MOOSE JAW — The City of Moose Jaw has taken advantage of the economic uncertainties with tariffs by producing a humorous video featuring Mayor James Murdock encouraging Americans to visit the community.
Appearing in his office wearing a “Get a Life” T-shirt, with O Canada playing in the background, Murdock introduces himself and says that his message isn’t a provocation but “an invitation for you, our American friends, to take some time and chill out in Canada’s Most Notorious City.”
The mayor then pitches Moose Jaw’s “legendary underground tunnels,” “incredible hotels and spas,” the “notoriously charming downtown and beyond,” with images of the Tunnels’ Al Capone tour and the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa flashing on screen.
“We’re one of Canada’s top tourism destinations,” Murdock remarked.
The mayor next pitches the community’s affordability, pointing out that the American greenback “is severely trumping” — Trumping? — the Canadian dollar, with an image of the Loonie and a woman holding 18 $1 U.S. bills. This means, he continued, that American tourists can do more shopping in the community’s “wonderful array of unique shops and restaurants.”
The scene cuts to the mayor standing next to a table with munchies such as Old Dutch chips, Kraft Peanut Butter, Hawkins Cheezies and other Canadian-made products. He notes that American tourists would likely have money left over “to splurge on the delicacies you will only find north of what we still call the border.”
“So, if you’re from the Big Apple (New York City), come check out our big moose,” the mayor continued, with the scene showing Murdock standing next to Mac at the tourism office.
“Minot (North Dakota), say why not,” he says, with a map showing the driving distances — about 425.6 kilometres — between the two cities. “Las Vegas? You’ll love what happens here,” he remarks, with a scene showing Casino Moose Jaw, “and you may even want to stay.”
The video then concludes with Murdock sitting in a bathrobe at a spa having a manicure and saying, “So forget about annexation, come for relaxation. Chill out, in Moose Jaw.”
In a news release, the mayor acknowledged that the tariffs that the U.S. is imposing on Canadian goods will likely increase the cost of living across North America. With everyday expenses increasing, he was inviting “our American friends” to visit Moose Jaw where costs were less.
“We’re very concerned about the impact these tariffs will have on Moose Jaw businesses,” he continued. “Tourism contributed $134 million to our economy in 2024, so we produced this video to support one of our biggest sectors.”
Moose Jaw is a “notoriously welcoming” place, while residents and businesses looked forward to showcasing how warm and friendly the community is to visitors, no matter what country they called home, Murdock added.
The city encouraged people to visit www.tourismmoosejaw.com for more information about the community’s attractions, shops and restaurants.
