WOW that's a big statement! But think about it, all trade no matter how big or small starts on Main Street or another way in our own local communities. A widget made in Halton Hills and sold in Rosewood Ohio is all part of our community.
About 5 years ago Halton Hills passed a motion on pushing back on the By American provisions. What happened to it? Well over 100 other municipalities agreed and it went to FCM to be debated. To make a long story short it passed and a motion started in Halton Hills was debated nationally, actually internationally and was partially resolved in the White House. Imagine as a Councillor passing something and having it debated and discussed in the White House! Still surprises me!
The Buy American provisions proposed then are coming back and once again municipalities are pushing back. Led again by Halton Hills. Recently the US has tried to insert Buy American provisions into federally funded infrastructure projects.
Why should municipalities push back? Because the US is wrong! Our economies are so intertwined a product may start int he US have some work done in Canada and travel back and forth across the border with sub components added. Municipalities should push back as there are literally hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake. We spend a fortune attracting new companies and ensuring our businesses have a good environment to work in.
But it also speaks to the importance of advocacy. Of municipalities working and speaking to other orders of government on our needs wants and desires.
Our municipalities receive gas tax and GST rebates which help keep our taxes down and help us invest in our communities.
All of us locally want to build our communities and have a health community, safe roads, a good business environment and engaged citizens. By working together we can make it happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment