Whitmer, Ontario premier signal new commerce and financial settlement

5 months ago 2 min read

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Tuesday to signal a strategic funding and procurement settlement with the goal of strengthening commerce and job creation between Michigan and Ontario.

Whitmer mentioned that the border relationship between Michigan and Ontario, significantly within the automotive trade, is essential to the financial success of each the U.S. and Canada.

“As house to the busiest border crossing for items between the U.S. and Canada, Michigan and Ontario have deeply shared financial pursuits on points from future mobility to agriculture,” Whitmer mentioned. “Canada was the highest vacation spot for Michigan exports final 12 months, placing $27 billion into our financial system and creating 1000’s of jobs throughout our state.”

The memorandum signed by Whitmer and Ford will create a Procurement Cooperation Council that will probably be tasked with bettering transparency and engagement on authorities buying from each American and Canadian companies.

Ford mentioned that the brand new settlement would construct upon a 2021 memorandum exploring cross-border expertise testing within the auto trade in creating new jobs and rising the post-pandemic financial system.

“Ontario and Michigan share deep financial ties as companions, neighbors and associates,” Ford mentioned. “As we navigate world uncertainty, now’s the time to strengthen this necessary relationship to construct our economies, additional combine our provide chains and create good-paying jobs on each side of the border.”

The Michigan-Ontario border supported $80.6 billion in commerce in 2022, and in accordance with the Workplace of the Governor, the 2 jurisdictions are chargeable for 22% of North American automotive output. Whitmer and Ford mentioned that rising electrical automobile manufacturing will probably be an extra objective of the brand new settlement, alongside rural improvement and tourism developments.

“Right now’s Memorandum of Understanding will reaffirm our partnership and foster larger collaboration on commerce, expertise, cybersecurity, agriculture, and extra,” Whitmer mentioned. “Let’s proceed to work collectively to develop our economies, put money into our folks, and usher in a vibrant future.”