In a CTV News segment, reporter Andy Garland tells how Nanaimo business journalist Tod Maffin’s TikTok “Buy Canada” videos, created in response to U.S. tariff threats, sparked a wave of interest from American viewers. Over 2,000 Americans from across the United States messaged Maffin expressing a desire to visit Vancouver Island. The community organized a coordinated visit, dubbed the “Nanaimo Infusion,” scheduled for April 25‑27, with participants from states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, California, Texas, Idaho, and Michigan. Individual travelers, like Julie Wilson from Kalamazoo, plan multi‑day trips to explore local outdoors, shops, and restaurants. Local officials and residents express enthusiasm, anticipating a boost to the local economy and highlighting Nanaimo’s welcoming atmosphere.
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An Nanaimo man's push for Canadians to buy Canadian has turned into a wave of Americans wanting to come visit Vancouver Island and help our local economy. CTV's Andy Garland has the story.
They booked, so we have 2 people from North Carolina, 4 people from South Carolina, 2 from Marysville, Washington, 1 from Redmond, California, 2 from Texas.
Tod Maffin of Nanaimo lists off a fraction of Americans who have messaged him saying they will be visiting the harbour city.
I had to take the form down after 72 hours because we hit 2,000.
I'm at one of Canada's grocery stores. The business journalist started posting Buy Canada videos on his TikTok account a few weeks ago in response to Trump's ongoing tariff threats.
And in the comment section of the videos were mostly Americans saying, this is fine with us, like, you boycott us, we don't like this either.
Tod went back to TikTok and posted this video welcoming our neighbors to the south to come visit. I have an idea.
What if we picked a day in a month and a half or so where all of you come up here to Vancouver Island.
And 2,000 Americans from all across the States responded saying they're on board. I told you they were coming.
Two coming from Belton, Texas. Two coming from Sandpoint, Idaho.
Julie Wilson of Kalamazoo, Michigan is one of the Americans who saw the TikTok videos and is coming for 5 days and plans on exploring our outdoors plus take in local shops and restaurants.
Everything I have seen and heard about Nanaimo is like really welcoming and it looks really friendly.
We have a date. That date is April 25th to 27th.
The influx of Americans visiting the region during the spring is expected to give a boost to the local economy and is a welcome sight by the city's mayor. The concept of inviting Americans here, thoughtful people, to come and visit beautiful Nanaimo, spend their money, enjoy our surroundings, and make new friendships is a wonderful idea. And it seems like the Canadian thing to do during uncertain times for both countries. Andy Garland, CTV News, Nanaimo.
