Fort Frances town council is showing its Canadian pride.
Council is backing a resolution that rejects any consideration of Canada becoming part of the United States.
It originated from the Town of Halton Hills and distributed to cities and towns across the province.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas says it is timely given recent events and comments from U.S. President Donald Trump about Canada becoming a 51st state.
“It’s unimaginable to me that a head of state of a foreign country would suggest using economic force such as tariffs to coerce a neighbour, friend and ally, to say nothing of suggesting that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States,” says Hallikas.
Canada-U.S. relations have also been a topic of discussion by the Border Mayors Alliance, which includes the leaders of Canadian communities close to the border.
Hallikas says while trade tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration will impact everyone, Canada’s quarrel is not with individual Americans.
“For instance, many of us here have friends, relatives in International Falls, and we’ve been crossing that border for years, and I hope that we can continue to do that. So while our fight was with the federal government, we want to make sure that we’re not taking it out on individual Americans.”
Hallikas says the mayors’ group is now reaching out with that message to their counterparts in American border cities.
The Fort Frances mayor says he met with International Falls Mayor Drake Dill on the topic last week.
The mayors do support measures that strengthen security along the border.
They are calling on the federal government for measures and resources that combat illicit activities that threaten their communities.
“Let us affirm our dedication to a secure and prosperous future for all Canadians. By addressing these challenges head-on, we can strengthen our communities and continue to build a legacy of peace and partnership along our shared border,” says Hallikas.
