At a fireside chat between the Gov. Janet Mills of Maine and Premier Susan Holt, two messages formed as Holt holds firm to her statements made in Boston.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills and N.B. Premier Susan Holt met in Fredericton to reiterate just how connected the state and province are but the two remain divided on tourism.

The visit came on the governor’s second day of her tour of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The purpose of this trip was to affirm the economic ties between the provinces and the state of Maine but also to encourage Canadians to travel to Maine. At the event both Mills and Holt reiterated the common message of a shared economy between the province and the state. But comments from the public echoed the apprehension of a lot of Canadians to cross the border amid the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests. 

David Dennis, a Fredericton business owner in the audience, told Mills and Holt he has avoided the U.S. due to his Venezuelan-Canadian wife’s concerns for her safety while crossing the border. 

“I’m not going to the States this year,” his wife told him after seeing her fellow countryman targeted and sent to an El Salvadorian prison.

Mills told reporters she understood the feeling and angst. 

She understands why Canadians feel apprehensive to cross the border after hearing “one or two stories” along the nearly nine thousand kilometer Canada-U.S. border. She said tens of thousands of people cross everyday without issue. 

“It is unfortunate because the whole goal of what ICE is doing is supposed to be deterring crime and arresting criminals, but if you don’t have a criminal record, you don’t have criminal charges pending, and you have your passport, you should fear nothing, you should feel safe,”she said. “I can tell people from Canada and from New Brunswick, when they come to Maine they will be kept safe, they will be healthy and safe and welcomed in our hearts, in our economy and in our homes.” 

State governments are not responsible for the borders, that power is held by the federal government’s Department of Homeland Security. 

Holt maintained the line from her recent trip to Boston where she urged Canadians to travel within Canada.

 “I think it is in New Brunswick’s interest for Maine to be strong and healthy but I can appreciate what the gentleman expressed,” said Holt. “I appreciate that Gov. Mills is doing whatever she can to make sure those types of operations are not successful in her state but I think there’s a clear reason why the gentleman and his wife made the decision not to go.”

The two leaders brushed off their differences and said there is no need to reconcile as they remain steadfast partners in a long lasting partnership between Maine and New Brunswick.

“We don’t have to reconcile, we can understand the shared values and the shared economies which are deep and long lasting and they will always endure,” said Mills.

Mills said this tourism season has hit Maine hard with 85,000 fewer Canadians who crossed into Maine this May compared to 2024.

“Tourism is not something we can collaborate on right now,” said Holt. 

She said the province has seen more tourists this year than ever before due to the uncertainty in the U.S.

Holt said at the end of the day she wants to see Maine and its businesses be successful because it is in the province’s best interest to have a strong and healthy economy with our closest ally in the United States. 

“It’s those businesses that can’t withstand the downturn,” said Mills in an interview with The Courier. 

Mills said when Canadians avoid Maine it does not hurt the Walmart’s it hurts the small mom-and-pop businesses, the old BnBs, and the small restaurants they used to enjoy visiting.

“[Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)] take orders and guidance from people like Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, and others in the Trump administration — not Gov Mills,” said Audrey Macklin, Professor of Law and Chair in Human Rights at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.

Macklin said most people enter and leave the US without a problem, but the current CBP is unpredictable and unaccountable. She said no one can be fully confident about if or when they may be subject to arbitrary abuse of power.

“Based on the words and conduct of these individuals, and evidence of abusive, arbitrary and unlawful conduct by frontline officials, I believe that Canadians are validly concerned about their safety when crossing into the United States,” said Macklin.

When asked to comment CBP had a different answer.

“The United States remains open for lawful international travellers and we welcome visitors who follow the proper processes — including visitors coming for tourism, business, or education.” said CBP spokesperson Rusty Payne. 

He said CBP is committed equally to the national security of the U.S. as well as the lawful and efficient travel of the approximately 1.2 million travellers crossing the US border everyday. 

I think my statement addresses anyone’s concerns,” Payne said when asked specifically about dual citizens or those of visible minority feeling uncomfortable crossing the border.