WHEREAS Canada and the United States have a shared history of friendship, respect and neighbourly relations;
AND WHEREAS Canada is a sovereign nation with a peaceful history of self-governance dating to its Confederation in 1867;
AND WHEREAS the Canadian identity is marked by a deep-rooted pride in its heritage and culture founded by French and British settlement, enriched by Indigenous culture and traditions and by more than a century and a half of multicultural immigration;
AND WHEREAS Canada has significant global standing, consistently supporting its allies, including the United States, in global conflicts such as two world wars, and wars in Korea and Afghanistan; and in international coalitions and in being consistently recognized as among the top countries in the world for quality of life;
AND WHEREAS newly elected President Donald Trump has suggested that with the use of economic force such as tariffs, Canada should become the 51st state of the United States;
AND WHEREAS President Trump, has now imposed tariffs on imports from Canada that will have a significant detrimental impact on the economic stability in both countries;
AND WHEREAS federal and provincial leaders are encouraging Canadians to buy Canadian, at the same time as it seeks to remove inter-provincial trade barriers within Canada;
AND WHEREAS municipalities have significant purchasing power through capital and infrastructure programs and can assist in the effort to combat tariffs and support Canadian businesses by their procurement of Canadian products and services;
AND WHEREAS municipalities have traditionally been prevented by trade agreements and legislation from giving preference to the purchase of Canadian products and services;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Municipality of East Ferris categorically rejects any efforts by President Trump or any others to undermine the sovereignty of Canada, and we stand united with our provincial and federal leaders for a Canada that remains strong, free, independent, and characterized by peace, order, and good government;
AND FURTHERMORE that Council endorses the federal and provincial call to action to buy Canadian and therefore remove any impediments to municipalities preferring to engage Canadian companies for products and services when appropriate and feasible;
AND FURTHERMORE that Council encourages the provincial and federal governments to remove trade barriers between provinces in support of Canadian businesses;
AND FURTHERMORE that the CAO be directed to prepare a report detailing a temporary purchasing policy that integrates and addresses these concerns;
AND FURTHERMORE that this resolution be forwarded to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, Ontario Good Roads Association, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and all Ontario municipalities.