Is Canada about to ease requirements for crossing the border?

Overall, travel has been down between the U.S. and Canada when compared to 2019 and early 2020 numbers. This doesn't just affect businesses along the border, but also the ease of access that created a shared sense of place, says Laurie Trautman, director of the Border Policy Institute at Western Washington University.

"I think having good relations with our Canadian neighbors and our Canadian government and our Canadian friends is a real strength for our region," Trautman said, "because we do have many things in common between especially Western Washington and western British Columbia."

Trautman spoke with Soundside about the impact of fewer border crossings between U.S. and Canada and how that affects the region's sense of identity.