In a scenic town along the US-Canada border, construction crews are working under overcast skies to create a new entrance for Canadians into a library that has long represented the close ties between the two nations. For over a century, residents of Stanstead, Quebec, could walk through a door in the Haskell Free Library into Derby Line, Vermont, without the need for customs checks. However, the Trump administration has decided to terminate this arrangement, citing a need to address “illicit cross-border activities.”
Sylvie Boudreau, president of the library”s board of trustees, expressed her disappointment with the announcement, noting it has generated “a lot of anger on both sides.” “It”s the end of something,” she stated, highlighting the significance of the decision.
In response to this change, a new entrance is being added to the library to facilitate Canadian access. This is not the first time access has been restricted; tighter controls were previously enacted after the September 11 attacks and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, this recent development marks a definitive end to an arrangement that many in Stanstead viewed as a symbol of enduring unity between the US and Canada.
The shift has provoked strong emotions from residents on both sides of the border. Jonas Horsky, a Franco-American and frequent library visitor, shared his feelings of nostalgia for the days when crossing the border was easier. “We”ve always been united, we”ve always visited each other, but now we carry our passports with us,” the 41-year-old remarked. Canadian resident Erica Masotto, who is employed at Stanstead College, described the necessity to enter through what used to be an emergency exit as “strange,” expressing concern over the implications of “sudden mistrust.”
This development at the library reflects broader tensions in US-Canada relations. President Trump”s previous comments about annexing Canada during the early weeks of his second term have fueled anger among Canadians. His administration”s tariffs have resulted in job losses in several sectors, and in a recent announcement, Trump ended trade discussions related to an anti-tariff advertisement from Ontario.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that the relationship between the two countries would “never be the same again,” indicating that longstanding economic ties have been irreparably damaged. Data from Canada”s national statistics agency revealed a significant decline in Canadian visits to the United States, underscoring the impact of these tensions.
Marc Samson, a retiree living in the area, confirmed this trend, stating, “We don”t go to the United States anymore,” despite the geographic proximity of Stanstead and Derby Line. However, he expressed hope that political changes in the US could mend the relationship. “I imagine that if the government changes on the other side of the border, things will go back to normal,” he said.
Boudreau remarked that the alterations to library access signify “a physical end” to a unique era of closeness. Nevertheless, she believes that the sense of community and friendship between the people on both sides has been strengthened by these developments.
