California governor appeals to Canadians to please come back
California’s governor is trying to drum up more Canadian tourism to his state by distancing himself from U.S. President Donald Trump. And he’s doing that literally, reminding Canadians how far from Washington his state is.
“California, it’s the ultimate playground,” Gavin Newsom says in a video recently posted to social media. “Two thousand miles from Washington and a world away in mindset.”
The Golden State and Canada have always shared so much in common.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) April 15, 2025
Sure, you-know-who is trying to stir things up back in DC, but don't let that ruin your vacation plans.
We're launching a new international campaign to welcome and encourage Canadians to visit the Golden State. pic.twitter.com/ko24o5WkWp
He’s being modest on that front. Sacramento, the capital of California, is 2,357 miles (or, for Canadians, 3,794 kilometres) from Washington as the crow flies. By car, it’s about 400 miles further. But Newsom is not shy in boasting of the state’s “world-class wine, food and outdoor adventure.”
A press release from the governor’s office notes that, since Trump started his second term as U.S. president, tourism to California from Canada has declined for the first time since the pandemic, dropping 12 per cent in February compared to the previous year.
Last year, it noted, 1.8 million Canadians travelled to California, spending $3.72 billion. It also claims that California is America’s top tourist destination, making more than $150 billion in 2023. ( New York State gets more visitors but they don’t spend as much.) According to the release, nearly 1.2 million California workers depend on jobs in tourism and hospitality.
“The Golden State and Canada have always shared so much in common,” Newsom says in his video, as flags of the two regions pop up in front of him. “Sure, you know who’s trying to stir things up back in D.C., but don’t let that ruin your beach plans.”
Newsom is coy about “you know who,” showing only an image of the White House. But a pinned post on his X account discussing his pursuit of trade deals with international partners is more direct.
“Donald Trump’s tariffs do not represent all Americans,” he says in that one, “particularly those that I represent here in the fifth-largest economy in the world.”
Newsom also reposted remarks from British Columbia Premier David Eby, who met with him on Monday. “ @CAgovernor expressed to me that he values our trade relationship,” Eby wrote. “We spoke about the role of BC lumber in helping rebuild communities impacted by wildfires — and we are ready to help meet that need.”
I met with Gavin Newsom today to talk about the impacts of tariffs.@CAgovernor expressed to me that he values our trade relationship.
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) April 14, 2025
We spoke about the role of BC lumber in helping rebuild communities impacted by wildfires - and we are ready to help meet that need. pic.twitter.com/RSWmCT9333
Newsom announced on Wednesday that his state will file a lawsuit challenging Trump’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs.
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China or a 10 per cent tariff on all imports is unlawful. The act lets a president freeze and block transactions in response to foreign threats.
The lawsuit, to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, will also argue that enacting such tariffs requires approval from Congress, Newsom’s office said.
Still, not everyone is buying the state’s pro-tourism message.
“Clearly it’s a response to what’s happening,” B.C.’s minister of housing and municipal affairs, Ravi Kahlon, told Global News .
His advice for would-be travellers? “Hold the line. It’s working. There’s a reason why there’s an ad campaign being run by the California state. There’s a reason why there’s ads being run by U.S. states. It’s because Canadians have responded with a clear message: we’re not a 51st state, we’re not going to take this lightly, we believe all the tariffs should come off, and I’m proud of Canadians, I’m proud of British Columbians.”
With files from the Associated Press
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