Region says `Buy American' trend is a worry in Canada by Michael Gregory Oakville Beaver Staff 19 | Friday, December 5, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com In the face of a renewed `Buy American' trend, Halton Region has unanimously thrown its support behind a resolution calling on all Ontario municipalities to support free, fair and reciprocal trade between Canada and the U.S. At the last meeting of the previous regional council on Nov. 19, councillors approved a resolution asking the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) work with the federal government, stakeholders and the country's largest trade and industry association -- the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters -- on the issue. Regional Chair Gary Carr said that as the United States' largest trading partner, the trend to `Buy American' is "especially worrying. "Many Canadian jobs are on the line, not only at firms that deal directly with clients south of the border, but their suppliers and related industries," he said. "We need to come together as a country and take a strong stand on this issue sooner, rather than later." The resolution calls on the FCM to write to the U.S. National League of Cities as well as the United States Conference of Mayors asking for them to support the spirit of free trade. Both Halton Hills and Milton councils, as well as some neighbouring municipalities, have all recently expressed their support for the measure. Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette brought forward the resolution to Regional Council and said a reciprocal arrangement is necessary after going through the first `Buy American' campaign in 2009. "We all want free trade, but free trade has to be fair trade," Bonnette said. "We are calling on our federal government to act in the interests of all to ensure fair trade practices with our free trade partners, as envisioned under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)." Carr will now send notice of Halton's position to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Leader of the Opposition Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. Copies of the resolution will also be delivered to all Ontario municipalities asking for them to support the Region's position. Oakville Injury & Pain Relief Center We make CustOm fOOt ORthOtICs! Call Today and book your `Complimentary' 3D foot scan! Certified Chiropodist On-site. No Referral Necessary. 30 Years experience in Orthotic Therapy. We Specialize In Custom Foot Orthotics and the latest 3D Foot Scan Technology! Book online at: schedulicity.com - search `atlantic foot Care' all fees covered by most insurance plans. · sport Orthotics · Golf · Diabetic · Dress Orthotics · tennis · Orthopaedic footwear · hockey/skate · Childrens · Compression stockings Book To See Our Chiropodist Today at (905) 338-5558 Limited time offer until June 1st, 2015. 2169 sixth Line, unit 2 (North of upper middle Road) | www.oakvilleinjuryandpainrelief.com · Auto$retail & Service 5.00 Off Oil · Large Selection of vehicles to Change & e-TesTs Suit every budget · Auto retail & Service · Provide up to 5 · Financing · Large Selectionprovided of Years warranty on · vehicles Provide up to 5 Years warranty on to Suit your vehicle after every budget inspection your vehicle after inspection · Financing provided 00 · $5 off Oil Change & E Tests www.rosaauto.ca www.rosaauto.ca rosa_auto@yahoo.ca 1071 Speers Road 905-337-9339 1071 Speers Road Exclusive small group networking with C-suite executives. BEERS, PEERS AND SPHERES (OF INFLUENCE) $25 uwoakville.org Tuesday, January 13th title sponsor gold sponsor partners