. The brief outlines key guiding principles, as well as specific pilot projects that have the potential to advance safe and healthy cross-border mobility.

Covid-19 And The Us-Canada Border Report 2: Canadians And Taxable Retail Sales Within Whatcom County, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

On February 29th, 2020, the first death from COVID-19 occurred in Washington State. Over the weeks following, both Washington State and British Columbia implemented various efforts aimed at reducing the spread of the virus. On March 14th, B.C. announced closures of many businesses, made recommendations against non-essential travel, and implemented a voluntary two week self- quarantine on Canadians returning to Canada. Two weeks later, Washington issued a stay-at- home order which went into effect March 23rd. These state and provincial measures aimed at limiting mobility were soon followed by coordinated decisions by the U.S. and Canada to limit cross-border travel. …

Cross Border Regional Planning: Insights From Cascadia, Francesco Cappellano, Kathrine Richardson, Laurie Trautman

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This analysis focuses on different levels of Cross-Border Regional Planning (CBRP) processes in the Cascadia borderland. The region is home to the business-led initiative ‘Cascadia Innovation Corridor’ (CIC), designed to foster cross-border economic integration. The CIC strives to build a global innovation ecosystem in Cascadia, including a new high-speed train to connect Seattle and Vancouver. This paper focuses on the scope of the CIC as a CBRP case. The authors evaluate engagement of city governments and coherency between different planning scales to determine whether the CIC has been addressing the major challenges that may prevent tighter economicintegration in Cascadia. The …

Covid-19 And The Us-Canada Border Report 1: Covid-19 And The Us-Canada Border: Retail Shopping Destinations For Canadians In Whatcom County, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

On February 29, 2020, the first death from COVID-19 occurred in Washington State. Over the weeks following, both Washington State and British Columbia implemented various efforts aimed at reducing the spread of the virus. On March 14th, B.C. announced closures of many businesses, made recommendations against non-essential travel, and implemented a voluntary two week self-quarantine on Canadians returning to Canada. Two weeks later, Washington issued a stay-at-home order which went into effect March 23rd. These state and provincial measures aimed at limiting mobility coincided with the bilateral decision by the U.S. and Canada to limit cross-border travel. These restrictions, which …

The Changing Landscape Of Border Crossing Documents, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This Border Policy Brief examines the topic of border crossing documents in the context of policy changes at different scales, including provincial, state, and U.S. federal approaches. Specifically, it examines the upcoming implementation of the REAL ID Act in the U.S., the growing elimination of Enhanced Driver’s License programs in Canada, and disruptions to the NEXUS program. It provides an overview of the effects these policy shifts may have on the types of documents used to cross the Canada – U.S. border, using Blaine, Washington as an example. The Brief explores the importance of different ID types and their capabilities, …

Non-Governmental Organizations And Cross-Border Environmental Cooperation: Salish Sea And Baltic Sea Regions, Margit Säre, Border Policy Research Institute At Western Washington University, Borders In Globalization Sshrc Research Program At The Centre For Global Studies At The University Of Victoria

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

There are transboundary watersheds all over the globe in which community members are concerned about the healthy water ecosystems and take actions. Governance systems, policies, and local stakeholders’ engagement in transboundary water management can be quite different from one country to another, depending on political regimes, interstate relations, histories of civil society, available funding and more.

The Salish Sea is a transboundary body of water bisected by the U.S–Canada border between Washington State and British Columbia. In addition to governmental agencies, Indigenous people and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly playing a role in crossborder cooperation within the basin.

This research …

Reporting On Cascadia: The Evolution Of A Cross-Border Media Ecosystem, Derek Moscato Phd, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This report examines the news media environment of the U.S./Canada cross-border region known as Cascadia, which includes British Columbia, Washington state, and Oregon. It analyzes both the journalistic content and processes that drive media coverage in this cross- border region.

Cross Border Innovation Economies: The Cascadia Innovation Corridor Case, Francesco Cappellano Phd, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University, Borders In Globalization, University Of Victoria

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

In the recent literature on economic geography, cross-border regions have been highly heralded as potential sources for reaping the benefits of innovation (OECD, 2013). In fact, those regions have gained a reputation as being endowed with comparative advantages to compete in global markets (Vance, 2012). However, the types of processes that are occurring in the region, which act as hindrances (or barriers) to cross-border knowledge flows, have remained a significant but understudied topic in the academic literature. The same lack of understanding is widespread among the policy makers engaged in cross-border issues, specifically in terms of improved Cross Border Cooperation …

The Cascadia Innovation Corridor: Advancing A Cross-Border Economy, Laurie Trautman, Francesco Cappellano, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The Cascadia Innovation Corridor (CIC) is a regional public-private effort to better integrate the innovation economy, transportation connectivity, and communities along the Western side of the Cascade Mountains from Vancouver, British Columbia to Portland, Oregon. The goal of the CIC is to position this cross-border region to be stronger together and compete on a global stage.

This Border Policy Brief provides an analysis of stakeholder’s perspectives on the drivers and hindrances related to expanding business activities across the border in the CIC, which are key elements to the viability of the effort. The Brief also highlights the critical role of …

Border Barometer, Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University, University At Buffalo, The State University Of New York, Cross-Border Institute, University Of Windsor

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Running 5,000 miles between two of the world's most interdependent nations, the Canada-U.S. border plays an important role, directly and indirectly, in the lives of millions of North Americans. Whether as separator or seam, obstruction or conduit, the border influences a wide range of economic social interactions. The precise influence depends on a variety of policies and the extent to which those policies facilitate the movement of goods, people, capital, and ideas while ensuring the individual and collective security of the two countries.

The Effect Of The Canada-U.S. Border On The Vancouver, Bc, And Seattle, Wa, Music Network, Nabil Kamel, Lindsey Nordby, Henry Haro, Claire Swearingen

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

This Border Policy Brief examines the degree of connectivity between the two music scenes of Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC, which are less than 150 miles apart and share similar socio-demographic, economic, and regional characteristics. This Brief focuses on the effect of the Canada – U.S. border on the degree of connectivity between those music scenes and points out some opportunities and challenges faced by independent music artists in the early stages of their career, including Indigenous artists. The research presented here includes highlights from a broader project (see sidebar).

The vitality of the music industry in the two city-regions …

Passenger Flows Through The Cascade Gateway: Changes From 2013 To 2018, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Every five years, the BPRI partners with the Whatcom Council of Governments to conduct a passenger vehicle intercept survey at four ports of entry between British Columbia and Washington State.Students from Western Washington University intercept drivers as they cross the border in both directions and ask them a variety of questions related to trip purpose and travel characteristics (see sidebar). This Border Brief provides a preliminary analysis of survey findings from the summer of 2018 and compares them to the responses collected in the summer of 2013. It also considers the impacts of changes in cross-border travel in the Cascade …

Regional Cross-Border Collaboration Between The U.S. & Canada, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

On October 24th, 2018, the BPRI hosted a one-day forum to assess the state of cross-border collaboration between British Columbia and Washington State. The forum brought together regional experts from government, academia, and private industry to discuss the successes, barriers, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration across three ‘sectors’: transportation/infrastructure, business/economics, and the environment (see sidebar). U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen provided opening remarks about the region and Canadian Coast Guard Regional Director Brian Wooton gave a keynote address on collaboration in the marine environment. This Border Policy Brief highlights some of the findings from the forum, which illustrate the need for …

Canadian And U.S. Efforts To Combat Human Trafficking, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

Human trafficking across the Canada—U.S. border is receiving more attention and concern, both in the media and by public officials. There are many assumptions about the state of trafficking, yet little data exists on who is trafficked, how many people are involved, or the origin and destination of trafficking flows. This lack of information makes it challenging to create evidence-based policies. Additionally, although some federal and regional networks of collaboration are well-established, there are key differences in how trafficking in persons (TIP) is legally defined in the U.S. and Canada, which inhibits accurate data collection and the effectiveness of cross-border …

Cannabis In Cascadia: Impacts Of Legalization In The Region, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

The policies regulating the use and sale of cannabis have historically been constructed differently in the United States and Canada, yet both countries had deemed recreational use to be illegal. Beginning in 2012, however, individual states in the U.S. began to legalize recreational cannabis, including Washington, Oregon, and most recently, California. In 2017, the Government of Canada passed similar legislation. If Canada’s legislation goes into effect in mid-2018, the West Coast of North America will become the only contiguous region where recreational consumption and sale of cannabis are permitted across multiple jurisdictions (see Map 1, next page). However, because cannabis …

Modernizing The Columbia River Treaty, Border Policy Research Institute

Border Policy Research Institute Publications

In February of 2017, Western Washington University (WWU) and Northwest Indian College (NWIC) hosted a two-day symposium titled, “The Changing Environment and the Columbia River Treaty.” The purpose of the symposium was to develop public awareness and inform treaty negotiators from the U.S. and diplomats from Canada on key issues to address when modernizing the Treaty. This event brought together tribal and First Nations leaders, representatives from government and private industry, non-governmental organizations and academics to discuss the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty (CRT).