A new fence on the U.S.-Canada border is seriously dividing opinion

A cable barrier that was erected between the United States and Canada this week has divided both a section of the B.C. border and wider public opinion.

According to a statement from the U.S. Border Patrol, the new fencing at a section of the border near Lynden, Wash., is designed to prevent vehicles either "accidentally, or purposefully, crossing the boundary and endangering citizens in both countries."

The U.S.-Canada border has been closed to all non-essential travel since March to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

The statement adds "This safety cable barrier not only protects people in the United States and Canada, but it also aids in securing this portion of the border by deterring illegal vehicle entries in both directions."

The Americans have put up a fence along the US Canada border in #Abbotsford/Aldergrove. I grew up down the street from this & it has always been just a ditch. But people have been meeting along here since the pandemic. #covid19 #cbsa #cbp @CBP @cbcnewsbc @CanBorder 🎥@got_berries pic.twitter.com/QiGRBgLwas
— Anita Bathe (@anitabathe) August 19, 2020

The construction of the new barrier has taken many citizens on both sides of the border by surprise, with some comparing it to President Donald Trump's proposed wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

Did anyone have "Trump builds a wall on the northern border" on their 2020 bingo card? Anyone?#ThursdayThoughts #CanadaUSBorder #LakeErie https://t.co/U437S0TzYv
— LakeErie 🌊 (@LakeErieNorth) August 20, 2020

Others say that the fencing breaks historical border agreements between the two countries.

Ignoring The Webster–Ashburton Treaty, signed August 9, 1842, a treaty that resolved several border issues between the USA and Canada.. no fences or walls will be constructed within 10ft of the 49th. So .. Trump Govt ignores another treaty?
— Bob the Annoyed Observer (@BCOceansandOil) August 20, 2020

Some social media users pointed out that American citizens will have to foot the bill for the instalment.

— Christine Dittaro (@cdittaro1) August 20, 2020

Meanwhile, on this side of the fence, some people have argued that the construction doesn't go far enough, given how the U.S. has struggled to keep their rates of COVID-19 under control.