London joins 425 cities in Great Lakes declaration

London is part of a new cross-border initiative to help attract water-centred business along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Four hundred and twenty-five cities including London have adopted a declaration on attracting new water centred industries and expanding maritime commerce on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway.

“What we’re here talking about is a number of things, including trade and the importance of trade within the Great Lakes region,” said London Mayor Josh Morgan. “We’re talking about resolutions on supporting the renegotiation of CUSMA and not only renewing that agreement, but strengthening it and strengthening the economic partnerships between Canada and the U.S.”

Morgan says the declaration will benefit London in several ways including tackling unemployment rates and offering relief to manufacturing and construction jobs.

“We’ve seen significant pressure in those spaces,” said Morgan.

He adds it is important for London to have a seat at the table because although it is inland, the city relies on two of the Great Lakes for clean drinking water.

“We know that the Great Lakes is a beautiful, wonderful source of water,” said Morgan. “We need to protect and ensure that it’s there for generations in the future.”

He says it is an opportunity for the City of London to be a part of national and international conversations.

“We’re sitting with the largest cities in the U.S. and largest cities in Canada,” said Morgan. “We’re all speaking with one voice and we’re talking about how to improve the economy for people on the streets of London and on the streets of all of our cities.”