Appeals from American tourism organizations seemed to be everywhere Josh Loewen looked over the last year. Billboards and banners proclaimed a state or city’s love for Canada. Online and social media ads offered special deals for travelers from north of the border.
As a Vancouver resident and marketing executive himself, Loewen said he understands the conciliatory overtures. The number of Canadians traveling to the United States plunged after President Donald Trump returned to office with remarks about making Canada the 51st state. An acrimonious trade war between the two countries now is threatening to reinforce the informal boycott just as it appeared to be easing slightly.
“It’s such a big ask right now,” Loewen, 45, said of the U.S. tourism industry’s attempts to woo Canadians like him back before a new president occupies the White House. “It’s just a wasted effort.”
Canadian here, always wanted to visit Ireland. Is it okay for a POC?
Depends what you define as “okay”? My family moved back to Ireland in the early 90s when I was young so I don’t really know how it compares to Canada in terms of racism. Racism certainly exists, and it seems to be worse now than it was before COVID, but I can’t say I see it personally in my own life, maybe one minor incident (eg most recently a kid in the street throwing pebbles and shouting racist abuse at passersby) every fifteen years or so. And every time it’s happened, everyone else on the scene takes the POC’s side (most Irish people pride themselves on being sound).
TBH I’m not really sure I’m qualified to answer, though, as I’m white and I don’t hang around with racists so just because I don’t see racist stuff happening doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen when I’m not around. I suppose the most objective measure I can point to is that we have a racist political party but they’ve never won even a single seat in the Dáil.
Thank you very much for the info, I really appreciate it! Based on your description, it would seem that Ireland is as good or better than Canada for tolerance. Isolated wackos here and there with the majority having the backs of folks like me. Thanks again! I’ll definitely try to visit your wonderful country in the future! Also, please consider yourself welcome in Canada!