WHITE ROCK — With cheap fuel, a ban on poultry products and a weak Canadian dollar all in play, the South Surrey White Rock Chamber of Commerce is hoping shoppers will keep their business local.
Cliff Annable, executive director of the chamber, said while many cross-border shoppers often head to the U.S. to take advantage of cheaper fuel and groceries, those same reasons may no longer be applicable.
"What I've noticed in the past few week is that with gas prices coming down, the lineups just aren't there anymore," he said.
In recent days, gas prices around the Lower Mainland have hovered around the dollar mark, with some gas stations dipping below at 99 cents per litre.
While fuel prices have been steadily falling in recent weeks due to the plummeting price of oil, additional deterrents against shopping in the U.S. now include a weak Canadian dollar and a newly implemented ban on bringing poultry items into Canada from Washington State.
"At some point you have to wonder now if it's still worth a trip if gas isn't much cheaper and you can't buy eggs or chicken," said Annable.
"Hopefully we see more people deciding to shop local as a result."