WHEREAS, the auto sector directly employs over 101,000 people in Ontario, and indirectly supports the creation of more than 300,000 good jobs in communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the automotive industry represents Canada's largest manufacturing sector, Ontario's chief export and the economic lifeblood of hundreds of Canadian communities; and
WHEREAS a thriving auto sector is an essential part of Kingsville's local economy, stimulating growth, innovation and good, high-paying jobs; and
WHEREAS the Windsor-Essex Region is Canada's automotive "epicentre", employing over 18,000 workers, including home to FCA Canada's Windsor Assembly Plant, the country's single biggest manufacturing facility by employment; and
WHEREAS, Canada's auto sector has been deeply integrated with that of the United States since the early-20th century, as indicated by the 1965 Canada-US Auto Pact; and
WHEREAS the North American Free Trade Agreement governs nearly every aspect of Canada and the United States' economic relationship, including the import and export of auto parts and vehicles; and
WHEREAS, even minor changes to the established trade relationship between Canada and the United States could have enormous consquences for workers and consumers on both side of the border; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 the government of Ontario and Michigan signed a Memorandum of Understanding calling for increased cooperation and partnership between their two automotive sectors; and
WHEREAS, Canada's economic future and continued wellbeing of Kingsville's economy depend on a thriving automotive sector.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED COUNCIL:
Join with Councils across Ontario in calling on the federal government to recognize Canada's automotive sector as a key priority throughout the NAFTA negotiations.