NORTH HERO, Vt. (WCAX) – Trading tensions with Canada are affecting Northern Vermont businesses. Vermont Sen. Peter Welch stopped in the Champlain Islands on Tuesday to hear some of their concerns.
Off the shores of Lake Champlain, there’s a little international community at North Hero Marina.
“The moorings that you see out here, 80% of them are Canadian customers. We would not be able to exist as we are without them being here,” said Kerry Pettit, the marina’s owner
Since the Trump administration took office, Pettit says 30% of her gas sales, 40% of her diesel and 20% of her transient customers have dissipated.
“We had several Canadians reach out to us and say, ‘We are afraid, we are afraid of our safety, we are afraid of our economics, and we’re not sure that we want to come back,’” Pettit said.
Fearing for the future of her employees and customers who have come to feel like family, she drove to Snow Farm Vineyard and Winery for Senator Welch’s listening tour.
“Whether Democrat or Republican, Canadian or American, neither will ever exist without the help of the other,” Pettit said.
She asked Welch for help, and she was not alone. Cannabis cultivators and breweries in Grand Isle County shared similar stories. Nurses, teachers and activists called out for guidance.
“What action steps, in my retirement, could I be doing now to fight this?” asked Dr. Debra Welsh from South Burlington.
While many in Vermont have been protesting, writing to their representatives and making donations, Welch says people looking to make a difference can start in their backyard.
“Doing what you can in your community to keep things together. Support a business that’s under pressure, stay involved in your local government, volunteer at school because what ultimately is going to get us through this is leadership at the local level,” said Welch, D-Vermont.
Welch will continue his listening tour with a visit on Wednesday to the Barre Farmers Market.
Story Written by Laura Ullman, WCAX