The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Mayor lauds agreement; Hayward says it's only `a first step' 3 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 `Buy American' deal reached, but reaction mixed By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer A tentative Canada-United States procurement deal intended to help Canadian companies get around the protectionist wall thrown up by recession-battered Americans is being considered a positive step locally. Under the agreement, Canadian suppliers will be provided access to state and local public works projects under the Recovery Act in a range of areas, including programs of the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Environmental Protection Agency, said WellingtonHalton Hills MP Michael Chong, who welcomes the agreement. He said those are areas of procurement where Canadian companies have traditionally been suppliers or sub-contractors in the United States. In exchange, Canada is giving American firms access to billions of dollars in contracts by provincial governments, and in some cases, municipalities. "It's a step forward with this agreement," said Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, who has been a driving and ran out the clock," he force in the fight against said. the "Buy American" He stressed the announceban, which prevented ment is a reminder that all Canadian companies three levels of government from participating in must work together to meet American infrastructure Canada's economic challengprojects. es. "(It) isn't just about John Hayward, president a trade deal, it's about of Hayward Gordon Ltd., and people. It's about prowho brought the "Buy Ameritecting Canadian workcan" issue to Halton Hills ers, families, businesses JOHN council last April, said the deal and communities. These HAYWARD is "definitely a step forward." folks are hurting from "But this agreement's shortthe downturn and they need to know that all governments are term value to many Canadian comworking together to create jobs and panies damaged over the past year give their communities a fair chance by the American Recovery and Reinto compete. The progress we're see- vestment Act (ARRA) is very low. The ing today is a product of that kind of hope is that a precedent has been set with the granting of a Canadian exco-operation," said Bonnette. He said the agreement will allow emption on ARRA," said Hayward. "Longer term it could be extremeCanadian companies to eventually be able to bid on infrastructure con- ly valuable or a total failure, but we don't really know yet, however, it's a tracts. He cautioned, however, that "the chance we have to take," said Haydevil is in the details" of the deal, ward. "Nobody should assume this issue which aren't fully known yet. He added as well that there are only about is solved, this is a first step and there's 10 days left before the U.S. economic much more to do," he added. Hayward said he was grateful to stimulus package expires. "The Americans ragged the puck Halton Hills council, and especially Bonnette and Councillor Clark Somerville, for "their courage to recognize and act upon a conviction." "The impact the Town of Halton Hills has on this international trade issue is breathtaking-- possibly the most important one for Canada in over 15 years," said Hayward. Chong called the agreement "crucial to protecting Canadian jobs and workers in Halton Hills." "Our government worked hard to defend the interests of Canadian workers and Canadian companies," said Chong. He also commended Bonnette "for his deep commitment to seeing this issue resolved in a fashion that would not negatively affect our community's business interests." Helen MacCormack, president of Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, said the agreement "represents an important step forward in our continued engagement with our largest trading partner." "While more work needs to be done to counter protectionism in the United States, this agreement has placed us in a better position than our main competitors to receive U.S. stimulus funding," said MacCormack. GETTING TO PEACE OF MIND $ 500 CUSTOMER INCENTIVE^ 0% apr^^ purchase financing for 36 months KU44EEMA BU4ZEMA BF36KTA 2010 Matrix all-in lease 2010 Corolla CE APR 2010 Camry LE APR $ 148 @ 1.9% plus taxes all-in lease $ 148 @ 1.9% plus taxes all-in lease $ 248 @ 2.5% plus taxes APR per month for 48 months with $4,075 down with $500 Customer Incentive applied. Includes freight and fees. HWY 6.2L/100 KM (46 MPG)+ CITY 7.8L/100 KM (36 MPG)+ per month for 48 months with $3,500 down with $500 Customer Incentive applied. Includes freight and fees. HWY 5.6L/100 KM (50 MPG)+ CITY 7.5L/100 KM (38 MPG)+ per month for 48 months with $4,875 down with $500 Customer Incentive applied. Includes freight and fees. HWY 6.1L/100 KM (46 MPG)+ CITY 9L/100 KM (31 MPG)+ The New Toyota Loyalty Program Current Toyota owners get $1,000 towards any new Toyota$ 2 Years Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance* Make no finance payments for 120 days** GEORGETOWN TOYOTA *First payment due on delivery, no security payment required. All leases are 24,000 km per year with an excess mileage charge of 10¢ per km. **See dealer for full details. 15 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-2296 WEBSITE at www.georgetowntoyota.com