Cross-border BS: What's the point?

Generated Title: Salish Sea Dreamin': Another Bureaucratic Circle Jerk?

Okay, another forum. Another round of "deepening relationships" and "breaking down silos." I swear, if I hear one more politician utter the word "synergy," I'm chucking my laptop into the Salish Sea.

The Usual Suspects

So, who was at this "Cross-Border Forum" up in Sidney, BC? A laundry list of the usual suspects: Indigenous leaders (good), elected officials (eye roll), civil society types (yawn), and business advocates (surprise, surprise). We're talking Tsawout Hereditary Chief Eric Pelkey, Cowichan Tribes Chief Cindy Daniels, Lummi Nation Treaty Protection Director Brandon Morris... the list goes on. Politicians like Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith and MLA Robert Botterell were there too, of course, patting themselves on the back for "collaboration."

And what did they do, exactly? Well, they talked. They brainstormed. They probably ate some fancy canapés. The goal? Apparently, to "amplify grassroots stories of collaboration" and establish a "jointly managed website." Oh, and a "Cross-Border Secretariat." Because what this world really needs is another bureaucratic layer.

Seriously, a secretariat? To "coordinate efforts, map existing collaborations, and identify funding opportunities"? Give me a freakin' break. It sounds like a bad parody of a government task force.

The Shrinking Border Buzz

Now, here's where it gets interesting. While these folks are busy patting each other on the back for their cross-border kumbaya session, actual cross-border traffic is tanking. Down 37% in October compared to last year. Down 40% in September. This is the 9th straight month of decline. Cross-border travel from B.C. to Washington state dives again - Vancouver Sun.

So, what gives? Are people suddenly less interested in cheap gas and outlet malls? Or is something else at play? The article mentions "tariff troubles." Ah, yes, the elephant in the room. While everyone's busy talking about "shared stewardship" and "economic-environmental nexus," the real issue is probably good old-fashioned money.

But let's not let reality get in the way of a good feel-good story, right?

They're yammering about restoring the Sidney–Anacortes ferry. Okay, that's actually a decent idea. McNeil-Smith pointed out that the ferry "helped keep the Nations connected for 99 years." Makes sense.

The Salmon Savior Complex

And then there's the whole "salmon as a unifying symbol" thing. Look, I get it. Salmon are important. They're a vital part of the ecosystem, and they hold cultural significance for Indigenous communities. But let's not pretend that salmon are some kind of magical cure-all for all our cross-border woes.

Brandon Morris from the Lummi Nation said something about "the waters connecting people and the impact everyone has on the waters and land." True enough. But are we really going to solve the climate crisis and fix the economy by holding hands and singing songs about salmon? I wish.

Lisa Smith from the Washington State Microenterprise Association said the gathering was "rich with stories of appreciation." Sure, Lisa. And I'm sure the salmon appreciated being used as a political prop.

So, What's the Real Story?

This whole thing reeks of a well-intentioned but ultimately pointless exercise in bureaucratic navel-gazing. They can hold all the forums they want, build all the websites they want, and establish all the secretariats they want, but until they address the real issues – like tariffs and economic disparities – nothing's gonna change. Maybe I'm wrong, offcourse. Maybe I'm just a cynical jerk. But something tells me this is just another case of politicians talking a big game while the world burns.