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<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile Canadians have recently become focussed on sourcing local products and supporting local businesses in the wake of American President Donald Trump\u2019s trade war, Cameron Bissonnette has been doing that for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His family has been operating the Osoyoos Duty Free Shop at the Osoyoos border crossing since 1986 and he took over operation almost a decade ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a long time to have it in the family, but there are other duty free shops run by people just like me, second generation or sometimes third generations now,” Bissonnette told iNFOnews.ca. \u201cWe kind of look at ourselves as ambassadors to people leaving the country. We\u2019re that last touch point and want to make sure they\u2019re having a great experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the years, Bissonnette has talked with countless travellers from all over the world and taken a key role in promoting B.C. products. His shop sells unique, locally sourced products and allows Canadian travellers to keep their hard-earned dollars in the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kelowna resident Cameron Bissonnette is pictured in front of his pool in November, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image Credit: SUBMITTED\/ Cameron Bissonnette<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a nice store to work in because everyone is in a good mood whether they\u2019re Canadians just starting their vacation or they\u2019re Americans who had a wonderful trip to Banff, Jasper or the Okanagan,” he said. \u201cYou always have the opportunity to chat to people, ask where they\u2019re from and where they went, there are some good stories out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canadians heading south can stop at the shop for currency exchange and travel information, and to load up on duty-free, tax-free alcohol and some tobacco products as long as it\u2019s for personal use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The costs are lower than what is found at other retailers and there are products like local award-winning wines that can\u2019t be found across the border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur biggest category is booze, it\u2019s about 80% of our business, there are significant savings on those products,\u201d Bissonnette said. \u201cYou probably save 60% buying products in the store compared to buying them domestically in Washington state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything is for immediate exportation to the U.S., and only for personal consumption, under the duty-free allowances the government has in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deals at land border duty-free are better than the ones you find at airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAirport duty free stores have to pay extremely high rents to the airport authorities, it\u2019s difficult for them to pass those savings on to customers, where the independent land border stores are mostly family businesses,” Bissonnette said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While he enjoys the job, there have been tough times over the years. The current trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuating Canadian dollar are a few of the challenges he has had to navigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently, fewer Canadian residents are travelling to the U.S.<\/a> in response to the trade war and a weak loonie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In February, there was a 13.1 per cent drop in the number of Canadians flying back from trips to the U.S. and a 23% drop in residents driving back compared to the same time last year, according to Statistics Canada<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bissonnette said the decrease in Canadian traffic is dramatic, however there is still a steady flow of Americans coming north to BC destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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