Short chain-link fence separating Canada from U.S. in Delta, B.C., not needed, mayor says

A New Fence Divides U.S.-Canada Border Community

A fence has recently been erected near the U.S.-Canada border, but it is nothing like the border wall that former President Trump envisioned. The unguarded, black chain-link fence was installed on the Canadian side of a Point Roberts park in Washington state on January 16. The fence, approximately 30 meters long, marks the end of English Bluff Road in Tsawwassen, B.C., a suburb of Vancouver.

Washington’s Monument Park, which extends across the border into Canada, has historically been a place where Canadians and Americans could gather for picnics without going through border patrol. During the pandemic, when the borders were closed, this park became a popular meeting place for people from both sides of the border. However, the new fence now prevents Canadians from crossing into the U.S. park and meeting with their American counterparts.

Brian Calder, a Point Roberts resident and former president of the community’s chamber of commerce, expressed his disappointment over the fence’s installation without community consultation. He highlighted the park’s significance as a common zone where people could mingle without harassment. The fence has disrupted this tradition, eliminating the opportunity for people to meet and interact peacefully.

The decision to build the fence was made by the Delta Police Department following an incident in 2023 where a Tsawwassen senior accidentally crossed into the U.S. and was found dead in Point Roberts. The police recommended the fence as a safety measure to prevent similar incidents in the future. However, Delta City Councilor Daniel Boisvert revealed that the council was not consulted before the fence was constructed.

Delta Mayor George V. Harvie expressed his displeasure with the fence, stating that it was unnecessary and visually unappealing. He emphasized the strong relationship between Tsawwassen and Point Roberts, noting that there was no need for a physical barrier between the two communities. While there were no fences along this part of the border previously, border patrol cameras monitored the area for security.

The timing of the fence’s installation, coinciding with President Trump’s inauguration and his focus on border security, raised concerns among residents. Boisvert clarified that the issues of illegal immigration that the U.S. faces are not relevant to the Point Roberts community. He emphasized that the fence was not about immigration but rather about preventing accidental border crossings.

One local resident raised concerns about the lack of consultation with local First Nations regarding the fence’s construction. The Tsawwassen First Nation declined to comment on the matter at this time. Mayor Harvie plans to bring the issue before Delta City Council to discuss the possibility of removing the fence.

As the community grapples with the unexpected barrier dividing their shared space, the future of Monument Park remains uncertain. The installation of the fence has disrupted the longstanding tradition of cross-border gatherings, raising questions about the impact of physical barriers on the relationships between neighboring communities.