The Mayor of Goderich says he and other Great Lakes region mayors finally have an equal voice in developing and maintaining the Lakes.
Deb Shewfelt is attending a Toronto conference on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initative.
Shewfelt says it’s encouraging that the McGuinty government has also committed to consulting municipalities on any decisions affecting the Lakes.
Shewfelt says it’s important for municipalities and senior levels to take a united approach to the economic and environmental future of the region.
He says the Great Lakes forms the second-largest economic base in North America and that all governments have to be aware of the implications of acting alone.
Shewfelt says the agreement involving 50 municipalities on both sides of the border has been a long time coming.
Shewfelt says it was decided in 2003 to eventually have a single group speak for everyone.
Shewfelt says before that time there were two separate entities that sometimes operated on different agendas.
Shewfelt says now the senior governments are more prepared to listen to what municipalities have to say.
Shewfelt says the amalgamation has been beneficial because the province, Ottawa and eight American states that border on the Lakes are working with municipalities.
He credits the efforts of Toronto Mayor David Miller and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley in helping develop the pact signed Thursday.
