Publications
The Border Policy Research Institute regularly publishes a variety of materials on an ongoing basis. BPRI publications are openly accessible, have been downloaded thousands of times, and are regularly cited in the media.
- Border Policy Briefs are concise reports usually focused on regional border topics
- Research Reports are typically (co) authored by our visiting fellows and provide an in-depth analysis of broader topics
- COVID-19 and the US – Canada Border is a special series that includes reports focused on the pandemic border restrictions.
- Border Barometer is a special series stemming from an ongoing collaborative research endeavor that assesses the role of the border on our social, economic, and infrastructure connections.
You can also view all of our publications at on Mabel .
Fall 2026 Border Policy Brief - Whatcom County Businesses and the Decline in Canadian Travel
BPRI and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce partnered on a series of business surveys to track how the decline in Canadian cross-border travel is being perceived by Whatcom County businesses. The second survey, more squarely focused on cross-border travel changes, aimed to track whether business sentiment has worsened or stabilized, and how businesses have responded to trends that are proving to be less short-term. This Border Policy Brief analyses the results of this survey and dives deeper into business perspectives through focused interview with several Whatcom County businesses.
Read the full Border Policy Brief
Spring 2026 Border Policy Brief - Highlighting Cross-Border Collaboration in Cascadia for FIFA 2026
As the largest global sporting event in the world, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will span 16 cities across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Across these three countries, the Cascadia region (specifically British Columbia and Washington state) is the only hosting area where matches are staged on both sides of an international land border. With Vancouver hosting seven matches and Seattle hosting six, the geographic proximity of the game dates in June and July will heighten demand for cross-border travel in the region, presenting unique pressures due to both increased volumes and the international make-up of travelers.
The objective of this brief is to assess the border policy implications of FIFA World Cup 2026 for the BC-Washington corridor, summarize progress since the last Border Policy Brief in 2024 that emphasized the challenges and opportunities that came with this event, and highlight key ongoing initiatives designed to support border agencies, travelers, and the broader visitor economy.