Mayor Dianne Watts has put her support behind an Emergency Resolution drafted in order to address the recent “Buy American” policy shift adopted by the United States. This resolution affirms the desire of Canadian municipalities to support the spirit of free and fair trade between the United States and Canada.
“The recent ‘Buy-American’ provisions in the American federal stimulus packages are clearly contrary to the spirit of free trade,” said Mayor Watts. “I support the FCM’s efforts to urge the United States Congress to repeal ‘Buy-American’ requirements that strongly impact Canadian industries and businesses.”
The proposed Emergency Resolution, presented at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Annual Conference criticizes ‘Buy-American’ policies as being contrary to the spirit of free trade, and further resolves to support Canadian municipalities who choose to adopt procurement policies which favour countries that do not impose trade restrictions against goods and materials manufactured in Canada.
The resolution was presented by the Town of Halton Hills, the Halton Region, and the City of Temiskaming Shores.
The United States ‘Buy-American’ policy, implemented by President Obama on February 17, 2009, currently only applies to the US Federal Government as such this move by the FCM can be seen as Canada extending an olive branch to their American State and Municipal counterparts in order to maintain the integrity of their mutual business relationships with Canadian Municipalities.
The 2009 Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ 72nd Annual Conference has provided many opportunities for Canadian Mayors to address some very important issues pertaining to their communities.
Mayor Watts further sought to support an initiative by Metro Vancouver to reform the Criminal Code by calling on the Government of Canada to increase its support for front line policing, which will allow communities to more effectively combat gang violence. This initiative further calls for Parliament to support Bills C-14, and C-15 which amend the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in order to better facilitate the battle against organized crime.
Other resolutions which were debated included issues ranging from Chronic Offenders, Battery Recycling, and Negotiations on Internal and International Trade and Security Agreements.
For more information, please contact:
Elizabeth Keurvorst
Communications Specialist to Mayor Watts
604-591-4192