Tod MaffinCanadian Commentator, From Far and Wide · Emotional Support Canadian

CBC’s coverage of Tod’s #Nanaimo Infusion #nanaimoinfusion

24 Feb 2025 · 2 min

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1:49

In a CBC news segment, Tod Maffin, a digital‑marketing professional, business journalist, and former CBC radio host, proposes a weekend invitation for American tourists to visit his hometown of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. He suggests picking a date about six weeks out, aiming for roughly 200 visitors—a 10% conversion of the 2,000 Americans who responded to his recent TikTok video. Maffin highlights Nanaimo’s outdoor activities, brew pubs, and a special Nanaimo‑Bar walking tour scheduled for April 25‑27, arguing that such a turnout would noticeably boost the city’s economy. The segment notes the unexpected surge of American comments on his video, many expressing anti‑U.S. sentiment amid worsening cross‑border relations, and cites the Nanaimo mayor’s public support. A third speaker frames the initiative as a grassroots effort to strengthen Canada‑U.S. people‑to‑people ties despite political tensions in Washington. Maffin remains uncertain about final attendance but is hopeful about showcasing Nanaimo’s attractions.

Chapters

I have an idea. Tod Maffin's idea was not a big one, but it's getting big interest.
What if we picked a day in like a month and a half or so where all of you come up here to Vancouver Island? I'm not kidding.
Maffin really likes his hometown of Nanaimo and wants to share it with American visitors seeking an escape from their country.
We have incredible outdoor activities here. We have hiking. We have some of the best brew pubs in the world.
And since he posted that video last week, 2,000 of them said that they would come.
My personal goal is 10% of that. If 200 people come on a single weekend, that will have a noticeable effect on our city's economy.
Maffin is in digital marketing and a business journalist, and he's a former radio host and producer, including with CBC. He makes lots of TikTok videos like how to avoid U.S. products as cross-border relations worsen.
My comment section was filled more with Americans than Canadians, which I wasn't expecting, and Almost all of them were saying, yes, boycott our products, we don't like this either.
That's part of what led to his invitation idea.
I thought like maybe half a dozen or so would show up and my wife and I would take them out for dinner or lunch or whatever. In an hour we had like maybe 100 people that were like, I'll do this, I'm in California, I will come up for this.
Nanaimo's mayor is applauding the effort.
Canada is a welcoming country. Canadians are good people. They don't deserve the treatment from the White House, and I think many Americans very much disagree with their president. So this is opportunity to build a stronger relationship between our peoples and ignore the political leadership or lack of it in Washington.
Maffin's not sure what turnout will materialize but hopes people can enjoy everything Nanaimo has to offer. And some people are coming just for the walking tour of Nanaimo Bars. And from April 25th to 27th, no one is barred from Nanaimo.