New B.C. border signs tell U.S. president Canada will never be 51st state

British Columbia will install welcome signs at all B.C.-U.S. border crossings stating that the province will “NEVER be the 51st state,” Premier David Eby announced in Victoria.

The signs read: “Welcome to British Columbia, Canada. Strong, proud, and will NEVER be the 51st state. Sorry!” Eby announced them on the first day Canada’s counter-tariffs took effect, saying they would remind people of who British Columbians are and what they stand for.

Eby referred to memes shared by U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend, including a map of North America with the U.S. flag imposed on Canada and Mexico. He called the posts bizarre and disturbing.

The premier said B.C. could lose thousands of jobs because of the trade war, and that the provincial government is working with Ottawa to support small businesses while protecting public services. He said job losses and business closures on both sides of the border were an unfortunate reality of the trade war, and urged British Columbians to buy B.C. and Canadian products and services.

B.C. stopped selling U.S. alcohol in 2025. Eby announced no further measures, but said the province is reviewing additional countermeasures intended to minimize the effect on British Columbians and maximize the effect on those targeting Canada. He said B.C. is also pursuing trade partnerships in Europe and Asia.

Eby said Canada and the United States are not currently in talks, and said he hopes Americans support candidates who promote a strong, unified Canada-U.S. relationship.