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Along with the increase in gas sales, southbound border crossings at Peace Arch and Pacific Highway increased 16.2 percent from May 2017 to May 2018, the most recent month for which numbers are available, according to Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI).

“I think it’s mostly due to gas prices,” said Laurie Trautman, BPRI executive director. “That’s what Customs and Border Protection is saying.”

The Border Policy Research Institute started a survey of border crossers in mid-June that will include information about why they cross. Trautman expects results to be available in August or September.

Western students conducting the survey have heard from Canadians who are avoiding shopping in the U.S. for political reasons, citing a trade war,
Trautman said.

“It will be interesting to see when these numbers come out,” she said. “The talk of a trade war really didn’t hit until July, so if there really are Canadians trying to make a stand by not shopping in the U.S., that’s not reflected [in the latest border crossing and gas revenue numbers].”