With tensions growing between the United States and Canada, one Southern California city is trying to calm things down.
Palm Springs has started a marketing campaign welcoming Canadians to the city. Signs and banners have been put up that read "Palm Springs loves Canada,” but instead of the word “love,” there's a heart with the Canadian flag inside.
Keith McCormick from Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions came up with the idea. He told KNX News that some of the people had his dealership sell their cars for them as they returned to Canada.
“These people normally winter here,” he said. “They have second homes here, and there was a fear that they couldn't come over the border. They might not be able to come over the border because of the political situation.“
He then phoned Mayor Ron De Harte.
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“I said, ‘You know, I'm getting all this backlash about the Canadians going home. We need to let them know that they're very welcome here, and we want them to stay here,’” McCormick recalled. “And he put that before the city council, and he got that approved very quickly and then the banners went up.”
McCormick said he wants Canadians to know they can visit and enjoy themselves surrounded by friendly people.
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