Open Arms for Canada Campaign

The Open Arms for Canada Campaign was launched in April 2025 as a grassroots effort between multiple Seattle businesses to offer a warm welcome to visiting Canadians in the midst of a tough economic and political landscape.

News Coverage:
KOMO News
Eater Seattle

News Release:
Seattle hospitality businesses open arms to Canadian visitors

Grassroots group takes Canadian dollar at par during Blue Jays-Mariners series

SEATTLE (April 28, 2025)—A grassroots group of Seattle-based businesses in the dining, hospitality and tourism sectors have banded together to show our Canadian neighbors that they are welcome in the Evergreen State. Despite tariffs and other trade policies emanating from the other Washington, these businesses are demonstrating that Seattleites love and appreciate our Canadians friends.

To show their thanks, the businesses will take the Canadian dollar at par during the Blue Jays-Mariners series at T-Mobile Park, May 9-11. To account for the difference in the exchange rates, Canadian visitors will receive 30% off their tab at participating businesses. The effort is called “Open arms for our Canadian friends,” and the coalition has launched a website.

“It’s a small gesture to show that we care—and it’s the right thing to do,” said Howard Wright of Seattle Hospitality Group and one of the originators of the idea. “We regret how our federal government is treating our friends, so what we can do is show our gratitude and solidarity. We respect that Canadians’ elbows are up. But we’re keeping our arms open.”

Participating businesses have added their names to the website and are managing their own process for extending the discount. More information is available through the coalition website. Coalition businesses include Ivar’s, Ethan Stowell Restaurants and the Sheraton Grand Seattle.

There are no current plans to extend this work beyond May 11 or to scale outside of Seattle. But as a grassroots coalition, participation and activation is voluntary and may continue into the summer.