Acknowledging support from all Ontario municipalities

Councillor Votes

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Whereas the federal government is currently in negotiations with the U.S. government on their proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S.; and Whereas Premier Doug Ford has outlined several plans to combat the impact the proposed tariffs would have on Ontario including Fortress Am-Can which focus on strengthening trade between Ontario and the U.S. while bringing good jobs back home for workers on both sides of the border; and Whereas the federal government has also outlined several ways to address the current relationship with the U.S. including establishing the Council on Canada- U.S. relations to support the federal government as it negotiates with the U.S on tariffs; and Whereas Ontario is the number one or number two customer for at least seven US states including New York, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri, and trade between Ontario and the United States is very important to our residents and local economies and requires all levels of government to work together in the best interest of those residents; and Whereas according to data from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, across Ontario municipalities are expected to spend between $250 and $290 billion on infrastructure in the next 10 years; and Whereas municipalities, although currently subject to various trade agreements including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement have traditionally treated all procurements from trade partners equally and fairly; and Whereas municipalities can assist in the Team Canada effort to combat tariffs and support businesses in our procurement for equipment, materials and supplies for both operating and capital infrastructure programs; and Whereas there are trade barriers between Canadian provinces that add costs and create inefficiencies in the movement of goods. Therefore, be it resolved that, the City of Peterborough supports Team Canada and the provincial and federal governments on the measures they have put in place in response to the proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and ask that they take any and all measures to protect the interests of Ontario in any upcoming trade negotiations; And that federal and provincial governments remove any impediments to municipalities preferring Canadian companies and services for capital projects and other supplies; And that the provincial and federal governments take action to remove trade barriers between provinces as a response to US tariffs and support Canadian businesses. And that the Commissioner of Finance and Corporate Support Services be directed to bring back a report detailing a temporary procurement policy that integrates and addresses these concerns to the greatest extent possible; Be it further resolved, that copies of this motion be sent to: · The Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada · The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario · The Hon. Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs · The Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade · The Hon. Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities · The Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing · Rebecca Bligh, President, FCM and Councillor, City of Vancouver · Robin Jones, President, AMO and Mayor of Westport · Bonnie Clark, Chair, Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus · John Beddows, Chair, Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus · All provincial and territorial Premiers · All local MPs and MPPs · All Ontario Municipalities for their support.