U.S. Restricts Canadian Access to Historic Library Bordering Vermont, Quebec

U.S. authorities have announced restrictions on Canadian access to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, a historic site that straddles the Vermont-Quebec border, effective October 1, 2025. This change ends over a century of informal access, requiring Canadians to undergo formal border crossing procedures to enter the library from the U.S. side, a move officials attribute to concerns over drug trafficking. Local officials and residents in Stanstead, Quebec, have expressed disappointment, emphasizing the library's role as a symbol of cross-border unity and cooperation. Sylvie Boudreau, president of the library’s board, described the decision as deeply saddening and indicative of deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations. Stanstead Mayor Jody Stone criticized the closure as detrimental to the spirit of friendship between the two nations. The town plans to formally respond to the decision, reflecting broader concerns about increased diplomatic tension between the U.S. and Canada.